Panasonic's 150-inch Life Wall TV going production in 2009

Although it's impossible to tell without another object in the display box, that's Panasonic's 150-inch TV up there -- here at IFA, intimidating its neighbors. Now get this: this massive plasma sporting a 2,160 X 4,096-pixel (4 times 1080p) Advanced HD display will hit the assembly lines just as soon as Panny's newest factory comes on-line in the May 2009 timeframe. At the moment, the single 150-inch sheet of glass is hand-made and fitted into four of these behemoths currently touring the world. That means 150-inches of goodness could be yours before the year is up. College shmollege, this is quad HD!

Samsung's new NV line of fashionable cameras

It looks like the design department at Samsung has been working some overtime lately. Barely a week after they busted out that sexy line of Ultra Edition phonage, they're adding a new "NV" line of functional yet fashionable digital cameras to their portfolio. The three cameras, the NV3, NV7 and NV10 are looking sharp, sporting black aluminum and 2.5-inch LCDs, but there's plenty going on under the hood. The real headliner is the NV7 (pictured), with optical image stabilisation and a 7x optical zoom, yet measuring a mere 0.8-inches thick. We're guessing they didn't include the lens in the measurement, but it's slim all the same. Both the NV7 and NV10 have an interesting "touch pad" row of buttons along the sides of the LCD to provide quicker access to menu options. All three cameras feature Samsung's Advanced Shake Reduction feature, but the NV7 is the only one to augment that with optical. The NV10 takes the megapixel cake, at a cool 10, and it's tied with the NV3 for slimness at 0.7-inches, but its 5x optical zoom is a bit more mundane. For sheer pocketability and versatility, the NV3 features a 7 megapixel CCD, 3x zoom and PMP functions, much like its Digimax i6 predecessor. Sadly, Samsung isn't slashing prices with all those designers to feed, and the NV line retails at some fairly steep prices. The NV7 for $450, NV10 for $400 and the NV3 $350. All three should be available this Fall. Keep reading for pics of the NV3 and NV10.

Read - Samsung NV3
Read - Samsung NV7
Read - Samsung NV10

Samsung NV10

Samsung NV3

HP To Acquire Colubris Networks

Colubris products provide wireless access, management, and security, as well as 802.11n capabilities. Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) on Monday said it plans to acquire Colubris Networks to expand HP's wireless LAN portfolio and to gain a greater presence in several vertical markets. Financial terms were not disclosed.

HP, which expects to complete the transaction by the end of October, said it would integrate Colubris' wireless technology into HP's ProCurve portfolio of switches and other networking products. Colubris products provide wireless access, management, and security, as well as 802.11n capabilities.

HP expects the acquisition to expand its reach into vertical markets, such as hospitality, transportation, health care, manufacturing, wireless service providers, and education.

"The acquisition of Colubris Networks will strengthen ProCurve's hardware, management platform and services, significantly improving the overall performance capabilities of both wired and wireless networks," Marius Haas, senior VP and general manager of ProCurve, said in a statement.

Cisco (NSDQ: CSCO) is the leader in the wireless LAN market. The networking company in May introduced Motion, its new brand for mobile and wireless technology, along with an appliance called the Cisco 3300 Series Mobility Services Engine. The appliance is designed to manage devices and applications across both wireless and wired networks.

HP and other networking vendors will have to catch Cisco in its ability to unify wired and wireless networks and run apps across them. The trend toward pervasive WLANs is expected to pick up steam later this year or in early 2009, following the ratification of the 802.11n standard, which boosts wireless broadband speeds to up to 300 Mbps.

The higher speed than current 802.11 standards is expected to serve as a catalyst for some companies to cut the wired connections that tether users to their desks. However, WLANs still face lingering concerns over reliability, suitability for Internet telephony, and complexity in managing mixed wireless and wired networks.

HP Closes $13.9 Billion EDS Acquisition

Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) said Tuesday that it has completed its $13.9 billion buyout of IT services giant Electronic Data Systems (NYSE: EDS).

"This is a historic day for HP and EDS and the clients we serve," said HP chairman and CEO Mark Hurd, in a statement.

Hurd said the combined companies now have "the capability to serve our clients--whatever their size, location or sector--with one of the most comprehensive and competitive portfolios in the industry."

The deal is the largest in the outsourcing sector's history, and the second largest in the IT industry overall. It's second only to HP's $19 billion buyout of computer maker Compaq in 2002.

The merger plan calls for HP to shift the outsourcing operations of its Technology Solutions Group to EDS, along with parts of its consulting and integration activities. EDS' operations will remain under the control of current CEO Ron Rittenmeyer, who will report to Hurd. Rittenmeyer will retain much of EDS' current management team.

In one stroke, the merger creates the world's second largest IT and business services company, next to IBM (NYSE: IBM). The combined services revenue for EDS and HP last year was, pro forma, $38 billion, compared to $54 billion for Big Blue.

HP's EDS unit now houses 210,000 employees, though that number will likely be reduced through layoffs and attrition that will likely occur in the wake of the deal's closure. EDS will maintain its headquarters in the Dallas area.

HP has struggled to grow its services business internally. Despite publicly stating its intention to become a leader in the outsourcing market and investing accordingly, the company often found itself in the position of also ran against competitors like IBM, Accenture and EDS itself when big deals were handed out.

Information technology can curb cost of care

The column "Give Marylanders benefits of health information technology" (Commentary, Aug. 18) provides a real-world look at how our health care system can benefit by making better use of information technology.

While such innovations do require an upfront investment, the long-term benefits in money saved and, more important, in lives saved definitely make up for the initial costs.

According to a study by the Center for Patient Safety, an ongoing e-prescription pilot program prevented more than 700 potential drug errors (interactions and allergies) and saved approximately $630,000 in 2007 alone.

The American College of Cardiology advocated language included in a recent Medicare bill that will make e-prescribing a more common practice.

I am glad to see that members of the Baltimore community see the need for greater use of information technology in health care.

Through electronic medical records and other advances with health information technology, we can prevent errors, provide the latest evidence-based care and save lives.

Dr. Jack LewinWashington

The writer is CEO of the American College of Cardiology.

Red Hat, Fedora Servers Face Hack Attack

A rare Linux security breach occurred when Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora project servers were compromised by an illegal intrusion. Red Hat advised Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora customers on how to determine if they had been affected. Red Hat security specialists say the Fedora package signing key was not breached.
Last week, Red Hat security specialists had a problem on their hands when they detected an illegal intrusion on the company's computer systems. The attack affected both the Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers and the servers of the Fedora Project, a Linux-based operating system supported by Red Hat.

Servers were instantly taken offline. Red Hat issued an advisory to its customers, telling them how to check to see if they had been compromised and offering an updated version of the affected packages, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.

"Security specialists and administrators have been working since [they discovered the attack] to analyze the intrusion and the extent of the compromise, as well as reinstall Fedora systems," said Paul W. Fields, Fedora's project leader. "We are using the requisite outages as an opportunity to do other upgrades for the sake of functionality as well as security."

T-Mobile's iPhone 3G Sales in Europe Hit 120,000

T-Mobile has sold 120,000 of Apple, Inc.'s iPhone 3Gs in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. The sales in Europe were achieved despite distribution problems as the iPhone 3G was simultaneously released in 22 countries. Apple is also reported to have reached a deal with Mobile TeleSystems to distribute the iPhone 3G in Russia.
Apple's iPhone 3G is continuing its march around the globe with reports of 120,000 sold by T-Mobile in Europe, plus a deal for distribution in Russia.

In an interview Monday, the head of Deutsche Telekom told the German magazine Focus that its wireless arm, T-Mobile, has sold that number since it was made available on July 11. The sales figure was reached, said Hamid Akhavan, in spite of distribution problems.

Sony Ericsson Unveils The T700

The latest phone on Sony Ericsson's list is the T700, a slim, stylish candybar aimed at the mainstream market.

“Become a real head turner with the T700” said Sven Totté, Head of Marketing for the design category at Sony Ericsson. “Sleek and shiny, the slim elegance of the T700 gives users a premium experience at a mid-range price point - perfect for the design conscious. Everyone who bought and adored the iconic T610 will be keen to get their hands on the new T700.”

T700's list of features includes:
- 2” TFT display
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- 3.2 megapixel camera – snap a great shot and share with your friends via your blog or web page
- High quality stereo speakers – share your music with friends
- High speed sharing – via the operator network or Bluetooth
- 512MB memory card memory in box – and even more to expand

The T700 will be available in selected markets starting in Q4 2008. Color options include Black on Silver, Black on Red and Shining Silver.

3G iPhone Too Slow? Blame The Carriers!

According to a recent study conducted by Wired, the fault for the 3G iPhone's of speed falls on local mobile companies, which lack the appropriate 3G networks. The report reads:

"In our view, this data is a strong indicator that performance of the mobile carrier's network is affecting the iPhone 3G more than the handset itself."

"Altogether, this furthers our thesis that it's highly unlikely that Apple is going to wave a magic wand and say, '3G problems, be gone,' with a software update."

The study also points out that the European branch of T-Mobile had fastest 3G network, while the “slower than ever” award went to Australia and should be shared by local carriers Optus and Virgin.

The United Stated occupied a special position in the statistics: the most reports of “no 3G connection available”.

This is the latest study claiming to have found the cause of the 3G's sluggishness. Previously, researchers blamed this on either Infineon's use of bad hardware or on Apple's rush to launch the product, leaving it unfinished in the firmware department. .

Breaking News

* Sony reveals Uncharted: Drake's Fortune 160GB PlayStation 3, starts shipping new 80GB model
* Sony intros wireless keypad attachment for the PS3
* AT&T adds LG Invision to Mobile TV lineup
* Sony gets official with PSP-3000
* Palm's Treo Pro gets official
* Video: HTC's Touch Diamond / Pro are multi-touch gods, just not how you'd think
* Apple replacing faulty MagSafe power adapters, too
* Apple admits to iPod nano smoking and sparks, will replace faulty devices
* BlackBerry Bold hits Rogers on August 21st, so get your thumbs worked-out
* Archos 5, 5g and 7 "internet media tablets" are here to slap your puny PMP upside the head

Sony spills more info and pics on upcoming laptops

We got some more info today from a friendly tipster about Sony's upcoming and not-so-secretive summer laptop lineup. The FZ info we had for the most part, but it's nice to get a bit of confirmation that Sony is actually going with 2GB of RAM and Santa Rosa across the board for the Vista laptops, along with Blu-ray in the FZ11Z. The other goodness we've got here are the first pics of the 11.1-inch TZ series (shown above), some downright sexy ultraportables that are replacing the comparatively frumpy TX laptops. Sony is touting up to 9 hours of battery life, with 1GB of RAM and a 80GB hard drive in the TZ11MN/M, and 2GB / 100GB in the TZ11XN/B. Both laptops feature integrated cameras and microphones, just like the FZ series, and are running Vista Business on Core 2 Duo U7500 processors. Still no word on price, but the info we have has these hitting at least the UK in July.

Nokia N96

Nokia N96 is most awaited smartphones of 2008. The Indian division of Nokia has presented the N96 during a recently-held event, saying that Indian users would be able to buy it starting September. The retail price of the new Nseries smartphone will be somewhere around RS.36,000 ($828). Nokia N96 internal memory is 16Gb can be further expanded to 24GB through an external card. The memory of N96 can store up to 18,000 songs, up to 20,000 images and up to 60 hours of video or 20 full length movies In India The N96 will come preloaded with the movie ‘Om Shanti Om’, 50 music videos, music tracks in Hindi and English and 3 N-Gage games with an unlimited license on for the 3rd edition of Asphalt Urban. It will also have 3 country Nokia Maps that include Singapore, UAE and of course India and a 3 month Navigation license for 8 Indian cities.