Intel next-gen chip to support key Apple tech...

Intel's next-generation processor is expected to add support for a key OS X technology that accelerates gaming and financial applications. That potentially means a more powerful MacBook Air in the future.

The MacBook Air could get a boost from the upcoming Intel processor that supports improved graphics performance.

(Credit: Apple)

Listed as a "core" OS X technology, OpenCL "dramatically accelerates" applications by tapping into the special processing power of the graphics processing unit (GPU), according to Apple. It taps into what an Apple developer page states as the "the amazing parallel computing power of the GPU."

GPU-centric acceleration can be used for financial modeling, accounting applications, analysis on large media files, games, and media applications. In general, the GPU is much better than the CPU (central processing unit) at certain types of computations--thus the necessity of GPUs in games.

In fact, much of the performance boost in Intel's next-generation Ivy Bridge processor (up to 60 percent faster than Intel's current Sandy Bridge chip) is due to more graphics circuits. Of the several hundred million additional transistors in Ivy Bridge (compared to Sandy Bridge), many are dedicated to boosting graphics performance.

To be fair, Nvidia's and Advanced Micro Devices' GPUs already support OpenCL but since neither of those GPUs are in the third-generation MacBook Air, the popular Apple MacBook would likely need an updated Intel processor to get that support.

That's where Ivy Bridge comes in. That Intel chip is due for volume production in the first quarter of next year potentially putting it in a refreshed MacBook Air sometime after that.

Indeed, that's a question that may dog the MacBook faithful in the coming months. When, in fact, will MacBooks get the Ivy Bridge processor?

Which leads to another intriguing question. Ivy Bridge also supports USB 3.0--a faster version of aging USB 2.0. Will Apple also equip MacBooks with USB 3.0 ports next to the existing Thunderbolt port?

iBall Launches Slide Tablet

iBall has entered the tablet space with iBall Slide.

iBall Slide is powered with 1 GHz ARM Cortex–A8 processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. It provides 8GB built-in memory with 32GB expandable memory, has Wi-fi, Bluetooth and 3G on dongle support.

A keyboard or a mouse can also be attached through the USB port and the product can also be attached to the PC. It comes with 4400 mAh lithium-ion-battery supporting up to 6.5 hours of music and five hours of video. It has 2.0 megapixel front camera and HDMI output for HD quality video and 3D games.

The product is available for Rs 13,995 and comes with a 1-year warranty. The company has roped in Hrithik Roshan as brand ambassador.

IBM Commits $1 Billion To SMB Financing

IBM has developed a line of cloud computing, security and business analytics packages and it's committing $1 billion in financing over the next 18 months to help SMBs purchase them.

The new system offerings and financing will be delivered through channel partners, which IBM now exclusively relies on to service SMB customers.

“We recognize the contribution the growth of these small and mid-size businesses can make to the economic recovery," said Ed Abrams, Vice President, Marketing, IBM Midmarket Business. In addition to the financing, Abrams said that adopting the new cloud and business analytics technologies also should boost SMBs' growth prospects.

Sixty-five percent of global GDP is generated by SMBs, he said.

The packages, more than 30 altogether, are built around IBM's Cognos and SPSS business analytics software, Netezza data warehouse appliance, Cast Iron cloud integration software, and BigFix security management tools, among other products. Those will be bundled with IBM server hardware, system software such as IBM WebSphere, and services, Abrams said.

IBM will offer flexible lease and loan packages, some as low as zero-percent financing for 12 months. Abrams said IBM's Rapid Online Financing tools would help partners quickly generate sales proposals and get credit approvals for customer prospects.

AMD FX CPU Achieves Guinness World Record

AMD has grabbed Guinness World Record for the highest frequency of a computer processor by overclocking the upcoming 8-core AMD FX desktop processor.

The AMD FX CPU, set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2011, achieved a speed of 8.429 GHz, surpassing the previous record of 8.308 GHz.

“The processor speed that resides in the AMD FX CPU demonstrates performance gains for the new AMD Bulldozer multi-core architecture, which will provide x86 computing power for this CPU and future AMD accelerated processing units,” said Chris Cloran, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Client Group, AMD.

According to the company, all FX branded products, including the upcoming AMD FX CPU, will offer unlocked processor clock multipliers to enable an unlocked experience, and include AMD software through the AMD Vision Engine to fine-tune system performance.