Xerox officially added five new models to its line of Phaser laser printers today, and I had a chance to speak with a product manager over at Xerox to get the scoop on the new product offering (Phaser 3100, 3250, 3635, 3600, and 5500).
While none of these new printers include built-in wireless, a feature that's been growing in popularity (Xerox sells a separate wireless network adapter for the 3600 series), we're still excited to get a few of these MFPs into the lab for some heavy-duty testing. Let's take a peek at some of the models you'll be seeing soon:
(Credit:
Xerox)
- $350
- Multifunction laser printer with unique ID copy
- OCR scanning
- Full QWERTY keyboard
(Credit:
Xerox)
- $350
- Single function monolaser printer for small workgroups
- Built-in autoduplexer
- PostScript 3 and PCL 6 compatible
- Network ready
(Credit:
Xerox)
- $750
- Network ready monolaser printer
- Optional high-capacity paper trays
- Autodocument paper feeder
- 128 MB expandable memory
Electron microscope image of early prototype.
(Credit: University of Texas at Dallas)The University of Texas at Dallas has entered the race to produce a more powerful semiconductor using a $1.75 million grant from DARPA to develop a microchip that is "faster than anything" on the market today.
The new technology will still be silicon-based but will use photons rather than electrons to speed things up, according to a UT press release.
"This research is intended to produce a completely new class of components that could have a revolutionary impact on information engineering," Professor Duncan MacFarlane said. "The photonic integrated circuit (PIC) we're developing will be a versatile, programmable, scalable device that will process photonic signals and provide a sophisticated and practical interface with existing electronics."
Total internal reflection mirrors are fabricated using focused ion-beam micromachining.
(Credit: Erik Jonsson/School of Engineering and Computer Science, UT Dallas)The military's vociferous appetite for hotter technology and market demand for more powerful chips are driving the research. "The current roadmap for semiconductor evolution envisions the need for just such an innovation in coming years, when current design and manufacturing processes are expected to encounter physical barriers to continued miniaturization," according to UT. The project, known as PhASER (photonic analog signal processing engines with reconfigurability), will develop a fundamental PIC that can act as a reconfigurable building block in forming a high-throughput, low-power, analog signal processor and overcome the limits of conventional silicon-based processing technology, according to DARPA.
The research will take place in UT's new nanophotonic development facility. Collaborators include Southern Methodist University and Dallas-based photonics technology company Photodigm. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon will evaluate the technology's performance in high-tech antenna systems and laser radar, according to UT.
(Credit:
Gearfuse)
The battle of the ages is nigh: In one corner is the Star Trek "Phaser Universal Remote Control," fending off potential romance in all directions. Opposite awaits its younger challenger, the Star Wars "Lightsaber Remote Control."
Japan's Taito is the latest to expand the empire into the living room, according to Gearfuse, though we wouldn't have even recognized the remote as a Lightsaber were it not for the Star Wars logo on the box. (Which we we're proud to say.) Other replica remotes have been around for years, though they're usually more expensive than this one. Besides, the Taito version's color scheme goes far better with the matching phone, MP3 player and, of course, umbrella.
(Credit:
Phone Phun Novelty Telephones)
Apparently, attraction to the opposite sex isn't nearly as important as it used to be. That's the only explanation we can fathom for the continuing trend of new Star Trek items on the market.
The latest date repellant is a $70 "Phaser Universal Remote Control," which claims to feature sound effects from the original series provided by Paramount. Alas, Red Ferret notes that it's already sold out. (What a surprise.)
But don't despair, Sparky. If you play your cards right, you might still be able to score a "Lightsaber Umbrella."
(Credit:
SlashGear)
What does it say about society when combo consumer gadgets are made out of weapons? That's what aptly named Street Wise has done with its "Lightning Rod," a 6-inch cylinder that SlashGear says can send an 800,000-volt Valentine to an assailant. The combo part is a built-in LED flashlight, so you can make sure you're not zapping a friend or family member by mistake in the dark. Just remember, if you decide to use it for ordinary flashlight duties such as changing your oil, be sure to keep the safety lock on.
If James T. Kirk was sitting by a tree or menorah or visiting Africa come Chrismahanukwanzakah time, you'd better believe he'd be craving the Star Trek 40th anniversary phaser. It's hit shelves in honor of 40 years of "boldly going where no man has gone before."
With the bronze handle, flashing lights and four power modes, the phaser looks and feels a lot like the stun gun of the original series. If you're hoping to participate in the away team, the Type I phaser easily detaches, while still providing light and sound features. Speaking of sound, all noises are ultra-authentic and taken directly from the series. With its special packaging, the gadget could easily sit on any collector's mantle, but it's also cheap enough to provide some good Klingon and Khan-beating fun.
For $30 a pop at ThinkGeek or $27.99 at Amazon.com, this 23rd century weapon is likely to please every tribble-loving darling in your life. The only catch is that it's not a real weapon, so you can't stun your boss, bratty brother or whining wife with it. Perhaps they're waiting to release that last feature for the Golden Anniversary.
(Photo: ThinkGeek)
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