inspiretech Blog

Google has been adding many new features to Gmail recently, but they may have added the best feature of all. Google has rolled out with 30 new themes that users can choose from to customize their Gmail Inbox. Now you can customize your Inbox to something that defines you as a person. Something that distinguishes you from everybody else. Well maybe not to that effect, but these themes are pretty cool. All the Gmail user has to do is go to the Settings option at the top of the Inbox, then go to the “Themes” tab, and then choose a theme. Most Gmail users will see the “Themes” tab instantly, while others it might take some time for others since Google likes to take their time with these updates. Check out some of the themes below and let us know what you think.

- Geoff

[Source: GmailBlog]

Intel has just introduced their latest generation of desktop processors called the Core i7. According to Intel, the Core i7, which is based on a newly designed microarchitecture called Nehalem, would boast speeds that are four to six times faster than the current platform and it is more efficient in its power usage. Intel will introduce “hyperthreading” technology with their first three quad-core Core i7 chips. Hyperthreading technology basically gives the chip the ability to execute 8 threads simultaneously on 4 processing cores, greatly increasing their processing power. The Core i7 chips also have “QuickPath” microarchitecture that would integrate memory controllers in each microprocessor. This would increase the bandwidth and reduce lag time. Intel spent millions just to test it out and make sure there aren’t any glitches or flaws. Intel’s rival, AMD, have their own rival to the Core i7, but it is not expected to be released till next year. A price tag for the Intel Core i7 chips have yet to be announced.

- Geoff

[Source: Wired]

People are being warned that computer virus attacks are slated to peak out this up coming monday. The warning comes as the direct result of analysis done on computer virus attacks in 2007. The virus attacks are believed to be a trend that correlates to the build up of holiday shopping. As more shoppers hit the internet in search of Christmas presents, it provides an excellent opportunity for hackers from around the world to get on and hack into personal information stored on various computers. Users can help reduce the threat of computer virus attacks by being careful while surfing the internet. Try to buy from big reliable sources and refrain from downloading unnecessary programs. One keyword to be particularly careful about is Obama as security experts have hypothesized that hackers and spammers alike will use the publicity for the presidential inauguration to trick people.
-Derek

Although Google has been reluctant to say anything regarding their Linux version of Google Chrome, their programmers have said that the Linux version of Google Chrome is in a raw state. As of the moment Gmail now works on Linux, but only on a test shell simple browser. According to Aaron Boodman, a programmer for Chrome, stated the following:

“The team is still a long ways from even getting the Web to render correctly, let alone building the real browser UI (user interface). But it’s exciting to see things falling a little more into place each day,” Boodman said.

There is a long ways to go before Google Chrome will hit Linux systems, but it seems it is well on its way. Please stay tuned as more information comes out way.

- Geoff

[Source: CNET]

With the NVIDIA Quadro FX 5800, NVIDIA has introduced to the consumer world what it claims is the fastest graphics card ever. The Quadro FX 5800 Ultra is designed for industry professionals to use in visual computations and complex renderings. Its 4 GB of memory alone is higher than any other consumer video card. 240 CUDA parallel processing cores share the workload of the processor to deliver mind boggling frame rates. Computer junkies are always engaged in a battle of egos involving their personal computers. The video card is one of the most important factors in determining the overall power of a computer and the Quadro FX 5800 is definitely the king. At $3500, this card will probably allow you to run Crysis and Far Cry 2 at the same time!

-Derek

When Windows Vista was first released, it came with so many distinct stickers to dictate compatilibity: Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Business, etc. There were so many editions of the Windows Vista operating system that it became too convoluted and consumers got confused about all the editions. Well for Windows 7, Microsoft announced that there will only be one sticker for hardware that works with the new Windows 7 operating system. But Microsoft also announced that there will be different stickers for touchscreen and media center devices. Now, I may not be a mathematician, but I think that would be three stickers. I think Microsoft needs to figure this out before the launch of Windows 7.

- Geoff

[Source: Gizmodo]

AT&T made headlines when they announced that its users would now be able to get free Wi-Fi access at Starbucks. AT&T has just added to the list of Wi-Fi Hot Spots 4 new ubiquitous locations! AT&T users will now be able to get Wi-Fi access at McDonalds, and 3 hotel chains. AT&T’s aggressive promotion of Wi-Fi hotspots is in the hopes of alleviating some of the stress from their already crowded 3G network. The 275 million dollar pick up of Wayport was the first step AT&T made towards Wi-Fi take-over. Whatever its purpose, this is definitely a big win for us AT&T customers!

-Derek

Last week, Mozilla began seeding Firefox 3.1 betas to developers. With so many features rumored to be added to Firefox 3.1, the one feature that many testosterone filled males can’t simply wait to have is the new Private Browsing Mode, also famously known as Porno Mode. With this feature, when activated, Firefox will dump all of your dirty history, download history, cache, saved passwords, searches, cookies, and many more as soon as you switch back to normal mode. Although many other browsers already have this feature, such as Safari, it is still an improvement that is long awaited for Firefox. There was one designer who suggested that Firefox should allow users to choose exactly what should be dumped, but it seems highly unlikely that this type of control will be included in Firefox 3.1. Most likely, we would have to wait till Firefox 4.

- Geoff

[Source: WebMonkey]

Firefox now holds 20 percent of the global internet browser market share, this is according to a study by Net Applications. Mozilla’s popular browser has seen their popularity increase dramatically as many users have converted from Internet Explorer. To compete with Apple, Microsoft and now Google in this fierce market Mozilla said that they will replace their Javascript engine with TraceMoney which they claim will help improve Firefox’s operations by 20 to 40 percent. Not there is just that pesky 80 percent to go.

-Ray

[Source: electronista]

Comcast recently participated in a test of a new filesharing protocol that is essentially a win-win situation for both downloaders and ISP’s! Currently, when you download a torrent, you are downloading bits and pieces from all seeders of that torrent from virtually anywhere in the world. The new P4P protocol will prioritize peer downloads to your local ISP. The result is a general increase in downloading speeds of up to 100% and less strain for service providers as well. High fives will rain among university campuses everywhere as college students can now look forward to pirating Family Guy at a faster rate.

-Derek

[Source:Gizmodo]