“The [Consumer Product Safety Commission]. knows of 339 incidents in which lithium batteries used in laptops and cell phones — not just Dell products — overheated between 2003 and 2005, Wolfson said.”
When we’re talking about overheating, we’re talking about explosions and fires. Last week, British officials banned laptop computers and audio players as carry-on items, following the gel bomb arrests.
This Dell recall may inspire airlines or the FAA to draft tighter restrictions on laptop computers, iPods and cell phones in commercial airplanes. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in both devices, as they perform well and last longer than other rechargeable batteries.
Passengers may not be happy. I always carry my electronic devices in my carry-on bag when I fly, simply because I don’t want them jostled and fondled in my checked baggage.
See the chapter on computer hardware in the IS 6100 textbook.
Laptop computers require a large amount of electrical energy. While it is possible to power a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone from an RJ-45 network jack, this only needs about 5 watts of electrical power.
You may be familiar with the watt, as it’s the standard measure for household light bulbs.
Five watts not nearly enough to power a laptop computer. Even the smallest laptops use much more powerful batteries.
In comparison, a AAA battery delivers only a few watts, and for a limited amount of time.
August 15: Here’s some additional information from Engadget, which has been covering this story for several months. Check the multiple links regarding explosions in this article. A reader posted a link to Dell’s statement here, including instrucitons on replacement batteries.
The New York Times reports that Sony management confirmed that the company manufactured and sold the affected batteries to Dell. The batteries were shipped to Dell customers in computers sold between April 2004 and July 18.
CNN reported on August 15 that Sony is paying most or all of the recall costs. While this minimizes Dell’s direct losses, they will see an immediate drop in sales revenue as customers choose Dell’s competitors.
The Houston Chronicle reports that customers are hammering Dell with e-mails and phone calls as news spreads about the recall.
Engadget reported on August 6 that an Apple PowerBook exploded. Apple has already mounted a recall for some PowerBook and MacBook models, and Sony batteries are involved.
Bluetooth Watches is offering a combination headset wristwatch that is the ugliest electronic device I’ve seen this week.
Bluetooth is the trade name for a radio-frequency standard that enables low-speed, short-range wireless network connections.
The short version: it’s a replacement for audio cables.
WiFi is much faster and has a longer range than Bluetooth, but Bluetooth requires less electrical power. Thus, Bluetooth is a good choice for small devices like mobile phones and headsets. Manufacturers can include Bluetooth features in their devices without adding a large battery and antenna.
Bluetooth is somewhat limited. While there are stereo Bluetooth headsets available that connect to PDAs, phones and iPods, these headsets don’t work with some computers.
Another major limitation of Bluetooth is its security features. Encryption is weak or non-existent in some implementations, and many users simply leave the Bluetooth settings wide open. This can allow a nearby hacker to gain access to a device.
Then again, because of the limited range and power used, a hacker would have to be within 20 meters of his victim in most circumstances.
To some consumers, it may seem like a minor change. Dell shipped the Chinese version of its Inspiron 640M portable computer with an Intel 200M CPU. The marketing materials indicated the model used a more expensive process, the 2300.
The major difference between the two processors is that the 2300 includes hardware support for virtualization. This allows the computer to run several different sessions and operating sessions at the same time with a minimal performance loss, when compared to older technologies such as emulation.
When used in a Macintosh, this technology allows users to run Windows, Linux, DOS, or almost any other operating system while they run the default MacOS.
Virtualization is also a key technology in server deployment. Dell, HP and other computer manufacturers sell large multiprocessor cmoputers that behave as many different servers. Each server runs in its own virtual session, so one large computer can replace several separate computers that were each dedicated to specific functions, such as e-mail, the Web, and transaction processing.
In a consumer-grade laptop, the loss of virtualization is not as as critical as it might be on a server computer.
However, word spread quickly through Chinese forums and web sites that Dell had advertised a more expensive processor than it actually shipped. In Windows, it is easy to check what processor your computer is using, by examining the System Properties box in the Control Panel. Try using the shortcut keys Windows+Break.
Dell managers blame a mixup between manufacturing and marketing, and have offered an apology and full refund to customers. The apology is crucial in Asian markets. However, some litigious Chinese customers have decided to sue Dell’s Chinese subsidiary for damages.
“AOL said Tuesday it intends to search for gold and platinum bars the company suspects are hidden near the home of Davis Wolfgang Hawke’s parents on two acres in Medfield, Massachusetts.”
AOL has already won a USD13M judgment against Hawke, who sent millions of unsolicited commercial messages (UCEs) to AOL customers. Winning the lawsuit was the easy part - now AOL is trying to collect from a defendant who never appeared at his own trial. AOL lawyers believe Hawke converted some of his holdings to previous metals and then buried the bars near his parents’ home.
Hawke’s mother said she that the family has not heard from her son in over a year. “We don’t know where is he,” she said. “We certainly wouldn’t allow him to put any gold on our property.”
If nothing else, I hope that Time Warner has bought the movie and TV rights. This will make an interesting story, especially if AOL’s prospectors find buried treasure. Ahoy!
Articles and contents posted on this blog represent billso's personal opinion and does not represent the views of my employer, employees or my clients. Comments are provided by individual users.
