Day: July 16, 2012

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From Engadget: NVIDIA scores $12.4 million contract from the DOE to help FastForward exascale computing

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Sick and tired of waiting around for some exascale computing? So’s the Department of Energy. The agency has offered up a $12.4 million contract to NVIDIA as part of its FastForward program, an attempt help speed up exascale development. The chipmaker will be using the two-year contract to help develop architecture for an exascale computer that operates at a “reasonable power level,” in order to “advance the frontiers of science.” Possible implications for exascale computing include the study of climate change, development of efficient engines, the search for disease cures, according to NVIDIA — not to mention “reasons of national security and economic competitiveness.”

 

from Engadget

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From Engadget: XBMC for Android app revealed; source code available now, beta APKs soon

Surprise surprise, after popping up on the iPad last year, XBMC developers revealed tonight that they’ve created a version of the media center that runs as an Android app. Currently the team has it stable on the Pivos XIOS DS set-top box, and posted a video (embedded after the break) showing it running on a phone and a tablet. Of course, the different varieties of Android hardware audio and video decoding is mostly a software only affair, but universal hardware decoding is in the plan. The truly dedicated can dig up the source code right now, but APKs for beta testers are promised “in the coming weeks.” According to the blog post, it currently includes a community member created touch oriented skin and hopes to have more available before any version of this hits Google Play officially.

[Thanks, Bharath]

 

from Engadget

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From Autoblog: Official: Aspid unveils menacing new GT-21 Invictus hammerhead

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Aspid GT-21 Invictus

Aspid has finally gotten around to revealing the production version of the GT-21 Invictus. This funky-looking sports car delivers 450 horsepower to the rear wheels thanks to a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter V8 engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox or six-speed manual. That’s a far cry from the supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the Spanish company’s first offering. Aspid says the GT-21 Invictus can lay waste to 60 mph from a standstill in under three seconds on its way to a top speed of 189 mph. Even better, the creation’s suspension can serve up 1.6 g on the skidpad.

The company has managed to keep weight to a mere 2,182 pounds thanks to composite body panels and a spaceframe chassis. Interestingly enough, the GT-21 Invictus is also available with a slew of on-road safety equipment, including adaptive airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes.

Inside, there’s a 2+2 seating configuration, which suggests there’s actually room for two adults and their luggage for a weekend trip. Aspid is currently aiming to start building its newest model in 2014, but there’s no word on pricing yet. Scroll downto watch a dramatic – dare we say Batman-esque – official video below.

 

from Autoblog