AMD's dual-core performance boost

Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday detailed performance results for its forthcoming dual-core Opteron processor, showing a speed boost of 30 percent to 55 percent, compared with today's single-core models.

In addition, AMD said the dual-core Opteron chips will be about the same size and produce the same amount of waste heat as current single-core Opterons, Kevin McGrath, manager of the Opteron architecture, said in a speech at the Fall Processor Forum here. That means the new chips will fit into the existing server designs.

Dual-core chips put two processing engines on the same slice of silicon, a way of letting chips do more work. The change is made possible by moves to more advanced manufacturing processes with smaller features that permit more circuitry to be squeezed into a given area.

News source: CNet News.com

RealPlayer released with new language versions

RealNetworks on Wednesday announced RealPlayer 10 for OS X localized in four new language versions, including French, German, Japanese and Spanish.

RealPlayer 10 for OS X allows users to view video and audio encoded in Real's RealVideo 10 format and also supports QuickTime. RealPlayer 10 for Linux was also released today and is available in nine new European and Asian languages.

Microsoft announces Virtual PC 7 availability

Microsoft on Tuesday announced the availability of the company's PC emulation software, Virtual PC 7. This latest version of Virtual PC for Mac provides G5 support, improved performance and reliability, better graphics handling and expanded preferences.

Virtual PC 7 with Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Professional Edition (including Virtual PC) are now available for $249 and $499, respectively. An upgrade version of Office 2004 Professional Edition is also available for $329.

Apple Battle Faces Delay as Computer Firm Ditches Lawyer

Computer group Apple Latest News about Apple has dropped law firm Linklaters from an ongoing legal battle with the Beatles' record label Apple Corp over the use of the Apple name to sell music-related products. The latest installment in a long-running series of legal scraps between the two sides had been due to go back before the courts in London this autumn.

However, it now looks likely to be delayed as Apple Computers' new legal representative, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, gets to grips with its new case. It is believed that Apple Computer decided to switch legal teams after Linklaters raised the possibility of a settlement said in legal circles to be close to US$35.65 million, far higher than Apple Computer's expectations.

News source: MacNewsWorld

MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player

The MSN® TV unit (http://www.msntv.com) of Microsoft Corp., a group that has pioneered delivery of interactive services to the TV, has announced the debut of the new MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player, shipping now and due to arrive at major consumer electronic retailers across the country by mid-October. MSN TV 2 is the only product that brings premium MSN content, PC-stored digital media and e-mail to TV for a truly integrated Internet and media experience. MSN TV 2 is a broadband-home-network-enabled device manufactured by Thomson under the RCA brand. It includes a wireless keyboard and remote control and has an MSRP of $199.95 plus a subscription fee.1

"The new MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player frees consumers from their home offices so that they can enjoy Web or PC-based photo slide shows, music or videos with their families in their living rooms," said Sam Klepper, general manager of MSN TV at Microsoft. "Our service is unique because it offers a vast array of entertainment, information and communication services, yet it is easy to set up and use. It is the result of eight years' experience developing and delivering interactive television services to consumers."

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