SAN JOSE, Calif. – Cisco is upgrading one of its biggest pieces of networking hardware, an router that’s used to power the most trafficked parts of the Internet backbone.

Cisco Systems Inc., the world’s largest maker of computer networking gear, said Tuesday it is replacing its aging CRS-1 “core router,” which was introduced in 2004. The new CRS-3 is three times faster. Cisco says it can handle 322 terabits of traffic per second, or simultaneous video calls for every person in China.

Cisco competes in the core router market with Juniper Network Inc., which has updated its products more recently than Cisco. The CRS-3 will sell for $90,000 and up.

Intel introduced the new Atom N470 netbook CPU back in September and then Lenovo showed off its S10-3t with the new processor at CES, but chipzilla’s taking the time today to give its newest Pine Trail CPU a proper unveil.

The high cost of solid-state drives (SSDs) will mean this format will not be replacing hard-disk drives (HDDs) in the enterprise realm for at least the next few years, says analyst.
This is according to IDC’s Jeff Janukowicz, research manager of hard-disk drive components and solid-state disk drives. He added that SSD manufacturers will have to find a way to utilize multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash to bring the cost per gigabyte (GB) lower in order to gain traction in the enterprise market.

Slates have been generating much buzz since January, when several computer makers such as Dell and HP unveiled prototype models of their touchscreen devices at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), mere weeks before the introduction of Apple’s iPad.

Opera is launching a version of its Mini browser for the iPhone in what could prove a landmark decision for Apple’s app gatekeepers.

A few years ago and again only recently, a select few notebooks hit the scene with “switchable graphics”. That is to say, these notebooks are able to manually switch between low-power integrated graphics solutions in the notebook chipset, to more powerful, and higher-performing discrete graphics processors. To enthusiasts, power users, or even somewhat tech savvy consumers, switchable graphics seemed like a no compromise solution. The IGP could be used to conserve battery life when multimedia performance wasn’t necessary, while the discrete GPU was available for more demanding applications.

IBM has created graphene transistors that leave silicon ones in the dust. The prototype devices, made from atom-thick sheets of carbon, operate at 100 gigahertz–meaning they can switch on and off 100 billion times each second, about 10 times as fast as the speediest silicon transistors.

The transistors were created using processes that are compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing, and experts say they could be scaled up to produce transistors for high-performance imaging, radar, and communications devices within the next few years, and for zippy computer processors in a decade or so.

The new sleek iPad has created such a frenzy, as Apple touts its gadget’s green credentials and buyers clamor to plunk down their greenbacks for it. But wait: is the iPad really eco-friendly?
This is not a trick question, although it might seem like one.

Yes, Apple’s Steve Jobs says iPads are free of arsenic, mercury, PVC (polyvinyl choride) and BFRs (brominated flame retardants), In addition, he says the aluminum and glass enclosure is “highly recyclable” and the battery lasts 10 hours, with more than a month of standby capacity.

Yes, Apple is exploring how to use solar energy to power its i-devices. It’s filed several patents for transparent solar cells that would cover part of the front or back, according to Patently Apple. Its website has a section on each product’s eco-credentials and recycling possibilities.

For some time I’ve been meaning to test my small collection of PDA/smartphone gadgets to see which of their methods of input was quickest. The iPhone’s software keyboard? The Newton’s handwriting recognition? Palm’s Graffiti? With the possible imminent arrival of a tablet from Apple that will save the world, it seemed a good time to get round to the test.

Lockheed Martin and IronKey on Wednesday announced an ultra-secure USB flash drive with custom software that allows you to take entire computer with you for secure use on any public computer.