DOT MATRIX REVOLUTION* from superbrothers on Vimeo.[io9]

Says SD Times:

Midori’s design treats concurrency as a core principle, beyond what even the Microsoft Robotics Group is trying to accomplish, said Tandy Trower, general manager of the Microsoft Robotics Group.

The Midori documents foresee applications running across a multitude of topologies, ranging from client-server and multi-tier deployments to peer-to-peer at the edge, and in the cloud data center. Those topologies form a heterogeneous mesh where capabilities can exist at separate places.

In order to efficiently distribute applications across nodes, Midori will introduce a higher-level application model that abstracts the details of physical machines and processors. The model will be consistent for both the distributed and local concurrency layers, and it is internally known as Asynchronous Promise Architecture.

Sure, it's a possibility that this could just be a technology that will be integrated into a more conventional desktop-based Windows successor, or that Midori will stay in the Research wing like many Microsoft projects tend to do. But with so many industry players jumping into cloud computing (and with the Microsoft lifers involved in Midori "going back to their roots and writing code like they probably did in the old days," according to a previous rumor), the chances for something more ambitious are interesting to consider. [SD Times via The Register]

To offset the costs of the cloud server, short ads are inserted whenever you open a program, but appear at no other time, to remain relatively unobtrusive. Though the device only has a 400 MHz Freescale MPC5121e mobileGT processor and 256 MB RAM, its user experience factor doesn't drop off because most of the work is done in the cloud. In fact, you are hardly exposed to the Linux-based OS because nearly everything is run from a modified version of Firefox.

CherryPal PC also has a 4 GB NAND Flash storage, 802.11g Wi-Fi, two USB 2.0 ports, 10/100 Ethernet, VGA out, and headphone out. It has a footprint of roughly 6 inches by 4 inches and is about an inch tall. It also comes out of the box with programs like iTunes, Open Office, custom media player and IM client, with more programs to appear. Each computer has a cloud storage limit of 50GB, which is likely to be expanded.

Max Seybold, the CherryPal Founder and CEO, said the hardware is nearly indestructable, and claims you could play tennis with the box and it would still work fine. He sees the CherryPal as a computer for developing nations, schools and/or teenagers who only need a computer to write a paper, listen to music, or browse the internet.

The CherryPal is available now and will start shipping at the end of the July for $249.

CherryPal Announces World’s First Two-watt, $249 Personal Computer
Ultra-green PC has no moving parts; 80 percent few components

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (July 21, 2008) – CherryPal, Inc., maker of green, affordable, easy-to-use personal computers, today formally launched its CherryPal™ cloud computer, the most energy efficient and affordable desktop computer available. CherryPal is a completely new type of PC that has no moving parts, contains 80 percent fewer components, uses only two watts of power, and is highly secure. The CherryPal, which is currently available for pre-orders, retails for $249 and requires no monthly subscription fee and no other hidden costs.

“Today’s typical PC is based on a computing model created 25 years ago, before the Internet, web browsers and global warming,” said CherryPal CEO, Max Seybold. “We have developed a new computing model that makes CherryPal the easiest to use, greenest, most affordable computer available today.”
CherryPal is the Greenest and Most Affordable

The CherryPal desktop consumes just two watts of power, compared to the 65 watts of power used by the average desktop machine, delivering a 97 percent decrease in energy consumption. In addition, it also uses 80 percent fewer components, dramatically reducing the amount of resources it takes to manufacture a PC. And because there are no moving parts, the CherryPal desktop can last a decade or longer, eliminating the need to replace a computer every 2-to 3 years.
CherryPal is the Easiest PC to Use

The CherryPal desktop is dead simple to set up and boots in 20 seconds. Users simply enter a username and password to access the CherryPalCloud, which offers an incredibly simple, intuitive interface. CherryPal has no exposed operating system, so all application and functions are managed solely by a Firefox-based browser. CherryPal does all operation system and application upgrading and installation, meaning there is no maintenance required. Because there are no moving parts, there is little possibility of hardware failure. CherryPal also offers a free 24/7 helpline.

The CherryPalCloud™ Innovation

CherryPal has removed the hassle from personal computing by moving most of the software and data that traditionally sits on the desktop to the Internet. Instead of accessing programs and data from your desktop computer, the majority of information is processed and stored on the web in a highly secure environment called the CherryPalCloud™, which is automatically accessed at boot-up.

The CherryPalCloud removes many of the headaches typically associated with traditional personal computers, including: application downloads, software upgrades and crashing operating systems, because everything is maintained in the CherryPalCloud by CherryPal administrators;
viruses and hackers, because the user’s hardware is no longer exposed to local bugs and viruses;
lag time, because the majority of cumbersome software applications are stored in the CherryPalCloud, the computer operates just as fast – if not faster – than a traditional PC.

CherryPal HyperCloud™ Technology

CherryPal is the only company that provides a patent-pending combination of both hardware and software encryption, making it highly secure. The CherryPal also offers a patent-pending single software layer technology. This collapses the operating system and browser into one layer, where there had traditionally been three separate layers. It makes the computer exponentially faster and virtually eliminates any risk of bugs or viruses for the user.

CherryPal is also the first company since Apple Computers to use a Power Architecture-based processor in a personal computer by employing the Freescale MPC5121e mobileGT processor. This chip allows for built-in graphics and audio processing, all while consuming only 400 MHz of power.

The CherryPal Hardware Specs:
Freescale’s MPC5121e mobileGT processor, 800 MIPS (400 MHz) of processing
256MB of DDR2 DRAM
4GB NAND Flash-based solid state drive
WiFi 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
Two USB 2.0 ports
One 10/100 Ethernet with RJ-45 jack
One VGA DB-15 display out jack
Headphone stereo audio out 3.5mm jack
9vDC 2.5mm10 watt AC-DC adapter power supply
10.5 ounces
1.3” high, 5.8” x 4.2” wide

CherryPal Software

CherryPal’s operating system is based on a version of open source Debian/GNU Linux that has been highly customized; the browser is based on a version of open source Firefox.
The user applications currently available are:
OpenOffice.org office productivity suite;
iTunes;
A CherryPal-brand media player that supports all common files formats;
A CherryPal-branded instant messenger that supports all common IM programs.
More programs will be added on an on-going basis. The current storage limit is initially set at 50 gigabytes (GB), although the limit will likely be increased in the future.

CherryPal’s Business Model

CherryPal is rolling out a robust “Brand Angels” program that uses advocates and users as its sales force. Brand Angels will communicate their honest experiences with the CherryPal product in exchange for a free CherryPal desktop. Brand Angels receive a small commission for each system sold; buyers also receive a small discount when they purchase their CherryPal from a Brand Angel.
CherryPal’s revenue model is based on advertising, which will be rolled out later this year. However CherryPal’s technology does not allow anyone to view any information about its customers.

Pricing and Availability

The CherryPal is now available for pre-orders in the United States for just $249, with no monthly subscription or hidden fees at www.cherrypal.com. Orders will begin shipping at the end of this month.
For more information on CherryPal and its desktop product, please go to www.cherrypal.com, where its new web also launched today.

The teensy device is pretty well stripped down, with a 400MHz processor, 256MB of RAM and 4GB of flash memory. Aside from a few standard ports and integrated Wi-Fi, that's about all you get. CherryPal claims that the heavily optimized Debian Linux distro and multi-core capabilities will not only keep that PC from dragging too much ass, but will let it handle moderate multimedia work as well. CherryPal hasn't presented much in the way of supporting evidence for its claims, or mentioned whose "cloud" the box will connect to but with a release date set at August 4th, we'll probably be finding out more info pretty soon. Full specs are below, but no price yet. [CherryPal via The Register]

CherryPal Spec Sheet:

— Freescale's MPC5121e mobileGT processor, 800 MIPS (400 MHz) of
processing
— 256MB of DDR2 DRAM
— 4GB NAND Flash-based solid state drive
— Wi-Fi 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
— Two USB 2.0 ports
— One 10/100 Ethernet with RJ-45 jack
— One VGA DB-15 display out jack
— Headphone level stereo audio out 3.5mm jack
— 9vDC 2.5mm 10 watt AC-DC adapter power supply
— 10.5 ounces
— 1.3" high, 5.8" x 4.2" wide

A game company is taking the lead with two very hyped developments in how we consume software—digital distribution and cloud computing. Steam was already groundbreaking in the way it eliminated physical media from the big software equation on a mass level, and and Steam Cloud does something similar, bringing cloud computing to the masses. (It's been so successful Steam sales are about to overtake box sales for Valve.)

Google does this to an extent with Google Docs but by integrating it with the Steam client, Valve takes it a little further—it doesn't matter whose PC you're on, all of your stuff is there, waiting. Ironically, as much as Microsoft's trying to fend off the cloud, Xbox Live presents a pretty awesome opportunity to dive into it and do something similar—they already do with respect to software distribution. [Maximum PC]

We kind of touched on the stickiness issue when we talked about owning vs. licensing eBooks. The crux of this case is that EMI claims users are giving the files to a third party without their permission, so MP3Tunes is infringing on their copyright.

MP3Tunes, however, argues that "files are not MP3tunes' possessions any more than the contents of a safety deposit box are owned by the bank that houses them." And, you're not sharing the files with a million other people. So the usual record label arguments about file-sharing don't quite fit.

Legally, this is kind of a grey, ill-defined area. But cloud computing is coming, so it's going to have to get defined sooner or later, most likely sooner. Personally, I think place-shifting should fall under fair use, but I'm not the one pounding the gavel. [MP3Tunes' Michael Robertson via Consumerist]

Mesh lets you set up a sort of virtual desktop, and any files in a Mesh folder will be available to any device hooked up to that virtual hub: your photos stored at home can be browsed by your PDA, or a document shared between colleagues at work. Ultimately, photos snapped by your cellphone may be able to pop up on a remote digital photo frame an instant later, shared via the Mesh.

The principle behind Live Mesh is to replace the concept of "My Computer" with an agglomeration of all of your devices. Or, as chief software architect Ray Ozzie says, with a dash of tech-philosophy: "a personal mesh of devices - a means by which all of your devices are brought together, managed through the web, as a seamless whole."

The private beta is US only, limited to about 10,000 persons, and works only with PCs running XP or Vista. Microsoft will be expanding support to Apple computers and other mobile phones through the year, and opening a public beta before 2009. [Reuters and Tech Crunch]