nVidia 8800GT Numbers Leaked

Always take leaked, pre-released benchmarks with a grain, nay, a bushel of salt, but for the anxiously impatient, numbers have started floating around the web hinting at the upcoming 8800GT's performance. If the leaked results hold true, expect the 8800GT to outperform both the 8800GTS and AMD/ATI's HD 2900XT, while also nipping at the 8800GTX's heels. The 65nm G92 based videocard is expected to start shipping in about a week.

Virtual Machine Additions for Linux

Who says mortal enemies can't co-exist peacefully? Microsoft today released Virtual Machine Additions for Linux, compatible with Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1. The new release brings support for SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, with several qualified distributions. Look for improvements with guest and host time synchronization, coordinated shutdown operations, improved mouse driver, display driver, and SCSI disk emulation.

Online Fans Call the Soccer Shots

Upset over Argentina's playmaking decisions in the World Cup, super fan Moshe Hogeg had enough of playing armchair coach. Instead, he went and teamed up with an online gaming company to buy his own team for $500,000, and he's letting the fans call the shots. By going to Web2Sport.com, soccer fans can vote on the starting line-up and even give instructions to the coach. If the venture turns out successful, maybe Steinbrenner can enlist the help of saddened Yankee fans now that Torre's been ousted (go Sox!).

Hackers Eye Up World Series

In other sports related tech news, the Colorado Rockies found their computer systems the target of a recent attack, which ultimately had to be shut down, halting the sale of online World Series tickets. They've been working to get a backup in place and resume selling the 18,000 available tickets for games 3 and 4 in Denver. No details were given on the on the origin or motive.

Hitachi Bids Adieu to PC Business

You may not have been aware Hitachi carries a line of PCs, and it's that lack of recognition combined with sluggish sales that has them pulling the plug. Ranking 8th in Japan's PC market, Hitachi manufactured the Prius brand, but had no new models for this holiday shopping season and plans to stop making PCs altogether.

Video Game Designers Leave Mark on Nissan

Fans of the Gran Turismo series have been waiting for the 2009 Nissan GT-R to show its face, and that wait is over. Gamers hoping to buy the real-deal will need to start saving their allowance, as the GT-R is expected to sell for $80K in the US. Playstation fans will be geeked to see the inclusion of a multi-function display, co-developed with none other than Gran Turismo developer Polyphony Digital.

Mac Commercials Working

With the exception of the 'Cancel or Allow' commercial touting Macs, most PC users are able to recognize the skits as simply 'creative' marketing, but are consumers taking note? Apparently so, as Apple managed to sell a record 2.16 million last quarter, representing a 34 percent hike from this time last year. Apple can now make claim to an 8 percent market share. So whether or not your buy the commercials, Apple looks to be having little trouble finding buyers.