For all you Ubuntu lovers, the Ubuntu team is proud to announce the beta release of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Long-Term Support) on desktop and server - available to download. Some of the highlights of this version: Xorg 7.3 comes stock with 8.04, along with a newer build of the kernel, an updated version of Gnome, Firefox 3 Beta 4 and many others!

Source: Ubuntu

With the Asus Eee PC’s success, other competitors are planning to launch the low end computers to get a piece of the pie! Instead of making tiny notebook, Intel promised that their Atom chips will bring us cheaper computers (desktops) with “good enough” performance for basic tasks like surfing the web or viewing CDs and DVDs. But just how much cheaper the desktops might be? Well, according to this report, Intel expects the systems to be priced in the $199 to $250 range.

Now you can sync your Google Calendar meetings to the Outlook so you can view all your schedules even offline. On top of that, you can then sync your Outlook across your PDA, Blackberry or other mobile devices.

Source: Google

Even me as a gadget lover have the following question: what the hell’s the difference between a UMPC and a MID?  According to CeBIT, here’s the explaination finally.

UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC)

1. Business-class device for enterprise users
2. Runs a “heavy” OS like Vista
3. Optimized for office-use applications like Excel, Word, etc.

MID (Mobile Internet Device)

1. Consumer-class lifestyle device
2. Runs a ‘lightweight” OS with quick startup like Linux
3. Optimized for things like media playback and web surfing
4. In 2009 (or so) Moorestown-based devices will be classed as MIDs only

Source: Intel

Fortune Magazine & CNNMoney has an article on the Power 25 - the most powerful people in business. Our hero is ranked no. 1, Rupert Murdoch being no. 2 - Read more by clicking on the image.

Source: Fortune

Not satisfied with a paltry 32 or 64 GB of storage? The South Korean memory giant has announced the development of a new 1.8-inch solid state disk with up to 128 GB, which could replace 1.8-inch ordinary hard-drive in laptops. The ZIF-type SSD for laptops uses Single Level Cell (SLC) technology and supports PATA (ZIF-type) interface. It provides a maximum reading speed of 120MB/s and writing speed of 100MB/s - that is 6 times faster than the current 1.8 inch HDD. As solid state technology matures, expect to see more SSD Laptops in the 2008.

Price issues aside, this sounds like a great component for UMPCs and sub-notebooks. Factor in 50% less power used than a traditional hard drive for a little more run time.

Hey auto fans! For those of you who are CAA members, you can save $5 on the admission for February 18th to 21th by downloading this printable coupon!

For those non CAA members, you can try printing this $5 off coupon which I found it from a Chinese Auto Magazine. I haven’t tested this coupon in person but it doesn’t hurt to try it right? Apparently it can be used any day, no restriction. Valid from Monday to Thursday for adults.

If you plan to drive down to the show and park here’s the parking coupon for FREE parking.

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The PlayStation 3 has outsold the Xbox 360 and got very close to the Nintendo Wii last month, according to the latest market research.

Wii: 274,000 units
PS3: 269,000 units
xBox 360 : 230,000 units

It might be that consumers are buying the console to get what is often described as the “Best Blu-Ray Player”, and it’s also a game console. With Warner Bros. abandoned HD-DVD and go exclusively to Blu-ray, it looks like shoppers have an easier decision of which format to buy!

For all those iPhone owners, we know you’ve been waiting for the Flash support in iPhone. The good news is that you don’t have to wait much longer! We’ve just got word from a reliable source that Flash support is on its way to the iPhone, and it should be coming very, very soon. We are guessing that it would be pretty convenient for Flash support to be introduced alongside the iPhone SDK.

Even Gogole’s YouTube has to convert some of their videos to H.264 in order to be seen on an iPhone. We’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest status.

Source: GearLive

Latest News: Yahoo’s board believes Microsoft’s offer of $31 per share “massively undervalues” the company and does not account for the risk that a deal could be blocked by regulators. - CNN

The source also said that the company is unlikely to consider any offer below $40 per share. Yahoo’s response truly upset  Microsoft, but on the other hand, Google feels a relief (giggling). Another article from CNN denoted that Microsoft made a big mistake and harm their own shareholders from the hostile offer to Yahoo!

Source: CNN