If you haven’t heard of Nyan Cat, you’ve been living under a rock. Instant Elevator Music released a Nyan Cat Progress Bar version that shows the Nyan Cat on the progress bar.

Have fun and irritate your friends and kids - http://www.instantelevatormusic.com/nyan-cat-progress-bar

Attention to all hackers! The Kinect for Windows SDK beta is now available for you to download! For those who don’t know, the Kinect for Windows SDK beta is a starter kit for applications developers that includes APIs, sample code, and drivers which enables the academic research and enthusiast communities to create rich experiences by using Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect sensor technology on computers running Windows 7.

The Kinect for Windows SDK beta includes the following:

• Drivers, for using Kinect sensor devices on a computer running Windows 7.
• Application programming interfaces (APIs) and device interfaces, together with technical documentation.
• Source code samples.

I think now I have a reason to buy the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect to use with my Windows 7.

Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

1. Fujitsu Lifebook NH751

Fitted with a 17.3-inch Full HD screen ,the LIFEBOOK NH751 is powered by the Intel® Quadcore i7-2630QM and offers a phenomenal Blu-ray audio-visual experience via its built-in 1GB NVIDIA® graphics card and Optimus™ technology – culminating in the perfect balance between performance and battery life. Furthermore, there is also the unmatched surround sound quality, all thanks to the digital theatre system (DTS) and luxury 5.1 speakers. It is the first high-powered notebook to be launched by Fujitsu in Singapore that is designed specifically for hard-core gamers.

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: Intel® Quad-core i7-2630QM (2.0GHZ, 6MB L3 Cache)
• OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
• 17.3-inch Full-HD(16:9) 1920×1080, LED BL, 300nits for enhanced visual experience
• 8GB DDR3 (2x4GB 1333Mhz)
• 640GB SATA
• Wireless 802.11BGN
• USB 3.0 compatible
• NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M graphics with 1GB dedicated memory and NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology
• DTS Sound and 5.1 speakers with Tweeter and Sub-Woofer for full-bodied, rich sound.
• Blu-ray (RW) Drive

Retail Price: $2,988
Price at Show: $2,788
Promotions: Free S$200 Cash Rebate + Free upgrade to 8GB RAM + Fujitsu MH330 Mini-Notebook total worth S$ 857 (Don’t Include Carrier Case)

2. Fujitsu Lifebook AH531 (Launching at The PC Show 2011)

The new Fujitsu LIFEBOOK AH531 offers an outstanding form and comprehensive features to suit the needs of value-conscious home users seeking a desktop alternative. Unparalleled in its offerings, the AH531 achieves perfection in mobility and entertainment at a value beyond comparison.

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: i5-2510M (2.3 Ghz, 3MB L3 Cache)
• OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
• 15.6” HD SuperFine High Back Lit LED, 220 nits Display
• 8GB DDR3 RAM
• 640GB SATA hard drive
• Intel Wireless with Intel WiDi Technology
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 525 with Optimus Technology and 1GB VRAM
• 1.3 Megapixel camera
• HDMI and Bluetooth enabled

3. Fujitsu Lifebook PH521 (Launching at The PC Show 2011)

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: AMD Brazos AMD E-350 + HD6310M
• OS:Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
• 11.6” HD SuperFine display
• 4GB DDR3 RAM
• 500GB SATA
• Atheros Wireless 802.11B/G/N
• Intel HD Graphics
• 1.3” Megapixel camera
• HDMI and Bluetooth enabled
• Weighs less than 1.4kg
• Extended battery life

Suggested Retail Price: $899
Price at Show: $899
Promotions: Free Upgrade to 4GB RAM + Fujitsu External Optical Disk Drive total worth S$ 298 (Does not include Carrier Case)

Download Factsheet - FUJITSU0100 Factsheet PH521 (9Mar)

4. Fujitsu Lifebook T901 (Launching at The PC Show 2011)

The LIFEBOOK T901 Tablet PC paves a new way of optimizing mobile productivity. Enhanced with the Dual Digitizer feature and 13.3-inch SuperFine WideXGA display, the T901 gives business users the ultimate freedom of choice between a stylus pen or the use of your fingers on the screen. The bidirectional, high transmissive back-light LED screen also offers a 160 degree viewing angle. Change your Tablet PC experience with the LIFEBOOK T901.

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: i7-2620M (2.7GHz, 4MB L3 Cache)
• OS: Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
• 13.3” WXGA TFT with dual digitizer, 300 nits display
• 4GB DDR3 RAM
• 500GB SATA hard drive
• Intel Wireless 6205 ABGN
• NVIDIA NVS 4200M with 1GB VRAM
• 2.0 Megapixel camera
• HDMI and v3.0 Bluetooth enabled

5. Fujitsu Lifebook LH 531

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: i5-2510M (2.3 Ghz, 3MB L3 Cache)
• OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
• 14” HD SuperFine High, Back Lit LED, 220 nits Display
• 4GM DDR3 RAM
• 500GB SATA hardrive
• NVIDIA GeForce 410M with Optimus Technology and 1GB VRAM
• Wireless 802.11BGN
• 1.3 Megapixel web camera
• HDMI and Bluetooth enabled
• Available in Black, Red or Cherry Pink
• Weighs 2.1kg
• Japanese Cool Tech design philosophy. An accented curve on its side profile represents the strength of a Japanese Katana Blade

Suggested Retail Price: $1,288
Price at Show: $999
Promotions: Free S$289 Cash Back Rebate + Free upgrade to 4GB RAM + Carrier Case worth a total of $447

Download Factsheet - LH531_Factsheet

6. Fujitsu Lifebook BH531

Technical Specifications:

• Powered by NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology and 1GB VRAM, the LIFEBOOK BH531 balances mainstream features and portability with affordability
• outstanding HD graphics performance whenever it is needed while extending battery life with its Power ECO button
• weighs less than 2kg and is available in Shiny Black and Garnet Red

Suggested Retail Price: $1,488
Price at Show: $1,388
Promotions: Free S$ 100 Cash Back Rebate + Free Upgrade to 6GB RAM + Carrier Case total worth S$328

Download factsheet - FUJITSU0108 BH531 Factsheet (Mar 23)

Is anyone drooling yet? Oh my, this baby looks simply amazing. The Dell XPS 15z laptop, one of the thinnest 15-inch PCs, and the first in a series of new thin and ultra-powerful products from Dell to come this year. With the XPS 15z, everyone from mobile warriors to students and small-business owners now have everything they need to work hard and play hard in one stunning package.

Availability:
The XPS 15z is available today in Singapore on www.Dell.com.sg and will be available through Dell’s retail partners by 31 May.

Detailed Information:

• Thin (0.97”/24.68mm) laptop PC with Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium; aluminum and mag-alloy enclosure
• 2nd-generation Intel Core i5 and Core i7 Dual Core processor choices
• Standard HD or optional Full HD (1920×1080) WLED display
• Fast NVIDIA graphics options:
  • NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M with 1GB graphics memory
  • NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M with 2GB graphics memory
• Includes NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology; NVIDIA 3DTV Play technology
• 4GB up to 8GB DDR3[vii] 1333Mhz memory options
• Fast 7200RPM hard disk storage, up to 750GB
• Built-in Slot load DVD +/- RW (reads & writes to CD/DVD)
• Backlit, Chiclet-style keyboard with adjustable brightness
• Optimized touchpad
• Built-in Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 802.11 A/G/N and Bluetooth 3.0 wireless connectivity
• Intel Wireless Display-ready[xi]
• Up to 8 hours of battery life with 8-cell battery
• USB 3.0 (2), USB/eSATA with PowerShare, HDMI 1.4, Mini Display-Port, Gigabit Ethernet and audio connectors
• Built-in 9-in-1 media card reader
• Built-in 1.3MP HD Webcam with dual array digital microphones and stereo speakers
• Dell Stage software for fast access to content like music, videos and photos
• Dimensions: Height: 0.97” (24.68mm) / Width: 15.15” (384.85mm) / Depth 10.25” (260.37mm); Weight: starting at 5.54lbs (2.51 kg)

Launched in partnership with Playcast Media Systems, SingTel ESC (read as ‘ESCape’) is the first service in Asia to deliver on-demand high quality games directly from the ‘cloud’ to customers on TV and PC. This enables a rich and immersive gaming experience through a simple one-time client download – eliminating the need for consoles and time-consuming installations.

With instant and unlimited access to 24 titles at launch from a range of genres, SingTel ESC gamers can enjoy popular game titles from Atari, Capcom,Codemasters, Disney, Tell Tale Games and THQ like Street Fighter 4, Back to the Future and Toy Story3 will be available to customers who sign up for the service. Each month, two to three titles will be refreshed to ensure the line-up is current and engaging.

SingTel ESC is available to anyone with fibre or broadband connectivity of 10Mbps and above. Unlimited SingTel ESC gameplay starts from $1.99 for a One Day Pack, and $9.99 for a month(all prices inclusive of GST). As a launch special, SingTel will be offering an unlimited free trial until 30 April 2011.

Customers on fibre can access SingTel ESC on their television sets via SingTel’s exCiteTV service and both fibre and broadband customers can enjoy the PC service by downloading a simple client.

Only Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (Mac OS not supported).

24 launch titles are as follows:

Find out more at esc.com.sg.

My 1TB harddisk recently died on me (I think it’s some partition corruption due to bad sectors), and me being the silly person who doesn’t backup my backup had to recover the data on the failed harddisk. There are lots of paid software out there to recover your harddisk, but I found a powerful data recovery software for free. It’s called Testdisk.

Testdisk can run on almost every operating system out there:

• DOS (either real or in a Windows 9x DOS-box),
• Windows (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, Windows 7 (x86 & x64),
• Linux,
• FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD,
• SunOS and
• MacOS X

Furthermore, Testdisk can read almost every partition directly – BeFS (BeOS file system), NTFS, Fat16, Fat32, HFS, HFS+, Linux ext2, Linux ext3, etc.

Testdisk can:

• Fix partition table, recover deleted partition
• Recover FAT32 boot sector from its backup
• Rebuild FAT12/FAT16/FAT32 boot sector
• Fix FAT tables
• Rebuild NTFS boot sector
• Recover NTFS boot sector from its backup
• Fix MFT using MFT mirror
• Locate ext2/ext3/ext4 Backup SuperBlock
• Undelete files from FAT, NTFS and ext2 filesystem
• Copy files from deleted FAT, NTFS and ext2/ext3/ext4 partitions.

Powerful isn’t it? You can find out more or get it here at www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk.

Internet Explorer 9 is one of the biggest step for Internet Explorer, the widely used browser, offering various improvements to enhance the experience of the web.

Notably:

• Site-Pinning, Jump-Lists, Aero-snap
• Enhanced GPU acceleration making amazing graphics possible
• Tracking Protection and SmartScreen malware protection

Now, you can win some prizes by installing Internet Explorer 9 on your Windows 7 machine and playing, Master Of The Web, a fully graphics accelerated HTML 5 compliant game on your browser without the use of any plugin like Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight.

The Welcome screen may be displayed for 30 seconds during the logon process after you set a solid color as the desktop background in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2

Yes. You read that right. If you use a solid color as your desktop background, it will take you 30 seconds to log in. My colleague encountered this yesterday, rebooted multiple times because he thought his computer hung on logging in and caught a virus.

Workaround? Put a pretty picture as your desktop wallpaper. Turn off the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager service. Or download the hotfix in the link above.

Do you think it is ridiculous? I do. If you’re wondering, I’m already in Hyderabad, India by the time this post is out.

The Windows 7 ISO Image Edition Switcher is a set of small binary patches (and a tool to apply these patches) that will convert an official Windows 7 ISO disc image into an official Windows 7 ISO disc image of another edition.

The ei.cfg Removal Utility is a simple tool that will remove the ei.cfg from any Windows 7 ISO disc image, thereby converting the image into a “universal disc” that will prompt the user to select an edition during setup.

For those system admins, this will be great for you. For those who tend to lose their disc or ISOs, you can now grab a friend’s copy and change the disc to the edition you want. But remember, this does not mean your CD key will work for any edition.

Source: win7utils – Windows 7 ISO Disc Image Utilities