The Daddy of the modern computer chip: Zilog Z80 CPU

The Z80 formed the basis for the personal computer revolution from 1976 well into the mid to late '80s. Such classic units as the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC were powered by the Z80. A testiment to it's design is the fact that it's still being used in embedded applications today.

CPU-World: Zilog Z80 CPU

By way of a link to the previous post, the Sega Dreamcast VMU was powered by a shrunk down Z80 CPU!

---Follow Up---

Captain Zilog

Dreamcast the Afterlife: Dreamcast Homebrew

In it's day the Dreamcast was a powerful gameplay console. Those days have passed now and the Dreamcast looks rather old compared to the latest consoles. But wait! Don't bin your Dreamcast just yet. In fact if it lives in the cupboard (like mine) go and get it out. There's life in that old beauty yet.

Being built on Windows CE made the Dreamcast very popular with homebrewers. There are literally hundreds of great apps out there for the Dreamcast. This site is a good place to look:

Dreamcast Homebrew :: Dreamcast software News :: Dreamcast Emulation & Development News

I'll report back soon on how the following perform:

ScummVM
DosBox

Both of which are superb apps for running old games on the PC and Mac.

Über Gadget: The New iPod

Having recently attended the Mac Expo in London I was able to test out a few new gadgets, I'll post my reviews/thoughts over the next few days. First, the new iPod.

The first thing you do when picking up the new iPod is flip it over in your hand and look at it from every angle, this new iPod perhaps more than any before it is a thing of beauty. I'm not going to go on about the design, is there really any point? Just look at the picture.

The next thing you do is check out the video playback quality. I was able to view a number of videos, both iTMS stuff and some EyeTV exported shows. The iTMS video was in H.264 and it looked as amazingly sharp and vibrant as you'd always hoped video on an iPod might. There was no sign whatsoever of any blurring, ghosting, shadowing or frame dropping. The word that I use to describe the experience is 'lovely'. The EyeTV show, Battlestar Galactica, was encoded using the standard MP4 profile. Standard MP4 seems to struggle with dark or near black areas of the image and this is evident in the play back. Having said that this particular type of shortcoming is probably something that a gadget freak like myself would notice ;) Sound quality in both instances was perfect.

As for the rest of the features . . . well it was all up to the usually iPod standard - music playback, GUI, photo viewing - all groovy.

At £219 for the 30gb version the iPod is now even better value.

Top Gadget - The Human Brain as a Time Machine

This is a pretty cool theory. Time and the human brain are certainly interesting subjects. It seems that the time states at work in our brains hold some of the keys to the way it works. Read on:

The Human Brain Seen as Master of Time

Tower of Babel crumples with new tech | CNET News.com

Doh! No need to teach foreign languages anymore... or is there? New technologies will enable you to talk all foreign without learning anything. Just attach cables to your face and let the computer do the rest:

Photos: Tower of Babel crumples with new tech | CNET News.com

So you're talking the babelfish version of your desired languages and you look like a Star Trek extra. If the person you're talking to isn't freaked out they might understand you.

Of course anyone who's ever tried to learn a foreign language will tell you that one of the biggest hurdles is the culture. That's certainly something electrodes can't teach you.

"Macintel" Q & A (Intel-Based Macs FAQ) @ EveryMac.com

Some interesting Questions and Answers about the Mac Intel switch @ EveryMac.com:

"Macintel" Q & A (Intel-Based Macs FAQ) @ EveryMac.com

Compaq Evo n1020v - Hot stuff!

I see a lot of these units coming through HP's secondary channel here at work .

The majority are Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz models. (Not the Pentium 4-M chips but the standard Pentium 4 desktop chips.)

Is that an issue?

Yes!

The Pentium 4 gets really hot really fast. In fact the cooling fan comes on within about 5 minutes of turning the notebook on. The fan sounds like a regular desktop cooling fan too, it's REALLY LOUD! Added to that the heatsink required to cool such a hot chip is substancial. As a result the notebook is rather large and quite heavy(3.5KG). Also since the CPU uses a lot of power the battery needs to be a lot bigger and heavier in order for the notebook to have half decent battery life.

The Compaq Evo n1020v and other notebooks based on desktop chips should not be thought of as a laptops. They are portable desktops / desktop replacements.

If you're looking for a real laptop then choose a unit with either an Intel Pentium-M or an AMD Turion 64 processor.

----How did the Pentium 4 end up in notebooks?----

The heat problem with the Pentium 4 meant that it took Intel sometime to get the Pentium 4 tweaked for mobile use. When the Pentium 4-M did finally hit it ran at rather slow speeds (1.4GHz - 2GHz), which meant very lack luster performance, since the Pentium 4 requires high clock speeds to clear it's long pipelines.

The whole Pentium 4 mobile muddle opened the door for the Pentium-III design to make a return as the Pentium-M seen in Intel's Centrino technology.

Bill Gates on Microsoft: "We're doing a lot of things"

Bill Gates has been talking up Microsoft in an interview with the BBC. Asked about competition from Apple and Google he was at pains to state Microsoft's huge size in comparison to the competition.

"We're a million times bigger than Apple."

The best bit is when the interviewer asks Gates why he doesn't just quit. Bill's reply is classic.

"The PC I dreamed of 30 years ago isn't here yet, it's still too complex."

No need to guess who managed to make it all so complex.

Looks like Gates has never used a Mac!


Check out the video on the BBC website:

BBC: Microsoft aims to trounce Google

Meanwhile. . . .

Microsoft's UK staff have come up with a system to help make system crashes a thing of the past:

Microsoft - We Share Your Pain

MacUser

Okay so it’s not a gadget in itself but it does feature a whole load of awesome gear! Pictured above is the 20th anniversary issue, while I can't claim to have a collection that big, I think I must own every issue since about 1993. I might just get round to putting them on eBay one day ;)

Apple's Pipedream - PowerPC G5 3GHz & The XBox360

A month ahead of the release of Microsoft's new XBox 360 IBM have released infomation about the custom PowerPC processor powering the unit.

"The IBM-built chip features three customized PowerPC computing engines that can each handle two simultaneous tasks at clock speeds greater than 3 gigahertz. It was customized for Microsoft in less than 24 months from the original contract."
----

With that information in mind here is my take on what took place this time last year:

Steve Jobs calls IBM late 2004 and says "we need a PowerPC G5 3GHz by Q1 2005 a G5-Mobile by Q2 2005 and a multi-core G5 Q3 2005, what can you do?" IBM respond "Just a minute Steve we've got Bill Ga... Joe Blogs on the line oh and Sony and possibly Nintendo. We'll call you back."

Steve unhappy with IBM goes and meets his mate from Intel for a game of golf. While putting the 9th hole Steve asks what chips Intel have lined up for 2006. The Intel guy is more than happy to chat about their plans for 64-bit Dual-core Pentiums and power efficient 64-bit Pentium-Ms.

After finishing the game of golf Jobs and his friend from Intel get to talking about Microsoft and IBM. Jobs is unhappy about IBM's time being taken up with the Cell for Sony and especially the new found friendship between Microsoft and Big Blue. The Intel chap is also unhappy, the Microsoft XBox with it's trusty Intel Pentium III was selling like hotcakes and Microsoft's decision to jump ship and turn to IBM has left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Over coffee Jobs and the Intel buddy get to talking about how great it would be to have the power of Apple's OS X combined with the future CPU products from Intel. Certainly the Apple cool factor would help win some of those AMD lovers back for Intel and Job's really could do with a modern CPU
to put in the Apple Powerbooks let alone a quicker CPU down the road for the PowerMac range.

The deed was done and Apple were on their way to Intel land.

Needless to say IBM did phone back. "Steve we can get you a dual core G5 for October 2005 but 3GHz just isn't going to be possible... uughh one of our 'other' customers has got the first call on those. Oh and the mobile chip won't be ready until we can rework the G4 design. How does 2006 sound for the Mobile G4-64 1.5Ghz?"

Steve took the dual core G5s at 2.7GHz. Not because he really wanted to but because he had no other choice. He knew the Intel boys had it all taken care of for 2006...


Read more about how Microsoft stole PowerPC from Apple and how they allowed Apple access to the x86 world and ultimately OS domination:

New Xbox processor offers powerful speeds - Games - MSNBC.com

Archos Gmini 402

With all the fuss that surrounds the iPod these days it's easy to forget the mighty Gmini. A fine player to be sure, with great sound quality and flexible video playback. It's pretty clear the the only real competition to the Apple is Archos. Having been in the video player (and recorder) market for some 3 or 4 years they certainly know how to deliver a compelling portable video experience.

The World's Smallest PC - OQO +1

This looks pretty cool, it's a 'full spec' PC in the palm of your hand. Wouldn't it be cool if Apple made an iMacPod like this... hhmmmm

oqo : running Windows XP on the palm of your hand

-----Follow Up-----

As mentioned in the comments from our friend at MiniPCs.com currently the OQO +1 uses the super cool but rather slow Crusoe Transmeta chip. An OQO running the new ultra-low power Pentium-M surely must be a possibility. Even a 750MHz Pentium-M would be quicker than a Transmeta chip since the Pentium-M is a very efficient design. That's what brings me back to Apple. An iPod/iMac Mini hybrid would be very cool.

UFO Master Blaster

Launched in 1979 by a company called Bambino the UFO Master Blaster was the first LED electronic game I owned, and what a gem it was! The UFO's would descend with increasing speed down one of three columns, left, centre or right, sometimes even cross columns as they got closer to your ship. The unit had a joystick and a single bright orange fire button. The gameplay was nicely balanced -- you always felt that your next go would be your best go! The industrial design of the unit was awesome, it was almost a toy in itself. In short this is a classic gadget.

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the game was the sound effects, a simple four tone system. Amazingly this strange sound effect can be heard on a Vangelis track released around the same time -- obviously video games were not under ban in Greece back in 1979! If anyone can remember the track title please let me know. :)

Oh my word! This is a cool toy!

Words don't do this justice, just watch the video:

One Crazy RC Toy

TWiT 27 with Larry Lessig is ON THE AIR | this WEEK in TECH

After a weeks absence TWiT is back.

Check it out:

TWiT 27 with Larry Lessig is ON THE AIR | this WEEK in TECH

The Connectix Quickcam

Could black and white video the size of a postage stamp be fun, even useful? The Quickcam proved that it could.

The golf ball size serial device capturing video at 196 x 147 in a glorious palate of 16 shades of gray was a marvel. I can remember Phil and I making a small movie and editing it all in Quicktime player -- it was a kind of epoch moment (if there is such a thing) in gadgetdom, this was a signpost proudly pointing to the future of video capture and editing.

As a demonstration of the Quickcam abilities I now present my very first movie, Flame (How It Burns) . . .
Click here to download, then double click to play in iTunes, this video will play on the new iPod!

Over 3000 Video Game Ads

This site holds a whopping 3037 different video game adverts. I'm sure there are so real gems in here:

Video Game Ads: All adverts, video game commercials, spots, ads: From Atari to XBox

What is a Gadget?

According to Wikipedia 'Gadget' can mean:

* A gadget or gizmo – a device that has a useful specific purpose and function.
* The first atomic bomb was nicknamed the gadget by the scientists of the Manhattan Project, tested at the Trinity site.
* Gadget (full name: Gadget Hackwrench) is a character on the cartoon Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers.
* Inspector Gadget is a cartoon character in the eponymous TV series and the series of live action movies based on it.
* GADGET is an after-school club at Glenbrook North High School that participates in many NASA competitions.

----

There, I'm glad we've clarified that point!

DigitalLife TV Episode 10: Available Now!

The latest episode of DigitalLife TV is out. Patrick Norton and co talking about some of the latest tech news:

DigitalLife TV Episode 10: Available Now!

Thoughts on Apple's PowerPC-to-x86 Transition

This is a mildly interesting article. The question 'which Macs will get Intel chips?' is a good one. As this article reveals the answer is pretty clear to see. Also add to that the recent release of new iMac and PowerMac G5s it's plain to see those units won't be featuring Intel chips until at least mid-2006.

Read on:

Apple's PowerPC-to-x86 Transition in Question

In addition to Powerbooks I think the Mac Mini must be a logical candidate for Intel chips. A Pentium-M based Mac Mini would smoke the current Mac Mini with it's rather elderly PowerPC G4 chip. Pentium-M would also enable Apple to keep the Mini mini since the Pentium-M has amazing power management features.

If proof was needed here it is:

Intel copies the Mac Mini

iTMS Video Experience

So you can now buy videos from Apple in iTunes. When I first heard the news I thought two things, first, how much? and second, what about the quality, will I be able to watch a film or TV show in comfort without worrying about the resolution and H.264 compression? As I have just recently dumped my Sony TV in favour of a 20' iMac with EyeTV 200 I figured that perhaps I was in an ideal situation to be able to answer the second question. Here are my conclusions.

It's all about context.

The Powerbook Experience
Not acceptable. Unfortunately while the H.264 compression is very effective, the 320 x 240 pixels resolution blown up to 1280 pixels wide makes the Powerbook viewing experience frustrating. It seems that the tipping point where resolution becomes noticeable seems to be around 440 to 480 pixels wide. Playing back home encoded video at 480 wide produces very nice results for the most part.

The iMac Experience
A very mixed bag, due mostly to context. If I watch the video whilst sitting on the sofa, around a distance of 9 feet then it really is hard to spot the difference between the iTMS video and a standard SKY TV broadcast at PAL resolution. Up close, the results are much the same as on the Powerbook.

The iPod Experience
I don't have one so I would know. :( My guess is that they look and play back in splendid fashion. As an interesting side note I've also read that although Apple state the max resolution for iPod playback to be 480 pixels wide, some have managed 720 wide with little or no problem, a hint at future video downloads perhaps?

If you miss the digital boat...

You risk ending up like AGFA:
Agfa near the end: Digital Photography Review

"Germany photographic company AgfaPhoto is likely to close down by the end of the year, making around 1700 of its workforce redundant..."

The Amstrad CPC 464

Pretty much where is all began, the Amstrad CPC 464, my first big league gadget. It's fair to say there had been others before the 464, some of which will be mentioned here soon, but they were just toys in comparison to the sheer geek factor of my first home computer.

I have my mum and dad to thank. Though they never really said so, they had to save for quite some time to be able to afford this piece of gadget history. They ordered it from a catalogue company some 6 weeks before it had even been launched, hence began the seemly agonising routine of coming home from school everyday expecting it to have arrived only to find that it hadn't.

Then, one Wednesday morning, it arrived, some 20 minutes before I was due to leave for school! I remember taking the manual to school with me and reading it through most of English and all of Maths! Ah, good times. When I got home that night I had more waiting to do, waiting for my very own computer guru to arrive - dad! With the touch of a computing demi-god dad unfolded the wonderful world of personal computing right before my very eyes, tears of joy followed. The future had arrived and it was all mine!

James