dual-core

If you don't know what nerdcore is, you might find the lyrics to the song "My Girlfriend's a Hacker" a little strange.

"My girlfriend's a hacker, best hacker ever," the song begins. "She's quick on her feet and her code is so clever. Yes she's a hacker and brilliant as well. Who knows what she cast, but I'm under her spell."

The song is from nerdcore hip hop specialists Dual Core, the duo made up of a programmer from Cincinnati, Ohio, known as Int Eighty, and a graphic … Read more

If you've been anywhere near Twitter in the last week, you know that the South by Southwest Interactive, Film, and Music festival (known lovingly as SXSW to just about everyone) starts this week. Last year was the first time that interactive registrants outnumbered even music festival attendees, so it's more than safe to say the Internet portion of the program has become the biggest part of the program (probably to the dismay of Austin's old-school music fans!). But hey, we can take a hint. If you're anyone at all online, you're at SXSW. So, we'… Read more

If the latest whispers prove to be true, the upper end of T-Mobile's Android lineup is set to get a little more crowded. According to a leaked document, the wireless provider is expecting to bring the LG Optimus 2X Stateside. This would potentially make for two dual-core handsets for the carrier, as it are also rumored to be working on one with HTC.

According to the information obtained by TmoNows, the LG handset will carry the name of G2X. That would follow the G-Slate as the next in the "G" series of Android devices. Thus far, the … Read more

With the upcoming iPad expected to have better performance, an analyst expects multitasking to help change the iPad experience--for the better, of course.

"My guess is that we'll see a general improvement in responsiveness but big improvements in multitasking will come from changes to the software," said Joe Byrne, an analyst at chip consultant The Linley Group, responding to an e-mail query.

But better software alone does not a faster tablet make. A higher-performance processor means a tablet is capable of more heavy lifting for applications. "Usually [a single core] CPU (central processing unit) is fast … Read more

One wouldn't naturally associate chip- and GPU-maker Nvidia with apps, but nevertheless, the free Tegra Zone appeared today in the Android Market. The app showcases current and forthcoming games that have been optimized for the Tegra 2 platform and promise cutting-edge gameplay and graphics.

Clicking on a game title provides reviews, trailers, videos, and comments. If you want to buy a game, Tegra Zone redirects you to the Android Market.  Some of the games highlighted at launch time include optimized versions of Fruit Ninja and Backbreaker Football, which now carry a Tegra High Definition "THD" suffix. … Read more

Rumors of a dual-core Android smartphone from HTC began swirling today, thanks to information obtained by the blog AndroidAndMe.

According to multiple sources, HTC should debut its first 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon handset in May. The handset, which carries the code-name Pyramid, is said to feature a 4.3-inch qHD display and support for HSPA+ connectivity. TmoNews has confirmed on its end that T-Mobile is expecting to offer the phone in the same time frame.

Although the rest of the specs remain in the dark, AndroidAndMe speculates as to what the dual-core processor could provide in terms of support. Look … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Toshiba makes good Netbooks, but they were never on the affordable side. The Mini NB305 is one of our favorite Atom Netbooks around, but its price hovers higher than perfectly suitable entry-level alternatives from Acer and Asus.

While some manufacturers, such as Asus, seem to be shifting focus away from Netbooks completely, Toshiba appears to be giving it another go with the NB505, a more affordable Netbook that matches its stiffest competition at $299.

Its specs are baseline: Windows 7 Starter OS, 10.1-inch display, 250GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, and an unspecified Atom processor that we assume … Read more

The Netbook world really hasn't changed much at all over the past 18 months. Most 10-inchers on the market feature single-core Atom processors, meager amounts of RAM, and few ports, offering universally good battery life and cheap prices. Same story, different year.

One new development has been the quiet release of dual-core Atom processors. The Atom N550 has been showing up in a bunch of 10-inch Netbooks as of late, and at first glance they seem like a good value. In the case of the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM-PU17, the dual-core Atom configuration costs only $40 more than the … Read more

Netbooks don't change very much in terms of specs, at least compared with other laptops, but there has been one new wrinkle as of late: dual-core Atom CPUs.

Acer's 10.1-inch Acer Aspire AOD255 Netbook includes a new dual-core Atom N550 CPU for a very reasonable $329, along with 1GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and Windows 7 Starter. A single-core AOD255 will still be sold as well, starting at $269. It comes in four colors--red, black, brown, and aquamarine--and will go on sale later this month.

Acer has a line of "premium" Netbooks … Read more