Gizmodo: rack

SGI Molecule Packs 10,000 Atom Cores, One Ton of Awesomeness

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:34:00 EST

It may be just a concept for now, but the new SGI Molecule blows our minds with its potential power: Imagine 5,000 Atom N330 chips in just one 3U rack computer, the size of your average PC desktop. That's 10,000 cores in one single computer, or 40 more times the processing power of your typical 1U x86 cluster node. Is this possible? How do they expect to do this without actually creating a hole full of molten metal and plastic?

According to SGI, the key to make this system work is their proprietary Kelvin cooling technology, which we can only imagine works by pouring buckets of liquid nitrogen over the CPUs. According to them, all this vaporware may result in a computer that can sustain 20,000 threads of execution, with a 15TB/sec memory bandwidth per rack.

• High concurrency with 20,000 threads of execution — 40 times more than a single rack x86 cluster system
• High throughput with 15TB/sec of memory bandwidth per rack — over 20 times faster than a single rack x86 cluster system
• Greater balance with up to three times the memory bandwidth/OPS compared to current x86 CPUs
• High performance with approximately 3.5 times the computational performance per rack
• Greener with low-watt consumer CPUs and low-power memory that deliver 7 times better memory bandwidth/watt
• Innovative Silicon Graphics Kelvin cooling technology, which enables denser packaging by stabilizing thermal operations in densely configured solutions
• Operating environment flexibility, capable of running industry-standard Linux(R) implementations, with Microsoft(R) Windows(R) variants on some configurations

[SGI via Gadget Lab]

Brando's New Cartridge-Style HDD Dock Goes Full Multimedia Player

Kit Eaton — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:31:00 EDT

Clearly one to take a good idea and run with it, Brando has just come up with this new cartridge-style HDD dock that also acts as a media player. So via its s-video and composite sockets you can stream audio, pictures, and video (including divx, with subtitles) to TV and it even has a remote. It takes 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA HDDs (and SD cards too) and connects via USB 2.0. Hmm: a largish rectangular "cartridge" which you plug in to a socket to play movies on TV, why's that sound familiar? Available now for $84. [Brando]

HDD Plug-in Dock Gets Some Two-Slot, eSATA Action

Kit Eaton — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:55:00 EDT

First there was the strangely Nintendo cartridge-like USB HDD dock, then there was the USB hub version. Now the strange external drive dock has got two slots for either 3.5- or 2.5-inch SATA drives, and also connects to your PC via eSata. There's one connection for each, mind you, so you'd better have a few slots free—though you can fall back on the USB option. Available soon for $107.56. [GeekStuff4U via Akihabaranews]

Sony NHS-130C HD Entertainment Monolith Makes Monkeys, Whole Homes Smart

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:01:35 EST

This is the Sony NHS-130C, a monolithic black rack that offers high-end HD video and audio through an entire house, from home theaters to a master bedroom. In fact, Sony says the NHS-130C offers multi-room "control of movies, audio, lighting, temperature, security systems," and by the look of it, probably Death Star lasers too. Would you like to know the list of AV and domotics gadgets you can get for $85,000?

• HD video and 7.1-channel audio for the living room.
• HD video distribution and multi-room music for 12 additional zones.
• Sony ES receiver.
• 400-disc DVD/CD changer with management system.
• 160GB music server.
• Blu-ray Disc player.
• AM/FM/XM/SIRIUS radio tuner.
• Control4 technology for synchronized lighting, temperature control and security systems using large onscreen display (additional controls available through integrators.)
• iPod in-wall dock system, with content navigation.
• Middle Atlantic AXS shelf structure with three spaces for HD cable box, PS3 or other devices.

SONY INTRODUCES NEW RACK SYSTEM DELIVERING WHOLE HOUSE HD ENTERTAINMENT AND CONTROL
Next-Generation System Saves Time and Money for the Custom Installation Market

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 26, 2007 - Designed for faster and easier installation, Sony today announced a new high-end, fully featured NHS rack system that delivers whole house high-definition entertainment and control over movies, music, lighting, temperature and security systems.

The NHS-130C rack system provides 7.1 channel, high-definition home theater for the living room, plus HD video distribution and multi-room music in 12 additional zones. The system comes fully integrated with Control4 technology, which offers whole home automation by synchronizing lighting, temperature control and security systems through a large onscreen display. Integrators can choose to add any of Control4's vast array of keypads, wireless touch panels, and climate and lighting controls to operate the home's sub-systems.

The NHS rack also features an iPod® in-wall dock with content navigation and control, along with a Middle Atlantic AXS shelf structure for easy access to equipment and cabling.

"The NHS-130C model pairs a top of the line home theater system with whole home automation that can be fully integrated and installed in a fraction of the time normally required for custom installers to build and integrate the system themselves," said Neal Manowitz, director of marketing for Sony Electronics' consumer systems and applications division. "Because the system is already pre-racked and pre-integrated, installation becomes extremely simple, saving integrators significant time and money."

"Incorporating Control4's leading controller and operating system into Sony's pre-integrated home theater system brings practical, easy-to-use home automation solutions to any residence," said Will West, chief executive officer at Control4. "We are extremely pleased to work closely with Sony on this innovative approach to simplify installation and bring to life the digital home for a broader market of homes."

The NHS-130C system incorporates 7.1 channel surround sound using a Sony ES receiver with upscaling of video content to 1080p via HDMI. It includes a 400-disc DVD/CD changer with a management system, a 160GB music server, a Blu-ray Disc™ player, an AM/FM/XM/SIRIUS tuner, and the ability to add three auxiliary devices for connecting additional components like a high-definition cable box or a PlayStation® gaming console.

The system will be available this spring with a fully installed price that will vary based on the components added. Typical installations will range from $40,000 to $85,000. Information about the Sony NHS systems is available online at HYPERLINK "http://www.sony.com/newhome" www.sony.com/newhome. Homebuilders, dealers and installers should call 1-866-924-7669 for details.

WineM RFID Wine Rack at NextFest

blongo3 — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:30:49 EDT

ThingM's WineM is one part intelligent wine rack, one part light show. This concept, currently on display at NextFest, works by taking bottles of wine tagged with RFID stickers and placing them onto the rack. Now if you're having Lamb Shank for dinner and want a decent Shiraz, just input into the computer that you want a Shiraz over $50, then WineM automatically lights up each bottle of wine that fits the description.

What's too bad is that there isn't an official wine database like CD's have with CDDB. That way you could tag it with RFID and type in the brand, year and variety to get even more information. Currently you have to enter in all of the information by hand. Hopefully someone will bring the wine database to fruition, but in the mean check out the WineM in light show mode, it's almost more impressive than the RFID locating.

[][Product Page via TodBot]

Top 10 Boob Gadgets

Jason Chen — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:00:07 EDT

American Inventor Spot likes boobies as much as we do. They've compiled a list of the top 10 boobie gadgets that you or your wife can buy. We've covered some of them here before, like the boob remote, mousepad and the breast-shaped shampoo dispenser, but keeping up with these things is a full-time job. That's why we're glad American Inventors are on the case. – Jason Chen

10 Ways to Have Fun with Boobs [American InventorSpot]

Opel's Extendable Bike Rack Hides When Not In Use

Jason Chen — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 19:05:32 EDT

Great for self-loathing bikers, the Flex-Fix feature on European Opel Antara and Corsa cars carry two bikes but hide away when not in use.

How it works: the rear extends out from the bumper far enough for you to mount your ride, which afterwards neatly folds back up and into the body so no one's the wiser. You technically have to have two license plates in your car in order to show when the rack is out, but it's much more elegant than mounting the bikes on top of your car. Not to mention easier. – Jason Chen

Opel Antara Flexes That Ass: Saturn's New Vue-To-Be Sports Techie Bike Rack Goodness [Jalopnik]

Eight Dollar Home Network Rack Solution

Jason Chen — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 08:00:19 EDT

This is something so simple that we wish we'd have thought of it. Instead of strewing your router, switch, cable modem, external hard disk, and other miscellaneous gear around your desk, grab a stack of letter trays and place them inside. They're compact, cheap, and have holes on the back and sides for cables to run. The trays are $2 each at OfficeMax so you can make a stack as high as your dad's old playboys. – Jason Chen

The $8 Home Network Rack [Flickr - Thanks Rick!]