New All-in-One PC Using NextWindow Touch Screens

NextWindow, the market and technology leader in optical touch screens for desktop PCs and large-format displays, today announced that another PC maker will soon begin selling an all-in-one computer with NextWindow touch screens. Global PC and consumer electronics developer Medion recently announced plans to offer a multi touch-enabled system with a 24" screen. Branded the Medion X9613, the all-in-one PC will be available initially in Germany.

All-in-one computers represent a growing segment of the larger PC market. These products combine all hardware and software inside a computer's monitor, and they mainly are desktop systems though some, such as the Medion X9613, can be mounted to a wall. US-based electronics giants Dell and Hewlett-Packard were among the first companies to offer a PC version of the all-in-one computer. Both companies are using optical touch screens from NextWindow in their all-in-ones. Gartner is forecasting the number of all-in-ones shipped (with a screen size greater than 16") will double from 2009 to 2010.

(Source) Press

Xbox 360 Dashboard: Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Zune!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Isn't there anything that Social Network Services (SNS) like Facebook, Twitter, etc. won't touch? It's not a surprise that tech, social, and gaming geeks have come full circle in Microsoft's Xbox 360 Dashboard coming soon.

Facebook's even better on Xbox 360!

From what I gathered from Joystick's preview is that the Facebook integration is even better on the Xbox 360 than it is on the PC!

Whereas the dot com site is plagued by a sluggish AJAX design, the Xbox app loads photos and galleries instantly, making it much faster and easier to browse through your friend's pics. On the Facebook website, you'll see ads clutter the screen as you browse individual photos. On the Xbox, however, each photo gets the full-screen treatment, with captions minimally presented at the top of the screen.

What's even better is that in the future, games will autopost via "Facebook Connect" all your game achievements and gameplay videos. Talk about bragging to the world that you've pawned the biggest and baddest boss in the game, eh?

Twitter's a small bird, Last.fm's ok, Zune Marketplace rocks!

Twitter is such a big phenomenon online but in the Xbox 360, it amounts to nothing more than a vanilla version of itself. Yes, you can post and read your friend's status and trending topics but that's it. No clicking on links nor viewing pictures. Ouch.

Another "why bother" is the installation of Last.fm. You can listen to music and view slideshows of the band/performer but there's no way you'll be playing music while playing a game. Sorry but you can't listen to your fave Barry Manilow song while killing zombies.

Besides Facebook, the saving grace of Xbox 360 seems to be the Zune Marketplace. Video and music downloaded to your Xbox 360 and then transferred to your Zune. Sorry rental lovers but this is only for purchased items only. If you don't have a Zune, you can still watch movies running at 1080p--yep streaming movies! It's not a Sony DVD Blu-ray killer (yet!) as the quality is not yet as high.

Source

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft is finally taking responsibility of its OS security.
Microsoft Security Essentials is now Officially Released.
Users have to pass Windows Genuine Authentication before installing.
Download MSE here.
If you have already installed the Beta, the Update to official release should be pushed down via Windows Updates.
The Microsoft Security Essential Scanning Engine is based off its Corporate Counterpart Microsoft ForeFront Security.

Personally I recommend this product as

• It is FREE.
• It is a Microsoft Product hence should integrate well with the Operating System (Other Anti-Virus are known to have false positives and has a history of identifying Windows System Files as Virus killing Windows).
• It is light weight and consumes little System Resources.

Cons

• Have to pass WGA (This shouldn't really be an issue)
• May collect System Information from Systems which MAY BE personally identifiable
  

Wii and Xbox 360 Elite Holidays Rumors

With the PS3 generating good news finally, it seems that the competition is reacting. Both Nintendo and Microsoft are gearing to take the thunder from Sony and be on top of every game geek's Christmas list.

Wii slashing prices?

Image by manu contreras via Flickr

Most gaming geeks I know already have a Wii and is so far enjoying it. Those who don't have one are either casual gamers or aren't interested because a $299 price is just too high for them to even try it out. If engadget's mole is real, then Nintendo's going to do something about that.

For nearly three years now, the console has sold briskly at $249.99, but beginning on September 27th at Best Buy (and everywhere else, naturally), the happy-go-lucky machine will be offered for just $199.99.

Now who else wouldn't have a Wii in the house?

Xbox 360 Elite Rumors

Image via Wikipedia

On Microsoft's side, the XBOX 360 is looking waaay towards December with the news (coming from another mole) that they'll be bundling Lego Batman and Pure with the XBOX 360 Elite!

The Mole has also chimed in with some more info on Microsoft's plans. Starting in the middle of October we'll be seeing an Elite system bundled with copies of both Pure and Lego Batman, giving you a little more value for your $300 through Christmas.

And they also have price decreasing rumors as well! The 802.11g will be going down to $79.99 and the reason is the new 802.11n adaptor coming to stores at a $100 price.

The hardware will feature two antennae for better reception, and should help deliver the bandwidth needed to stream 1080p video instantly, as Microsoft claims is possible with the upcoming Zune video store update to the Xbox 360.

There we have it, gaming companies are raring for the Holidays and here we are waiting for their confirmation. Looks like it's going to be a busy Christmas.

Source for Wii price decrease
Source for Xbox 360 Elite Rumors

Microsoft Laptop Selector

Well I came across this link from one of the formers.

It is suppose to recommend the computers you according to needs.

I will only ask you to use this tool to see what selection you can make, it is far more accurate than those salesmen in Computer Stores.

However as of yet there are only 64 laptops in the database fairly limited, however the database is expected to be expanded.

AMD Laptops only account for 2/64 of the laptops in the database.

It is quite obvious this "tool" is designed to counter "Mac purchase simplicity".

What about desktops?

My recommendation for Desktop is to build your own, for best value for money without sacrificing performance.

Microsoft Silverlight is required for certain functions in the Computer Selector.