ASUS Eee Pad Transformer 2 May Run Windows 8

ASUS will be using an x86 processor from Intel or AMD’s ranges for the Windows 8 tablet or using Windows on ARM and picking something like a next-gen Tegra chip such as Kal-El and Android version of the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer 2 will be cheaper than its Windows 8 counterpart, but the grown up Microsoft OS will allow for more complex document creation and editing. While the Android version would cost the same as the existing one, the Windows model will carry a premium due partly to the cost of the operating system and  it appears that both the Android and Windows 8 models are on track for a release at some point in 2012.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer is a slate-style tablet with an optional keyboard docking station which sort of transforms the device into a laptop and the dock also has a separate battery which nearly doubles the run time. Currently the Eee Pad Transformer is designed to run Google Android 3.x Honeycomb, but now Eee Pad Transformer rumored to run on Windows 8. That certainly makes sense since the new tablet won’t go into production until later on in 2012 when Windows 8 is expected to launch. Like the original Eee Pad Transformer, its successor will feature an optional keyboard dock with built-in battery for extended mobile use. Windows 8 itself will offer a much more tablet-friendly UX than Windows 7 currently provides, but the keyboard dock will still come in handy for those times when an on-screen keyboard just doesn’t quite cut the mustard. Actual hardware specs for the Transformer 2 will likely not be known until much closer to its release, though Asus could certainly be testing Windows 8 on the current Transformer’s ARM internals. Its dual-core, 1Ghz Tegra processor and 1GB RAM should provide sufficient horsepower, at least for basic testing at this stage of the game. ASUS currently starts the Honeycomb Transformer at $399 for the tablet alone and they charge $149 for the docking station and Microsoft isn’t scheduled to release Windows 8 until sometime in 2012.

 

Gemini FirstMix USB DJ Controller

Gemini’s FirstMix USB DJ controller now available for novice mixers and thedevice’s layout is simple enough, with two scratch wheels, rotaries and a cross fader. All you have to do is connect the panel to your laptop, select the tunes you’d like to mash up from your iTunes library and use FirstMix’s touch-sensitive jog control to scratch.

 

Gemini, a division of GCI Technologies and a leading innovator of modern DJ technology is excited to announce the availability of the highly anticipated FirstMix – a USB DJ Controller for aspiring DJs. Now available at major retail locations across the country, this introductory controller packages professional functionality into an easy to use setup. Now everyone can be the DJ. The award winning FirstMix connects to a laptop or desktop computer via USB and allows users to DJ with their iTunes or other music library by effortlessly navigating through folders and tracks with the browse function. Once a file’s been loaded, the touch-sensitive jog wheels let you scratch or can be used to bend the pitch of a track. FirstMix also has a Syncfeature that allows the DJ to combine two separate tracks and beat match the tempos for a unique and professional-sounding mix. Novice DJs will feel like pros by spicing up tracks with effects and reverse, as well as adjustable bass and treble. Record a set and share on Facebook or SoundCloud. The FirstMix ships with Cross LE DJ software from MixVibes and is also compatible with Traktor, Virtual DJ, Algoriddim’s DJAY and other popular DJ software. Priced at $99.95, the FirstMix is the newest addition to Gemini’s Digital DJ Controller line and is available now at retailers like Pro Sound Stage and Lighting, Musician’s Friend and more.

Features :

• Includes everything you need to DJ with your computer
• Use your Mac or PC to DJ parties, events and even clubs
• Use your digital music library with support for M4A, AIFF, WAV, MP3, FLAC and OGG audio files
• Traditional mixer/CD player layout w/ crossfader
• Two-deck controller with volume, 2-band EQ, effects, and jog wheel for each deck
• Large, touch-sensitive jog wheels provide a natural vinyl feel for scratching, cueing, etc.
• Easy-to-use MixVibes Cross LE DJ software included
• Works with other popular DJ programs such as Traktor, VirtualDJ and Algoriddim Djay

 

Oracle Donates OpenOffice To Apache

Oracle has ceded control of the OpenOffice.org code base to the Apache Software Foundation Incubator project and it was donating the open-source code so as to demonstrate its commitment to the developer and open-source communities.

Oracle is shunting OpenOffice onto the Apache Software Foundation, sidelining the original OpenOffice community that forked of the project as LibreOffice last year and they are proposing to contribute OpenOffice.org code to Apache Foundation. With this move, Oracle hopes to get some positive karma from the open source community. “With today’s proposal to contribute theOpenOffice.org code to The Apache Software Foundation’s Incubator, Oracle continues to demonstrate its commitment to the developer and open source communities. Donating OpenOffice.org to Apache gives this popular consumer software a mature, open, and well established infrastructure to continue well into the future. The Apache Software Foundation’s model makes it possible for commercial and individual volunteer contributors to collaborate on open source product development.” — Luke Kowalski, vice president, Oracle Corporate Architecture Group. OpenOffice.org will be the Apache incubator project for a while before it graduates to a top level project, a standard procedure with any project entering the Apache Foundation. Jim Jagielski, president, The Apache Software Foundation, will be the podling member during the incubation process. He will be responsible for creating a reporting schedule, setting up a project status page, mailing lists and repository space.

This move is interesting because it splits OpenOffice.org community (before the fork) in the middle with one side aligning more to protect the consumer interests and the other aligning more with enterprise interests. After Oracle took over Sun Microsystems and grabbed the rights to OpenOffice.org, a powerful group of developers upset with Oracle forked the project and formed Document Foundation. They released the fork as LibreOffice, a more open and inclusive version of OpenOffice.org. Well, the grumblings were there even before the Oracle acquisition of Sun Microsystems but the new owner made it easier to fork, driving a large chunk of the community to the new non-profit foundation. The Document Foundation, which had some expectations for a merger between the two communities, was a bit disappointed :

The Document Foundation would welcome the reuniting of the OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice projects into a single community of equals in the wake of the departure of Oracle. The step Oracle has taken today was no doubt taken in good faith, but does not appear to directly achieve this goal. The Apache community, which we respect enormously, has very different expectations and norms – licensing, membership and more – to the existing OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice projects. We regret the missed opportunity but are committed to working with all active community members to devise the best possible future for LibreOffice and OpenOffice.org.

On the bright side, one benefit of this arrangement is the potential for future-proof licensing. The Apache License is compatible with both the LGPLv3+ and MPL licenses, allowing TDF future flexibility to move the entire codebase, to MPLv2 or future LGPL license versions. The Document Foundation believes that commercially-friendly, copy-left licensing provides the best path to constructive participation in, and growth of the project.

Thus, the event is neutral for The Document Foundation, which – as always – remains open to every company, individual or foundation that wishes to participate in co-development. There has never been a better time to get involved and advance the state of the art in free software office suites.

 

On the other hand, IBM’s Bob Sutor is very excited about the move to Apache Foundation

With this move, we’ll get a chance to see what empowered individuals with the right technical chops can do in a community to innovate on the current code base. I’m very excited to see what they come up with.