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February 28th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

VR-Zone.com | Stuff for the Geeks!

VR-Zone | Stuff for the Geeks is a bi-weekly publication covering the latest gadgets and stuff for the geeks.

Motion-sensing PC entertainment on big screen TV

ASUS unveils WAVI Xtion motion-sensing PC experience at CeBIT 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-unveils-wavi-xtion-motionsensing-pc-experience-at-cebit-2011/11389.html February 28th, 2011

We're sure you've heard of Microsoft's Kinect for Xbox 360, a 'controller-free gaming and entertainment experience'. Well, here's something quite similar. Meet the ASUS WAVI Xtion, the world's first motion-sensing experience package for the PC! Here's something similar to Microsoft's Kinect. Meet the ASUS WAVI Xtion (pronounced 'way-vee action'), the world's first motion-sensing experience package for the PC! The WAVI Xtion comprises of two components - the WAVI wireless media streaming device and the Xtion motion sensor. It streams high definition media wirelessly from a PC located in one room to a TV in another, while infrared gesture-based multimedia playback, games and applications introduce the first ever officially-supported motion-sensing PC interface.

WAVI Xtion integrates motion-sensing technology from PrimeSense® with the exclusive ASUS Xtion Portal user interface to bring consumers closer to technology through intuitive interaction with applications. Connections to both PCs and TVs via wireless HDMI (WHDI technology) deliver smooth transfers of high definition content such as movies, games and photos in 5GHz with a range of up to 25 meters.

Software products available on launch include MayaFit Cardio Lite, a motion-sensing fitness training game and BeatBooster™, a multiplayer racing adventure game where users maneuver jet aircraft with their body movements.

Enjoying PC games on the living room big screen TV is possible; the proprietary Xtion engine supports the remapping of keyboard controls into motion gestures for a variety of popular third party games.

Speaking on cooperation with ASUS when developing WAVI Xtion motion-sensing technology, PrimeSense CEO Inon Beracha said, "our collaboration with ASUS in providing a 3D sensing solution for WAVI Xtion proves to the industry that natural interaction technology is the ideal fit for living rooms, and that intuitive, gesture-based control will be the go-to route for operating all devices. We believe that PrimeSensesolutions like the user interface used on ASUS’ WAVI Xtion represent the future of the way people interact with consumer electronics, and help break down barriersof use to allow people to sync with the electronic world around them."

Online store offers diverse choice WAVI Xtion enables a wide selection of multimedia content and entertainment applications, working seamlessly with the ASUS @vibe online store* to deliver music, games and apps, all through the cloud.

Xtion Pro developer kit Developers interested in creating gesture-based PC entertainment content can make use of the ASUS Xtion PRO developer pack, the world’s first professional PC motionsensing toolset. It opens up new opportunities for cost and time-efficient development of various applications, including games of every genre. ASUS plans to launch the Xtion Pro

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Developer Challenge in March, with attractive prizes and publishing deals for winning developers. Selected apps will be placed on the ASUS @vibe online store*. *ASUS @vibe integration expected early Q3 2011.

ASUS to showcase latest innovations at CeBIT 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-to-showcase-latest-innovationsat-cebit-2011/11390.html February 28th, 2011

Echoing the CeBIT 2011 theme of 'Work and Life in the Cloud', ASUS will showcase four different tablet computers including the Eee Slate EP121 and Eee Pad MeMO, along with the latest motion-sensing technology called WAVI Xtion, the all-new AMD Brazos-packing K series notebooks and a wide range of gaming products designed for a superior gaming experience.

Published by: VR-Zone

The ASUS tradition of combining performance and aesthetics across all its notebooks continues. New ASUS K Series notebooks combine the multitasking power of 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors with NVIDIA® GeForce™ graphics to deliver spectacular computing, and are offered in 14", 15.6", 17.3" and 18.4" screen sizes. Models are available in a variety of colors including classic brown and silver, passion red, party gold, urban green, chill blue, seduction pink and simplicity white. These use unique textured aluminum covers that are both stylish and durable. The K Series also includes new AMD® Brazos™ processors, with powerful graphics for better gaming and multimedia. All new K Series notebooks feature exclusive ASUS IceCool technology to keep palm rests cool for increased comfort during the longest sessions.

As a mainstay in the gaming community, ASUS continues to develop and widen its product portfolio to serve gaming enthusiasts. An entire line of gaming products including notebooks, motherboards, graphics cards, 3D monitors and a noise cancelling headset will be well-received by the gaming public.

CeBIT 2011 Information ASUS plans an extensive showing during CeBIT 2011, taking place March 1-5 in Hannover, Germany. The ASUS booth can be found at Hall 17, stand J06. Members of the media may contact local ASUS representatives to arrange for interviews and private product demonstrations.

Further details on ASUS at CeBIT 2011 may be accessed from: http://cebit2011.asus.com

Singapore (February 28, 2011) - ASUS today kicked off CeBIT 2011 with a booth media tour where journalists from around the world were given the opportunity to explore and experience the latest ASUS innovations prior to the official opening of the event.

Echoing the CeBIT theme of 'Work and Life in the Cloud', ASUS will showcase four different tablet computers at CeBIT 2011, along with the latest motion-sensing technology called WAVI Xtion (pronounced 'way-vee action'), the all-new K series notebook and a wide range of gaming products designed for a superior gaming experience.

ASUS will address various consumer needs with its range of tablet PCs. These include the 12-inch Eee Slate EP121, the 7inch Eee Pad MeMO (mee-mo), the Eee Pad Slider with a sliding keyboard and the Eee Pad Transformer which comes with the option of a full size docking keyboard that also serves as an extended battery pack.

As the industry's leading innovator, ASUS will also showcase the first motion-sensing technology for PCs - WAVI Xtion. It is a PC peripheral that allows consumers to access content on their PCs wirelessly with simple gestures in front of their TV sets. The preloaded Xtion Portal interface provides intuitive access to PC content as well as allows users to browse ASUS @vibe for the latest multimedia content.

Source: ASUS Press Release

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 28 Feb 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--28feb-2011/11388.html February 28th, 2011

In today's news roundup: AMD plans to showcase its Bulldozer microprocessors at the upcoming CeBIT trade show; MSI's P67A-GD65 motherboard gets reviewed; Google's Chrome browser is slowing starting to wrest control away from standalone software typically installed on a PC; A new version of Prime 95 has been released for hardware enthusiasts and overclockers to download and play around with, and Sony is starting to make more of Square's classic PS1 games available on its PlayStation Network Hardware News: The Future of Computer Enclosures @ Benchmark Reviews 2

February 28th, 2011

Description: I can remember the lead-sleds that rolled with a curb weight similar to moving vans, and it reminds me of modern-day desktop computer cases. Originally, giantsized computer cases painted in beige were once the de facto standard for system builders wanting to construct their own IBM clone personal computer from separate components. I believed this horrible trend would phase itself out around the turn of the century, but when Y2K came and went and there was still significant demand for large full-tower cases I knew something was wrong. The more things change in this industry, the more they seem to remain the same. Now more than ten years later, we're still building our PCs with the same heft as an Oldsmobile Toronado.

Antec LanBoy Air Case Review @Hi Tech Legion Description: The Antec LanBoy Air is unlike any mid-tower case ever seen before. Nearly all the parts of the Antec LanBoy Air can be re-arranged to fit the user’s needs. The Antec LanBoy Air mid-tower case has perforated panels for maximum airflow, utilizing positive air pressure to push all the hot air out while keeping dust away from your system components. The LanBoy Air Case uses the new revolutionary Antec AirMounts™ HDD mounting system to reduce drive vibration and noise. Users can install up to 15 fans inside the Antec LanBoy Air and even has room on top for mounting a water cooling radiator. The Antec LanBoy Air is simply the most flexible and customizable mid-tower case ever built.

OCZ ZX Series 850w Power Supply Review @ OCIA Description: Like many other manufacturers at CES 2011, OCZ had a collection of their most recent hardware on display, including solid state drives, memory and power supplies. It's one of the latter that we have for review today, the ZX Series 850W. The ZX replaces the Z Series as OCZ's Maximum Performance line of power supplies, and is available in 850W, 1000W and 1250W capacities. These models all feature 80Plus Gold efficiency levels, multi-GPU support and OCZ's exclusive five year PowerSwap Warranty Turn an HP SFF Computer Into a Great HTPC @ Computing on Demand Description: Face it, most of us like the idea of having an HTPC (Home Theater PC) hooked up to our TV. The flexibility we get with an HTPC over just a DVD player or a gaming console is enough alone to justify the cost. I have built a bunch of these for people and until recently, I have never used prebuilt systems. There are many advantages to building a custom machine for your theater, but the biggest disadvantage is the cost. Lately, I have been using Small Form Factor (SFF) HP's and believe it or not... they make great HTPC's.

Kingston SSDNow V100 128GB SSD Review @ Legit Reviews Description: Kingston's SSDNow series of solid state drives have done very well in the marketplace due to their range of value to performance oriented drives which cover the needs of just about any user. Available since the end of 2010, the V100 products land in the middle of the SSDNow lineup with excellent performance without needing a second mortgage to finance the purchase. Read on to see how it stacks up against the competition.

MSI P67A-GD65 Review @ ocaholic Description: With the P67A-GD65, MSI shows a motherboard which defines the entry point into their high-end classe.

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Therefore the manufacturer wants to convince with a good mix of price, performance and features.

In Win Dragon Rider full tower case review at Examiner Description: The In Win Dragon Rider is a massive, welldesigned black beauty that is easy to work with and provides ample elbow room and expansion space for demanding enthusiasts. Sock Monkey not included.

AMD to Showcase Bulldozer Microprocessors at CeBIT TradeShow.

Description: At the forthcoming CeBIT trade-show in Hannover, Germany, Advanced Micro Devices plans to demonstrate and announce its new microprocessors that will succeed the company's Phenom II central processing units (CPUs). Based on the program of CeBIT show, the company will show off the desktop versions of code-named Bulldozer chips.

Consumer Electronics and Software News: Burning Chrome Description: Little by little, iteration by iteration, the Chrome browser is quietly morphing into a full-fledged multitasking operating system in its own right. Oh, sure, technically it’s actually running on another OS, but you increasingly never need to launch anything else. View and edit documents in Google Docs, watch and listen to HTML5 video and audio, communicate via Gmail and its Google Voice plugin, use Google Docs as a file system – and the line between “Chrome OS” and “Chrome on any other OS” suddenly grows very fine.

Prime95 26.5.5 Released @ NGOHQ.com Description: Prime95 has become extremely popular among PC enthusiasts and overclockers as a stability testing utility.

It includes a "Torture Test" mode designed specifically for testing PC subsystems for errors in order to help ensure the correct operation of Prime95 on that system, which effectively stress-tests a PC. TRENDnet TEW-687GA 450Mbps Wireless N Gaming Adapter Review @ Madshrimps Description: The new Wireless 450Mbps TEW-687GA from TRENDnet is not USB anymore like the previously released products, but offers a Gigabit network interface between itself and the computer we are connecting the adapter to; this way, we don't have to install drivers anymore and is compatible with any platform (we can even configure it through the Playstation3 Internet Browser). We will perform some data transfer speeds to see if it is really better in terms of performance.

RAZER Ferox Mobile Gaming & Music Speakers Review @ Madshrimps Description: The new Ferox portable speakers from Razer are ideal for both normal users that want to get a better sound out of their laptop or gamers that are mostly on the go. The sound that these speakers deliver is clear even at high volumes, but they lack a good bass reproduction. The internal rechargeable batteries allow them to be used for about 12 hours and they can be also used while recharging.

Logitech F540 Wireless PS3/XBOX360 Headset Review @ Madshrimps

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Description: With a battery life of up to 10 hours the F540 guarantees a delivery of high quality sound to your ears throughout the longest and darkest of nights. In the unlikely event that you should run out of juice at some point, the F540 allows you to simply recharge it through the use of an usb cable while you carry on with your killing spree. Overall the F540 is a well built quality product that does come with a â‚Ź120-140 price tag, but surely is worth every penny. If you are one of those people who benefits from using a wireless headset on a daily basis, the Logitech F540 sure is worth your consideration.

Patriot PBO Core Media Player Review at Overclockers Online Description: Patriot relaunched the Patriot Box Office as the PBO Core with an improved user interface and added functionality. The new GUI lives up to the relaunch and is easy to use and with a long list of file compatibility makes it a great device for your digital media playback for even the technologically challenged members of your family ESET Update Brings Mass False Positive Alerts @ NGOHQ.com Description: It seems that another antivirus software has gone mad. This time it's the reputable ESET aka NOD32 and Smart Security. In the past few days, users have been complaining of massive amount of false positive alerts with ESET and the latest virus definition update. It looks like ESET is flagging plenty of legitimate 3rd party software as Win32/OpenCandy adware. Even yours truly has encountered the same issue – especially with installation programs

Published by: VR-Zone

VR-Zone can as first publication reveal that Microsoft has discontinued its range of SideWinder gaming products, for a second time. The first time was back in 2003, although the company re-launched its gaming brand in 2007 after some cooperation with Razer, although this time around it's not likely that we'll see a return of the SideWinder brand.

VR-Zone can as first publication reveal that Microsoft has discontinued its range of SideWinder gaming products, for a second time. The first time was back in 2003, although the company re-launched its gaming brand in 2007 after some cooperation with Razer, although this time around it's not likely that we'll see a return of the SideWinder brand.

This time around it's not because of poor sales, but rather too much competition from companies such as Razer, SteelSeries and to a degree also Logitech and just about every other company out there making PC gaming accessories. Microsoft has also failed to keep up with the market a little bit and not getting enough new products out in a timely manner.

Gaming News: Bulletstorm GPU & CPU Performance In-depth Description: As usual our focus with this performance review will be on how Bulletstorm will run on your PC. After struggling with the game's configuration settings, we were able to run all the necessary tests using a large array of GPUs as well as a number of different processors.

Vagrant Story re-told on PlayStation Network tomorrow Description: Xenogears last week ... Vagrant Story tomorrow ... and Parasite Eve soon. It seems the gears are finally in motion to bring all of Square's beloved "PSone Classics" to the PlayStation Network. (Still, North America has a long way to go before reaching Japan's lofty 600-game benchmark.)

Big in Japan Feb. 14-20: Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Catherine Description: PS3 and Xbox 360 editions of crossover fighting game storm Japanese sales charts, but adulterous Atlus RPG tops the list, more than doubling next best-selling title.

Microsoft set to discontinue its SideWinder products Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/microsoft-set-to-discontinue-itssidewinder-products/11395.html February 28th, 2011

The entire SideWinder range only ended up with a handful of products in the end with four mice and two keyboards being launched over three years, hardly an impressive track record for a company the size of Microsoft. In fact, the latest mouse addition, the SideWinder X8 has already been pulled from Microsoft's hardware website and no more units are being produced to our knowledge.

Time will tell if Microsoft decides to buy out one of its smaller competitors and use their brand instead, something that we wouldn't be surprised to see happening. It's really a shame that Microsoft didn't decide to stick with it, as the company has come up with some innovative ideas like the swappable keypad on the X6 and the magnetic cable attachment on the X8, but it seems like this is the end of the line for Microsoft's gaming products, at least for now.

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Asus MeMic for the Eee Pad MeMO revealed Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-memic-for-the-eee-pad-memorevealed/11393.html February 28th, 2011

With tablets being all the rage these days, one of the biggest problems is not connectivity, but rather making voice calls.

No-one wants to hold a 7-inch+tablet to the side of their face, as it simply just makes you look stupid. Asus has come up with what looks like a very reasonable solution to the problem with its MeMic which is a Bluetooth “handset” that connects to its Eee Pad MeMO tablet and handles voice calls.

With tablets being all the rage these days, one of the biggest problems is not connectivity, but rather making voice calls.

No-one wants to hold a 7-inch+tablet to the side of their face, as it simply just makes you look stupid. Asus has come up with what looks like a very reasonable solution to the problem with its MeMic which is a Bluetooth “handset” that connects to its Eee Pad MeMO tablet and handles voice calls.

The MeMic is about the size of a traditional candy bar phone, albeit without a keypad and with a translucent display, much like the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness. The display is for caller ID information and most likely also for things like navigating contact lists etc, although it's not quite clear how it all works at the moment, as the units on display at CeBIT didn't actually work.

Published by: VR-Zone

The MeMic is said to be bundled with Asus' 7-inch Eee Pad MeMO when it arrives sometime in June this year and we'd expect it to launch at Computex, since this is Asus home show.

It's not clear if the MeMic will be bundled with all models of the MeMO, nor has Asus said if it'll sell the MeMic on its own or if it'll be possible to use it with other Android devices, but we're sure more details will trickle out this week at CeBIT.

Aircraft passengers treated to one of the best views of the Discovery shuttle launch Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/aircraft-passengers-treated-to-one-ofthe-best-views-of-the-discovery-shuttle-launch/11387.html February 28th, 2011

During a flight from Orlando, lucky passengers on a jet had one of the best views of the Discovery's launch. Watch the video.

Lucky jet passengers were asked to look to their right by their pilot and there it was, the Discovery space shuttle. This is a view they will never forget.

The Discovery's launch is one of the last three shuttle launches

by NASA. NASA does not have a replacement for the shuttle program, for at least the next 10 years.

Huawei asks for US governement to Investigate it Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/huawei-asks-for-us-governement-toinvestigate-it/11386.html February 28th, 2011

The MeMic can also work like a more traditional Bluetooth headset if you attach a wired headset to it, as it has a 3.5mm jack in the bottom. It's charged via a micro USB port and there's a little hole for a lanyard at the bottom so you can hang it around your neck if you so wish. On the front it has a call and end call/power button, a back button and what appears to be a four-way navigation pad with a select button in the middle.

In addition to handling calls, the MeMic will also allow you to stream music over Bluetooth and control media playback functionality of the tablet.

The world's second largest supplier of communications infrastructure, Huawei, has had enough of being accused of being linked to Chinese intelligence services. It has just issued an open letter asking the US Government to vet its operations.

Read On. With an ex-member of the Chinese military as president, it is no wonder why Huawei, the world's second-largest communications infrastructure supplier has been accused of espionage. Especially after it suffered several business setbacks this year, most of which can be attributed to the accusation of espionage by the US government.

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Huawei has since issued an open letter, asking for the US government to vet its operations and prove that it is not some sort of a trojan horse for the Chinese government.

In its letter, Huawei quoted two presidents, Obama and Lincoln. It also reiterated that it is a fully commercial company, not enjoying any additional financial incentives from the Chinese governement compared to other companies, and most importantly, Huawei is a company owned by it's employees.

Apple's iPad 2 to come in white?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-s-ipad-2-to-come-inwhite-/11380.html February 28th, 2011

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ECS Computer secures distribution rights for Dell and Lexmark products Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ecs-computer-secures-distributionrights-for-dell-and-lexmark-products/11379.html February 28th, 2011

In today's local news, ECS has announced that it has signed an agreement with both Dell and Lexmark which will allow it to serve as a distribution partner for a wide range of products from the aforementioned companies. Read on to find out more.

Forget about the white iPhone 4, the upcoming nextgeneration iPad 2 available in white too? I mean, the thought of it isn't as appealing as the iPhone, right?

ECS Computers (Asia) Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary of ECS Holdings Limited, has just signed two agreements which will see it gain Authorised Distributor status for two major brands in the IT industry: Dell and Lexmark.

For those who are following close to months and months of iPad 2 rumours would know that the upcoming tablet from Apple would feature front and rear cameras, thinner design and an improved (but not Retina) display. With just about a few days away from Apple's iPad media event, this new (and rather interesting) rumour pops up from nowhere.

Originating from Shenzhen, China, this front bezel in white does include a hole for a front-facing camera. But what really surprised us is the colour. Apple originally announced the white iPhone 4 alongside with the black iPhone 4, but till this date have yet to deliever their flagship phone in white.

But on a personal note, I feel that having the iPad 2 in white just looks a tad weird.

In white or not, we'll find out soon on this Thursday morning at Apple's iPad media event.

According to statements made by the respective representatives of both companies, ECS was chosen to serve as an Authorised Distributor due to the latter sporting an extremely "wide network across the region". Apparently, it was this asset which made ECS well-suited to cater to the growing needs of the local IT community.

“We appointed ECS due to their strong and long-term commitment to the imaging solutions and services industry,” said Richard Tan, Country Sales Manager, Singapore and Offshore, Lexmark International (Singapore) Pte Ltd. “With ECS’ extensive network of resellers specialising in both commercial and consumer accounts across the region, and its representation of complementary products with our imaging solutions, we are confident that this new relationship will be a success. ECS will play an important role in helping Lexmark bring our entire range of products to their extensive partners, propelling our market share in the imaging solutions and services space in Singapore.”

Dell also had similar praise for ECS, claiming that the partnership will prove to be beneficial for Dell in attempting to provide customers with immediate benefits, such as faster delivery time and better, more professional support services.

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"We are extremely excited about the business opportunities that this new partnership brings," said Varinderjit Singh, Managing Director, Dell Singapore and Malaysia. "Our collective expertise and extensive marketing and sales support, coupled with ECS's wide network across the region, will make it easier for us to provide value add and cater to the unique demands of our customers."

BlackBerry Torch 9800, now available in red and white Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/blackberry-torch-9800-now-availablein-red-and-white/11376.html February 28th, 2011

Black has always been the standard color for BlackBerry mobile devices (well, it is Black-Berry, duh). But there are occasions whereby Research in Motion (RIM), the company who manufactures BlackBerry, come up with other colors like the white BlackBerry Bold 9700. Today, RIM has announced a red and white version for their BlackBerry Torch 9800.

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 claims to be the world’s first smartphone to offer a BlackBerry keyboard with a full touch screen experience. And good news to those who don't exactly enjoy the black phone: it is now available in two new vibrant colours - red and white. Customers in Singapore will have more color choices to suit their personality and preference.

The BlackBerry Torch features a large touchscreen display, optical trackpad, backlit slide-out BlackBerry keyboard and 5megapixel camera with continuous auto focus that supports video recording. It also supports high-speed 3G (UMTS/ HSDPA) networks and comes with built-in GPS for locationbased applications and geo-tagging.

Published by: VR-Zone February 28th, 2011

Apple was the first to get it, and the rest of the PC industry is expected to start mass adoption of the technology as soon as most OEMs successfully iron out any outstanding issues pertaining to the new standard. But it would seem that PCs are not the only devices which would play nice with Light Peak (aka Thunderbolt): rumour has it that Nikon's future DSLR might see the first such implementation of the new interface on a camera.

A new superfast interface that is capable of transferring data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps sounds like the most practical innovation for the digital worker of today, and for good reason.

After all, if one takes into account the ever-growing file sizes of digital content today, it would make sense that a PC and its communication infrastructure needs to be well equipped in order to ensure that even the largest file sizes will not be an obstacle to ensuring that the content gets sent to the other party in time.

However, will a standalone device that has never been designed to accept and process data from external storage devices require the use of the very same interface that has been designed for use on a PC? Well, rumour has it that Nikon apparently thinks so: apparently, word has been floating around the depths of cyberspace that the Japanese camera manufacturer plans to stuff in a Light Peak (or Thunderbolt) port into a future professional-grade DSLR, which is said to be the D4.

Rumor: Nikon D4 to get Light Peak/Thunderbolt?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rumor-nikon-d4-to-get-lightpeakthunderbolt-/11371.html

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With most of the tablets on the market still making use of the popular ARM Cortex A8 processor microarchitecture, it would seem like the A8 is safe from being rendered obsolete for at least another year. However, this does not mean that all OEMs are content with using the same technology as the competition: a Chinese OEM has just upped its game with a new tablet that sports the more recent ARM Cortex A9 processor.

If there is one thing that most tablet PCs on the market today have in common, it would have to be the humble ARM processor or System-on-a-Chip (SoC) which provides all the processing power needed for such a device to function. Despite how OEMs may claim to have their own SoC which works best on their tablet, it does not change the fact that most of these SoCs still feature processor cores based of ARM's Cortex A8 specifications.

Quite unsurprisingly, many members of the online community have expressed varying levels of scepticism about the likelihood of a DSLR being able to implement the new Thunderbolt interface successfully. For one, most users seldom transfer their images out from a digital camera through the use of a cabled connection: rather, the camera's storage medium (usually an SDHC or CF card) is extracted from the device and then connected to a PC via a card reader.

As such, users who want to make the most out of the Thunderbolt interface in a camera will have to get used to connecting their cameras directly to the PC instead of going through the card reader route. This also potentially opens the door to potential compatibility issues, as any device connected to a PC needs to have an appropriate driver installed in order to communicate with the computer. Without this driver, users will have to fall back to the card reader method, which greatly reduces the usefulness of having a superfast interface built into a camera.

However, do take note that this is nothing more than a rumour making its way around the Internet; as such, whether such a feature will eventually make its way into a Nikon DSLR is really anyone's guess. Until the actual specifications for Nikon's D4 have been set in stone, we'd advice that readers take this information with nothing less than a truckload's worth of salt.

Chinese OEM releases new tablet with ARM Cortex A9 processor

However, it would seem that a humble Chinese OEM by the name of Heiner might have gained an early advantage in the battle to feature the most recent hardware in a mobile device.

According to reports, Heiner is set to release a new tablet, the HaiPad M703, which will feature a CPU based off what ARM calls its current highest-performance processor series for the ARMv7 architecture: the ARM Cortex A9.

The seven-inch HaiPad M703's ARM Cortex A9 processing core is clocked at 800MHz and will be provided by AMLogic.

In theory, this spec bump should see the M703 claiming top spot as the faster ever tablet produced by Heiner.

Furthermore, various reports claim that the M703 will be available in two versions: one will feature resistive touchscreen technology, while the other will sport capacitive touchscreens instead.

Of course, a powerful processor is not the only thing consumers will look out for when it comes to selecting a tablet, and it would seem that Heiner understands this as well.

Complementing the M703's AMLogic 8726-M processor are a dedicated Mali-400 GPU, 512MB of memory , 8GB of built-in Flash storage, at least one full-sized USB port and support for HDMI-out.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/chinese-oem-releases-new-tablet-witharm-cortex-a9-processor/11370.html February 28th, 2011

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However, it would appear that Heiner decided to cut a few corners over the choice of OS to be bundled into the M703.

Instead of hopping onto Honeycomb bandwagon like what many tablet OEMs are currently doing, the M703 will come bundled with Froyo instead. Not that it is a huge loss though, since Froyo does feature built-in support for Flash 10.1, along with various utilities such as USB tethering and WiFi hotspot.

Still, the real draw about the HaiPad M703 has to be its price.

Apparently, Heiner is intending to sell the devices for the (very) low price of US$160, or US$180 if consumers prefer to go for the capacitive version. Unfortunately, it also appears that the M703 is not intended to be sold anywhere outside of China's domestic market. Well, China always gets the best toys, right?

Nintendo 3DS sold out in Japan on first day of retail Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nintendo-3ds-sold-out-in-japan-onfirst-day-of-retail/11369.html February 28th, 2011

Just how popular is Nintendo's new handheld video game console, the 3DS? Well, it would seem that any fears of the console maker's potentially failing in their attempt to venture into 3D gaming would be busted, at least for the time being.

After all, how else can one explain the complete sell-out of all 400,000 available units in the company's domestic market?

Published by: VR-Zone

So, Nintendo's long-awaited handheld video game console, the 3DS, has finally been released for sale in its domestic market.

That is perfectly fine with us: after all, Nintendo and its 3DS are both products of the Japanese economy, and it would make sense that Nintendo would want to use the domestic market as a gauge of its device's popularity before making concrete sales targets for the console's eventual international launch.

That being the case, what would the the reception of the Japanese gaming public towards Nintendo's first forray onto the whole 3D bandwagon? Well, if sales numbers mean anything, the answer would probably go along the lines of 'awesome', for the lack of a more appropriate expression.

This is because the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (aka Nikkei) has confirmed that every single last unit of the first shipment of 400,000 3DS consoles designated for the domestic market has been completely sold out on the same day the console was released for retail.

But that is not all. When one takes into consideration that Nintendo plans to ship 1.5 million 3DS consoles for the domestic market by 31 March, it would make sense that the company will want to ensure that its production line and resellers remain well stocked up with inventory. Apparently, it has already taken action by ordering another shipment of the new 3D-capable console this morning which, in all likelihood, is probably being wiped clean off the shelves as this article is being posted. Ouch. Oh well, there is always the next shipment...and the next...and the next...right?

Sony PSP price drops to US $130 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-psp-price-drops-tous-130/11374.html February 28th, 2011

Sony has announced the drop of price of their Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld game console. It was retailing at

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US$169.99, and now, the price tag has been revised to an attractive US$129.99.

Whenever a new product is going to be available on retail, the sure sign would be that the current ones will face a definite price drop. And that is apparent to Sony handheld game console: The Next Generation Portable (NGP) is arriving and a price drop has been announced for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP).

According to news reports, the company has lowered the price from US$169.99 to US$129.99, which seems like a sign to "clear the old stocks" in order to make room for the new NGP. However, the price drop only applies to the PSP-3000 models, and not the PSP Go. Sony has also rolled out new discounted titles including Assassin's Creed Bloodlines, LittleBigPlanet, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Resistance: Retribution at US $19.99; Monster Hunter Freedom, Killzone: Liberation and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII are selling at US$9.99.

7-inch Creative ZiiO tablet review: Because tablets need their own creative spin sometimes Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/7-inch-creative-ziio-tablet-reviewbecause-tablets-need-their-own-creative-spin-sometimes/11206.html February 28th, 2011

So the Android tablet craze is about to hit fever pitch with the introduction of Honeycomb and Motorola's XOOM. That is perfectly fine with us: after all, tablets are handy little devices which have the potential to do a whole lot of things. And while most OEMs are busy trying to work on making their tablets as versatile as possible, out comes Creative with its own idea of what a tablet should be used for. Or does it? We put the Creative ZiiO tablet to the test.

Tablets are making their way to the market en masse, and based on what we have seen, the current trend and demand for these devices are not about to slow down anytime soon.

After all, it cannot be denied that these devices fill a certain niche in the market, especially when they appear to be capable of offering computing performance well above that of a typical netbook. but without their heft and bulkiness of a dedicated keyboard and touchpad.

However, it would also seem that most OEMs dealing with tablets have got a little problem on their hands. Due to these class of devices now being marketed as consumer electronics devices as instead of the enterprise tools they once served as, manufacturers are seemingly keen on cramming every single feature that could think of save for the kitchen sink, into these mobile devices in an attempt to making it as multi-purpose as possible to suit consumers' needs.

But is a multi-purpose device like the Galaxy Tab and Dell Streak really what consumers expect in a tablet? Well, at least one OEM by the name of Creative does not think so. So, how would the company's ZiiO tablet with its 'less-is-more' approach fare in the market? We shall see.

Before that, here is a quick list of the various hardware used in the ZiiO, along with their specifications: Creative 7-inch ZiiO Tablet Technical Specifications Bundled Operating System

Customized Google Android 2.1 Update 2 with Creative Zii apps Processor ZiiLABS ZMS-08 HD MediaRich Applications Processor Display 16.8mill color TFT Resistive Touchscreen with resolution of 800 x 480 Cameras Front-facing VGA camera Memory and Flash storage 8GB storage, expandable with capacity MicroSD cards of up to 32GB; Wireless Connectivity options WiFi (802.11 b/g only), Bluetooth 2.1 EDR I/O ports and connectors HDMI-out (up to 720p only), MiniUSB, 3.5mm stereo jack Dimensions 207.4 x 133 x 13.7mm

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Google investigating unexplained erasure of all emails in Gmail Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/google-investigating-unexplainederasure-of-all-emails-in-gmail/11368.html February 28th, 2011

Did you wake up yesterday and turn on your PC only to find out that every single message in your Gmail account has been inexplicably wiped clean off the face of the virtual world? Well, it seems that there is some consolation to be had: the search giant has been informed of the sudden loss of data and had started an investigation into the issue.

When it comes to free online email services, few can match the functionality and usability of Google's very own free Gmail offering, and for good reason. After all, it was the first free email provider to offer users access to an astronomical (back then) inbox size of 1GB, and did not require users to sign up for a paid account in order to gain access to certain features such as IMAP and POP3 access.

However, it would seem that even the best and most popular free email service suffers from embarrassing outages from time to time, and the latest fiasco which the search giant has found itself caught in is anything but pleasant, especially for the end user. Apparently, a few users found themselves on the short end of the stick when they signed into Gmail on Sunday only to realize that every single message in their account (including the spam and trash folders) has been inexplicably cleaned off without warning.

Needless to say, this has triggered a huge wave of complaints in Google's support forums:

Based on what we have gathered from both independent reports and forum postings in Google's support boards, it would appear that the sudden data loss took place at the early hours of 27 Feb (US time), and that it is more than just an isolated case of compromised accounts, as almost 0.29% of all Gmail users have been affected by the data erasure.

Unfortunately, Google has not been very forthcoming about the root cause of the issue, preferring instead to exercise its PR muscles and assure users that the issue is currently being looked into.

Curiously, no mention about the incident was made on the official Gmail blog as well. However, surely one can take some consolation in the fact that a Google employee has already confirmed that the search giant will be 'looking into the issue right now', right?

MSI annouces exchange procedures for P67 and H67 motherboards Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-annouces-exchange-proceduresfor-p67-and-h67-motherboards/11361.html February 28th, 2011

MSI has announced it is now ready to swap faulty B2-stepping Intel P67 and H67 motherboards with revised B3-stepping ones. Users can either register online for an exchange and wait for MSI's go-ahead for a swap, or wait till the end of March for a walk-in exchange at the store the board was purchased from.

MSI is now ready to provide B3-stepping Intel P67 and H67 Express boards for replacement.

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According to MSI, the following is a list of motherboards in South Asia that have the updated chipset: P67 Express models Big Bang Marshal (B3) P67A-GD80 (B3)

H67 Express models H67MA-E35 (B3)

H61 Express models H61MU-E35 (B3)

PH67A-C43 (B3)

P67A-GD65 (B3) P67A-GD55 (B3) P67A-GD53 (B3) P67A-C45 (B3) P67A-C43 (B3) P67S-C43 (B3)

PH67S-C42 (B3) H67MS-E43 (B3) H67MS-E33 (B3) H67MA-ED55 (B3) H67MA-E45 (B3)

H61M-E33/ E23 (B3) H61MA-P35 (B3) H61M-P23 (B3)

Swap flow for South Asia end-users Either register online:

Or, if you are not able to access the Internet:

Apart from the packaging, the barcode on the box and motherboard labels will also indicate if the motherboard has a B3-stepping chipset. A more detailed guide is available at http://event.msi.com/mb/b3/ .

MSI 6 Series SATA SCAN Utility If you still happen to be on a board with the older stepping, MSI's SATA Utility will indicate which ports are in use. This will help the user determine if he / she has connected any devices to the faulty SATA 3Gbps ports. The utility will also guide users to connect SATA devices to the unaffected SATA 6Gbps ports.

Source: MSI Press Release

GIGABYTE shipping new B3 P67 and H67 motherboards, available as early as this week Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/gigabyte-shipping-new-b3-p67-andh67-motherboards-available-as-early-as-this-week/11362.html February 28th, 2011

GIGABYTE has announced on Friday that they have begun shipping motherboards with the new B3-stepping Intel P67 and H67 Express chipsets. The products are expected to be available as early as this week, when shipments start to clear customs in markets around the world.

MSI will provide a one-to-one exchange for affected customers and their motherboards once the B3-stepping boards are available. On top of the swap, MSI will provide a free SATA3 card.

For more details, visit http://event.msi.com/mb/2011/ replace_event/sea/swap/ .

How do I identify the motherboard chipset's version / stepping from its outlook?

The updated MSI Intel P67 and H67 Express boards will have a 'MSI B3 Stepping Ready' sticker affixed to its packaging.

GIGABYTE has announced on Friday that they have begun shipping motherboards with the new B3-stepping Intel P67 and H67 Express chipsets. The products are expected to be available as early as this week, when shipments start to clear customs in markets around the world.

All new motherboard, retail packaging and product name

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Before chipset replacements were ready, GIGABYTE rolled out a 6 Series SATA Check utility to help optimize SATA performance by identifying the problem-free white SATA 6Gbps ports on B2-stepping chipsets, while advising users not to use the affected SATA 3Gbps ports. As the new 'B3' motherboards start to ship, GIGABYTE has released an updated 6 Series SATA Check utility that also identifies the chipset and its stepping (either B2 or B3).

Motherboard model name as PC boots The new 'B3' motherboards from GIGABYTE have been redesigned and renamed so that they can easily be distinguished from the older B2 versions through the signature ‘B3’ at the end of the model name. For example, the GA-P67A-UD7 has been replaced by the GA-P67A-UD7B3 and the GA-H67A-UD3H by GA-H67A-UD3H-B3. The new model name is highly visible on the retail box, PCB, in the BIOS at start up and on applications such as the GIGABYTE 6 Series SATA Check utility and CPU-Z.

Another way to identify a B3 stepping chipset motherboard is to look for the motherboard model name as the PC boots.

Source: GIGABYTE Press Release

Play PC games on your iPhone and iPad now, PS3 games in the near future Also, the new B3 version 6 Series motherboard packaging features a large B3 Stepping logo that users will easily be able to identify.

GIGABYTE 6 Series SATA Check Utility

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/play-pc-games-on-your-iphone-andipad-now-ps3-games-in-the-near-future/11364.html February 28th, 2011

While you can't literally install your desired PC games onto your iOS devices for gaming-on-the-go, there has been a way around this: by using remote desktop connectivity to remotely control your PC at home. Now, a developer is working on bringing the PS3 experience to your iOS device.

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U3E) and a USB 3.0 expansion card (ZM-PC302 U3), targeting enthusiasts. The stylish aluminium enclosures support 2.5" and 3.5" SATA I/ II HDDs and deliver data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps via a USB 3.0 interface. The ZM-PC302 U3 is a dual USB 3.0 port expansion card with PCI-e 1X interface and 4-Pin auxiliary power support (for stability), allowing users to add USB 3.0 functionalities to their PCs. ZALMAN PRESS RELEASE

Software developer PandaElf has already amazed us with their unique remote desktop application. How? Well, besides the usual streaming of Flash content and able to access and use your files on-the-go, their strongest suit is probably gaming.

Their app allows users to "stream" and play resource-hungry PC games such as World of Warcraft and Starcraft 2 all through your iOS devices. The result; unbelievably smooth and fast framerates.

Impressive so far, but the developers caught us off-guard with what they are working on now. The app has now been tweaked to play PS3 games. Yes, the joy and goodness of Sony's unrivalled gaming experience right in your hands through your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Mindblowing, isn't it?

Well, it isn't as easy as it sounds as it requires a computer and some other components on top of having a PS3. Not for the non-tech-savvy and the faint-hearted, but it is defintely feasible and it just shows what is capable with the iOS SDK.

All excited? I'm sorry to say that this version of everyAir that allows your to play PS3 games isn't available to the public yet.

But don't worry, the developers have plans to release this in the near future. everyAir is available now for US$4.99 on the iTunes App Store.

Zalman Launches New USB3.0 External HDD Enclosures Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/zalman-launches-new-usb3.0-externalhdd-enclosures/11353.html February 28th, 2011

Zalman is pleased to introduce its brand new USB3.0 External H.D.D. enclosure series.

New ZM-HE250 U3, ZM-HE350 U3 and ZM-HE350 U3E will make even largest files transfer possible with Ultra fast speed of 5Gbps.

As long as Motherboard supports USB3.0, then you can enjoy the cutting edge USB3.0 Speed with these new External H.D.D. Enclosures. In addition, elegant design looks would differentiate them from existing products in the market.

Apart from these new models, we will also release ZM-PC302 U3 PCI-e card to sever many users without USB3.0 port on their system. Regardless of any system you have, once it has PCI-e 1X slot, you just install our ZM-PC302 U3 on to your system to boost up your file transfer rate with ZM-HE250 U3/ HE350 U3/ HE350 U3E. Please go thru below to get more information on these products.

Korean cooing specialist has unveiled its new line-up of USB 3.0 enclosures (ZM-HE250 U3, ZM-HE350 U3 & ZM-HE350 14

February 28th, 2011

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The "enterprise-class" Vertex 3 Pro features a SF-2500 chip and will come in 100Gb, 200Gb, and 400Gb models. All Vertex 3 series SSDs are covered by a three-year warranty.

OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of highperformance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today unveiled its next generation Vertex 3 SATA III SSD product family, a lineup that caters to both client and enterprise applications. Harnessing the 6Gbps speed of the SATA III interface, the new series delivers double the performance of the previous generation.

The Vertex 3 is the first solution to feature the new SandForce SF-2200 SSD processor, and raises the bar in performance with up to 550MBs read and 500 MBs write transfer rates and up to 60,000 IOPS (4k random write). This maximized speed significantly improves gaming, multimedia, and the overall computing experience over traditional mechanical hard drives, as well as other competing SSDs.

OCZ Preps Vertex 3 and Vertex 3 Pro SSDs Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ocz-preps-vertex-3-and-vertex-3-prossds/11346.html February 28th, 2011

OCZ Technology Group's Vertex 3 and Vertex 3 Pro SSDs are poised to make their debut at Cebit 2011 next week. The 2.5" SSDs, powered by SandForce's SF-2000 series controllers, deliver data transfer speeds up to 550Mb/s (read) and 500Mb/ s (write) and feature TRIM support, MLC NAND flash memory, and a SATA III interface. The Vertex 3, aimed at prosumers, is equipped with the SandForce SF-2200 processor and will be available in 120Gb and 240Gb capacities.

The new Vertex 3 solid state drive series builds on the success of our previous two generations of products and delivers exceptional performance by utilizing fast synchronous mode 2Xnm MLC NAND flash technology, said Ryan Petersen, CEO of OCZ Technology Group. These storage solutions feature both the highest sequential speeds available with a SATA 6GBps SSD and the highest IOPS of any current 2.5 inch SSD on the market today, allowing us to once again set the benchmark for industry leading SSD performance and reliability.

Also included in the new series is the enterprise-class Vertex 3 Pro which not only delivers industry-leading performance, but is optimized to provide unparalleled reliability, security, and endurance. Featuring the premium SF-2500 SSD SATA III processor, Vertex 3 Pro SSDs are the ideal solution for clients seeking enterprise-grade MLC (Multi-Level Cell) SSD storage for their server farms and IT infrastructures. Due to its ability to implement MLC, Vertex 3 Pro provides an optimized balance of reliability and component-based costsavings, resulting in superior TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) for enterprise clients.

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The new Vertex 3 Series will be showcased at next week's international CeBIT tradeshow in Hanover, Germany, and will begin shipping following the event through OCZ's global channel. Vertex 3 SSDs will be available in capacities of 120GB and 240GB, while the Pro edition comes in 100GB, 200GB, and 400GB models. The entire Vertex 3 line features TRIM support to optimize performance over the drive's lifespan and a 3 year warranty to ensure customer satisfaction.

GeForce GTX 550 Ti spotted in EU e-tail Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/geforce-gtx-550-ti-spotted-in-eu-etail/11343.html February 28th, 2011

Several EU e-tailers have listed PNY's take on NVIDIA's upcoming GeForce GTX 550 Ti, well ahead of launch. There are no major surprises from the details we first reported on the GTX 550 Ti earlier. The specifications are remarkably similar to the outgoing GeForce GTS 450 - 192 SP, 32 TMU, 16 ROP, based on GF116, a tuned GF106. The GTX 550 Ti also continues to have 64-bit of the 192-bit in the GF116 chip disabled, for an effective bus width of 128-bit. Where the GTX 550 Ti largely differs from its predecessor, the GTS 450, is in clocks and pricing (and, of course, branding).

The leaked listings confirm the clock speeds. The GTX 550 Ti is clocked at 900 MHz, 15% over the GTS 450. The 1GB GDDR5 is clocked at 4.1 GHz, 13.6% higher than the GTS 450, for a memory bandwidth of 65.5 GB/s. Despite the higher clocks, the power consumption is only 4W more, at 110W. The biggest upset is the pricing - starting at €157 (incl VAT), and expected to be $200 in the US. Of course, these are retail pricings which must be taken with a grain of salt.

Still, compared to the average GTS 450 prices of €100, the GTX 550 Ti commands an excessive premium of over 50% for what appears to be a modest ~15% increase in core/shader and memory clocks. Considering the GTS 450 struggles to keep with the Radeon HD 5770, we are unsure as to how much a 15% boost in clock speed would help in competing with much faster products - Radeon HD 6850 or GTX 460 1GB - which the GTX 550 Ti seems to be priced against.

Published by: VR-Zone

Biostar unveils its H61 motherboards Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/biostar-unveils-its-h61motherboards/11344.html February 28th, 2011

Ahead of CeBIT, Biostar has unveiled its Intel H61 chipset based motherboard models and the company will offer three different SKUs of what is pretty much the same board as well as one more advanced model. The H61 chipset is Intel's budget solution for the second generation Core i processors and is really intended to be paired up with the cheaper Pentium branded CPUs which are expected to launch sometime later this year.

Ahead of CeBIT, Biostar has unveiled its Intel H61 chipset based motherboard models and the company will offer three different SKUs of what is pretty much the same board as well as one more advanced model. The H61 chipset is Intel's budget solution for the second generation Core i processors and is really intended to be paired up with the cheaper Pentium branded CPUs which are expected to launch sometime later this year.

First up we have the H61ML which is the most basic, feature stripped version which uses a compact 24.4x20cm mATX board. Feature wise it's nothing much out of the ordinary with a single x16 PCI Express slot, two PCI slots and one x1 PCI Express slot. The board also only has two memory slots, but this is part for the course for the H61 chipset alongside four SATA 3Gbps ports. Around the back you get four USB 2.0 ports, a PS/2 port, a D-sub connector, a DVI connector, a 10/100Mbit Ethernet port and three audio jacks for 5.1channel audio out. Finally the board has two pin headers for four USB 2.0 ports and a pin header each for a serial and parallel port.

Of course, we are still 2 weeks away from release, and many things could change. The GTX 550 Ti definitely has potential to find its own niche between the HD 5770 and the HD 6850 / GTX 460 1 GB. However, at first glance, prices like $200 / €160 seem very overpriced for the specifications leaked with the early listings. Unless, NVIDIA have made major changes to the GF116 core (over GF106) and/or the specifications and prices leaked thus far are erroneous.

The listings can be viewed at Fudzilla.

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Next up we have the H61MH which adds an HDMI port and upgrades the Ethernet port to Gigabit speed. The third and final model in this SKU is the H61MU3 with replaces two of the USB 2.0 ports with two USB 3.0 ports connected to an ASMedia controller.

The TH61U3+ differs by being a larger 24.4x24.4cm mATX board and although the board has the same rear port layout as the H61MU3, the rest of the board is quite different. This time around we have two x16 PCI Express slots, although the second one only has four lanes worth of bandwidth and there's also a single x1 PCI Express slot and a PCI slot. The board still only has two memory slots and four SATA 3Gbps ports and there are still two headers for four USB 2.0 ports and a serial port header, but no parallel port header. This board also uses a USB 3.0 host controller from Renesas rather than ASMedia.

As you can see, the front bezel of the claimed iPhone 5 part features a much larger screen as compared to today's iPhone 4.

China's 1st iPhone 5 photo has surfaced! From this photo it seems that the screen size will be larger than iPhone 4. There has been a lot of specualtion about a larger screen and maybe this will be one of the upgrades we will see when iPhone 5 is released this summer.

If this is indeed for the next-generation iPhone, this would match the claims of a larger 4-inch screen as well as claims of a "edge-to-edge" screen which results in the thinner bezel. But it's hard to tell without the currect iPhone 4 next to this screen part.

Patriot Launches Wildfire SSD series Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/patriot-launches-wildfire-ssdseries/11342.html February 28th, 2011

Maybe not the most exciting range of boards, but these should allow for cheaper Sandy Bridge builds, especially once Intel launches the cheaper processors. So now we're just waiting for the first Z68 chipset announcements, which may or may not happen during CeBIT.

iPhone 5 to feature larger screen and thinner bezel?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/iphone-5-to-feature-larger-screen-andthinner-bezel-/11341.html February 28th, 2011

Patriot Memory, manufacturer of high performance memory modules and flash products, has unveiled the Wildfire, targeting enthusiasts. The 2.5" SSD is powered by SandForce's new SF-2200 processor, supporting sequential read and write speeds up to an astonishing 500Mb/s. It is available in 64Gb, 128Gb and 256Gb capacities and sports a SATA III interface.

The Patriot Wildfire, bundled with a 2.5" to 3.5" bracket, are expected to hit store shelves in Q2 2011.

PATRIOT PRESS RELEASE

It seems that parts of the upcoming iPhone 5 has been leaked in China. Yes, the image is the rumoured iPhone 5 screen component.

Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash, storage and enthusiast computer products, today announces the new Wildfire series solidstate drives powered by a new SandForce SSD processor.

The Patriot Wildfire series obliterates expectations of storage devices and delivers enterprise-class performance to consumer desktops and notebooks.

Storage bottlenecks are a thing of the past with the Patriot Wildfire series SSD. The new SandForce SF-2200 SSD processor enables the Patriot Wildfire series to shatter 17

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previous performance records with up to breathtakingly-fast 500 MBs sequential read and write speeds backed by a SATA 6.0 Gbs interface.

Published by: VR-Zone February 28th, 2011

When we talk about consumer wireless routers, we would often think of it as yet another rectangular plastic box with antennas on its back. ASUS, however, has done away with this 'tradition' by coming up with a uniquely-designed piece of hardware, the RT-N56U. The company claims the Black Diamond is not just about its aesthetics but also its feature set and high routing performance. VR-Zone.com puts this gem to the test!

The Patriot Wildfire is the fastest SSD drive we have ever released to the public, says Les Henry, Patriot Memory's Vice President of Engineering. SandForce has done a fantastic job engineering the SF-2200 SSD processor and combined with our research and development, we are able to further tweak the design and maximize performance with the processor and our flash memory.

We are happy to see Patriot Memory is expanding their current SandForce Driven product line with the new SandForce SF-2200 and SF-2100 Client SSD Processors, said Kent Smith, Sr. Director of Product Marketing of SandForce. Patriot has won numerous awards and we anticipate they will win even more with our latest generation 6.0 Gbs client processor.

The Patriot Wildfire series feature a standard 2.5-inch form factor for compatibility with notebooks and select desktops.

A 2.5-inch to 3.5-inch mounting bracket is included with the Patriot Wildfire for compatibility with standard hard drive mounting.

Expect the Patriot Wildfire to ship in Q2 2011 in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities.

General details • New Patriot Wildfire series SSDs • 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities • SandForce SF-2200 SSD processor • SATA 6.0 Gbs interface • Up to 500 MBs sequential read and write speeds

When we talk about consumer wireless routers, we would often think of it as yet another rectangular plastic box with antennas on its back. ASUS, however, thought out of the box and came up with a uniquely-designed piece of hardware.

The RT-N56U's innovative design is what separates from its predecessors. The Black Diamond is not just about its aesthetics but also its high routing performance and a whole lot of features packed underneath its hood. In fact, ASUS claims that this revolutionary wireless router is the most advanced in the market.

ASUS also brags about their Web User Interface the ‘EZ UI’ which offers an intuitive router setup without having the need to read manuals. Setting up the internet connection from scratch can be much of a hassle to the inexperienced.

ASUS RT-N56U Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless Router Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-rt-n56u-dual-band-gigabitwireless-router-review/11321.html

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Japanese cooling specialist Scythe has updated its Gentle Typhoon fan series with the addition of three new 120mm fans.

Available in 3,000RPM, 4,250RPM and 5,400RPM models, they boast dual Nidec Servo bearings, a MTBF of 100,000 hours, and stabilizing rings on their fan blades. The Gentle Typhoon High RPM series can be purchased from major retailers and e-tailers at a MSRP of €16 (excluding VAT).

SCYTHE PRESS RELEASE Scythe Co. Ltd. extends the popular Gentle Typhoon fan series by three powerful high RPM models. The new Gentle Typhoon High RPM fans are available with 3.000, 4.250 and 5.400 rpm.

These high fan speeds generate an incredible airflow of 141, 197 and 255 m³ per hour (83.0/ 116.5/ 150.1 CFM).

While most routers sit flat on a surface, the RT-N56U stands out (and tall) from the rest with its angled-vertical rest. Unlike the D-Link DIR-685 which has its ports at the rear bottom, the RT-N56U's ones are on the right side. Weighing only 330g, stabilizing the router or even cable management alone can be quite tricky especially when using stiff LAN cables.

In direct comparison to fans with similar specs, the Gentle Typhoon High RPM series scores with a significant lower noise. Like the normal GT models, a perfectly balanced Nidec Servo bearing is used, ensuring an average MTBF of 100.000 hours. The reliable motor operates with an almost fluctuationfree rotational torque. Vibrations transferred from the motor to the venturi (fan case) are reduced to a minimum.

It also has a WPS button located at the lower corner in the front. WPS or WiFi Protected Setup allows devices to connect to the router securely with ease.

Scythe Unveils New HighSpeed Fans Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/scythe-unveils-new-high-speedfans/11340.html February 28th, 2011

In addition, the fan blades of the Gentle Typhoon High RPM series are equipped with a stabilizing ring. In this way, the air flow is more focused which results in a higher cooling performance. At the same time the stabilization effect further helps to reduce vibrations.

The Gentle Typhoon High RPM series is now available for €16 excluding VAT.

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For more information, visit the product page.

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