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Sony works on authenticated power outlets

Posted: 18 Mar 2012 06:30 AM PDT

The name Sony evokes plenty of memories – among the more notable triumphs from the past included the Walkman, the Discman, and in Japan, the Minidisc format, while the world benefited from the introduction of the PlayStation, and subsequently, its sequel as well as the current high powered console, the Sony PS3. Well, one thing that Sony is famous for would be the proprietary formats that they come up with, and while we have seen them finally take a step back from being so “controlling” by allowing the SD memory card format to make its way to their digital cameras instead of just relying on Memory Sticks, here we are with another potentially liberating step.

Sony has decided to come up with smart power outlets, and I kind of like the idea that they are toying with. We are talking about power outlets that are capable of logging the total amount of electricity used, now how about that?

Known as the power authentication system, it is capable of knowing just which gadget has been plugged in. Currently, the system remains as a prototype, and will allow power to flow only if the device that is plugged in is recognized. Sounds nifty, so that your freeloading friends will no longer be able to drop by your place, only to charge their smartphones and portable media players as though you were running a hotel for charity. You, as the owner, will be able to determine just which outside gadget or gizmo can be juiced.

According to Sony, such smart power sockets might eventually come in handy as electric cars get more and more common on the roads as well as in garages around the world. Not only that, it can be a nifty tool to aid management of the electrical grid. What lies at the heart of Sony’s smart power system? Well, there are two types of wall sockets which can “interrogate” any device that is plugged into them. These sockets will come with sensors of their own, functioning with either Radio Frequency ID (RFID) or Near Field Communication (NFC) short-range radio communications. A chip built into the electrical device will be the determining factor for the smart sockets to read identification and authentication data.

Source

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[ Sony works on authenticated power outlets copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

My Book Thunderbolt Duo from Western Digital

Posted: 18 Mar 2012 06:09 AM PDT

Western Digital has come up with the My Book Thunderbolt Duo which is a dual-drive storage system, where it will offer supremely fast read and write times, targeting those who are in the creative industry, as well as consumers who are in a “need it now” mentality. This is the first external hard drive that the company will be shipping with Thunderbolt technology, and the My Book Thunderbolt Duo dual-drive storage system is said to offer both professionals and Mac enthusiasts with five primary areas of performance, double-safe data protection and flexibility; ultra-fast data transfer rates for greater work efficiency; a choice between 4TB or 6TB of storage space, customized dual-drive storage system with RAID 0, 1 and JBOD options; customer serviceable drives; and dual Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining multiple My Book Thunderbolt Duo devices or other peripherals.

It basically offers a spanking new method of hooking up just about any high-speed storage devices to any desktop or notebook computer via a Thunderbolt port, and with Thunderbolt, the port basically lives up to its own name, delivering unmatched speed for multitasking activities such as, editing video/music, 3D rendering, and completing other high definition graphics-intensive projects. It can be configured as either RAID 0 or RAID 1, and as mentioned earlier, will come in both 4TB and 6TB capacities.

According to Jody Bradshaw, general manager of WD consumer storage solutions “The My Book Thunderbolt Duo offers large storage capacities for creative professionals and enthusiasts who produce, edit, or need quick access to large files, including HD video. Its dual Thunderbolt ports provide amazing creative flexibility while allowing daisy-chaining of up to six My Book Thunderbolt Duo drives or other high performance peripherals for fast and efficient workflow. The combination of storage, backup, security, flexibility and speed makes the My Book Thunderbolt Duo the ideal choice for creative professionals who need to write, store, protect and edit high-definition and graphic intensive projects.”

If you are interested, the My Book Thunderbolt Duo will retail for $599.99 for the 4TB model, while 6TB of storage space will set you back by $699.99.

Press Release

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[ My Book Thunderbolt Duo from Western Digital copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]