CX1 (A super comp from Cray) will have Windows HPC Server 2008

Microsoft and Cray on Tuesday took the wraps off a petite supercomputer that runs Windows HPC Server 2008 and, unlike some other supercomputers, doesn't cost more than a Hummer limo.

In fact, Cray's new CX1 supercomputer is priced starting at a relatively cheap $25,000, not bad for an integrated box that weaves together compute, storage, and visualization functions. Cray has designed the CX1 to remove some of the complexity involved with supercomputing that has hindered its adoption, particular in smaller organizations.

Based on 64-bit Windows Server 2008, Windows HPC Server 2008 can scale to thousands of processing cores and features high end management capabilities that span both Windows and Linux platforms. The CX1 uses up to 8 nodes and 16 Intel Xeon processors, with up to 64 gigabytes of memory per node; and also includes up to 4 terabytes of internal storage.

The CX1 is the first Cray supercomputer to use Intel processors, and is also the first fruit from the pact the two companies announced in April to work together on supercomputing systems and technologies over the next few years.

The CX1 is available through Cray's Website and comes with a three-year warranty that includes next-day, on-site Cray-certified support.

Supercomputers help power research in a wide variety of fields, including aerospace, astrophysics, bioinformatics, chemical physics, climate change prediction, medical imaging and the global ATLAS project, which is investigating the forces that govern the universe.

T-Mobile to announce G-Phone late sept.

T-Mobile USA will become the first company in the world to announce a mobile phone based on Google's Android OS at a New York press conference Sept. 23, the New York Times reports, citing T-Mobile.

The handset was manufactured by Taiwan's High Tech Computer (HTC), the Times said. HTC representatives in Taipei declined to comment on the report.

Several other Web sites are also reporting the Sept. 23 event, including Gizmodo, which is displaying what appears to be an announcement from T-Mobile.

HTC has already said it is developing a mobile phone developed around Google's Android  and plans to call the handset "Dream."

The handset maker may end up being first in the world to put out an Android-based mobile phone, but other companies are also developing handsets around Android, including Samsung Electronics.

HTC's Google handset is just over 5-inches long and 3-inches wide, with a keypad underneath the screen that either slides out or swivels out. The aim of the keypad is for easy e-mail, note-taking and writing Web addresses.

Internet navigational controls are situated below the screen on the handset.

Android is an open source software platform that includes an OS and is designed to take advantage of Internet services for mobility. The software could become a potent new rival to Windows Mobile and other handset operating systems. At the launch ceremony early this year, Google announced that over 30 companies had joined the Open Handset Alliance.