Tech65.org http://www.tech65.org Moving Swiftly Along Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:25:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 ©Tech65.org daniel@tech65.org (Tech65.org) daniel@tech65.org(Tech65.org) Technology, Singapore, Gadgets, Computers, Software, Hardware 1440 Technology, Singapore, Gadgets, Computers, Software, Hardware Just like 65 is the area code for Singapore, 65 bits is your one stop non stop podcast for tech news and culture, where tech is actually fun. Enjoy the smooth sounds of our five hosts, Daniel, Jerrick, NTT, Farinelli and Kai Yi. Tech65.org Tech65.org daniel@tech65.org No no http://www.tech65.org/wp-content/images/album-art144.jpg Tech65.org http://www.tech65.org 144 144 Simply Geek #4: The iWhat?? The other side of the coin http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/06/simply-geek-4-the-iwhat/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/06/simply-geek-4-the-iwhat/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:41:49 +0000 NTT http://www.tech65.org/?p=811 This is Simply Geek, and we’re coming to you from 3 (almost) separate locations with 3 (mostly) different topics each week! This week, well… we’re still under the… We are Apple. Lower your Shields and Prepare to Be Assimilated… Resistance is Futile… *ALL SHIPS FIRE PHASERS!! TORPEDOS AT MARK 3,2-56). Sorry got a bit carried away by Star Trek Online there… So where were we… Ah yes. Steve Note’s Reality Distortion Field’s Modulation has been changed yet again and we’ve all been assimilated. But seriously, with a name like iPad – who’s gonna want to put it between their… Hands… :) Just their hands. Nowhere else. At All.

- Daniel, Jerrick, NTT

Topics This Week:

[06:00] Jerrick: iTampon
[20:15] Daniel: iFeminineHygieneProduct
[33:20] NTT: iSlablet?

[48:55] Side Track: HP Envy 15

Theme Music by Ivan Chew – MyRightBrain.wordpress.com

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/06/simply-geek-4-the-iwhat/feed/ 0 55:52 This is Simply Geek, and wersquo;re coming to you from 3 (almost) separate locations with 3 (mostly) different topics each week! This week, well... we're ... This is Simply Geek, and wersquo;re coming to you from 3 (almost) separate locations with 3 (mostly) different topics each week! This week, well... we're still under the... We are Apple. Lower your Shields and Prepare to Be Assimilated... Resistance is Futile... *ALL SHIPS FIRE PHASERS!! TORPEDOS AT MARK 3,2-56). Sorry got a bit carried away by Star Trek Online there... So where were we... Ah yes. Steve Note's Reality Distortion Field's Modulation has been changed yet again and we've all been assimilated. But seriously, with a name like iPad - who's gonna want to put it between their... Hands... :) Just their hands. Nowhere else. At All. - Daniel, Jerrick, NTT Topics This Week: [06:00] Jerrick: iTampon [20:15] Daniel: iFeminineHygieneProduct [33:20] NTT: iSlablet? [48:55] Side Track: HP Envy 15 Theme Music by Ivan Chew ndash; MyRightBrain.wordpress.com Podcasts,,Simply,Geek Tech65.org no No DigressCast #10: The CellPhone Episode http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/05/digresscast-10-the-cellphone-episode/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/05/digresscast-10-the-cellphone-episode/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:30:14 +0000 Justin Lee http://www.tech65.org/?p=817 Finally, as predicted in December, this episode is released in February. It is finally out. In this episode, we discuss about cellphones (or handphones for locals), and reminisce about our past cellphones. Those who grew up from the beginning of cellphones, you’ll love to walk down memory lane. Get ready your favourite search engine and search for the old phones we talk about.

What is your first phone? Leave us a comment.

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/05/digresscast-10-the-cellphone-episode/feed/ 2 45:16 Finally, as predicted in December, this episode is released in February. It is finally out. In this episode, we discuss about cellphones (or handphones for ... Finally, as predicted in December, this episode is released in February. It is finally out. In this episode, we discuss about cellphones (or handphones for locals), andnbsp;reminiscenbsp;about our past cellphones. Those who grew up from the beginning of cellphones, you'll love to walk down memory lane. Get ready your favourite search engine and search for the old phones we talk about. What is your first phone? Leave us a comment. DigressCast,,Podcasts Tech65.org no No Dell Alienware M11x First Look http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/dell-alienware-m11x-first-look/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/dell-alienware-m11x-first-look/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:48 +0000 Daniel http://www.tech65.org/?p=816

This is probably the star of Dell’s event this Monday, Dell’s smallest Alienware, and possibly the most powerful 11″ notebook on the market. We got a chance to get some hands-on time with the M11x and find out just how much power we are talking about here.

The M11x is on sale right now on Dell’s online store from S$1699, in case you are wondering.

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/dell-alienware-m11x-first-look/feed/ 0 Lenovo RapidDrive Technology http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/lenovo-rapiddrive-technology/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/lenovo-rapiddrive-technology/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:00:51 +0000 Justin Lee http://www.tech65.org/?p=812 When Lenovo announced this new RapidDrive Technology that they’ve been working on during CES 2010, I was scoffed it off as another hybrid SSD + HDD implementation that wasn’t anything interesting. That is until I read up more about it from possibly Lenovo’s only article that talks about the technology in-depth – Introducing RapidDrive technology. I realized it wasn’t really just some cheap implementation that uses RAID 0 striping combining both physical drive into 1 “logical” drive, but possibly some interesting optimizations built on top of it to bring out the full potential of an SSD and HDD hybrid.

Results of RapidDrive Technology

Here are the visible results of this RapidDrive Technology, taken from the Lenovo Blogs - Inside the Box. Pictured are two Y560 systems.  The one of the left has RapidDrive.  The one on the right has a standard HDD.  Otherwise, both are identically configured.  A simple script shows loading a series of programs and how much extra speed the RapidDrive can provide.

As you can see, the system with the RapidDrive finishes in about 13 seconds, but the system without takes almost 30 seconds. This is about up to 66% increase in speed.

How does RapidDrive Technology work?

I’m sure you can find many places that tells you how this RapidDrive technology will benefit you as a consumer. That’s not my purpose in writing this article. I want to understand how this RapidDrive technology works, and how it can potentially be different from other hybrid technologies that tries to do the same.

Currently the configuration is as follows: Lenovo Y460 and Y560 will offer SSD options of 32 gig and 64 gig alongside with a 500 gig HDD option (configurations might vary). The SSD will be using a PCI-E internal expansion connector, and the HDD will be connected using the normal SATA connection. When you view the physical storage on Windows 7, you will only see 1 seamless partition for both drives instead of 2 separate partitions for each drive. This means that you don’t have to worry about where to put your files, be it SSD or HDD, this RapidDrive technology will decide for you.

Where are files stored in the SSD?

Based on Lenovo’s current software design, all the key files required for PC boot up and large calculation (paging files) will be stored on the SSD. By storing the key OS files on the SSD, Lenovo PCs enable more enhanced performance overall, even if the SSD is filled and data is being store on HDD. Windows 7 system files and the paging file is located on the SSD which takes up the first 15 to 17 gigs of the total SSD drive. That leaves about 15 gigs remaining on the 32 gig SSD drive, or 47 gigs remaining on the 64 gig SSD drive.

What happens after the SSD gets filled up?

Currently the software is designed to store files first on SSD then HDD after the SSD storage is filled. But the core system files and paging files (for virtual memory usage) are stored on the SSD in order to achieve an overall enhancement on performance. This is only the first stage in their software development and Lenovo will continue to improve the system capability in terms of intelligent loading depending on file size and usage.

So where is my System Recovery partition located?

The system recovery partition is hidden in the last partition of the HDD, which is not part of the combined SSD and HHD of the large C Partition. So the user just needs to use Lenovo’s “OneKey Rescue System” to restore their entire system and will not require special system tasks compared to non-RapidDrive systems. Users can still customize their partition if they choose to, but to maximize RapidDrive performance, the OS and necessary system files should be hosted on the C partition to benefit from the faster performance of the SSD.

Can I install another OS and/or repartition my drives?

The system does enable user to customize their partition as they choose to, however, changing the standard setup of the system, such as installing dual OS will affect the performance consistency of RapidDrive and security of your data.

Does this RapidDrive technology only work on Windows 7?

Currently, only Windows 7 “Enhanced Experience” by Lenovo is supported.

Summary

So there you have it. Lenovo has taken up the mantle from IBM and continued to innovate their PC brand, not only providing the ultimate hardware experience, but also new ways to bring more value to consumers with their software “Enhanced Experience”. I hope that answers most of your questions about RapidDrive technology because those questions were exactly what I wanted to know. Special thanks to Derrick Koh, Lenovo’s communications manager for the ASEAN region, for providing me with the answers.

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/lenovo-rapiddrive-technology/feed/ 0 Dell Adamo XPS First Look http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/dell-adamo-xps-first-look/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/dell-adamo-xps-first-look/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:46:21 +0000 Daniel http://www.tech65.org/?p=815

DK and I were at Dell’s launch event on Monday where they were showing off both new computers as well as computers from their existing line-up. One of them was the Adamo XPS, a machine that has been on sale for a bit, but has always been behind a glass display at Dell’s retail shops here in Singapore. We finally got a chance to go hands on with this very uniquely designed machine.

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/dell-adamo-xps-first-look/feed/ 0 65Bits #155: How can we not talk about the iPad? http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/65bits-155-how-can-we-not-talk-about-the-ipad/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/65bits-155-how-can-we-not-talk-about-the-ipad/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:18:31 +0000 dk http://www.tech65.org/?p=814 We promise we will not talk about the Apple iPad. OK, we just broke our promise. How can any tech podcast skip the iPad story? And boy do we have lots to say about the iPad. Apart from iPad, we also pray that the local Twitter trend will come to Singapore and wish that IE6 will die. Soon!

Daniel, DK, Justin & Justin

Stories this week:

[1:30] Twitter adds local trends to Web site
[4:35] Google ends support for IE6
[9:30] Apple iPad

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/03/65bits-155-how-can-we-not-talk-about-the-ipad/feed/ 1 52:41 We promise we will not talk about the Apple iPad. OK, we just broke our promise. How can any tech podcast skip the iPad story? ... We promise we will not talk about the Apple iPad. OK, we just broke our promise. How can any tech podcast skip the iPad story? And boy do we have lots to say about the iPad. Apart from iPad, we also pray that the local Twitter trend will come to Singapore and wish that IE6 will die. Soon! Daniel, DK, Justin Justin Stories this week: [1:30] Twitter adds local trends to Web site [4:35] Google ends support for IE6 [9:30] Apple iPad 65Bits,,Podcasts Tech65.org no No Simply Geek #3: MMOs, the Nexus One and Solid State Revolution? http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/01/simply-geek-3-mmos-the-nexus-one-and-solid-state-revolution/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/01/simply-geek-3-mmos-the-nexus-one-and-solid-state-revolution/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:45:43 +0000 NTT http://www.tech65.org/?p=790 This is Simply Geek, and we’re coming to you from 3 separate locations with 3 different topics each week! This week, we talk about the Star Trek MMO and how it is completely rocking Jerrick’s world to the detriment of his law degree, the Nexus One, Google’s latest foray in the cellphone business, and what we think it’s impact may be and the state of the Solid State Drive revolution, and try and answer the question of when we all can live in a world where hurling your laptop across the room for fun won’t actually destroy your hard drive!

- Daniel, Jerrick, NTT

Topics This Week:

[06:00] Jerrick: Star Trek MMO
[20:15] Daniel: Nexus One
[33:20] NTT: Solid State Drives

[46:20] Side Track: Command & Conquer 4

Theme Music by Ivan Chew – MyRightBrain.wordpress.com

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/02/01/simply-geek-3-mmos-the-nexus-one-and-solid-state-revolution/feed/ 0 56:39 This is Simply Geek, and we're coming to you from 3 separate locations with 3 different topics each week! This week, we talk about the ... This is Simply Geek, and we're coming to you from 3 separate locations with 3 different topics each week! This week, we talk about the Star Trek MMO and how it is completely rocking Jerrick's world to the detriment of his law degree, the Nexus One, Google's latest foray in the cellphone business, and what we think it's impact may be and the state of the Solid State Drive revolution, and try and answer the question of when we all can live in a world where hurling your laptop across the room for fun won't actually destroy your hard drive! - Daniel, Jerrick, NTT Topics This Week: [06:00] Jerrick: Star Trek MMO [20:15] Daniel: Nexus One [33:20] NTT: Solid State Drives [46:20] Side Track: Command Conquer 4 Theme Music by Ivan Chew ndash; MyRightBrain.wordpress.com Podcasts,,Simply,Geek Tech65.org no No Contest: Predict the future with Tech65 and HP http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/30/contest-predict-the-future-with-tech65-and-hp/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/30/contest-predict-the-future-with-tech65-and-hp/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:00:51 +0000 Daniel http://www.tech65.org/?p=797 hpcontest2010
It’s always fun to talk about the future, especially since we’re at the beginning of a new decade. Here’s a chance for you to discuss what YOU think of the future, and win a HP Mini 5101 while you’re at it.

We’ve been talking about the future for quite a bit this month, from our presentation at HP’s Future Is event:

and on the past few episodes of Simply Geek and 65bits.

One trend we’ve noticed is that the way we consume content is changing as we step into the future. Just this week, Apple launched the iPad, a brand new platform that claims to revolutionize the way we consume books, magazines and newspapers. Do you believe this is a direction we’re heading towards?

The contest (ends 28th February 2010)
HP is going to give YOU, our reader, a chance to join in the discussion too! Here’s the question that we want to put forth to you. How do you think we will use technology and consume content in the future? Leave a comment using your real email address (we promise we will not use it for anything save to let you know that you’ve won, of course!) here and don’t stop the discussion!

As part of the the “Blog a Trend” contest by HP, HP will be selecting a blog that generates the best discussion, and the commenter with the most thought provoking comment from that best discussion gets to win a HP Mini 5101 (worth S$799)!

So once again, here’s our question to you:

How do you think we will use technology and consume content in the future?

Note: this contest is only open to Singapore Residents (Many Apologies to our International Readers)

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/30/contest-predict-the-future-with-tech65-and-hp/feed/ 1 HP Envy 15 Unbox http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/29/hp-envy-15-unbox/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/29/hp-envy-15-unbox/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:09:17 +0000 Daniel http://www.tech65.org/?p=806

We finally get hold of an HP Envy 15, a very speced out version too, and we unbox it for you to give you a sneak peak at what the HP Envy 15 is all about.

]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/29/hp-envy-15-unbox/feed/ 0 Gear65 #52 – Motorola Dext http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/29/gear65-52-motorola-dext/ http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/29/gear65-52-motorola-dext/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:47:07 +0000 Daniel http://www.tech65.org/?p=804

After a few weeks break, Gear65 is back! This week we’re showing off Motorola’s first Android phone in Singapore, the Motorola Dext (Known as the Cliq in the US of A). We’ve decided to add a bit more information in our Gear65 posts to help you make a better decisions, so read on for more!

Link: Motorola Dext

Some reasons why you would buy it

  • MOTOBLUR – Motorola’s UI that integrates social networking quite well
  • Good QWERTY keyboard
  • Uses standard connections (3.5mm headphone jack, microUSB port)
  • It’s running Android (Pretty large application store, multi-tasking, notification bar, push gmail gcal etc)

Some reasons why you won’t

  • It’s not as smooth performing as, say, the HTC Hero, which is a surprise considering it’s newer than the Hero
  • MOTOBLUR doesn’t stand out from the crowd that much (Other folks like HTC and their Sense UI provides similar/better features)
  • Having a sliding keyboard means the device is thicker too
]]> http://www.tech65.org/2010/01/29/gear65-52-motorola-dext/feed/ 1