"Two nongaming customers are using Cell" - IBM

[Vennt]

Did I miss this in the webcast, I thought it was used as an example of what they thought *might* be other applications outside gaming, however ZDNet's take is different:

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/hardware/0,2000061702,39196414,00.htm

Beyond gaming
Two nongaming customers are using Cell, Beck said, though he wouldn't name them. One is involved in medical imaging, and the other is tapping the chip for military use in image recognition and targeting, he said.

So, the EE "had the potential to launch nukes"

and the Cell now *is* going to help with the targeting of missiles?

The irony is hilarious, however I'm sure they've just got the wrong end the stick here haven't they? Or have I?

V.

 

[Farid]

SCEI Warfare All-In-One Solution:

• Cell process the image recognition and targeting of a target.
• Emotion Engine control the auto-pilot of the Missile that destroy the target
• PSP entertains the troops with porn UMDs

 

[Vennt]

SCEI Warfare All-In-One Solution:

• Cell process the image recognition and targeting of a target.
• Emotion Engine control the auto-pilot of the Missile that destroy the target
• PSP entertains the troops with porn UMDs

Nope, you read the brochure wrong, the PSP is a new form of small arms, it clearly states:

"Deadly High-Velocity Ejection System"

Not

"Deadly High-Velocity Erection System"

Easy mistake to make

 

[one]

Though offtopic, this part caught my attention

And Microsoft's Xbox 360, due later this year, uses a Power processor that Beck said is code-named Waternoose.

Waternoose is a name of a monster in Monster Inc.
And from http://www.dtc.umn.edu/seminars/johnson.html

Charlie Johnson began working for IBM in 1974 after receiving his BSEE from the University of Minnesota.

Since joining IBM Charlie has been involved in many leading edge design and development activities. Most notably he was the Chief Engineer for the NorthStar family of microprocessors shipped in the industry leading S80 IBM server in 1998. Then he was the Chief Scientist for the GP/Regatta Project (1997-2001) which was IBM's first gigahertz server microprocessor in 2001. He was the IBM technical lead on the definition of the Waternoose project with Microsoft for their next generation XBOX (2002-2003). He is currently the Chief Scientist on the Research Quasar project looking at computing structures for 2010 & beyond which was just recently moved into the STG development group.

 

[Tacitblue]

Wonder if Cell is going to be classified as a WMD then. Hope Ken has a good bunker. Just kidding.

 

[Qroach]

waternoose? strange I wish we had more details on it

 

[PARANOiA]

Cell isn't a WMD because Sony don't have any oil to steal :?

This is pretty ironic, btw, and I don't believe a military use for Cell at all until I see it used as something other than PS3 promo material. Just like I don't think PS2 can launch nukes, I'm sorry.

 

[creon100]

There's a difference when someone tries to tell you a PS2 is used to launch missiles and Cell, a microprocessor, is being used in military applications.

 

[Carl B]

Cell isn't a WMD because Sony don't have any oil to steal :?

This is pretty ironic, btw, and I don't believe a military use for Cell at all until I see it used as something other than PS3 promo material. Just like I don't think PS2 can launch nukes, I'm sorry.

I don't know what kinds of processors were being used to guide ICBM's back in the day - but you can be sure that the EE crushed them all.

I mean we're talking about 1960's tech here.

 

[PARANOiA]

I mean we're talking about 1960's tech here.

I wonder if my Gameboy Colour can launch nukes too

I agree with the two posters above, sigh, I'm just frustrated, since it's hard to tell between marketing and fact in these things. I should chill out and play more games.

Here's hoping Cell technology takes off though. Processor evolutions/revolutions are good things. This gen's consoles might just give industry a much needed push to multi-processors as standard. I know when I did IT at uni a few years ago, there were only two subjects regarding parallell processing and multi-CPUs - which seemed odd since it's likely where the future of processors always lay (more is easier than faster).

 

[Carl B]

I don't find so farfetched the notion that some medical imaging firm and some defense firm/agency have signed on to use Cell - I might as well put my faith in the ZDNet article, and we'll find out who at a later date. Since they already have a rough OS build, they only need to develop a very limited range of apps on it beore they are able to begin harnessing Cell's power when we're talkign about something like imaging. So it seems the first 'third-party' industry to fall is indeed imaging, for which Cell should be well suited - and would also explain the nature of the tech demo at E3.

 

[jvd]

I can see the medical field , i would think it be good for quickly making 3d images of catscans and imrs . I don't see its use in the military really though

 

[Carl B]

I can see the medical field , i would think it be good for quickly making 3d images of catscans and imrs . I don't see its use in the military really though

Topography would be my guess. I have a friend that works at the 'xxx,' and I can say that imaging is a lot of what some of these departments do.

 

[one]

I don't see its use in the military really though

Like analyzing military satellite images to search Usama's face? Also missile guiding system recognizes silhouette of certain weapons. The Eyetoy demo in the E3 Sony press conference was very suggesting.

 

[cho]

Toshiba's SED will use Cell, and the another one maybe Sony Picture .

 

[Carl B]

Toshiba's SED will use Cell, and the another one maybe Sony Picture .

How did you get that from this?

One is involved in medical imaging, and the other is tapping the chip for military use in image recognition and targeting, he said.

 

[a688]

Toshiba's SED will use Cell, and the another one maybe Sony Picture .

How did you get that from this?

One is involved in medical imaging, and the other is tapping the chip for military use in image recognition and targeting, he said.

I believe that is what is called a joke. I was thinking the same thing he was though .

 

[jvd]

How about ilm ?

 

[Brad Grenz]

ILM doesn't integrated their own systems. Wait until IBM actually has blades on the market, and then we'll see if any render farms spring up.

 

[Carl B]

I believe that is what is called a joke. I was thinking the same thing he was though .

Well, I took it as a joke as well - it's just it seemed to have that slight edge that spoke: "this adoption by other companies seems made up."

So I just wanted to point out that indeed it does seem to be a legitimate claim of adoption beyond the original STI group.