New data standard proposed

A group of technology companies led by Intel and IBM has announced a proposal to enhance PCI Express technology that enables data to travel between components within a computer, reports the International Business Times.

According to the report, the Geneseo proposal outlines plans to speed up data transmission within computers to enable better system response times and quicker applications, particularly in data-intensive financial and content processing applications.

The group says Geneseo is the next step in creating an open, standards-based interface for the entire computer industry and is aimed at addressing new requirements and opportunities that come with next-generation platforms, but has declined to say when the new standard will be available.

Sharp claims to have developed the world`s first triple image liquid crystal display (LCD) panel that will enable car drivers to view a navigation system at the same time on the same screen as passengers look at shopping information and watch a movie.

According to Sharp, the triple directional viewing LCD splits the screen light into three different directions, generating a different image depending on whether the screen is being viewed from the left, right or centre, reports Reuters.

Last year Sharp unveiled a panel that allows the viewing of two different images. That panel is already being used in car navigation systems.

SanDisk has released a pair of the highest capacity, fastest and most expensive memory cards yet, although Samsung already has 32GB and 64GB memory cards, reports PDA Street.

SanDisk`s new 12GB and 16GB CompactFlash cards will be available only in December, but the report says they are expected to achieve minimum write and read speeds of 20MBps, which is the top speed of a 16GB CompactFlash card announced this week by competitor, Pretec.

For Pretec, access speeds will vary depending on the application for its 16GB CompactFlash card. It can be up to 12MBps for the company`s industrial card and up to 20MBps for the commercial edition.

Intel CEO Paul Otellini told attendees of the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco that the company is doing its part in promoting PCs in developing regions.

According to Otellini, Intel is helping to educate teachers about the technology they will use in classrooms as well as help source the low-cost hardware that is necessary, reports DailyTech. Other initiatives include creating a high-speed WiMax networks for Internet access in several parts of Brazil.

Intel has developed the Classmate PC, a lower cost notebook for students in developing nations. The laptop costs $250, but Intel expects the cost to drop once it begins shipping in greater numbers. Intel plans to donate thousand of PCs and train teachers around the world, Otellini said at the IDF.

Microsoft has partnered with film director Peter Jackson to set up a new game studio called Wingnut Interactive, as well as develop a new chapter in the "Halo" series, reports Beta News.

Jackson says the joint project with Microsoft is aimed at pushing the boundaries of game development and the future of interactive entertainment.

According to Jackson, it is clear that the Xbox 360 platform is the "stage where storytellers can work their craft in the same way they do today with movies and books, but taking it further with interactivity".