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Transmeta Webcast Today at Nine PST, Noon EST

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the don't-touch-that-dial! dept.

Almost everybody in the world wrote in with something like "Transmeta's big Crusoe announcement is today, and it'll be Webcast live on ZDTV starting at 9 a.m. PST." Later, after all the hoopla is over, we'll have a follow-up story on the proceedings as viewed through the eyes of several people who are there.

11 of 345 comments (clear)

  1. webcast notes by Signal+11 · · Score: 4
    webcast notes, Signal 11:
    • It looks like the guy was picking his nose for half the webcast, but it was just blocky pixels to me. :) Now, onto the details --
    • It's a RISC processor(no tech detail - this is a marketing guy, not a techie). Specifically, it provides complete compatibility with x86 instruction set.
    • They've decided to put the emulation of x86 instructions into the software. Whether this is in the form of downloadable-onto-the-chip or in memory, I don't know.
    • Genetic / heuristic programming on the processor to reduce power consumption? The marketing droid thinks it's "a smart processor".
    • Transmeta will focus on mobile computing
    • Chip named after Robinson Crusoe because Crusoe was a guy who was very mobile. *snicker*
    • It's designed to be binary-compatible with many chips.
    • It's designed to run at low power consumption and with fewer transistors than existing chips.
    • "Crusoe is the first microprocessor who's instruction set that is implimented entirely in software."
    • Transmeta has not invented a new cpu. It has designed software, specifically code morphing.
    • Buzzword alert! "mobile internet processor"
    • Very simple processor. Later going for massive SMP?
    • HARDWARE __________________
    • A 400 mhz processor, linux, 1 watt power consumption, 100kb onchip cache.
    • Marketing guy is showing a "web pad" now.
    • TM5400 - processor #2, designed to run Windows. For a notebook, it's gonna run at 700 mhz. 400kb onchip cache, 1 watt power consumption
    • Marketing buzzword: "internet changes everything"
    • Marketing: They're betting I want to take the internet everywhere ("computing is going mobile"). :) Heh. Sure, just give me a wireless 1mb/s pipe...

    End part I

    1. Re:webcast notes by Signal+11 · · Score: 5
      webcast notes, Signal 11 (part 2):
      • Transmeta corporation ______________
      • Transmeta hired a new CEO - Mark Allen of Netscape fame.
      • Transmeta has 200+ people on staff.
      • Manufacturing is overseas in Taiwan
      • IBM partnership!
      • Paul Allen invested in them.
      • Buzzword Alert: "technology innovator"
      • Transmeta will not sell directly to end-users. It is OEM only.
      • Transmeta has modified the linux codebase with their code morphing tech
      End part II. Opening to Q&A
  2. 700Mhz / 400Mhz by saturated · · Score: 4



    so far he has showed two vers of Crusoe. One is a 400 MHZ version for handhelds and other smaller mobiles.

    there is a 700Mhz version for Notebook size mobiles. All have X86 compatibility and only use 1 Watt of POWER!

    more and more this product is becoming focused on the internet.

    Crusoe supports:
    1. Full PC Architecture
    2. Runs all X86 Operating Systems
    3. 100% X86 Application Compatiblity
    4. Run WEB BROWSER & Plugins

    Crusoe uses very little power. 20 miliwatts of power in STANDBY MODE.

    Crusoe's low power offers what people want.

    Long Battery Life
    Low Weight and new Form Factors
    Rid of noisy fans

    Transmeta hired Marc Allen to help run Transmeta.


    Now going over background of Transmeta...


    --
    ' god damn this is one wacky game show ' ~ jay in mallrats
  3. Summary of introductory speech by Broccolist · · Score: 4

    Here's a short summary of the first 30 minutes for people who couldn't stream it :

    - Crusoe is, from what I understand, an extremely simple and compact RISC processor that supports x86 entirely through an integrated emulator. It is as fast as "traditional" processors, cheap to produce and extremely low power (1 W)

    - There are two models right now : a 400mhz/~128kb cache for notebooks, and a 700mhz/~400kb cache for laptops.

    - Several APM techniques, like a "deep sleep" mode
    that means you'll almost never have to reboot your laptop. Cool :)

    - They both run every x86 operating system -- emulation is complete.

    - More processors are forthcoming! Looks like Transmeta is planning to take over the mobile market. "If it has a battery and a web browser, it's going to be built with Crusoe".


    Well, it looks like their gamble paid off :). Looks like a great CPU.


    Broccolist

  4. ZDNet and Real by Mark+F.+Komarinski · · Score: 4

    So lessee....ZDNET is using Real to broadcast video and audio, and you need the G2 release. Okay...so I get G2 and install it. Still get those nice "you need a plugin" from ZDNET. The Linux version of G2 doesn't have plugin support!

    How are we supposed to see/hear it? Anyone know a way of getting the stream without using the plugin?

    --
    -- Ever notice that fast-burning fuse looks exactly the same as slow-burning fuse? I didn't... (Edgar Montrose)
  5. Transmeta webcast... by Vorx · · Score: 5

    For those who can't get the webcast, here's a quick summary of what I've seen sofar: The guy onscreen (don't know him, didn't catch the beginning) keeps promoting a 'software' solution for solving some cpu problems, including the ability to tune itself to the applications, for performance and power reasons. They also keep stressing low-power, and mobile applications Big announcement! The instruction set is entirely in software (his words) -- Yep boys and girls, we can run anyone's instructions -- VL instruction set, 128 bit instructions.... 3/4 functionality of the cpu is in software... more to come...

    --
    Yes this is my real UID. No, it was not bought from EBay.
  6. Re:webcast notes (part 4) by Signal+11 · · Score: 5
    webcast notes, signal 11 (part 4)
    • marketing hype from their marketing guy (uh huh)
    • Mobile processing - it's "internet appliance" market will be one product family. The other will be mobile PCs. doesn't sound like crusoe is for the desktop at all.
    • They started a laptop on fire! =)
    • Intel is going to use linux for their internet appliances.
    • Transmeta is going head to head with Intel?
    • Market forcast with some nicely colored charts. =)
    • They're going to put a crusoe chip onto a 1 lb form factor. Basically big, flat screen and a finger-pointer interface. Cute.
    • Buzzword alert: Paradigm!
    • (( missed more notes due to work ))
  7. Re:webcast notes (part 3) - linus plays quake! by Signal+11 · · Score: 5
    Webcast notes, Signal 11 (part 3):

    (( Missed part of the webcast due to work ))

    • Missed description of the VLIW processor. Damn!
    • Longview(sp?) technology dynamically adjusts the CPU speed on the fly. This is transparent to the user. You won't see this (as a user). It seems to be able to slow down while waiting for other i/o components - like memory, to get info to the cpu for processing. I'm guessing this is a next-generation version of APM that's really in-sync with the processor. Then again, this is marketing but at 1 watt consumption, even NO power management would be awesome.
    • Some guy discussed benchmarking. Since I consider benchmarking to be dropping a machine on the table and seeing how big of a mark it leaves.. I skipped taking notes on this.
    • Linus Torvalds _______
    • Linus plays quake!
    • Linus got fragged! with a plasma.
    • three times. Linus sucks. =)

    End part III, on to tech details

  8. More update.. by saturated · · Score: 5

    3120
    Targeted for internet mobile device.
    400Mhz, L1 Cache
    Integrated NorthBridge.


    5400
    Runs Windows/Applications.
    700 Mhz, L1 128k, l2 256k
    DDR Memory Controller.

    Morphs x86 into VLIW instru.
    Registers and other X86 Tech is done in software.

    Simple fast, low power processor..

    code morphin'

    Translates x86 pc apps to vliw instructions
    Generates x86 to vliw, optimizes, puts in translation cache that is hidden and only the processor knows of it.

    only what is used is translated, done on the fly.. keeps programs in translation cache to aid in morphing on the fly.

    learn and optimize.

    Analyzing the x86 app that is running and optimizes the top code.
    register renaming, reordering.

    software can optimize like in the compiler


    20 X86 Instructions--> 10 vliw instructions
    removes useless code to get better preformance and lower power.

    benchmarked on a windowing environment.

    shows video with fast windowing environment.. translation doesn't get in the way.


    P3 Playing DVD
    105.5 C

    Crusoe Playing DVD with Translation.
    48.2 C

    Thermal solutions are draining the Mobile battery, and crusoe puts out less heat, less thermal solution == less battery..

    LongRun Technology in Code Morphing adjusts power consumption to match needs of the application and uses the lowest power required.

    700 Mhz at 1.6V bumps down the MHZ then the V's

    Can make the analysis on a frame by frame basis ( example used is playing a DVD ).

    700 Mhz uses 1.65V is 100% then the processor goes to 400 Mhz using 1.4 Vs then down to 333Mhz
    at 1.2v. Thats only using 25% of the processor.

    Introduced new Benchmark Methodolgy:

    1. Benchmark on a real APPLICATION
    2. Measure battery AFTER the app is run
    3. Combine the two for the score.


    Demo Crusoe on Linux with Linus.. be back in 30mins.

    --
    ' god damn this is one wacky game show ' ~ jay in mallrats
  9. Traditional press are a bunch of assholes by 1010011010 · · Score: 5

    Anyone else notice that? Their questions are all along the lines of "this must suck somehow, can you tell us how?"

    The Slashdot/Red Herring/Etc type reporters are the only ones asking intelligent questions about the products!

    "Hi, I'm a total bitch. I came in late and didn't really listen. This isn't really a new idea, is it? Isn't everyone doing this? Can you explain?"

    Sheesh. Someone must be training those people to be clueless and annoying, unless they are actually clueless and annoying and just don't know any better.

    --
    Napster-to-go says "Fill and refill your compatible MP3 player", which is a lie. It's not MP3. It's WMA with DRM.
  10. Re:webcast notes [Errata] by Deosyne · · Score: 5

    I'm not one to make corrections, but with mistakes this fundamental, I feel that I have to or people will have the entirely wrong idea.

    The Crusoe processor is not a RISC processor; the presenter was involved in the development of the RISC processor ~1980. The Crusoe family (there are two being presented, with more to be announced) is a small processor that does not have any instructions on the chip itself; it has a software couterpart that translates standard x86 instruction calls to the chip itself. It is completely x86 compatable and the two that were demonstrated operate at 1 watt, making it ideal for mobile computing platforms. To summarize, Transmeta has created a brand new processor family that uses software to handle many of the functionality that is traditionally embedded on the CPU itself.

    Oh, and the "marketing geek" is David Ditzel, CEO and president of Transmeta, one of the architects of the Sun SPARC microprocessor and longtime advocate of the RISC architecture; I highly recommend checking out some of the books and articles that he has written over the past 25 or so years working with microprocessors, as they are quite interesting. I will admit that he did abuse the "Internet" line a bit much, especially since he was introducing a bloody processor. :)

    Deosyne