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11 Apr 05. Intel Corp. has begun shipping the first of a new generation of personal computer microprocessors that combine the power of two chips into one. Intel’s arch-rival, Advanced Micro Devices Inc., is preparing to introduce a similar chip next week, a person briefed on the company’s plan has said. The technology, called dual-core, allows two separate processing units to operate independently in a single PC, improving performance while multitasking. The transition, analysts have said, gives AMD a key opportunity to take business away from Intel, which commands more than 80 percent of the market. Both Intel and AMD have moved aggressively to introduce dual-core chips across their entire product lines — from chips for servers to desktops to notebooks. Both companies now appear set to begin selling dual-core chips within days of one another. Intel’s first dual-core parts will be used in PC workstations — used for high-end computing tasks like graphic design — and in gaming PCs that need high horsepower to process high-resolution graphics and sound. Dell Inc (DELL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday that it would soon begin selling workstations and “enthusiast” PCs with Intel’s Extreme Edition processor. (Source: Reuters)
12 Apr 05. BAE Systems has delivered to Saab AB the first fully functional Gripen helmet-mounted display system, including a high-speed optical head tracker. This event follows the May 2004 first flight of the mechanical Gripen helmet. BAE Systems received the Gripen helmet contract in 2003 and has been developing the system in close cooperation with Saab AB and partners including Denel Optronics of South Africa. Denel led the development of the electronics unit that incorporates a unique optical head tracker. The Gripen helmet display system builds on the technology now being delivered on the Eurofighter Typhoon, offering the pilot binocular day/night, 360-degree visibility in a lightweight, comfortable package. The system enables enhanced operational capability with reduced workload by displaying real-time information, such as flight parameters, sensor data, target cueing, and weapon status via intelligent sensors triggered by the pilot’s head motion onto the binocular visor. The design provides optimum comfort and protection to the pilot throughout the flight envelope, even in aggressive high-“g” maneuvers.
12 Apr 05. Scottish Technology Wipes Out Weapons Of Mass Destruction. Albagaia, a Scottish company has joined the fight against global terror with the launch of a new system to safely and simply destroy chemical and biological weapons. Albagaia Ltd, an Aberdeen based start-up, has devised a unique portable system to neutralise the deadly ingredients in weapons that could potentially kill thousands. The technology can also destroy the thousands of tonnes of chemical and biological weapons stored around the world in military dumps or still littering the battlefields of former wars. Albagaia has been closely supported over the past two years by Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Start-up Unit, which works with companies with the potential to make a significant impact on the economy. Albagaia chairman Tom Thomson said: “Traditionally chemical weapons are destroyed using high temperatures and pressures or by incineration in complex centralised plants which often produce environmentally unacceptable waste.
12 Apr 05. Honeywell and Chi Mei Optoelectronics, Inc. have signed a license agreement enabling CMO to use several Honeywell technologies relating to liquid crystal display (LCD) products. The agreement provides CMO a license to use Honeywell’s technology protected by U.S. Patent Number 5,280,371 (the “‘371” patent) which increases the brightness of images and reduces the appearance of certain interference effects on LCD displays. The parties also exchanged cross licenses under other patents. Other term