Apple rolls out double-quad-core Mac Pro, Xserve
The company introduced a version of its top-of-the-line desktop that is twice as fast as its predecessor, as well as a server that will offer a similar performance boost.
The Mac Pro would now feature eight processing cores consisting of two quad-core Xeons, and the Xserve would offer a similar option. The standard configuration of the desktop system would start at $2,799, while the servers would begin at $2,999.
Warner: Rising gas prices drove its Blu-ray decision
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: In one of the stranger explanations provided thus far, for a format war that has already seen a treasure trove of awkward moments, a key Warner Bros. executive late yesterday blamed the state of the US economy for having driven its decision to back out of the HD DVD group and publish high-def movies on Blu-ray exclusively, as first published by Reuters.
Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Entertainment Group: We've typically been recession proof. But the thing that we saw in the fourth quarter...was gas prices beginning to affect sales. And since we're considered an impulse purchase, it's beginning to impact us."
Comcast to announce all-on-demand service this morning
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: During his keynote address later this morning at CES 2008, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts is slated to introduce a venerable onslaught of brands to the public at large, at least one of which could have a significant and perhaps historic impact on cable television service.
For now, the big announcement is being referred to as "Project Infinity," and it involves nothing short of the deprogramming of the programs it offers from all its content providers.
Sprint hangs on to Xohm WiMAX
In an attempt to put aside speculation that it might sell its Xohm WiMAX service, Sprint dutifully but formally reminded everyone this morning that it's proceeding with its plans for a soft launch in Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
Furthermore, the company expects to expand the service later this year, though it didn't say where or when.
Hollywood insiders' panel praises Apple, iTunes, debates business model
At CES 2008 Monday afternoon, Variety Magazine hosted a panel discussion and Q&A session with representatives from some of today's biggest content providers. Their discussion was the future of content delivery, and the big question was this: How will you make money from it?
Featured on the panel were Albert Cheng, executive vice president of digital media for Disney/ABC TV group; Dan Fawcett, President of Fox Entertainment Group's Digital Media arm; newly-inaugurated president of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Thomas Gewecke; and Tom Lesinski, president of Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment. The panel was moderated by Variety's president and publisher Charlie Koones.
The HD DVD booth at CES: A somber sight
The atmosphere at the HD DVD booth Monday at CES was anything but enthusiastic. Demonstrators forced smiles while politely answering questions from visitors, but their attempts to mask the appearance of utter defeat at the hands of an ally proved challenging.
After last week's announcement from Warner Bros. that it would use Blu-ray as its exclusive content medium come next May, and the HD DVD Promotions Group's subsequent and prompt cancellation of all one-on-one meetings with the press, it's hard to ignore the message the HD DVD Group is sending to the general public. The format war is far from over, however.
Intel CEO looks toward a connected future
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: Moore's Law continues to mandate that the transitor must be shrunken, as Intel CEO Paul Otellini repeated today during his evening keynote speech at CES. But had it not been for the high-k-plus-metal-gate refinement process that Intel unveiled almost a year ago, Otellini said, Moore's Law could have been stopped dead in its tracks.
Paul Otellini, CEO, Intel: Ten years ago, our scientists identified a major problem in shrinking transistors. As we made the transistors smaller, we found that they leaked more current, they created heat and power consumption problems at the die level and at the device level. Moore's Law might have come to an end by now.
Yahoo unveils modular Go 3.0 mobile homepage to combat Google
Scott Fulton, BetaNews: Google's introduction a few months ago of its Android open operating environment for cellular phones introduced a measure of disparity between it and Yahoo. Yahoo's reformation strategy up to that point was based on paring its failing entertainment ventures and focusing on search, responsive content, and its advertising platform.
In order to equalize its standing, Yahoo needed a way to present the mobile part of its platform as a kind of open service unto itself.
Intel keynote includes first live virtual concert
Late '90s rockers Smashmouth became the first band ever to perform live from multiple locations using a P2P hookup, involving Intel hardware and some intriguing software from its partners.
In a keynote focused on the potential value of a "personal Internet" and thusly connected devices, the second half of Intel CEO Paul Otellini's speech at CES on Monday evening showed off some of those possibilities, with the help of a well-connected group of musicians.
Warner Bros. says it fulfilled obligations to Toshiba, HD DVD
Following the Blu-ray press conference Monday afternoon, BetaNews briefly spoke with Warner Bros. President Ron Sanders about the studio's decision to go Blu-ray and a potential lawsuit from Toshiba.
BetaNews: Warner Bros. is involved in the DVD Forum and was involved in the development of HD DVD. You also were one of the first studios to utilize Microsoft's VC1 codec. Toshiba has hinted that you may have violated contractual obligations to them over HD DVD. Are you concerned they might file a lawsuit over this? Do you have a contract in place to support HD DVD?
Microsoft's 'Extender' for Vista and HDTV reaches reality
Microsoft's Extender for Windows Media Center isn't altogether new. But the extender products announced at CES 2008 -- from Samsung, HP, Linksys, and others -- are a different kettle of fish due to their use of Vista and HDTV.
First rolled out by Bill Gates way back at CES 2004, Microsoft's "Extender for Windows Media Center" finally seems to be approaching full throttle at this year's CES -- now that Samsung, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco-owned Linskys, and other hardware makers are producing extender hardware that works with HDTVs and the streaming media capabilities of Vista PCs.
Live from the Blu-ray press conference
BetaNews reports from the Blu-ray press conference, where the BDA talks up its expected win over HD DVD. But is the format war really over?
5:05pm PT: Press conference is beginning. Blu-ray Disc Association's Andy Parsons is speaking. Parsons heads up the BDA and comes from Pioneer. Other participants include Fox, Lionsgate, Disney and Warner Bros.
SanDisk increases storage of View, Clip music players
The Sansa Clip and Sansa View, two of SanDisk's top selling products, received storage bumps today.
Its Clip is now 4 GB (up from 2 GB), while the Sansa View saw a 16 GB increase to 32 GB. Both products will be available next month, for a price of $79.99 USD for the Clip, and $349.99 USD for the Sansa View.
Broadcom debuts reference design for HD DVD / Blu-ray SoC
Unphased by the recent string of bad news for HD DVD, the company has gone ahead with announcements for dual-format chips for both HD DVD and Blu-ray players.
Broadcom debuted a reference design built around the system-on-a-chip (SoC) design it had announced last year. Broadcom says it would be a 'turnkey solution' for those looking to build either format of player.
D-Link, Netgear team up with BitTorrent
The two companies have joined BitTorrent Device Partners, a licensing program aimed at creating devices that work with the file sharing service.
Both D-Link and Netgear announced products Monday at CES that would allow consumers to use the technology to share their content throughout the home and on the Internet.
BetaNews, your source for breaking tech news, reviews, and in-depth reporting since 1998.
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Us - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - Sitemap.