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TechSpot Blog: Disable Windows automatic check for solutions after a program crashes featured
Weekend Open Forum: Google Chrome OS and the future of cloud computing featured
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Google previews its upcoming Chrome OS
Sony: PlayStation 3 to be 3D-capable via firmware update
Radeon HD 5970 supplies dry up quick, not a big surprise
Xbox Live bans prompt class action lawsuit
Mozilla reveals 2008 revenue, rumors say Firefox coming to PS3
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Dell profits fall 54% on quarter, slim enterprise budgets to blame

Companies simply have lower budgets for new technology, and that has affected Dell's loss more than increased competition from the market leaders, HP and Acer. The bad news also set Dell stocks back a bit, falling about 19 cents a share, though they are still doing better than they were in the first quarter of this year. While they may not be a bulk of the issue, Acer has been putting incredible pressure on both them and HP, so it's understandable that Dell is struggling.
Dell does have a lot on the horizon though, introducing several new products this year, such as the Inspiron Zino HD nettop and the ultra-thin Adamo XPS. Still, they will have to work harder than that to recover ground lost to Acer and HP.
AT&T to offer HP Mini 110 netbook with 3G broadband

The HP Mini 110 features a 10.1" LED display, an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, an HP webcam, an integrated microphone, and Windows 7. The system weighs in at 2.57lbs and will ship with HP QuickSync to automatically sync files with home or work PCs when connected to the same network. Also included is the AT&T Communication Manager (ACM) 7.0 which automatically connects the system to AT&T hotspots.
Of course, if mobile wireless connectivity isn't important to you, HP offers the Mini 110 for $300 through its online store.
Download of the Week: Power Plan Assistant for Windows 7

Power Plan Assistant for Windows 7 makes use of these features and adds some extra functionality to make things even easier for you. Among them is the ability to automatically change power plans based on the active power source. For example, a notebook can use High Performance settings when plugged-in, switch to Balanced when it is running on battery, and change to Power Saver mode when battery level falls below 40%.

Users can create custom plans and manually switch between them via an icon in the taskbar notification area that changes in accordance with an active power plan. There are also a few other handy features like the ability to instantly power off the display or customize the notification icon's appearance and behavior.
The software is "donationware" but your free copy expires every week so you are forced to download a new version in order to continue using it. Those who really like Power Plan Assistant and use it often make a voluntary donation in exchange for a serial number to permanently disable the expiration date check.
Google previews its upcoming Chrome OS
The unique aspect of Chrome OS is that it will be completely executed inside the Chrome browser. For example, things like applications, configuration, and file management are all contained within tabs on the Chrome interface.

One key characteristic of Chrome is that actual data storage and programs themselves are all stored and run online -- local machine storage is only used to speed up those processes. You can liken Chrome OS to a thin client of sorts, though the application is clearly different.
Chrome OS is also fully open source, and will run on a wider variety of hardware than standard x86-based PCs. However, it is specifically tailored to the hardware Google intends to support, meaning you may have to seek out "Chrome OS approved" hardware. The demo, which you can watch here, was done with an Eee PC. That being the case, I have a feeling Google will push to make Chrome OS available on a very wide variety of mobile devices.
Google hasn't given any timetables or specific release dates, only assuring people that development is underway.
Intel to launch a 32nm mobile Celeron in spring?

There are few other details, though Fudzilla speculates that one last 45nm Celeron (the T3300) will precede the Celeron P4500. The Penryn-based T3300 will contain two cores that operate at 2.0GHz, 1MB of cache, and an 800MHz FSB. This chip should launch on January 17 for $86, which could be an indication of a general price range for the 32nm P4500.
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising demo now available

The game is set on a Chinese occupied fictional island in the East China Sea called Skira, where you play as a part of the US Marine Corps tasked with retaking the island. The game embraces an open-world sandbox design, and allows you to explore a 130 square mile island, which contains over 50 drivable vehicles (include land, sea, and air), and more than 70 weapons.
The demo allows you to play through the first mission from the full game, and includes both single-player and co-operative multiplayer modes. You can download the demo now via FileShack (1.39GB).
Microsoft offers free Xbox Live Gold weekend

With the addition of Facebook, Twittter, and Last.fm compatibility, as well as the recent launches of Modern Warfare 2, Left 4 Dead 2, and Borderlands, there's no better time to show off what Xbox Live has to offer. European gamers will get the same treatment the following weekend, from the 25th until the 30th of November.
Keep in mind that not all features are available in all regions. Sky Player, for example, is available to European users whereas Netflix only applies to customers in the U.S.
Lenovo readies AMD-powered ultrathin, ThinkPad x100e

According to leaked information obtained by NetbookNews, the 3-pound X100e will have an 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 resolution display along with up to 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. The unit will be available with a choice of a 3-cell or a 6-cell battery pack, with the latter rated for over 5 hours of use thanks to the system's ultra low voltage MV40 processor (1.6GHz, 15W TDP) and RS780 chipset. Other specs include 3 USB 2.0 ports, VGA out, a 4 in 1 card reader, built in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and optional Bluetooth and UMTS.
Unfortunately, an exact release date isn't yet known, but previous rumors suggest it will launch at CES in January.
News around the web: Game Consoles at a Crossroads

The Google Phone Is Very Real. And It’s Coming Soon @ TechCrunch
India doubles billionaires; Mukesh Ambani tops list @ Reuters
How to Build Your Own 3D Camera Rig for Under $20 @ MaximumPC
See more articles and reviews.
Five years ago in TechSpot:
Thinner CRTs to challenge LCD displays
Latest Office 2010 beta available to members of MSDN and TechNet

Microsoft has rolled out the latest beta of Office 2010 to MSDN and TechNet members. The release comes shortly after beta builds of the upcoming productivity suite began leaking to torrent sites. Subscribers of MSDN and TechNet can presently download build 14.0.4536.1000 in both 32 and 64-bit flavors, and it is widely expected that Microsoft will introduce a public beta version of Office 2010 at some point this week.
While there is no official date for open beta, through the official Office Twitter account, Microsoft hinted that it would provide more details about Office 2010 at its Professional Developers Conference (PDC). The gathering will run from November 17 to 19 (yesterday to tomorrow), and is currently underway in Los Angeles, California.
The latest Office 2010 beta brings a new installation procedure, Upload Center, modified version of Backstage view, and refreshed icons.
Silverlight 4 beta now available, PDC attendees received free tablet PC

The latest build (4.0.41108.0) is also the first to be compatible with Google Chrome. Naturally, the beta is available for both Mac (15.4MB) and Windows-based (7.63MB) PCs. Redmond took a moment to offer a few statistics, noting that 45% of Internet-connected devices worldwide are now using Silverlight. The company also said that many of Silverlight 4's flagship features were the direct result of feedback from developers.
Microsoft showed its appreciation today, giving away free Acer Aspire 1420P Convertible Tablet PCs to many PDC attendees. The giveaway was reportedly an expression of Microsoft's gratitude toward conference-goers and developers who have supported the company during the Windows 7 release.
Asus introduces first multi-touch netbook, Eee PC T91MT
The Asus Eee PC T91MT is an Atom Z520-based unit, using a tablet construction for the 8.9" LED-backlit display. As you'd expect from a multi-touch device, it's aimed at providing useful manipulation with hands alone -- though Asus includes a stylus with it as well. Multi-touch aside, you'll be missing other features with the default configuration including 1GB of RAM and only 32GB of storage (granted it is an SSD).

The system looks quite nice in the demo shots, and judging from the listed weight (less than 1kg) it will be easy to carry on the move. It ships with Windows 7, which has a wide variety of multi-touch features, such as gesture support. Asus' Eee PC T91MT marks another first for the company, which gave rise to the netbook market a few years back, and other venders can be expected to follow suit soon enough.
Modern Warfare 2 breaks sales records across entertainment industry
By comparison, the current worldwide box-office record-holder is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which earned $394 million in its first five days. The Dark Knight holds the US box-office record with $203.8 million. The title has even successfully trounced Grand Theft Auto IV, which pulled in $500 million over the first five days of sales.

If the scale of Modern Warfare 2's launch has yet to set in, here are a few more numbers. According to Activision Blizzard (MW2's publisher), the game logged more than 5.2 million multiplayer hours via Xbox Live on the first day alone. In fact, on November 10, 2.2 million unique gamers played on Xbox Live, setting a new one-day record for the platform -- and 995,462 of those people were playing MW2.
Google and Microsoft gain in US search market, Yahoo loses share

It was a rough month for Google's closest competitor, Yahoo, which accounted for some 18% of the search market share, a 0.8% loss from the month prior. Microsoft sites grew 0.5%, making up 9.9% of the search market -- a noteworthy increase, though Redmond is surely bummed about not chipping any figures away from Google's presence. Meanwhile, Ask remained flat at 3.9%, and AOL lost 0.1%, settling with 2.9% of the market.
GeForce 195.55 WHQL-candidate drivers bring Flash 10.1 support

In addition to Flash Player 10.1 compatibility, Nvidia's GeForce 195.55 WHQL-candidate drivers bring various bug fixes from the v195.39 beta release. Antialiasing modes in Borderlands can now be configured through the NV Control Panel, performance issues along with shadow flickering in Need for Speed: Shift has been addressed, and the Nvidia driver no longer crashes in 3DMark06. The full release notes are made available separately for Windows XP, Vista, and 7. Grab your download below:
Windows XP | Windows XP 64-bit | Windows Vista and 7 | Windows Vista and 7 64-bit
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