Eye On CameraWare -- technology hardware

Latest Technology News

Written by: Trisha Portishead

Technology is an ever changing, expanding and upgrading part of computer life. In regards to this, we have incorporated a section dealing specifically with new releases and current information.

ADOBE
Adobe has currently launched one of its newest products. The 3-d software released under the name, Atmosphere, is being highlighted as a tool for web-designers who deal specifically with creating 3-D environments. It is expected to be shipped this summer.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Atmosphere supports content created with other 3-D design tools such as Viewpoint, 3DStudio Max, and Alias/Wavefront Maya. It uses JavaScript to animate objects, add sound and other special effects.

Objects created with the toolkit can be viewed via an Atmosphere browser plug-in for either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The browser uses Media Player from Viewpoint. This browser is to be distributed for free.

Adobe also plans to release a community server that supports chat between avatars within Atmosphere environments.

Atmosphere is not compatible with VRML, which other software vendors and the Web-design community have been pushing as a standard for 3-D technology on the Web.

The Macintosh version is due out this summer.

**The public beta of Atmosphere is available for Windows and can be downloaded from http://www.adobe.com.

MICROSOFT OS XPBETA2

"Windows XP (previously code-named Whistler) represents the realization of a dream of Microsoft for a long time. Take the code base of Windows NT and make it the code base of the entire PC.
-- Chairman Bill Gates

Windows XP is the most important operating system release since Windows95. This release also features the first major user interface change since then as well. Currently available only in the beta form it is being labeled as a great success. Windows XP will be available in several versions, including Windows XP Home Edition for consumers and small businesses and Windows XP Professional for larger versions. A third version, Windows XP 64-bit Edition, will be available for technical workstation users.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Built-in security
Simplified music and multimedia files workability
Remote support allowing connection with other computers to assist with problems
Designed for speed, reliability and performance with the inclusion of the Windows NT/2000 kernel
Dramatic media player improvements
Multiple users-ability to switch without closing current open applications

** To sign up to test versions of WindowsXP and to read more conclusively about this OS
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/

INTEL 1-GHz MOBILE PENTIUM III

Intel Corporation introduced the mobile Pentium® III processor at 1 Gigahertz (GHz) featuring Intel SpeedStep technology. The new processor is the world's fastest mobile PC processor and is designed for full size and thin-and-light notebooks, the most popular categories of mobile PCs. The notable feature of the new chip for Intel's customers isn't its speed, but its availability. By way of comparison, the mobile Pentium III processor at 1 GHz is 50 times faster than the first mobile processor, operates at 1.35 volts in Battery Optimized Mode, has 28 million transistors and is based on 0.18 micron technology for industry leading performance and lower voltage operation. Intel also introduced the mobile Pentium III processor at 900 MHz with Intel SpeedStep technology and the mobile Intel® Celeron processor at 750 MHz.

** For more information http://www.intel.com

INTERNET EXPLORER 6

Microsoft Corp. announced a new version of its Web browser software due out later this year, will include technology that allows surfers to choose how much information is being collected about their online preferences and habits.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Provide consumers with a better degree of control over information distribution
It will be first to offer Internet browser software that includes such privacy tools,
Which are based on the industry's Platform for Privacy Preferences, or P3P.
Its features will allow users to choose from five privacy settings, which run the gamut from accepting to rejecting all cookies.

MAC OS X

Apple Computer Inc. reveals the OS X operating system, which it calls the biggest change to the Macintosh in 17 years. The redesigned operating system is based on a platform that is rock-solid, using "protected memory" to contain program disasters that otherwise could ripple out and freeze a computer. One of the most recognizable directions seemingly focused on is its target for the Internet. Despite all the anticipation of its release, it is receiving mixed reviews.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Keeps videos and other software running simultaneously
Instant on- searches out the best network connection
Screen changes
UNIX-based foundation, called Darwin built for stability and performance featuring a super-efficient virtual memory manager.
Mac OS combines OpenGL, Quartz and QuickTime for improved graphics
Apple offers during installation to sign up users for free e-mail and Internet storage
OS X also runs Java, which will produce files in the popular PDF web-publishing format.

**It’s "Rip. Mix. Burn." advertising campaign invites users to make their own digital music play lists and write them onto compact discs, OS X won't support CD writing until a patch appears around the end of April, and DVD movies won't play before a fix due after that.

*** To read more about Mac OSX, please visit their site http://www.apple.com/macosx/