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Intel also released other mobile processors: the 2.93GHz T9800 ($530), the 2.66GHz P9600 Core 2 Duo ($348), the 2.66GHz T9550 ($316), and the 2.53GHz P8700 ($241).

The Q9000 processor is listed at $348, significantly less expensive than the existing QX9300 mobile quad-core processor, which is listed at $1,038, and the Q9100, listed at $851. Both of these processors, however, have 12MB of cache memory, twice the amount of the cheaper Q9000, which integrates 6MB of cache. Generally, the more cache memory, the faster the processor.

Acer was one of the first PC makers to announce a system with the new quad-core processor. On Monday Acer released the Aspire 8930G-7665 laptop designed for extreme gaming using the new Intel Core 2 Quad Mobile Processor Q9000, which runs at 2.53GHz. The laptop comes with a 18.4-inch WUXGA screen and Nvidia GeForce 9700M GT graphics. It is priced at $1,799.

T series processors typically have a power envelope (TDP, or thermal design power) of 35 watts, while P series chips have a 25W TDP.

Intel has launched a low-cost quad-core mobile processor and added more mobile Core 2 Duo processors to its chip lineup, according to an updated price list dated December 28.

(Credit:
Ocean Power Technologies)

The New Jersey-based company makes ocean buoys that harness the energy of ocean waves to generate electricity that is then sent back to shore via underwater cable.

“We are pleased to be a part of the Navy’s effort to develop and commercialize new technologies to reduce the Navy’s dependence on fuel shipments for power generation facilities, and to meet its strategic goals and other sustainability initiatives,” George W. Taylor, Ocean Power’s chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The water-power buoy is loaded with onboard sensors and communications tools that allow it to be monitored and instructed from Ocean Power’s headquarters in New Jersey. But the device can autonomously adjust the way it pumps to accommodate changes in ocean waves and maximize its effect.

The Navy and Marine support is a coup for Ocean Power, which struggled with its IPO, and perhaps even for the ocean energy industry as a whole.

Through a partnership with the U.S. Navy, Ocean Power has been developing technology that could supplement electricity needs for the military in Hawaii .

This is the third PowerBuoy that Ocean Power has installed within the last two months.

The company’s PowerBuoy, which on the surface resembles an ordinary ocean buoy, is about 12 feet wide and 55 feet long. As the buoy is jostled by naturally occurring offshore waves, it moves a piston-like device located at its core up and down. The electricity generated by the system, which is typically placed in about 100 to 150 feet of water, is then sent back to shore via a standard submarine transmission cable along the ocean floor.

Ocean Power also has the support of the U.S. Marine Corps. This latest PowerBuoy system will be placed about one mile off the coast of Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) at Kaneohe Bay and will be connected to Oahu’s power grid.

On the surface, OPT's PowerBuoy resembles any ordinary ocean buoy.

Ocean energy proponents have been swimming against a current of lackluster interest because of logistical issues like infrastructure costs, and the unpredictable nature of the energy source.

The U.S. Navy contributed $300,000 to funding this particular installation. But Ocean Power announced in early November that it has won a $3 million contract with the Navy to develop its PowerBuoy for use in conjunction with data gathering and communications.

Ocean Power Technologies announced Thursday that it will be installing a water-power buoy system to tie into Hawaii’s Oahu Island power grid.

iUniverse boasts several options for you.

During National Novel Writing Month, users write 50,000-word novels. As they hit different milestones, they update their profiles with information on how far along they are. When the story is complete, each qualifying manuscript idea will be added to the site’s Winner’s page.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

Write that book

Scribd is optimized for search engines, so all the content you upload to the site will be indexed by Google, Yahoo, and Bing. It could improve your chances of having your novel found. And since it’s extremely easy to upload a manuscript, you won’t have much trouble getting your story read by others. Even better, if you want to sell it, you can share the revenue with Scribd (you keep 80 percent of net sales) when you sell it through its store. Not bad.

Lulu currently sells books through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and social networks. Whenever you sell a book, you receive 80 percent of the net revenue from the title. Lulu takes the remaining 20 percent. It’s not a bad deal. And since it’s so easy to create a book, it’s a fine option, if you don’t want to work with traditional publishers.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

(Credit:
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

Since the site was designed by authors, Xlibris is a little different than its competitors. When you sign up, you need to decide if you want to publish a black-and-white, color, or specialty book. From there, you can get down to the business of having it published.

2. Scribd: If you just want to get your manuscript out there without worrying about book fees, Scribd is the way to go.

3. National Novel Writing Month: A supportive group of authors combined with a challenge makes it a great service to try out.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

Are you the next Stephen King? There’s no way to tell, unless you write a page-turner. But writing that book can be difficult. So, you might be looking for some help publishing it, or you just might want some advice. In either case, the Web is a great place to find some help.

Lulu is a great self-publishing platform.

doXtop lets you publish your content for all to see.

WeRead Being part of the social community is extremely important for authors. WeRead, which has an extremely active community, is a place for book lovers to congregate, share the books they’ve read, and discuss books they might have liked. And for authors, it’s also a place to connect with readers and discuss what they want in a book.

Xlibris Xlibris is another self-publishing service that helps you get your book published without going through traditional avenues.

Scribd Scribd is a fine place for you to publish your original content. The site’s document reader enables you to easily upload your book for users to check out.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

The National Novel Writing Month even shows you where the most people have written.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

Xlibris provides a nice bookstore to sell your titles when they're ready.

Writerface Writerface is a social network for writers, editors, and authors. It’s a good place to share your work and get career advice.

Xlibris plans range from $299 for a basic, softcover book to up to $12,999 for a Platinum package, which includes marketing services, advanced image options, and copy-editing services. It’s the full package. But since there are several plans that provide ideal services for any budget, Xlibris is a fine option, if you’re looking to publish a book.

iUniverse iUniverse is a self-publishing platform that goes one step further than simply allowing you to see your book in print. Unlike some competitors, it’s a supported self-publishing service, which means that you can have your manuscript edited, ask iUniverse to acquire an ISBN for you, and more.

Winning authors receive a certificate and a Web badge. If they’re lucky, an agent or publisher might like their idea, request to read the manuscript, and publish the book in hardcover.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

(Credit:
Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET)

1. Lulu: If you’re looking to get published, Lulu is the best way to go about it.

Scribd lists several books that are offered for sale on the site.

My top 3

Writerface will let you add events worth checking out.

iUniverse offers a variety of plans for you to pick. You can get the basic plan, which costs $599. That gives you access to the service’s one-on-one author support. You’ll also get a custom cover, but you won’t be able to receive all the extras you’ll find in its Premier package ($2,099).

That plan includes the ability to choose a hardcover and the option to have your book previewed by buyers. It’s a hefty price to pay, but it might be worth it, if you’re serious about selling your book. iUniverse even gives you the option of publishing your book in Amazon.com Kindle or Sony Reader versions. It’s a neat service.

After uploading a manuscript to Lulu, you can immediately start creating your book. You can decide what it should look like, get involved in the design process, and determine how it will be marketed.

WeRead will let you discuss books on a number of topics.

National Novel Writing Month National Novel Writing Month is a really neat service. For 11 months out of the year, it’s a place where aspiring writers can congregate, discuss books they love, and talk about what kinds of books they plan to write. But in November, it’s home to a flurry of activity.

Writerface is a great site to join for any aspiring author. The site is designed to help you connect with other writers around the world. It’s a great idea, but unfortunately, the site has a relatively small number of users, which will limit those connections a bit. That said, the community is quite active. Overall, Writerface has some potential. It just needs a bigger community.

DoXtop DoXtop allows you to upload documents (including books) that can be embedded into sites across the Web.

Lulu Lulu is a self-publishing platform for aspiring authors.

Uploading content to DoXtop is quick and easy. Simply pick the file you want to upload, choose your desired format, and you’re all set. What I like most about DoXtop is its many community features. You can discuss your content with readers, ask them to rate your book, or respond to surveys. It builds a readership around your content. It also helps you determine what readers are looking for. If you’re trying to deliver your manuscript to readers without printing a book, DoXtop is a fine solution.

The site enables you to connect with readers to find out what they like and don’t like in a book. You shouldn’t have any shortage of users with whom to discuss literature.

The four major music labels, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, EMI and Sony Music filed the copyright suit against Tenenbaum and in previous statements he denied sharing, according to Sheffner.

The graduate student accused of copyright violations admitted in court on Thursday that he shared files and knew others were downloading the music he made available on Kazaa, according to a Twitter post from blogger Ben Sheffner.

There’s no subterfuge with Joel Tenenbaum.

(Credit:
Greg Sandoval/CNET News)

Tenenbaum, along with Jammie Thomas-Rasset, are the only people accused of illegal file sharing that have taken their cases before a jury. In June, Thomas was found liable of copyright infringement and ordered to pay nearly $2 million.

By admitting guilt, it appears Tenenbaum is going to take his chances that his attorney, Prof. Charles Nesson can convince the jury that sharing unauthorized music files doesn’t cause that much harm and ordering defendants to pay big damages isn’t justified.

Sheffner, a copyright lawyer who is covering the story from the courtroom, wrote “(Music industry) attorney getting scores of admissions from Tenenbaum. Joel doesn’t resist.”

The jump list, accessible by right-clicking on the Chrome taskbar icon or by holding down the left mouse button and dragging, mimics the Internet Explorer jump list. What IE calls “Frequent”, Chrome labels “Most Visited Sites”, but both merely show your most frequently visited Web sites. Both lists of URLs are configurable, so you can remove sites from the list.

Google continues to lay the groundwork for the stable version of Chrome on other operating systems, too. Mac users of the dev build, which has been updated to version 3.0.197.12 for them, now get extensions enabled by default. Linux users, meanwhile, should no longer find Chrome crashing when reading their Gmail.

Google Chrome fans who live on the edge and use the developer’s build now get access to one of the best features in Windows 7. Browser jump-list access had previously been limited only to Internet Explorer, but Chrome version 3.0.197.11 supports it.

Jump lists in Windows 7 for Internet Explorer 8 (left) and Google Chrome 3.0.197.11 (right).

The developer’s build of Chrome can be downloaded directly or enabled using the Chrome Channel Changer.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)

Below the frequency list is a short list of tasks. Chrome again copies IE here, offering a quick start link to open a new private browsing window. Where IE offers a link to open a new tab, though, Chrome curiously offers a link to open a new browsing window.

It’s not simply open-source revenue models, but also the sorts of products that we build. IBM’s Savio Rodrigues correctly points out that “competing by ‘doing what Microsoft does, only cheaper’” is a losing proposition for open-source companies.

Rochefoucauld-Liancourt noted the progress of this transformation in two telling observations in the 1790s: “They deceive themselves very much who think that pure republican manners prevail in America,” he wrote, pointing out how the citizens painstakingly differentiated between the ranks of society. “In balls, concerts, and public amusements, these classes do not mix; and yet,” he added in amazement, “every one calls himself, and is called by others, a gentleman.”

commentary

This digital upheaval is having a widespread impact beyond software. Record labels, newspapers, health care, and other industries are being overrun by digitization. At some point, we’ll get past this in-between phase and a new era of digital prosperity will ensue. As with Vanderbilt, however, we’ll need to be careful that our exuberance for income doesn’t get carried away into monopoly.

Follow me on Twitter @mjasay.

But for now, we may demand to be equals of old-world software businesses but the reality is that very few–Google, and maybe Facebook–companies have figured out how to make a lot of (profitable) money in the new digital economy.

It was a time when the world lunged forward, but with a foot constantly groping backward to the old-world establishment. We see this in open source as the industry strives toward service-based models but keeps a firm grip on old maintenance revenue models to help bridge the gap between the future and the past.

(Credit:
Amazon)

Reading T.J. Stiles’ excellent “The First Tycoon,” I came across a passage that reminded me of the software industry today. Stiles describes the turmoil and opportunity that greeted Cornelius Vanderbilt, the American shipping and railroad magnate, as he navigated the 1790s, a turmoil that has much to say about our world today:

Sure, Microsoft got away with creating two massive businesses (Windows and Office) by copying its competitors and out-executing, but even Microsoft doesn’t get a free pass anymore. Have you seen how its me-too offerings on the Web have fared? Weak.

It is the image of a society in the midst of tectonic change. An older, stratified idea of the world was being torn up by political radicalism erupting out of the Revolution, and by a new social dynamism linked to the surging economy. Once-deferential artisans wanted to serve in public office themselves. Average Americans were less and less willing to passively follow the old elite, as they had for so long.

We’ve still got a tough slog ahead.

The latest update–Xobni 1.8.3 build 8559–also includes back-end adjustments to improve search speed, Windows 7 compatibility, and a handful of other tweaks and big fixes.

Best known for speedily hunting down e-mail contacts and conversations in Microsoft Outlook, Xobni also has a social networking aspect. It includes photos courtesy of Facebook, phone numbers via Skype, Yahoo Mail, LinkedIn profile information, corporate information from Hoover’s, and now, a Twitter stream.

But if you do take the time to set up Twitter for some contacts, you’ll be rewarded with a more intimate portrait of people in your casual and business circles. Instead of just a name, you might also see a face, a Skype number, and, with Twitter, a sense of your contact’s personality and interests. Even if you’re not attempting to humanize people you’ve never met in real life, Xobni’s Twitter integration can also be a convenience tool that lets you post a tweet without having to close or hide Outlook.

Xobni streams contacts' tweets.

Associating a Twitter account with a contact isn’t automatic. For each contact whose account you want to see, Xobni will trigger a search for matches. It will remember associations once you’ve approved them, making this a one-time process. You can also manually link a name to the contact you’re viewing. We wish the Twitter extension were as smoothly integrated as the Facebook extension, which takes no legwork at all.

Click on the Twitter icon in the contact view to see a list of recent tweets. Icons below get you started on a reply, retweet, or new post. You can also follow, unfollow, and view the person’s profile. Note that tweets may not be available for every Xobni contact. If they’re not public and you’re not an approved follower, you won’t see much in the updates stream.

While Twitter in Xobni covers the major bases, it won’t replace dedicated desktop apps for heavy-duty tweeters. For that, see our roundup of five desktop Twitter helpers.

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Xobni)

Microsoft Outlook search extension Xobni (Windows) gets a new extension of its own this week: Twitter.

When I tried this new system out on my CNET colleague Rafe Needleman, one of his feeds was FriendFeed, which meant I only needed to subscribe to that one since all of his other feeds were wrapped up into it. I could also just grab his personal blog, Twitter account, or Delicious bookmarks. One thing to note though, is that Google is using its own profiles system to do this, which means you’ll only see these extra feeds if that user has filled out their profiles there.

New features in Google’s Reader product make it easier for users to share, manage, and discover content. Reader users can now pick certain sites they want to share to. It’s very much like the drop-down sharing tool we have here at CNET, although Google is giving users the option to pick which ones they want to see from the drop down, as well as add their own. This may seem like an extra step, but for people who are really going to use the feature, it cuts down on both how fast the menu appears, and how much of your screen it takes up–two things Google obsesses about.

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CNET)

Google has also implemented a more granular system for clicking the “mark all as read” button, which would originally just restart your read count back to zero. The new system lets you pick to mark everything as read for items older than a day, week, or month. This means you can go without using the service while you’re on vacation, and still begin catching up on items without disturbing the flow, and feel of using it on a daily basis.

Though what may be more important than both these features, is the way Google Reader now finds feeds from people you’re friends with on the service, and lets you subscribe to them one at a time. Previously it just showed you what items they were sharing.

These changes have not been carried over to the mobile version of Reader, however mobile Reader users can now choose to open up directly to their feeds list, which has quick links to items from friends and items they’ve shared. It’s likely some, like the new “mark as read” and sharing options will be added soon.

Reader now pulls up your friend's personal feeds, as long as they've filled out their Google profiles.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET)

As a wannabe weekend warrior, I’m happy to see topographical maps for mobile phones gaining ground on decidedly consumer devices. Interactive trail maps like Accuterra for iPhone make a lot of sense, especially with cellular reception and baked-in GPS chips strong enough in so many local hills and national parks that you can actively record your steps, share photos, and track your stats.

At CTIA Fall 2009 (see all stories), we got a sneak peek at the next version of Accuterra that will hit the
iPhone app store. Version 3.1, which is expected in a few weeks, doesn’t layer on a ton of features, but there is a new slide-out panel we like that makes the controls much more accessible. With a well-aimed swipe and a tap, you’ll be able to toggle between the Accuterra topo maps and Google’s maps. The app will also contain a simpler library organized around a search bar up top and traditional iPhone tab menu buttons below.

By the end of the year, you should be able to purchase extra content within the app, such as a video of your location or a historical Civil War walking tour. Accuterra costs 99 cents in the App Store; with local maps selling for about $3 each.

The Accuterra topo map will get a slide-out control panel in version 3.1.

The main message of the new Core i5 chip is simple: it’s cheap–even cheaper than Intel chips based on older technology.

There are other gotchas too. On the i5 processors a feature called hyperthreading is not included, as CNET’s Rich Brown pointed out Tuesday. Hyperthreading effectively doubles the number of tasks–or processing threads–a chip can do. “Heavy multitaskers and those who use multithreaded software will feel the loss here,” Brown said.

The official pricing from Intel in quantities of 1,000 units makes the price gap even more stark: $196 for the i5 and $316 for the Q9650.

“We are very serious about bringing all new Core processors to new price points and you’ll see this trend continue with Westmere,” he said, referring to Intel’s upcoming processors based on a next-generation 32-nanometer manufacturing process.

On Tuesday, Dell began offering the Studio XPS 8000 tower with the Core i5 starting at $799 and packing 4GB of “Dual Channel DDR3 memory” and a 500GB hard disk drive, among other features. Adding a 20-inch monitor hikes this to $979.

(Credit:
Amazon)

“It gets confusing for the more technically knowledgeable buyer, and for us as system builders,” said Kelt Reeves, president of enthusiast PC maker Falcon Northwest. “Buying a Core-i7 950 model? Well then you can have a maximum of 12 gigs (gigabytes) of triple channel memory and you buy your memory in sets of 3 sticks. Buying a Core i7-870? Well then your memory is installed in pairs and the max you can have is 8 gigs,” he explained.

Reeves continued. “For instance, if you’re a heavy Photoshop user having 12 gigs of the fastest memory might be very important to you,” he added, saying in that case a consumer would want to opt for a Core i7 900 series over the newer 800 series.

Updated at 2:15 p.m. PDT: adding information about Dell system.

The i5, which brings Intel’s new “Nehalem” microarchitecture into the mainstream PC market, immediately makes many, if not most, of the older desktop processors obsolete. Consumers need look no further than pricing on sites like Amazon. The i5-750 lists for $250, while the older–based on Intel’s last-generation “Core 2″ microarchitecture–Q9650 lists for $319.

“The new Core i7’s and Core i5’s bring pricing to more mainstream levels, with the Core i5-750 at a 1KU (1,000 units) price of $196, which is well below the Core 2 Quad Q9650 at $316,” said Intel spokesman George Alfs.

The message is more muddled, however, for the updated Core i7 processors because they maintain the same “i7″ identifier as their predecessors–first launched in November–but offer different features that are not readily apparent to less-sophisticated buyers and potentially vexing for some savvy consumers.

Comparing the old with the new, some consumers might point out that the older Q9650 has, for example, more on-chip memory and a higher clock speed than the Core i5. But the writing is on the wall: consumers will almost always opt for new over old when new is less expensive.