VR-Zone Tech News for the Geeks Feb 2011 Issue

February 12th, 2011

copper block has been machined to house two Watlow Firerod cartridges inside its body, rated able to generate 150W at 240V input voltage each. A small PT100 sensor is installed inside a hole at the highest possible point of the copper core, only half a mm lower than the top of the copper block. The head of the sensor is at exactly the top center point of the copper core, where an actual CPU / GPU core would be.

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Active Media Launches Flip USB Flash Drive February 12th, 2011

Active Media Products, manufacturer of SSDs, DOMS, and innovative USB drives, has unveiled the capless Flip USB flash drive. Measuring 46 x 13 x 8mm, the tiny device has a USB 2.0 interface, NAND flash memory chip, and comes in 4GB and 8GB capacities. Available in fire orange or white colors, the Flip can be purchased directly from Amazon at MSRPs of US $12 (4GB) and US$20 (8GB).

ACTIVE MEDIA PRODUCTS PRESS RELEASE

Copper core In order to make our testing station compatible with every cooler ever made we went with a very simple design using interchangeable PCBs. Creating custom PCBs by drilling exact holes at specific points is very easy, therefore by being able to easily install different PCBs and adjust their height compared to the top of the copper core we gained the ability to emulate any CPU core precisely and install any cooler despite its design, size, shape, weight and / or retention mechanism. By being able to use any custom PCB and any size copper core, we ensured the usability of our testing station indefinitely.

Fremont, California - February 7, 2011- Active Media Products, a leading manufacturer of SSDs, DOMs and USB drives, today announced the new FLIP pivot USB 2.0 flash drive, an ultra-slim pivot style drive. "The FLIP drive is designed in fire orange and white racing colors, giving it a unique look, and the drive is extremely small and ultra-slim, making it a highly portable storage device," stated Active Media Products VP of Sales, Jerry Thomson.

The pivot style lid protects the drive when not in use - and you'll never have to worry about losing the lid because it conveniently flips open, giving instant access to your data.

Pack 4GB or 8GB of data securely onto the FLIP drive. It is designed to fit easily on a keychain or in a pocket or clipped to a backpack. Load up to 2000 MP3 songs or up to 2400 six megapixel photos onto your FLIP drive to take with you anywhere.

CPU test PCB

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Just weeks ago, hacker GeoHotz released the code to jailbreak Sony's PlayStation 3 console, online.

Since the leak, Sony has been working hard to contain the spread of the code, and in what seemed like a victorious end to the episode, had successfully been awarded a temporary restraining order against GeoHotz himself.

This new FLIP drive is available today through Amazon, at approximately $12 for the 4GB model and $20 for the 8GB. The FLIP drive is available in fire orange or white.

This prevented the hacker from distributing the code online, and also sent out a stern warning to potential hackers.

About Active Media Products

Kevin Butler, a fictional spokesperson for Sony, re-Tweeted the code from user 'evixa', an added his own quibble, saying "Lemme guess... you sank my battleship?"

Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, Active Media Products LLC is dedicated to developing creative new media products that improve performance and enhance the user's experience. Our focus on innovative product development enables us to bring new technology to market a step ahead of the competition.

AMP is a leader in small form factor SSDs and manufactures the Wink and the endangered species line of USB drives.

Fictional spokesperson for Sony accidentally retweets PS3 hack code February 12th, 2011

When news came out that Sony's PlayStation 3 game console was hacked into by hacker GeoHotz, it sent everyone including Sony, into a frenzy. Whilst Sony has been successful in stopping the spread of the code thus far, it was conveniently broadcasted to the world again - this time via Twitter.

Just today though, a spokesperson for Sony was spotted reTweeting the code on his Twitter page.

Just when it seemed that everything was coming to an end, this is yet another embarrassing smack in the face for Sony.

Apple files patents for touchscreen OLED technology currently in use on smartphones February 12th, 2011

It is well known that OLED technology is superior to both conventional LCD and even the recent Super LCD technology currently in use on every single single device that has a screen.

Needless to say, Apple has also got its eye on this particular technology as well, and clearly intends to integrate with its line of touch-based electronic devices. But it appears that the Cupertino giant might have plans to use this technology against the competition: why else would the company being filing patents over touchscreen OLED technology which appear to be currently in use?

For a company that always claims to be on the bleeding edge of technology, Apple's line of consumer electronics products, especially its iPod, iPhone and iPads, have consistently been 15

February 12th, 2011

missing out on a certain display technology which is currently in use by some of its competitors. Yep, we are talking about that expensive display technology known as OLED, which supposedly offers much faster response times and better power efficiency as opposed to conventional LCD panels.

Needless to say, it is hardly surprising that Apple would attempt to discover ways in which it can integrate OLED technology into its products and one-up the competition while in the process of doing so. And as it turns out, Apple is indeed keen, or have at least expressed an interest in doing so. But as most people would have already known by now, whenever Apple is interested in any technological-related advances, it almost always means one thing. Fancy a look a some new patent applications?

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consideration the fact that Apple has had no prior experience in working with OLED displays, it would make sense that it is not possible for them to come up with an entirely new method of implementing such displays so suddenly.

And needless to say, broad patents make for great offensive weapons in patent lawsuits, as it almost grantees that competitors would find themselves running afoul of Apple's 'patented methods'. But we can only wait and see if things will really turned out as speculated.

Source and images: Patently Apple

Sony shows off new translucent DSLR that consumers will never own February 12th, 2011

DSLRs are well known for being available in any colour the user wants them to be, as long as it is black. And once again, leave it to Sony to break the mould by exhibiting a new camera over at the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show that sports a one-of-a-kind translucent plastic body. The only problem? This camera will never see the light of day in an actual photographer's hands.

A quick look at the patent applications reveal that Apple probably has an intention to implement OLED technology into a future release of consumer electronic devices. Indeed, the first diagram features a rather technical illustration of how an OLED panel might be able to fit into a device that makes use of touchscreen technology, along with the possibility of implementing the touchscreen-enabled OLED displays on devices such as mobile phones, media players and even a notebook. Also included in the second filling are descriptions regarding layouts for touch sensors, signal routing, other details.

Still, as informative as this may be, it fails to change the fact that Apple is probably one of the last entrants into the OLED game. More importantly, it appears that Apple might make use of these patents to attack competitors, simply because they cover extremely broad methods of implementing OLED display technology in a wide variety of devices. If one takes into

If there is one universal feature about DSLRs which applies to most manufacturers in the market, it has to be the fact that most of the cameras available in the market that fall under that category typically come with only one available colour: black. Of course, that is not necessarily a bad thing: after all, professionalism plays a huge part in the selection of photography gear, and needless to say totting around candycoloured DSLRs to a professional photoshoot does not do one's professional image much help at all.

Still, there are times where life needs to be a little more colourful that just dealing with things in black and white, and it would appear that Sony's latest camera which debuted in the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show held in Japan might just support that fact. Indeed, gracing Sony's exhibit was nothing 16

February 12th, 2011

lesser than a new translucent Sony Alpha DSLR, complete with the company's proprietary translucent mirror technology.

Looks rather nice, doesn't it? Apparently, a website known as PetaPixel claims that this transparent Alpha DSLR spotted in the show is actually the body for the Japanese electronics giant's upcoming Sony Alpha A77 DSLR. Outfitted with the same translucent mirror technology as mentioned in the previous paragraph, the A77 is expected to replace the company's current A700 DSLR, and will feature various new features such as 1080p video recording and a high-resolution APS-C sensor. Which sounds suspiciously like a certain highresolution APS-C sensor we talked about quite some time ago.

Of course, with the A77 being an upcoming model, it should be expected that Sony is not about to let the cat out of the bag by revealing too much information about it. And it seems to be working: apparently, no one has the faintest idea as to when the A77 will be released, and how much Sony intends to sell it for.

That being said, we can at least say that we have positive information about a certain fact. The translucent body you see up there? Well, it's not for sale. Yep, you heard that right.

What, you mean you were actually hoping that Sony would think of selling its prototype device? Sorry to spoil your hopes, dude.

Source and image: PetaPixel

Windows 7 SP1 finally marked for RTM, home users need not apply

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come with...zero new consumer-centric features. What a way to be a wet blanket, Microsoft.

Well, Microsoft surely took its time with this one. After all, it has been at least an entire month ever since we brought news of an alleged leak of an RTM release of SP1 build for Windows 7, only for the Redmond giant to step in and caution overenthusiastic users against downloading a service pack that was never meant to be used. And on top of that, Microsoft apparently started work on SP1 for Windows 7 as far back as March last year, which makes it one of the longer development times Windows have spent on a Service Pack.

Needless to say, users from all over the world are anticipating the day Microsoft makes the inevitable announcement of when Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 will be released, and what new features they can look forward to. And this is where we have the classic 'good news bad news' situation playing out once again.

The good news is that the wait is officially over: Microsoft has just announced in a blog post that it has signed off an SP1 build for RTM today. As usual, TechNet and MSDN subscribers will get first dibs on the update: these users will be able to download it from their respective portals on February 16, while 'normal' Windows users have to wait until February 22 to get their copy via Windows Update.

February 12th, 2011

Unfortunately, this is also where the 'bad news' part comes in.

With SP1 for Windows 7 being under development for almost an entire year, chances are that some users would be expecting Microsoft to awe with tons of new features, like what happened for XP and Vista. But this is not the case for Windows 7, for Microsoft has confirmed that SP1 will come with no new usercentric features.

As always, one can always count on Microsoft to kill off any interest in what has to be one of the more highly-anticipated software releases for the year. After generating a huge deal of hype over what would eventually be the first Service Pack ever for its popular Windows 7 operating system thanks a couple of supposed leaks, the software giant has apparently thought that it would be a nice touch to announce that SP1 for Windows will

According to a blog post made by Microsoft's Windows Server and Cloud division Senior Technical Product Manager, Michael Kleef, the update will sport two new features intended for Windows Server 2008 R2: Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX. The former can be considered as an enhancement to Windows Server's Hyper-V feature: it allows Hyper-V

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users to "increase virtual machine density with existing resources...without sacrificing performance or scalability" RemoteFX, on the other hand, appears to be the more appealing feature. In his blog post, Kleef claims RemoteFX's grants Windows Remote Desktop and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure clients the ability to leverage a server's GPU to provide hardware acceleration for applications which make extensive use of OpenGL and Direct3D. This makes it very useful in certain business environments, where thin clients can easily be used to run applications which have minimum hardware requirements way above what the remote client system can offer.

And if you are thinking of attempting to make use of RemoteFX to play that copy of Crysis sitting on your desktop PC on your netbook via Remote Desktop while on the move...well, you might want to stop thinking about it right now, because RemoteFX can only be used over LAN. Ouch.

Broadcom launches new SoC for smartphones, boasts 1080p video playback February 12th, 2011

Do you remember the days where totting a smartphone that boasted Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform and singlecore Scorpion processor was an instant passport to large amounts of geek credentials? Well, it appears that the days of single-core processors on smartphone are all but gone, and Broadcom apparently seems to think so. After all, why else would the company launch a new dual-core System on a Chip for specially designed for high-performance smartphone computing?

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consumer is never the smartest kid on the block, since their job mostly comprises sitting around and making unreasonable demands from OEMs and hardware developers under the pretext of spurring innovation. And with dual-core processors starting to find their way into smartphones thanks to 'consumer demands', it seems that Broadcom is not about to let itself fall behind. Indeed, the company has just announced its own dual-core System on a Chip which is specially targeted for high performance smartphones.

In an announcement posted on its product page, Broadcom claims that the new BCM28150 smartphone processor is an "advanced 1080p Multimedia Smartphone System on a chip (SoC)" which features a dual-core processor based off the ARM Cortex A9 architecture. The processor cores reportedly utilizes Broadcom's proprietary Merlyn app processor and VideoCore IV mobile graphics to provide fast and seamless hardwareacceleration of 1080p video content and 3D games at the smartphone's native resolution.

And since a smartphone SoC is mostly useless if it does support commonly-used wireless communication protocols, it should probably be of no surprise that Broadcom has taken steps to ensure that its SoC plays nice with existing standards.

Accordind to the company, the BCM28150 features built-in support for EDGE, WCDMA, 4G HSPA+ and HSDPA, and is intended to be used with the Android operating system, although Broadcom has claimed that the SoC will also work with other open mobile operating systems.

Last but not least, Broadcom has confirmed that the complete BCM28150 smartphone platform (currently codenamed Broadstone) will include the following hardware: the 40nm BCM28150 HSPA+ system-on-a-chip (SoC) smartphone processor, the BCM2091 radio frequency (RF) IC, the BCM59056 advanced power management unit (PMU) with charger and audio support and Broadcom's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM, A-GPS and NFC connectivity technologies.

Technical specifications are as listed below:

Barely as 18 months ago, single-core computing on a mobile Internet device such as smartphones were considered as the only viable method that provided users with just the right mix of power and energy drain.. After all, one must remember that smartphones were originally intended to be used as business tools and not as fashion statements or mobile entertainment devices.

Fast forward to the present, and today the smartphone has moved from being a mobile business tool to a mobile entertainment device for consumers, thanks to the introduction of the iPhone. Needless to say, the average 18

February 12th, 2011

MSI unveils X-Slim X370, Wind U270 and CR650 with AMD's new generation dual core E-350 processor February 12th, 2011

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the U270 and X370 come with user-friendly hardware and software, including the MSI S-Bar that lets you control major OS and hardware hot keys as well as MSI's own application software with a simple click of the mouse. No pricing details available yet.

RunCore launches ExpressCard SSD and USB 3.0 host card in one February 12th, 2011

MSI have launched their new powerful performance notebook computers which include the 15.6-inch CR650, the 12-inch Wind U270, and the 13.4-inch X-Slim X370. All three notebook PCs are equipped with AMD latest generation dual core E-350 processor and AMD Radeon HD 6310 discrete graphics that supports DirectX 11, and long battery life.

The MSI CR650 (above picture) features Turbo Battery+ shortcut that lets you control digital multimedia with your mouse; SRS PC Sound that can reproduce sound faithfully when you listen to your favorite songs or watching videos; and Cinema Pro technology that claims to offer similar audio experience of live performances, films and recording studios.

Notebooks have limited upgradability at best and if you're lucky to own one with an ExpressCard slot, then you will know how frustrating it is to have to swap between two different cards. Especially if one of them happens to be a storage upgrade. Chinese SSD maker RunCore has come to the rescue with a product that should appeal to notebook PC users, at least as long as the price is right; the ExpressCard 34 SSD with a built-in USB 3.0 host controller.

The card is called the RunCore Pro IV ExpressCard SSD and it contains a 64GB SSD that connects to your notebook via the ExpressCard interface. It also hass a USB 3.0 host controller which allows you to connect USB 3.0 devices to your notebook which means that you'll be able to take advantage of fast, external storage devices. Add to the fact that RunCore has implemented a USB 3.0 host feature that lets you connect the Pro IV to a desktop PC with USB 3.0 connectivity (or USB 2.0 for that matter) to copy data at high speed.

The Wind U270 sports a 12-inch 16:9 wide display, weighs a portable 1.3kg, and is less than an inch thick. it features MSI's proprietary ECO power-saving design which allows the battery to last twice as long as conventional notebooks. It is also sheathed in color film print which not only looks stylish, but protects against smudging and wear.

The 13-inch MSI X-Slim X370 not only looks good, but it is also super slim, yet comfortable to use. It weighs about 1.4kg and boasts powerful multimedia and processing capabilities. Both

The SSD part may not be all that impressive compared to the latest generation of SSDs and it actually compares more to recent USB 3.0 flash drives with a read speed of 110MB/s and a write speed of 80MB/s. But it is still not too bad considering how unique this product is on the market. Sadly, RunCore didn't announce a launch date or any kind of pricing, but we'd expect the Pro IV to sell in excess of US$200 considering it is a 64GB SSD and a USB 3.0 host controller in one.

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HP unveils TouchPad tablet and two smartphones, Veer and Pre3 February 12th, 2011

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Specifications: - Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-CPU APQ8060 1.2-GHz processor - 9.7-inch diagonal XGA capacitive, multitouch screen (1024x768) - 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage - HP webOS

HP has announced their new TouchPad webOS tablet device which boasts to introduce fun and mobile productivity. The company has also introduced two new smartphones- Veer and Pre3 - which also run webOS.

- Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n - A-GPS (3G only) - Bluetooth wireless technology 2.1+EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support - 3.5mm headset/headphone/microphone jack - Internal stereo speakers and Beats Audio - Front-facing 1.3-megapixel webcam - Light sensor, accelerometer, compass (magnetometer) and gyroscope - Rechargeable 6,300mAh battery

HP has unveiled their first webOS slate, the HP TouchPad. It features a 9.7-inch capacitive multitouch display, virtual keyboard, instant-on access, support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 beta in the browser and access to thousands of webOS applications. Designed for entertainment and mobile productivity, the TouchPad boasts to offer unified experience across various devices.

- Micro-USB connector - Built-in HP Touchstone technology for easy charging (HP Touchstone for TouchPad sold separately) and HP touchto-share to share web addresses between TouchPad and compatible webOS phones

You can answer calls or view your Short Message Service (SMS) messages from the slate, or use the exclusive touchto-share feature to share web URLs from your webOS phone to the TouchPad. With HP Synergy, simply sign in to your Facebook, Google, Microsoft Exchange, LinkedIn and Yahoo! accounts and your contacts, calendar and email automatically populate on the slate.

- Dimensions: 190 x 242 x 13.7 mm

Amazon.com has also announced that it will launch a free Kindle app for HP webOS tailored for TouchPad that will give user access to more than 810,000 titles from Amazon's Kindle Store. You can also buy and sell on Amazon.com, do internet banking, buy movie ticketsor check the latest news.

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Other features include 1.3-megapixel front-facing webcam, 16 or 32GB internal storage, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth wireless connectivity and A-GPS. The TouchPad also comes with built-in HP Touchstone technology for easy charging, and is compatible with the HP Touchstone for TouchPad (sold separately). You can charge in either portrait or landscape mode, even without removing the TouchPad case (sold separately).

Availability HP TouchPad is scheduled to be available this summer. Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.

- Weight: approximately 740g

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 9 Feb 2011

In today's news roundup: - Review of Kingston HyperX Special Edition Sandy Bridge 1600MHz CL9 - Review of Sunbeamtech Twister 120 CPU Cooler - Nokia drops MeeGo phone before launch - HP's Palm set to unveil tablet - Video Game Review: Dungeons, and more..

Hardware News: Description: Kingston's KHX1600C9D3X2K2/4GX is a kit of two 256M x 64-bit 2GB (2048MB) DDR3-1600MHz CL9 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) memory modules, based on sixteen 128M x 8-bit DDR3 FBGA components per module.

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Each module kit supports Intel XMP (Extreme Memory Profiles).

Description: The TWISTER 120 incorporates our newest ISOTurbo Technology for increased cooling. The dual 120mm MFDB fan spins in opposite direction which allows for more concentrated airflow, combined with the three 8mm heat pipes and large fin area, the TWISTER 120 offers one of the best cooling capabilities in its class.

Description: Xigmatek's Aegir CPU cooler does indeed bring a lot to the party. With excellent cooling performance and a robust, yet easily installed mounting solution, this cooler ranks at the top of its class. White LEDs in the fan frame add a bit of visual interest to the smoky, PWM fan and will fit nicely into many color schemes for the enthusiast thet cares about this sort of thing.

Description: ADATA started to introduce speedy USB 3.0 flash drives to the market, one of them being the Superior Series S102 16GB model. These products have different read/write speeds depending on the capacity and thanks to their very high read speed performances we can use them successfully for booting Live USB Linux distributions or for transferring the Windows 7/Vista install kits, to speed up the OS installation.

Description: With the launch of the GTX 570 series, some manufacturers including Gainward also came up wit their overclocked GTX 570 models and Golden Sample that provide an increase of performance of almost 2.5 to 9.3% Consumer Electronics and Software News: Description: Nokia has stopped developing its first smartphone using the MeeGo operating system, two industry sources close to the company said.

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consoles, without losing any of the irreverence that originally made it a hit. With solo, and multiplayer (online and off) options, it's a fun title to stick in when you're not grinding away in Fallout or fragging people in Black Ops. Description: Publisher Kalypso and developer Realmform Studios have introduced Dungeons, which on first blush looks like a spiritual successor to the famed series. You play a Dungeon Lord who builds deathtrap dungeons to spread his influence on the land above, and must protect his dungeon heart from invaders, all while trying to keep the denizens happy.

Enermax readies NAXN Series PSUs February 12th, 2011

Enermax is preparing to release its NAXN line-up of PSUs, designed for both gamers and enthusiasts. Available in modular (NAXN 82+) and non-modular (NAXN 80+) models, they feature Heat and Air Guard functions, multiple protection circuitry (OCP, OVP, AC UVP, DC UVP, OPP, OTP, SCP and SIP), active PFC, and are cooled by a silent 120mm (135mm fan for NAXN 82+) fan.

Description: Ever hear of Coloud? I didn’t until one of their sets of headphones appeared on my doorstep for review. Their new line is called Colors and they’re aptly named as you can get them in many different colors.

Description: The Vatican put its foot down Wednesday over the idea of "confessing" by iPhone, after news that US users can now download an application for the Apple gadget that helps the faithful gain absolution.

Description: HP has plenty riding on the event, which will showcase the webOS mobile operating system -- the most valuable asset the company acquired when it bought handheld pioneer Palm last summer for $1.2 billion. HP plans to roll out webOS in a number of products across its portfolio.

Description: Korean manufacturer LG Electronics has filed lawsuits over alleged patent infringements in Sony's Playstation 3 console and Bravia TVs. Description: It seems in this day and age everybody wants a piece of the PC peripherals market. This time Corsair, famous for manufacturing PC hardware, released its own lineup of high-end speakers and headsets. Packing in many popular features, the Corsair HS1NA USB Gaming Headset comes with 7.1 virtual surround sound and massive 50mm drivers.

NAXN 80+ Enermax is preparing to release its NAXN line-up of PSUs, designed for both gamers and enthusiasts. Available in modular (NAXN 82+) and non-modular (NAXN 80+) models, they feature Heat and Air Guard functions, multiple protection circuitry (OCP, OVP, AC UVP, DC UVP, OPP, OTP, SCP & SIP), active PFC, and are cooled by a silent 120mm (135mm fan for NAXN 82+) fan.

Gaming News: Description: You Don't Know Jack returns in a package that finally brings the game onto the current generation of 21

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NAXN 82+ The 80PLUS certified NAXN 80+ PSUs have two 12V rails and are available in 350W, 450W, 500W and 600W capacities. The 82PLUS certified NAXN 82+ come in 750W / 850W models with two/ four 12V rails respectively.

Sharkoon Releases Flexi-Drive Accelerate Duo Flash Drives February 12th, 2011

Sharkoon has announced the Flexi-Drive Accelerate Duo series of affordable USB 3.0 flash drives, aimed at mainstream users. Measuring 72 x 19 x 8mm and weighing about 16g, these ultra-portable aluminum flash drives are available in 32GB and 64GB variants.

Sharkoon has announced the Flexi-Drive Accelerate Duo series of affordable USB 3.0 flash drives, aimed at mainstream users. Measuring 72 x 19 x 8mm and weighing about 16g, these ultra-portable aluminum flash drives are available in 32GB and 64GB variants.

The Flexi-Drive Accelerate Duo features a special controller, supporting data transfer speeds up to 110MB/s (read) and 70MB/s (write) via its USB 3.0 interface. They can be found in store shelves around EU at MSRPs of â‚Ź69.90 (32GB) and â‚Ź124.90 (64GB).

Thermaltake Ships Level 10 GT February 12th, 2011

Thermaltake, well-known amongst enthusiasts for its high performance thermal solutions and PC cases, has unveiled the long awaited Level 10 GT, successor to the best-selling Level 10 Super-Gaming Modular Tower Chassis.

Thermaltake, well-known amongst enthusiasts for its high performance thermal solutions and PC cases, has unveiled the long awaited Level 10 GT, successor to the best-selling Level 10 Super-Gaming Modular Tower Chassis.

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It supports all microATX, ATX, Extended ATX motherboards and has room for four optical devices, six HDDs / SSDs, and eight PCIe expansion cards. The massive Level 10 GT is cooled by four ColorShift / Turbo fans (x1 top 200mm, x1 front 200mm, x1 side 200mm and x1 rear 140mm exhaust fan) and has three rear pre-drilled holes for water-cooling tubes. It is now available through major retailers and e-tailers at a MSRP of US$279.99.

Measuring 584 x 282 x 590mm and weighing 12.7kg, the all black full tower boasts a myriad of features: an improved cable management system, convertible top-vent 240mm watercooling design, hinged side-panel door, five hot-swappable hard drive bays, multiple USB 2.0 / 3.0 / eSATA connectors, and a built-in fan controller.

PhotoFast announces highperformance USB 3.0 card reader February 12th, 2011

Card readers don't tend to be all that exciting these days, mostly because they all do the same job and perform about the same. Not so with the new CR-8600 from PhotoFast which is one of the first multi-format USB 3.0 card readers to hit the market. It offers three to four times the performance of the best USB 3.0 card readers with current generation memory cards and will potentially offer even better performance with faster memory cards.

Card readers don't tend to be all that exciting these days, mostly because they all do the same job and perform about the same. Not so with the new CR-8600 from PhotoFast which is one of the first multi-format USB 3.0 card readers to hit the market. It offers three to four times the performance of the best USB 3.0 card readers with current generation memory cards and will potentially offer even better performance with faster memory cards.

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Wireless networking has become a ubiquitous technology these days that few of us would want to live without, but the 802.11 Wi-Fi standard isn't without flaws. Most of the problems tend to be related to either range or speed and the latter is looking set to get a big boost by the end of 2012 when the 802.11ac standard is expected to launch with a draft moniker tacked onto its name, much like the 802.11n draft standard that we lived with for so long.

The 802.11ac standard will bring with it Gigabit speeds, but unlike the current 802.11b/g/n standards it will not operate on the 2.4GHz band. Instead, 802.11ac will be using a frequency close to 6GHz (802.11a and some 802.11n solution operates at 5GHz today) which means that there might be yet another round of complaints from various countries around the world that are already using that frequency range for other transmissions.

The CR-8600 supports all standard memory card formats such as CompactFlash, SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick, HS Memory Stick, Memory Stick XC and the various mini and micro formats of the SD and Memory Stick cards. So far PhotoFast has tested it with a range of the latest generation of memory cards and have reached read speeds of 96.75MB/s and write speeds of 67.73MB/s using a CompactFlash UDMA 7 card, read speeds of 84MB/s and write speeds of 48.24MB/ s using an SDXC USH-I card and finally read speeds of 43.18MB/s and write speeds of 43MB/s using a Memory Stick Pro-HG card.

Judging by these numbers it's pretty clear that a USB 3.0 card reader makes sense for those using the latest generation of memory cards with their digital cameras and camcorders as the same UDMA 7 CompactFlash card only mustered 34MB/ s read and 33MB/s write performance using a USB 2.0 card reader. The CR-8600 should hit retail sometime in March with worldwide availability and a retail price of around US$30.

Gigabit speed 802.11ac standard should launch by end of 2012 February 12th, 2011

The 0.1 draft standard of 802.11ac is expected to be approved by the end of February according to the IEEEE 802.11 task group that are working on ratifying the standard, but we won't see any retail devices until the end of 2012 by which time we should see interoperable devices in the market. According to some research done by In-Stat and quoted by CNET we can expect no less than a billion 802.11ac devices by 2015, although we'd take this with a pinch of salt as the 802.11n has as yet to replace the aging 802.11g standard in most places outside the home.

One of the major advantages 802.11ac should bring with it is sufficient bandwidth for streaming HD video around the home, something the 2.4GHz 802.11n standard isn't quite up to task to do. There are of course 5GHz implementations of the 802.11n standard that does a great job of streaming even multiple 1080p HD streams such as the solutions from Quantenna, but these are still fairly rare. By having a single universal standard, we should see a quicker uptake of this technology which in turn should mean more devices that will use it.

On the downside, the USB Wi-Fi dongle might be dead, at least unless the hardware makers adopts the USB 3.0 interface which is yet another standard that has as yet to gain universal approval. Although this is really only going to be an issue on older devices, but as the 802.11ac standard is expected to be built into both notebooks and other mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, it's really just a matter of time before it'll gain enough traction in the market. Initially it's likely that hardware will carry a price premium over 802.11n solutions, but this is all par for the course when moving to something faster and better in the IT industry.

Wireless networking has become a ubiquitous technology these days that few of us would want to live without, but the 802.11 Wi-Fi standard isn't without flaws. Most of the problems tend to be related to either range or speed and the latter is looking set to get a big boost by the end of 2012 when the 802.11ac standard is expected to launch with a draft moniker tacked onto its name, much like the 802.11n draft standard that we lived with for so long.

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February 12th, 2011

NVIDIA HDMI 3D: now coming to an Acer monitor near you February 12th, 2011

Playing games on the PC is definitely one of the more enjoyable ways to pass the time, thanks to the wide variety of PC-only titles and the introduction of extremely powerful hardware specially dsigned for such purposes. That being said, if something is worth doing, then it is definitely worth overdoing as well, and gaming is no exception. And what better way to enhance one's gaming experience than to top of the package with a 3D capable monitor from Acer for that added degree of realism?

Gaming is probably one of the few digital entertainment options which most of use find ourselves unable to give up on, and for good reason. After all, nothing can come close to replacing the thrill and exhilaration of blasting the brains off a virtual enemy's head with a double barreled shotgun at point blank range, especially after a hard day at work or in school.

That being said, taking a trip down to virtual reality town would definitely be a lot more satisfying if one could actually feel as though he or she was being placed directly into the thick of action, as opposed to merely watching animated heads bob around a computer screen. Fortunately, users who crave such realism no longer have to take the trouble of investing in a large (and expensive) 3D television set, because Acer has just released its new 3D-capable GN245HQ monitor which the company claims is particularly well suited for all forms of media consumption, gaming included.

Acer claims that the LED-backlit, full HD GN245HQ will sport a 23.6-inch form factor along with various features such as an extremely high but meaningless contrast ratio of

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1,000,000 : 1(definitely not static) and a fast response time of 2ms. However, the real draw of the GN245HQ still lies in its 3D capabilities, and needless to say Acer has clearly pulled out all the stops in this aspect. According to the Taiwanese OEM, the GN245HQ is the world's first monitor to feature builtin support for NVIDIA's stereoscopic technology over HDMI, along with the more conventional method of transmitting 3D content over dual-link DVI. And since the GN245HQ has the ability to receive and display stereoscopic 3D content via HDMI-in, it should come as little surprise that the monitor is theoretically capable of supporting a variety of video input device such as digital TV set-top boxes, Blu-ray disc players and even video game consoles.

However, chances are these features will be all but useless to the average Joe at this point of time, especially if one takes into account that most countries still lack a 3D broadcasting infrastructure for content producers to take advantage of, essentially rendering the GN245HQ useless in just about everything except gaming.

That being said, if the idea of spending good money on a 23.6-inch monitor that can only be used for gaming purposes sounds like the very thing you have in mind, we'd suggest that you start fattening up that piggy bank of yours by feeding it with all that hongbao money acquired over the Lunar New Year. With its relatively fat pricetag of US$677, trust us when we say that your wallet will need all the food it can get.

More than a million AMD Fusion chips shipped February 12th, 2011

AMD's Fusion chips have been heatedly debated recently.

The promise of higher performance with less heat, less power consumption and lower cost seems to have proven itself true, with AMD shipping over a million of these chips in less than six months of the product entering consumer markets.

Promising low power consumption, low heat emissions and increased performance, AMD's Zacate and Ontario chips based on the Fusion platform have been selling like hotcakes.

The Fusion chip is basically a core processor as well as a 25

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graphics processor combined on a single die. Also called APU, or Accelerated Processing Unit, these Fusion chips have been delivering as promised.

The HP dm1z equipped with the first of these APU chips was recently tested and the results were astounding. The Zacate platform for netbooks easily outperforms Intel's dual-core Atom chips, and is hot on the heels of Intel Atom + nVidia ION based netbooks. Furthermore, these chips consume less power, and as a result develop less heat than their Intel and nVidia counterparts.

Combine desirable characteristics with a low cost price, and the answer is clear. Manufacturers are snapping up these chips at an alarming rate. As of current, the only Fusion-powered netbook available locally is the Sony VAIO Y series. However, the number of Fusion-based notebooks is poised to increase steadily in the near future, as the Intel Atom-based netbooks begin to phase out.

The Fusion platform was announced a long time ago, but it was only recently that the chips were showcased and later went on retail. With such effort and time spent on innovating, it is no wonder that the results produced from these chips are nothing short of stellar. Such a technological advance shows that the future of mobile gaming need not mean large laptops with loud fans, high heat output, and the inability to run on battery-powered sources for more than an hour.

Intel resumes shipments of faulty 6-series chipsets to OEMs with one specific condition

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damage control after the news of the defect in its 6-series Cougar Point chipsets was made public. Needless to say, this led to a abrupt halt on all shipments of the affected chipset.

Until today, that is: the chip giant has just announced that it intends to resume the shipment of the affected chipsets , but with a catch.

Simply put, Intel knows that it has a reputation to uphold, and having to deal with hordes of angry consumers whose machines are experiencing premature hardware failures is definitely not going to do itself any favors for its corporate image. As such, the company has just announced in a press release that the affected chipsets will only be shipped to OEMs who are "committed to shipping the Intel 6 Series Chipset in PC system configurations that are not impacted by the design issue will be receiving these shipments".

This means that OEMs which want to make use of the faulty chipsets for their PCs have the responsibility of ensuring that the machines are configured in such a way its boards do not sport connectors interfacing the faulty Cougar Point part.

Examples of such implementations include making use of the chipsets in 'closed' configurations such as notebooks, or in the case of desktop configurations, installing a PCIe SATA card to provide additional SATA ports.

Only when these conditions are met will Intel allow the respective OEMs to continue receiving shipments of the 6series Cougar Point chipsets.

Dell showcases prototype Windows 7 tablet and business PCs February 12th, 2011

February 12th, 2011

Remember that whole hoo-ha Intel caused among OEMs, system builders and enthusiasts last week when it found out about the major blunder it made to the design of its 6-series Coguar Point chipsets? Well, it turns out that the chip giant has decided that decided to resume shipment of the affected chipsets to OEMs, but only if the latter fulfills a certain condition.

As most would have already been aware, Intel's PR personnel were having the time of their lives attempting to perform

Dell has showcased their new 10-inch Windows 7-based device and business PCs at the recent company's "Dell Means Business" event in San Francisco.

At the recent Dell event, Steven Lalla, vice president and general manager of Dell commercial client product group, showed a prototype 10-inch business tablet device that is running Windows 7 operating system. The tablet is designed 26

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for users who want mobility, security, manageability, and easy integration with existing infrastructures. According to the company, the Intel-based tablet would also come in Android flavor though it may not be under the Streak family. No pricing has been revealed for the Windows 7 business tablet though Dell said it could be available by June this year.

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cost would be fairly high. The HTC Saga will sport a 4-inch screen, possibly running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and has front and rear built-in camera.

It is still not known whether the HTC Saga will have at least an 8-megapixel camera and supports LTE 4G network. From the leaked pictures, the HTC Saga could be named HTC Desire 2 after all. We would only know when the company made the announcement at Mobile World Congress that is happening in Barcelona next week.

Eleventh beta for Firefox 4 goes live, prepare for a more private Internet February 12th, 2011

Other new products unveiled at the event include laptops, desktops, workstations, and Latitude XT3 convertible tablet (above picture).

HTC Saga pictured; Is this the HTC Desire 2?

Playing with beta software is never the wisest of choices, especially if the developer in question has a release schedule which is completely out of whack with what most typical endusers would expect. And if you currently happen to be testing out the beta builds of Mozilla's browser, you'd better prepare to start hitting the download managers, for the company has just rolled out its eleventh beta release of Firefox 4.

February 12th, 2011

Photos of a new HTC smartphone were leaked online, just a week before Mobile World Congress, and it was said to be HTC Saga. Could this be the successor to the HTC Desire?

HTC has done very well last year with their Q4 2010 financial announcement of a net profit of more than US$500 million. And that is mostly thanks to Google's Android mobile platform. With recent leak of the new HTC Saga smartphone, many speculated that this could be the successor to HTC Desire, or formerly known as the HTC Desire 2.

Is there such a concept known as 'privacy' when the Internet is concerned? Many might want to think that they have the right to prevent content providers from tracking visitor behavior such as browsing preferences and online habbits. After all, it does sound a little disconcerting to know that data that could potentially be used to identify oneself is easily floating around the depths of cyberspace, with determined hackers and spammers waiting to spring on the slightest opportunity to blast out spam mails about the latest in men's health supplements. Not exactly the nicest of thoughts.

Naturally, the increased awareness about online privacy (or rather, the lack of it) has spurred browser developers into searching for ways that could assist in preventing an ignorant user from unknowingly giving away such information without her consent. And it seems that Mozilla has finally settled on what it believes is the best possible solution: to implement a Do Not Track feature in its just-released eleventh beta of Firefox 4.

The HTC Saga looks similar to the Nexus One, except that it does not have the trackball below the display. However, the phone looks to be using an integrated design which means the 27

February 12th, 2011

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*The eleventh beta of Firefox 4 can be downloaded from the Mozilla 4 Beta page here. And just to make it clear, beta software is usually anything but stable, so the usual warning of VR-Zone not being responsible for 'unfortunate mishaps' such as exploding PCs and data mysteriosuly disappearing off hard disks applies.

According to a blog posting made by one of the browser's developers, the" Do Not Track feature allows users to set a browser preference that will broadcast their desire to opt-out of third party, advertising-based tracking by transmitting a Do Not Track HTTP header with every click or page view in Firefox". When enabled, web sites will be told by Firefox via a header that the user does not wish to be tracked online.

"The advantages to the header technique are that it is less complex and simple to locate and use, it is more persistent than cookie-based solutions, and it doesn’t rely on user’s finding and loading lists of ad networks and advertisers to work".

Of course, one might be tempted to wonder why Mozilla had to take an entire year to realize that the Internet needed such a feature to better safeguard user privacy. Unfortunately, it seems that users who have been waiting that long for such a privacy feature will probably wind up being very disappointed for now. This is due to the fact that while the feature is confirmed to be functional on the browser's end, the same cannot be said for the millions of websites in cyberspace today which neither recognize nor support the new Do Not Track header.

And while Firefox believes that the chicken-and-egg problem can be solved when content providers and webmasters have no choice but to honour user preferences after receieve large enough numbers of the header appearing in their server access logs, we'd guard against unmerited optimism until some concrete results finally show up. After all, do users really think that content providers would sacrifice potential ad revenue to be gained from such tracking over some moral issue about privacy?

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February 15th, 2011

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VR-Zone.com | Stuff for the Geeks!

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 15 Feb 2011 February 15th, 2011

In today's news roundup: HIS's Radeon HD 6970 graphics card gets reviewed; Seagate officially announces the shipment of its one millionth self-encrypting hard drive; Apple CEO Steve Jobs gets a virtual boot to the face courtesy of LG; Steve Ballmer talks about Internet Explorer 9 and multitasking for Windows Phone 7, and Kohime Musou, the popular Japanese visual novel which features a genderbent version of the Three Kingdoms, is getting an arcade fighter adaptation.

Hardware News: AXLE GeForce GT 430 1GB Video Card Review @ Legit Reviews Description: Legit Reviews has the NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 Classic Edition video card from AXLE 3D up for review today.

Equipped with 96 CUDA cores on the GF108 'Fermi' GPU along with 1GB of GDDR3 memory, the GT 430 is geared toward lower end gaming and the home theater markets. Read on to see what we find on the AXLE GeForce GT 430 and to see how it performs in games lie Mafia 2 and Batman: Arkham Asylum!

Enermax Hoplite Review @ Vortez Description: Enermax are world renowned for their presence within the PSU and cooling departments and are regarded as a household name, but would you be shocked to hear that Enermax also produce computer cases? Admittedly they have only a very small selection to choose from, but in the last 2 years Enermax have branched off into the computer case genre which will certainly surprised quite a few. These cases have been directed toward entry level users, so fundamentally the hardware enthusiast will be ignorant of their existence. But this year, things are about to change.

Asus Xonar DG Headphone Amp Sound Card Review @ Tweaknews Description: Asus' Xonar line continues its impressive lineup with the Xonar DG, proving to be an exceptional value at $30.

It does a good job providing richer, fuller sound over speakers, but the built-in headphone amp is where this card really excels.

Xigmatek Achilles Plus SD1484 Heatsink @ Benchmark Reviews Description: One of the benefits of testing computer hardware is that you occasionally get to look at new kit before it's introduced to the market. In my time at Benchmark Reviews, I've been fortunate enough to be able to review some cases and CPUs before they were generally available (or in some cases, before they were even announced). Recently Benchmark Reviews was given the oppotunity to evaluate a prototype of

Xigmatek's forthcoming Achilles Plus SD1484 CPU cooler, and I tested it to compares its performance to a variety of air and water coolers.

ASUS Sabertooth P67 Review @ ocaholic Description: With the Sabertooth P67, ASUS has an IntelP67 based motherboard in its portfolio that comes with some interesting features. Therefore very suspicious is the so called thermal shield. This plastic cover should allow an optimized airflow over the boards core components.

HIS HD 6970 Review - XSReviews Description: Each generation of graphics cards is made up of the kind of GPUs that most people buy, the mid-range and they have the budget ones which quite a lot of others buy. Then you have the monsters, dual chip and single. Today we look at the latter one from HIS, the HD 6970. A giant card with expected impressive performance; though you know this is going to pull a lot of power. Let's see how much.

Seagate Ships One Millionth Self-Encrypting Hard Drive.

Description: Seagate Technologies, the company that ships most enterprise-class hard disk drives (SEDs), on Monday said that shipments of its self-encrypting drives (SEDs) have exceeded one millions of units. The company intends to greatly expand its lineup of SEDs as it believed that the demand for such drives will grow fast.

Consumer Electronics and Software News: Watch Steve Jobs Get Kicked In The Face By The LG Optimus Pad Description: Nevermind the man is recovering from cancer, LG just kicked Steve Jobs’ in the face. Really. Well, virtually at least. But it still counts!

Mad Catz CoD: Modern Warfare 2 Elite USB Gaming Keyboard Review @ Bigbruin.com Description: Mad Catz may not be the best known name in the electronics accessory business, but odds are that you may have used one of their products before. They manufacture everything from fully licensed console controllers, to Rock Band and Guitar Hero branded instruments. For this review, Geeks.com has sent over the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Elite USB gaming keyboard.

Sony announces pricing for the EX720 3D TVs, ready for preorder Description: Sony's Bravia EX720 3D TVs are now priced and can be pre-ordered. The 32" (KDL32EX720) will cost $949, the 40" (KDL40EX720) will cost $1399, the 46" (KDL46EX720) will cost $1699, the55" (KDL55EX720) will cost $2299 and the 60" (KDL60EX720) will cost $3299.

The TVs will ship soon (in February, except the 60" that will ship in April).

SonyEricsson's LiveView finally lands in the US - for $82 Description: SonyEricsson's LiveView is finally shipping in the US - for $82 (it's been available in the UK for quite some time now). The Liveview is an Android accessory with a small (1.3") PMOLED display and can communicate via Android 2.x devices. You can control music, get notifications about phone 1

February 15th, 2011

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calls, updates from applications (twitter, facebook) and more.

The idea is that you can wear it like a watch: Why Apple Will Not Release a Cloud-Based iPhone Nano This Year Description: I like the idea of an iPhone nano. One with a small screen with the same resolution of an iPhone 3GS, powered by an A4 processor. I'd buy one. But a cloud-based iPhone doesn't make any sense. Not right now.

IE9, multitasking goes head to head with Windows Phone 7 Description: Steve Ballmer takes to the stage at the Hotel Somethingorother here at Mobile World Congress. We don't even attempt to make it and sit on the floor at the MWC booth - watching on with increasing leg cramp as the shy and retiring salesman of Redmond tells us, mostly, what we already knew.

Gaming News: Koihime Musou Gets Arcade Fighter Description: Heard of Koihime Musou? Girls using popular names from Chinese history, welding huge blades and weapons ? Well, Koihime Musou is getting a fighter game for the arcades.

Bizarre Creations Closing This Week Description: Bizarre Creations is closing its doors for good this Friday after Activision failed to find a buyer for the studio responsible for a string of highly regarded games.

New Assassin's Creed in the works Description: Ubisoft confirms it is readying another entry in its award-winning action adventure series; more details due in May.

ASUS Lamborghini VX6 Review: Ultraportable netbook with great performance February 15th, 2011

The ASUS Lamborghini VX6 is the latest mobile computer born from the collaboration between the Taiwanese computer maker and Italian car manufacturer. Like the sports car, it commands a premium, but boasts a luxurious design and superior performance.

If you are looking to get a laptop or netbook, you may be confused by the sheer number of models available on the market, not to mention, for different market segments - ultraportable for the frequent travellers, multimedia powerhouse for those who enjoy watching high definition movies, and even gaming workhorse for the hardcore gamers.

Aside from these, some computer manufacturers have also collaborated with fashion designers and even car manufacturers to come up with a product for the niche and premium market. For example, HP has worked with world-renowned fashion designer Vivienne Tam on a special Vivienne Tam edition laptop, while Acer has produced the Ferrari laptops with the car maker. And ASUS has their line of Lamborghini notebook PCs too.

The ASUS Lamborghini VX6 is the latest addition to the premium line of mobile computers, and that is mainly because of the "charging bull" logo on the netbook.

Here's a sneak peek at the hardware specifications:-

CPU Memory Hard disk Screen Graphics Display Resolution Connectivity

Web camera Battery OS Dimensions Weight

ASUS Lamborghini VX6 1.8GHz Intel Atom D525 dual-core Up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM 320GB SATA 12.1-inch Nvidia ION 2 dedicated GPU 1366x768 1x VGA, 1x HDMI, 2x USB3.0, 1X USB 2.0, 1x LAN RJ-45, 2x audio jack(Headphone / Micin), card Reader - MMC/ SD(SDXC) 1.3-megapixel +10.95V 5200mAh 56Wh Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 297 x 204 x 28.7mm 1.5kg

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February 15th, 2011

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HTC Flyer: HTC's First 7-inch Tablet

App Store Subscriptions recurring your way soon

February 15th, 2011

February 15th, 2011

This year's tablet wars just got more interesting. HTC has finally joined the crowd with the HTC Flyer, a 7-inch Android tablet that comes with a battery-powered stylus. Read on to find out more.

Apple has just unveiled its brand-new App Store subscription service which offers recurring billing through the subscribers' iTunes Store account. This new feature will be stapled to all publishers of content-based apps such as newspapers and magazines, as seen in the debut of News Corp.'s The Daily app.

Expected to debut as one of the key features in iOS 4.3, the new digital billing service will be similar to In-App Purchases, as currently used in most apps in the App Store.

The new tablet has been launched at the company’s press conference during Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona.

The device sports a uni-body white plastic design with a resolution of 1024 x 600 and is powered by a 1.5GHz singlecore Qualcomm chip to run Android 2.4 Gingerbread plus a new version of HTC Sence, which is optimized for tablets.

What makes HTC Flyer stands out against the competitors?

It's the stylus. The stylus automatically connects to the device enabling control over writing or drawing on a new app called Notes rather than being needed for navigation.

All good things always come to an end, HTC says that the Flyer is not going to be cheap to justify the beautiful looking hardware, the stylus and the free case.

Subscriptions purchased from within the App Store will be sold using the same App Store billing system that has been used to buy billions of apps and In-App Purchases. Publishers set the price and length of subscription (weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly or yearly). Then with one-click, customers pick the length of subscription and are automatically charged based on their chosen length of commitment (weekly, monthly, etc.). Customers can review and manage all of their subscriptions from their personal account page, including canceling the automatic renewal of a subscription. Apple processes all payments, keeping the same 30 percent share that it does today for other In-App Purchases.

With regards to whether content may also be offered outside of this new billing mechanism, Apple CEO points out that publishers are free to offer content outside of the app. But if so, the same or better offer has to be given to subscribers of the app.

"Our philosophy is simple - when Apple brings a new subscriber to the app, Apple earns a 30 percent share; when the publisher brings an existing or new subscriber to the app, the publisher keeps 100 percent and Apple earns nothing," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "All we require is that, if a publisher is making a subscription offer outside of the app, the same (or better) offer be made inside the app, so that customers can easily subscribe with one-click right in the app.

We believe that this innovative subscription service will provide publishers with a brand new opportunity to expand digital access to their content onto the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, delighting both new and existing subscribers."

Besides providing customers an easy way to keep track of their subsription and ease of activation and billing, Apple is pushing this new App Store Subscriptions as 30% of the content providers' revnue will go to Apple.

But for the ease of potential customers and the vast distribution power of the App Store, I'm sure many content 3

February 15th, 2011

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providers will submit to Apple's demand in exchange for a potential 160 million iOS users around the globe.

“The partnership with Kingston offers customers more choice when it comes to hardware. Several device types managed by the same system are in strong demand and we are happy to now be able to service even more customers,” says Anders Kjellander CSO at BlockMaster.

Kingston Introduces First Secure USB Flash Drive

“Kingston’s relationship with security software leader BlockMaster enhances our ability to offer enterprise customers the most robust and versatile centrally managed secure USB solution available on the market,” says John Terpening, secure USB business manager at Kingston.

February 15th, 2011

Kingston Digital, Inc. announced it has joined with BlockMaster to deliver the SafeConsole Ready DataTraveler Vault — Privacy Managed (DTVPM) USB flash drives.

Measuring 77.9 x 22.2 x 12.05mm, the compact aluminum drives have hardware-based 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) protection, water-proof, and are managed centrally by the BlockMaster SafeConsole drive management system. The DTVPM support data transfer speeds up to 24Mb/ s (read) and 10Mb/s (write) via a USB 2.0 interface and are available in 2Gb, 4Gb, 8Gb, 16Gb and 32Gb capacities.

KINGSTON PRESS RELEASE The first product to be released from the partnership between Kingston Digital, Inc., and BlockMaster is presented today at the opening of the annual RSA conference in San Francisco.

The SafeConsole Ready hardware-encrypted secure USB drive DataTraveler Vault — Privacy Managed (DTVPM) from Kingston is mandatory managed by the central management server SafeConsole from BlockMaster.

Kingston, the independent world leader in memory products, is making the secure USB flash drive hardware highly available in its strong distribution channels globally. The high quality DTVPM device is mandatory managed by the leading SafeConsole management server from BlockMaster.

The solution will let enterprise customers avoid data loss and get them on the fast track to more productive use of secure USB flash drives.

The DTVPM secure USB drive is the first SafeConsoleReady Device released from Kingston. The full SafeConsoleReady technology program from BlockMaster will also be presented at the RSA conference.

The SafeConsoleReady brand and program will ensure that BlockMaster partner products work efficiently with SafeConsole management tools and are able to offer customers all the security and management benefits of SafeConsole.

Cubitek Readies HTPX-Tank PC Enclosure February 15th, 2011

Taipei-based Cubitek Co. Ltd has taken the wraps off the HTPX-Tank, their latest addition to its soon-to-be released Tank series PC chassis. Measuring 230 x 600 x 610mm, the aluminum full-tower is designed to support all "HTPX (EVGA Classified SR-2), E-ATX, ATX, micro ATX, and miniITX motherboards".

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Published by: VR-Zone

cooling tubes, cut-outs on the motherboard tray for cable management, and a top-side I/O panel with two USB 3.0, one eSATA and audio ports. The HTPX-Tank is equipped with four spinners (x1 front 230mm, x2 top 140mm, & x1 rear 140mm fan) and is expected to hit store shelves come end March.

News via [Techconnect]

Qualcomm wants smartphones to be more powerful than your PC February 15th, 2011

Would you believe that the smartphone you are currently holding how might actually have the raw processing power to completely outclass that full-fledged notebook or desktop PC of yours? Well, Qualcomm seems to think so. And with a new System-on-a-chip that features both a quad-core processor and GPU with clock speeds high enough to rival today's midrange PCs, it seems that the day of reckoning for the traditional PC is close at hand. Or is it?

A quad-core processor coupled with a GPU that features 4 video processing cores sounds like the kind of hardware one expects to find in a mid-range desktop PC or high-end laptop, right? Well, don't be surprised, but consumers can expect to see such top-end hardware making its way to devices as small as smartphones by as early as 2012.

And when that happens, you can be sure that Qualcomm will have a major part to play in churning out hardware that delivers near PC-like performance in a smartphone. That is because the American wireless telecommunication company has just unveiled its latest Snapdragon System-on-a-chip (SoC) which features the same specifications that we have listed in the paragraph above.

According to an article posted by Tom's Hardware, the new Snapdragon SoCs were announced by Qualcomm at this year's Mobile World Conference and is expected to be available in three different configurations, namely the MSM8930, MSM8960 and APQ8064. All three configurations will feature the new Krait processor core which reportedly features a completely new microarchitecture, an updated Adreno GPU and will come with the circuitry needed to perform various connectivity-related functions such as WiFi, GPRS, Bluetooth, FM and near-field communications (NFC).

It has room for ten PCIe expansion cards, five optical devices, nine hard drives (housed in trays with anti-vibration rubber rings), and features four rear pre-drilled holes for water-

However, it goes without saying that the star attraction of the trio is the APQ8064 Snapdragon SoC. With four Krait processing cores featuring clock speeds of up to 2.5GHz per core and a quad-core Adreno 320 GPU, Qualcomm claims that the APQ8064 is capable of performance at levels up to 150% greater than the current-generation ARM processor cores, while still consuming 65% lesser energy than the latter. On top of that, the new quad-core Adreno GPU is reportedly powerful enough to output full HD media content onto an external display and deliver graphics performance similar to what is found in today's video game consoles.

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With smartphones like these, who needs PCs anymore?

Rumour: Dell to buy AMD? February 15th, 2011

RIM announces 4G PlayBook for LTE and HSPA+ networks, and BlackBerry Travel App February 15th, 2011

There is no denying that AMD is currently facing yet another rough patch, but it appears that the situation over at the Sunnyvale chip company might be a lot worse than what the company is willing to let on. Apparently, the recent string of departures from AMD's senior executive board has sparked off rumours that the higher-ups are planning to put the company up for sale, and well...the logo up there says it all. But what are the chances of such an acquisition actually taking place?

It is no secret that things have not been going AMD's way of late, in spite what the company would attempt to have most people believe. Granted, the world's second largest global supplier of x86 chips may have been making the headlines about various new product launches and plans for the past few weeks, but just as attention-grabbing as its product press releases were the sudden departures of two of its company's senior executive board, namely CEO Dirk Meyer and COO Robert Rivet.

And with AMD offering little information to shareholders and the media as to why two members of its executive board would walk out on the company at such short notice, needless to say the AMD rumour mill is once again open for business. Except that this time, it seems the personnel running the rumour mill have come to only one possible conclusion: AMD's board is preparing to put the company up for sale, and Dell appears to have been identified as the party most likely to take up AMD on its offer should it ever come to pass.

According to Bloomberg News, the possibility of AMD getting put up for sale is "far-fetched" but entirely plausible, considering that the Sunnyvale company is currently running its day-to-day operations without any managerial directions.

In addition, AMD's established portfolio is deemed to be "highly desirable from the standpoint of several potential strategic acquirers based on multiple capabilities, including both its x86 capabilities and its graphics processor expertise".

Needless to say, being able to be in control of its own processor and GPU supply has got to be an extremely appealing option for any computer OEM to consider, especially if it means being able to restrict the supply for AMD Radeon GPUs from competitors in order give itself an unfair competitive advantage. But until we actually get concrete information that AMD is indeed making plans to put itself up for sale, we have no choice but to call Internet FUD on this one for the time being.

At Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona, Research in Motion has announced two models 4G PlayBook models that support LTE and HSPA+ networks. On top of that, the company has also announced a new BlackBerry Travel App that lets you plan, book, manage and share travel activities easily.

Research In Motion (RIM) has announced two additional BlackBerry 4G PlayBook tablets in the second half this year, which feature support for LTE and HSPA+ high speed wireless networks.

RIM's BlackBerry 4G PlayBook tablets aims to deliver professional, user-friendly experiences that redefine the possibilities of mobile computing. The tablets offer great performance with real-time multitasking and symmetrical multiprocessing, high-fidelity web browsing with support for Adobe Flash, advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support.

In addition to the Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity referenced above, each tablet can also support Bluetooth tethering, Mobile hotspots and BlackBerry Bridging.

Intel introduces new XMM platform for mobile communications devices February 15th, 2011

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February 15th, 2011

Wait just a second...Intel? A leading provider hardware solutions for mobile communications handsets? That has got to be a joke, right? As odd as it might sound, that is about as true as it can get: thanks to its acquisition of Infineon Technologies, Intel is now officially one of the leading providers of baseband processors in the industry. And as proof that the chip giant is intent on making its presence in the mobile segment felt, the company has just announced the launch of its new XMM 7060 compact multimode platform.

About time too! *image shown above is purely for illustrative purposes and is not indicative of the actual product

With MeeGo as good as a'NoGo' now that Nokia has pulled out of the alliance with Intel, it would seem that the chip giant's plans for introducing an x86-powered smartphone is essentially dead on arrival. After all, it has been proven time and again that the x86 platform is just not suitable for use in highly mobile devices such as smartphones, especially when Intel's most low-power, energy efficient x86 Atom processors pale in comparison to ARM's offerings, which are unmatched as far as low-power performance is concerned.

However, it appears that Intel might just be shifting its smartphone strategy a little now that it is seems that its processors will never see the light of day in an actual retail smartphone. Instead of attempting to compete head on with ARM, the chip giant is apparently focusing on baseband processors which mobile phones make use of to communicate with the wireless telephone network, having just announced its new compact multimode platform, the XMM 7060.

Published by: VR-Zone

baseband processor X-GOLD 706" and SMARTi 4G RF transceiver. Intel claims that the tightly-integrated chipset is suitable for "integration in LTE-enabled portable devices such as mobile handsets, data cards/dongles and other embedded solutions" when used in conjunction with its "3GPP Release 8 triple mode protocol stack".

The X-GOLD 706 baseband processor, manufactured in 40nm process technology, is based on the proven 2G/3G X-GOLD 626 with an integrated low power LTE L1 subsystem. Therefore smart phones and tablets based on the XMM 6260 2G/3G platform using the X-GOLD 626 can be easily migrated to LTE ensuring the customers a high degree of reuse of their hardware and software investment. The new baseband processor is accompanied with the SMARTi4G, incorporating optimized building blocks of the leading-edge 2G/3G SMARTi UE2 and SMARTi LU RF transceiver -- the world’s first commercially available LTE transceiver. The 65nm CMOS RF transceiver employs a proven digital architecture that significantly reduces the number of external RF components such as power amplifiers and filters, and, hence, reduces board space, BOM and power consumption.

The XMM 7060 slim modem platform fits in less than 700mm² PCB (Printed Circuit Board) area including all necessary system components for quad band LTE, penta band 3G and quad band EDGE applications. It supports LTE category 3 (CAT-3) throughputs (100Mbps/50Mbps download/upload respectively) and is compliant to LTE Release 8 standard supporting FDD and TDD mode for all bandwidth up to 20MHz. In addition Inter-RAT handover features with 3G and 2G systems are naturally included.

Unfortunately, users hoping to purchase a smartphone that features the Intel XMM 7060 compact multimode platform will probably have a great deal of waiting in store for them.

This is because Intel has confirmed that the first platform samples will only be made available in Q3 2011, while mass shipments are only expected to commence in the second half of 2012.

Samsung launches GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 smart player February 15th, 2011

*image for illustrative purposes only. Actual product is expected to differ significantly

The Samsung GALAXY S II was unveiled at Mobile World Congress, and today, the Korean manufacturer has announced the GALAXY S Wi-Fi 4.0 smart player designed to offer music, smartphone-like innovation and app experiences.

According to a press released issued by the chip giant, the XMM 7060 consists of two key components; the "multimode 7

February 15th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Intel To Increase X25-E SSD Pricing Next Month February 15th, 2011

Samsung today announced the GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 smart player, the latest addition to its Android-powered GALAXY product portfolio. It features a 4-inch Super Clear LCD display and claims to offer rich smartphone-like experiences without the expense of operator contracts. The smart player also offers video communications via VoIP services and rich video and music entertainment with multi-codec support to keep you constantly entertained.

VoIP and a world of applications The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 smart player comes with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and runs Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system. It gives users access to millions of apps, multimedia content and mobile services. With VoIP support via Skype, you can make video calls over Wi-Fi as well as free calls among Skype users. You can also access to social networking services like Twitter or Facebook, and with support for the Qik video service, you can capture and share videos with friends and family. With access to over 230,000 apps available on the Android Market, the Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 is fully customizable. It is equipped with integrated GPS that benefits users from Google’s turn-by-turn map services and directory applications.

High definition video and images The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 supports DivX HD, allowing high-definition video playback on the large, high-quality SuperClear LCD. It also supports for various codec standards including MPEG4, H264, DivX, XviD, WMV codecs ensures you can enjoy huge catalogues of content from all over the web.

Audio excellence The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 is designed to deliver the best audio and video experience. Incorporating Samsung SoundAlive technology, it offers deeper bass and greater tone articulation and lets you listen to your favorite tracks with its built-in stereo speaker.

Yes, you heard right. Intel is going to increase not cut the prices of their X25-E SSDs. A check on our price comparison engine revealed that X25-E 32GB is now selling for about $380 and the 64GB version is going for $720. With effective from March 6th, the price of the 32GB X25-E will increase by $85 and the price of 64GB X25-E will increase by $170. This is probably due to the SLC flash price increase. Anyway, if you are thinking of getting one now, grab it before the price goes up.

Yes, you heard right. Intel is going to increase not cut the prices of their X25-E SSDs. A check on our price comparison engine revealed that X25-E 32GB is now selling for about $380 and the 64GB version is going for $720. With effective from March 6th, the price of the 32GB X25-E will increase by $85 and the price of 64GB X25-E will increase by $170. This is probably due to the SLC flash price increase. Anyway, if you are thinking of getting one now, grab it before the price goes up.

Intel updates LGA1366 Core i7 900 pricing February 15th, 2011

Following the release of its new flagship, Core i7 990X, Intel has updated pricing for Core i7 900 CPUs. The new line-up is as follows: Core i7 990X - $999 Core i7 980X - ~$950 Core i7 970 - $583 Core i7 960 - $294

The Samsung GALAXY S WiFi 4.0 will be available during the first half in global markets starting from the UK.

To accommodate the Core i7 990X, the 980X must drop in price. However, this price drop hasn't really shown in e-tail, yet, but the price is expected to stabilize at around $900-$950.

It is the Core i7 970 which undergoes a massive cut from $880 to $583, making Intel six-core CPUs that much more affordable. (relatively)

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Published by: VR-Zone

The 3.2 GHz Core i7 960, which is a quad-core CPU, drops from $583 to a much more affordable $294. Of course, it is no match for the similarly priced Core i7 2600, except you can't really get a motherboard to use it with.

The 990X and these price updates are likely to be the last hurrah for the extremely successful Nehalem generation, with the Sandy Bridge E processors incoming, replacing the LGA1366 platform with LGA2011.

Below is the bulk pricing not retail price, just to serve as a reference.

Processors Model Core i7-990X Extreme Edition Core i7-980X Extreme Edition Core i7-975

Specs

3.46GHz, 6C/12T, 12M Cache, LGA1366 3.33GHz, 6C/12T, 12M Cache, LGA1366 3.33GHz, 4C/8T, 8M Cache, LGA1366 Core i7-970 3.2GHz, 6C/12T, 12M Cache, LGA1366 Core 3.4GHz, i7-2600K 4C/8T, 8M Cache, LGA1155 Core 3.4GHz, i7-2600 4C/8T, 8M Cache, LGA1155 Core 3.2GHz, i7-960 4C/8T, 8M Cache, LGA1366 Core i7-950 3.06GHz, 4C/8T, 8M Cache, LGA1366 Core i7-930 2.80GHz, 4C/8T, 8M Cache, LGA1366

Old Price

New Price % Change $990

-

$990

$990

-

$990

$990

-

$845

$555

(34%)

$305

$305

-

$285

$285

-

$555

$285

(49%)

$285

$285

-

$285

$285

-

Microsoft Kinect: Now available on Android...somewhat February 15th, 2011

If there is one truth about the world of hardware, it is the fact that hackers are always on top, especially when it comes to using devices in ways that they were never intended for.

And this latest hack seems to confirm that little fact of life.

That being said, does anyone fancy playing around on an Android tablet with hand gestures, courtesy of Microsoft's Kinect motion-based controller?

Picture this situation: you are relaxing on a couch after a hard day's work, and that expensive, fututistic tablet powered by Google's Android mobile operating system is connected to the home theatre system, churning out your favourite music files. And with a wave of your hand, the tablet automatically interpretes the gesture and switches over to another track, thus saving you the effort of having to get up and walk over to the device to do so.

Sounds futuristic? Perhaps, but don't be surprised if such features could find their way to Android-powered tablets in a matter of years, especially when hacker inguinity knows no bounds. Apparently, one such enterprising hacker known as HirotakaSter has managed to craft out a method which allows the Android operating system to interface with Microsoft's very own Kinect motion controller. What makes this act significant though, is the fact that this is reportedly the world's first successful attempt to get the Kinect in a semi-working state on the mobile OS.

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Notice that we said 'semi-working state' in the previous paragraph? Well, that's because the Kinect hack on Android is still pretty much in a work-in-progress state: at the time of writing, the Android-powered tablet may be able to recognize the device, but it is still incapable of translating typical Kinect gestures into workable commands yet. Indeed, all it can do right now is to transfer the Kinect's video grab onto the tablet's screen and interprete user distance information, as shown in the short clip below.

Unprintable Content (Video, Flash, etc.)

However, the fact that HirotakaSter was able to get the Android operating system to even recognize the Kinect motion sensor means that at least half the battle is already won. In fact, the only thing left for the hacker and modding community to do is to analyze the calls made by the Kinect controller to the Android OS and attempt to craft out a working API that is capable of bringing most of Kinect's functionality over to the Android platform. And when that happens...well, let's just say that the idea of contactless PC interaction is bound to receive a major boost.

Unfortunately, in order to do so, the community will need access to the hack written by HirotakaSter, and this is where there is an immediate obstacle to clear. Apparently, HirotakaSter has yet to pony up the source code he has written for Android hack, but it appears that the hacker community might not have to wait much longer for it. After all, sharing is a key aspect of the hacker culture, no?

Intel unveils Core i7 990X Extreme Edition processor February 15th, 2011

Intel has unveiled their new flagship six-core processor for the desktop, the Coire i7 990X Extreme Edition. While no official announcement has been made, the new CPU is expected to retail approximately at US$1,050.

Published by: VR-Zone

Hardware enthusiasts rejoice. The Intel's flagship six-core desktop CPU, the Core i7 990X Extreme Edition, is available for purchase online. However, don't expect the price to be affordable though; it retails around US$1,050 with shipping.

According to online sources, the 990X Extreme Edition comes unlocked and has a 12MB L3 cache. Built on 32nm manufacturing process, the CPU is clocked at 3.46GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Boost) and has 130W TDP. While Intel has not made official announcement about the launch of the chip, we expect the news to be out fairly soon. For the smart buyers, it seems like the 980X may be the better buy, though it is only $50 lesser than the 990X. Of course, that price tag could drop in time.

Pac'n Twit: putting the (Pac)Man into the tweet February 15th, 2011

When the Japanese say that they are born with the 'gaming DNA' infused into them right at birth, chances are that they are probably not kidding at all. After all, what other explanation can there be for a Japan-only app for twitter client that seems to be more PacMan than Twitter? Now, if only that app actually allowed you to play a full copy of PacMac...

It is not often that we talk about specific apps for a mobile platform, and for good reason. Regardless of the platform an app is designed for, one can definitely be sure that clones of it will start appearing on the App Store or Market within 24 hours or lesser. And when that happens, any novelty or uniqueness which the original app once boasted of is immediately reduced to nothing more than 'meh' status.

That being said, that does not stop us from combing the Internet for interesting mobile apps that we feel ought to be given a little more publicity, simply because they look unique enough to warrant a second glance. And once again, one can always leave it to the Japanese to churn out some of the most out-of-this-world apps, like this custom Twitter client below.

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Published by: VR-Zone

while giving us complete control over environmental and / or power load aspects, all while taking readings and recordings through laboratory interfaces and high accuracy instruments.

Apparently, the Japanese were not kidding when they boasted that they were born with gaming genes infused into their DNA, and this custom Twitter client is probably the best proof of that. After all, where else in the world can one find a Twitter client that has been (very) heavily skinned to resemble the stage of our favourite yellow dot-munching circle, complete with the authentic PacMan fonts that most of us grew up with?

That being said, here comes some bad news. Apparently, us folks over in South East Asia will have no chance to download the Pac'n Twit Twitter client for our iOS-powered devices, simply because the app is currently exclusive to Japanese iPhone users only. But then again, considering that it does not actually allow users to play a game of PacMan while twitting to buddies while on the go , perhaps it is not that great of a loss after all.

In order to create a real-world environment for our testing, we decided to modify and use a common SECC steel tower case for housing the power supplies during our testing. We installed three Watlow Firerods inside the case, rated at 500W power each, the output of which is being controlled by a common AC rheostat. The stock rheostat and its axle have been replaced with a multi-turn precision rheostat for accuracy, driven by a DC motor with a modified speed control circuit which is controlled by our CompuLAB interface and custom software.

In layman's terms, we only have to enter our desired ambient temperature in our software and it automatically adjusts the power of the Firerods to match it throughout our testing.

Main PT100 sensor and a 500W Firerod installed

Power Supply Unit Testing Methodology February 15th, 2011

Rheostat control

At VR-Zone.com, we continuously strive to provide you with the highest quality and most accurate product reviews.

Thoroughly and accurately testing a power supply is a complicated matter, not only because the testing has to be done in a controlled environment and with full control over the power load but also because laboratory grade instruments have to be used for taking readings. In order to achieve that, we designed a specialized testing station for computer power supplies, emulating real world conditions as closely as possible

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 14 Feb 2011 February 15th, 2011

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In today's news roundup: OCZ's RevoDrive X2 PCIe SSD, Jetway's Mini-ITX NC98-525E-LF motherboard, Lian Li's aluminium PC-V2120 chassis and ASUS's P7P55D Premium Intel P55 Express motherboard get reviewed, Antennagate returns with a vengeance on Apple's new CDMA-band iPhone 4 smartphones, Skype for iPhone has been updated to support the H.264 codec for video calls, Nokia confirms its new relationship with Microsoft and Windows Phone 7, effectively leaving Intel and its x86 platform in the lurch with MeeGo, and the popular Final Fantasy musical known as Distant Worlds has been confirmed to be making a comeback this year.

Hardware News: Alpenföhn Föhn 140 Wing Boost Fan Review @ Vortez Description: Rather unsurprisingly the fan itself looks very similar to the Föhn 120 from last year. Its dimensions are of course greater than the 120 and there are two sets of mount holes to accommodate both 120mm and 140mm fan mount holes. The 4pin PWM cable is covered by a rubberised braid which should offer a good deal of protection during install and usage.

Jetway Mini-ITX NC98-525E-LF Motherboard MultiMedia Review @ Madshrimps Description: Jetway is well know for their Mini-ITX motherboards. Based on the Intel Atom is this a perfect base for a small energy saving and environmental friendly HTPC or Home server system. Jetway provided us a D525 CPU and GT218 gpu motherboard and we will take it through a series of multimedia tests. Already served well in a previous review for Home Server we will only focus on the HTPC part.

Lian Li PC-V2120 Review @ ocaholic Description: Lian Li is well known for their high qualitiy aluminium comptuer cases but despite this the PC-V2120 is something special. It almost doesn't matter to which other case you compare this one to the PC-V2120 has almost no competition. Therefore we're really curious what's awaiting with this excellent looking case.

OCZ RevoDrive X2 PCIe Solid State Drive Review @ OCIA.net Description: The RevoDrive X2 is essentially an original RevoDrive with a daughter card piggybacked on top. This daughter card adds two additional SandForce controllers and room for more memory chips, bringing the total controller count to four. A RAID0 configuration manages the four controllers and memory chips, resulting in what OCZ proclaims is a blazing fast PCIe SSD solution. We were pretty impressed with the original RevoDrive and can only wonder if the follow-up product is equally as impressive.

ASUS ENGTX560 Ti DCII TOP Video Card @ Benchmark Reviews Description: Benchmark Reviews tests the ASUS ENGTX560 Ti DCII TOP. DCII means this card now comes with an improved version of the Direct CU cooler, now with 2 fans and adding dissipation area. They also tag this product as TOP because it sports a 900MHz GPU core instead of the 822MHz from the reference design and 1050MHz instead of 1000MHz from stock. Aside from that, ASUS also bundles their very own overclocking/monitoring software to modify frequency and voltage values and add some extra performance for free. !

Let's have a look at the ASUS ENGTX560 Ti and check if it

Published by: VR-Zone

can be a good contender against the competition, including the highly acclaimed GeForce GTX 460.

ASUS P7P55D Premium Intel P55 Express Motherboard Review Description: While much of Intel's world has been thrown into a tizzy by the Q1'2011 Intel P67/H67 chipset recall (initial B2 stepping only), we thought it timely to look in on Intel P55 motherboards from ASUS that offer some of the bells and whistles of Intel P67 platforms, with none of the bad recall aftertaste. The ASUS P7P55D-E Pro is one such board to consider, this review is going to focus on its nearly identical twin, the P7P55D Premium. We'll touch on TurboV Evo, Hybrid Phase, ExpressGate, MemOK, EPU, Fan Xpert and Stack Cool 3+...

D-Link Boxee Box DSM-380 (German) Description: (Machine translation) The D-Link Boxee Box (DSM-380) with Intel Atom CE4100 arrived Technic3D. The Boxee Box by D-Link brings all the stuff you normally watch on a computer to your TV; movies and TV programmes streamed from the Internet, 400 different apps that let you access content from most popular websites, and a full web browser.

The Boxee Box will also help you rediscover your own media collection by automatically identifying all the files on a hard drive or home network and then building a stunning visual media library for you. Technic3D will check the Features in the following Review...

Corsair Vengeance 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 Memory Kit (CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9) Review at Overclockers Online Description: The Corsair Vengeance is priced at the lower end of the market attracting educated buyers to pick a brand they know they can trust. Corsair doesn’t blindside them with an inferior product, instead they have themselves a great gem here. Corsair Vengeance 8GB PC3-12800 CAS 9 Vengeance let’s you run all of those memory intensive programs where a 2X2GB kit wouldn’t cut it.

Consumer Electronics and Software News: HP's ENVY 17 3D laptop now shipping for $2499 Description: HP's Envy 17 3D laptop is now shipping for $2,499. This laptop has a 17.3" Full-HD active-shutter 3D "ultra brightview" LCD display powered by AMD's 3D technology. Features include a Core i7-920XM CPU, 8GB memory, 1TB H/D, Blu-ray drive and Windows 7. It comes bundled with one pair of active-shutter 3D glasses.

Speck PixelSleeve 13” Laptop and Netbook Case Review @ TestFreaks Description: Speck loves the term ‘Pixel’. I have reviewed numerous Pixel dubbed items, mostly for the iPhone and iPad. Today we will look at a laptop carrying sleeve case designed for up to 13” laptops called the PixelSleeve. It can fit most 13” machines including the newest Apple MacBook Air 13” revision.

Sony Ericsson LiveView Micro Display Review @ DragonSteelMods Description: Our phones have become indispensible, they’re a huge part of our lives, they go with us everywhere, and they’ve become much more than just phones. Sony has decided to make them even more useful with the addition of a second screen called the LiveView that works with most any Android 12

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phone. The LiveView is a 1.3” Color OLED screen that has a ton of uses like checking your email, reading text messages, and checking Twitter and Facebook updates. The LiveView can be clipped most anywhere or worn as a watch. It can allow you to control your phone from a distance with the many plugins available for it like controlling your media player or even dialing your phone. It’s a very unique and rather useful little device.

Google Explains, Apologizes For, CR-48 Spam Description: Early this morning people who have received a Google CR-48 notebook, and people who’ve requested one, got hit with 100 or more emails from a newly created Google Group. Google sent out an email this evening apologizing for the emails and explaining what happened. Google was planning on launching the group next week for all users who have been selected to be in the program. But someone discovered it early and posted to it.

Skype for iPhone Update Description: Skype today announced that its Skype for iPhone app now supports H.264, one of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of high definition video. This small, but significant step now enables Skype for iPhone users to make video calls to the full range of Skype devices, including TVs from Panasonic and Samsung.

With Nokia Dating Microsoft, Intel Was Just Stood Up Description: Now that Nokia has chosen to dance with Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7, where does that leave Intel at the mobile prom? Without a date, that’s where. MeeGo for Intel has gone been relegated to experimental status and without a software platform, Intel has few mobile prospects. iPhone 4 Antennagate Returns, Still a Non-Story Description: Antennagate is back in the news thanks to the Verizon iPhone 4. The Inquirer has an article about it, decrying Apple’s willful negligence with the sub-title “Can’t keep a faulty design down.” Let’s put this faulty notion to bed, shall we?

Gaming News: Distant Worlds Final Fantasy Concert Begins April Description: Final Fantasy fans from US, UK and Australia will be having it lucky as Distant Worlds Final Fantasy concert will be held in these countries, beginning on 1st April in New York.

Here is a full schedule

Published by: VR-Zone

Quick hands on with OCosmos OCS1 and a look at future devices February 15th, 2011

OCosmos is not one of the most well-known manufacturers of hand held devices, but the company is trying its luck with what is a rather unique offering with its OCS 1 which is a 5-inch Windows 7 tablet PC, although we'd say it reminds us more of an MID than a tablet, but with the current tablet fad, why use a defunct term to describe your device? The OCS 1 isn't set to launch for a couple of months as yet, but that didn't stop the company from previewing a couple of mockups of future devices at its booth as well.

OCosmos is not one of the most well-known manufacturers of hand held devices, but the company is trying its luck with what is a rather unique offering with its OCS 1 which is a 5-inch Windows 7 tablet PC, although we'd say it reminds us more of an MID than a tablet, but with the current tablet fad, why use a defunct term to describe your device? The OCS 1 isn't set to launch for a couple of months as yet, but that didn't stop the company from previewing a couple of mockups of future devices at its booth as well.

Windows 7 gives away the fact that we're looking at an x86 powered device here and OCosmos has gone for a 1.5GHz Intel Oak Trail based CPU and it's paired with one to two GB of DDR2 and a 32 or 64GB SSD drive. The 5-inch screen features capacitive multi-touch and has a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. Other features include 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, a micro SD card slot, supposedly HDMI output (judging by the labels on the prototypes), USB 2.0 connectivity and optional 3G/UMTS. The OCS 1 sports a rear 3.1Megapixel camera as well as a front facing 1.3Megapixel camera and it does of course have integrated speakers and a microphone and headphone jack.

Ar Tonelico Qoga English Trailer Unveiled, Has Japanese Dubs Option Description: NIS America unveiled the English trailer of Ar Tonelico Qoga, slated for a release stateside on 15th March 2011, the game will include a Japanese vocal option for the folks who loves the vocals of Japanese seiyuu.

Microsoft Announces Defiant Map Pack DLC Description: Scheduled for this March, the Defiant Map Pack features three new maps set on, above, and below the besieged planet Reach, and represents the first DL...

However, what sets the OCS 1 apart from the competition is OCosmos unique OMOS key interface which are the eightway cursor buttons located on each side of the screen. These can be set up to work as either a mouse replacement or even a keyboard replacement by mapping keys to each of the directional movements of the cursor keys. We're not sure how 13

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well this will actually work in praxis, but it's an interesting approach at solving the keyboard problem. OCosmos is still waiting for the final graphics drives to become available but the company claims that you'll be able to play a wide selection of games on the OCS 1. On top of that, OCosmos has developed its own UI on top of Windows 7 which makes the OCS 1 easier to use which quick access to most programs through an icon driven launcher.

Published by: VR-Zone

Roccat Unleashes Kulo Gaming Headset February 15th, 2011

Roccat, a German-based manufacturer of numerous gaming peripherals and accessories, has expanded its diversified product portfolio from performance gaming mice to stereo headsets with the addition of Kulo.

Also on display was the OCS 9 tablet which features the same hardware as the OCS 1, but has a larger 9-inch screen with 1024x768 resolution. OCosmos is working on a couple of accessories for the OCS 9, of which one is a carry case with a built in battery pack and the other being a small wireless touch screen keyboard that also doubles up as a track pad and game controller.

Roccat, a German-based manufacturer of numerous gaming peripherals and accessories, has expanded its diversified product portfolio from performance gaming mice to stereo headsets with the addition of Kulo.

Also on display was a mockup of the next generation OCS 1 which features a detachable tablet part leaving the cursor controls attached to a rear plate allowing for a somewhat more pocket friendly device when on the road. As much as we like the concept behind OCosmos' products, we can't say we're sold on the overall platform, but OCosmos recon that people want a truly portable Windows device. They wouldn't go into details about the battery life, but the standard battery pack is a 4,000mAh unit which isn't terrible as long as the CPU is frugal enough. The final question is how much the OCS 1 will cost when it arrives in a couple of months' time, but we have a feeling it won't be entirely cheap.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Thermaltake, leading DIY thermal solutions brand, launch their newest and up to date most powerful CPU cooler, the Frio OCK. Continuing the legacy of the award winning original Frio cooler, the Frio OCK is yet once again setting new standards in the industry. With a whooping heat dissipation capacity of 240 W this powerful cooler is clearly leading the pack. Targeting particularly power users and ambitioned overlcockers, the Frio OCK comes with six 6 mm high-efficiency heatpipes that effectively transport heat from the base into two separate cooling towers. By adopting this dual-tower design the gap between both towers increases airflow and ventilation created by the dual fans.

Weighing just 178g, the lightweight gaming headset is optimised for gaming, music and voice chat. It boasts 40mm drivers with neodymium magnets (for great stereo audio output), Mylar membranes (for comfort), padded ear-cups (for noise isolation), two 3.5mm jacks, a slim in-line remote control, and a foldable noice-filtering microphone. The Kulo is expected to start shipping in April at a cost of â‚Ź59.99.

Thermaltake Unveils Frio OCK CPU Cooler February 15th, 2011

Thermaltake has announced the Frio OCK (OverClocker Kings) CPU cooler, targeting hardcore overclockers.

Measuring 143 x 136.8 x 158.4mm and weighing 1,093g, the dual tower cooler features a copper base, 0.4mm aluminum fins, six U-Shaped 6mm copper heat-pipes, and is cooled by two speed-adjustable 130mm fans that run at speeds of up to 2,100RPM at 48dBA. The Frio OCK CPU cooler, compatible with all Intel LGA 775/ 1155/ 1156/ 1366 and AMD AM2(+)/ AM3 processors, is expected to hit store shelves soon.

THERMALTAKE PRESS RELEASE

Frio OCK's design approach captures and embodies currently prevailing computer game elements, in particular the shape and color scheme is resembling a firm and powerful bunker as inspired by the popular PC game StarCraft II. In doing so, Thermaltake is trying to bring virtual game visuals into everyday life, resembling a manifestation of the fictional within the real.

The dual-fan module is not only unique by its looks, but furthermore offers several practical usage advantages.

Both fans are designed to work in tandem as a push-pullcombination where one fan pushes cold air over the tower fins, while the other fan on the opposite site pulls out hot air and then exhausts it through the cases back side. A convenient single fan speed control knob adjusts both fans in parallel to guarantee optimized airflow and maximize cooling efficiency.

The 130 mm high pressure OC fans can be tuned between 1200 RPM for normal operation and up to 2100 RPM in OC mode and under mission critical circumstances when in 24/7 operation.

As usual with top-notch Thermaltake products, particular attention is paid to ease-of-use, convenience and an overall satisfying user experience. Therefore the Frio OCK supplies a universal installation kit which is meant to keep users future ready for current CPU sockets, including the recently launched Sandy Bridge 1156 sockets. It probably has never been easier to become a true Overclocking King in your own right.

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Published by: VR-Zone

For more information about the Frio OCK go to: http://www.thermaltake.com/product_info.aspx?

PARENT_CID=C_00001645&id=C_00001646&name=Fr %c3%adoOCK&ov=&ovid=n&parent_cp

Introducing the Samsung GALAXY S II; world's slimmest smartphone February 15th, 2011

In addition to the GALAXY Tab 10.1 Android Honeycomb tablet, Samsung has also unveiled the GALAXY S II, which claims to be the world's slimmest smartphone.

Today, Samsung unveiled the GALAXY S II (Model: GTI9100), a beautifully thin (8.49mm) and lightweight, dualcore smartphone that boasts amazing viewing experience and impressive performance.

Running on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), the GALAXY S II offers users Samsung’s new content and entertainment hubs 16

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for instant access to music, games, e-reading and social networking services.

Powerful Performance Incorporating a dual-core application processor and advanced wireless network (HSPA+ 21) connectivity, the Samsung GALAXY S II boasts the speed and power for superior mobile performance. The processor can deliver compelling features including fast web browsing, multi-tasking, supreme graphics quality and responsive 3D user interface on the large screen.

With super-fast HSPA+ connectivity, the GALAXY S II offers rapid mobile download speeds.

The Samsung GALAXY S II is equipped with an 8-megapixel camera and can record videos in full high definition 1080p.

With Samsung’s patented AllShare technology, users can capture, create and then share their experiences hassle-free.

A Next Level of Viewing Experience The Samsung GALAXY S II also sports the new crystalclear Super AMOLED Plus screen that introduces the best in quality in color gamut, contrast ratio and edge sharpness.

With a wider viewing angle and increased visibility in outdoor, the Samsung GALAXY S II provides a more vibrant viewing experience and is more energy-efficient compared to other mobile devices.

Published by: VR-Zone

Android UI: now in stereoscopic 3D, thanks to Rightware February 15th, 2011

It is a well known fact that in order for a device to stand a chance of doing well in the market, both its underlying hardware and software must be a perfect match for each other.

Similarly, that concept can also be applied to smartphones.

After all, of what use is a 3D-capable smartphone if it does not have a 3D-capable UI for the user to take advantage of?

A New World of Entertainment and Smarter Interaction Samsung GALAXY S II offers various integrated mobile applications, called Samsung Hubs, designed to fit every element of your life.

- Social Hub Premium: Communication history, Instant Messaging status, and updates from social networking sites are all readily available. Users can access all types of messages (push e-mail, text, VM and SNS) and respond directly without resorting to individual applications.

- Readers Hub: Carry an enormous library of books, magazines and newspapers on-the-go. Samsung Readers Hub offers over 2.2 million books and novels, 2,000 global and local newspapers in 49 languages and 2,300 popular magazines in 22 languages.

- Game Hub: Featuring a 3-axis gyroscopic sensor, the Samsung GALAXY S II lets you try games for free, or download premium titles from partners like Gameloft.

- Music Hub: Access over 12 million tracks from 7digital.

Discover what's hot from top charts, search for favorite music, get recommendations on albums, enjoy previews and download them directly to Samsung GALAXY S II. For added connectivity, WiFi Direct allows consumers to connect to wireless-enabled PCs and printers without the need for wireless access points. The GALAXY S II is able to incorporate Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to support emerging mobile payment service and other services with mobile operators.

Smartphones. We all love them, don't we? After all, no other device on the market today offers users the luxury of being able to experience the 'full web' from the luxury of a highly portable device such as a mobile phone while on the move. And as we all know, the Internet is just that indispensable to our lives today, especially when searching for Facebook and Twitter updates about how your best friend's friend's neighbour's son's pet dog just celebrated its first birthday while on the bus makes for more important information than that email from the supervisor screaming down your neck over a missed deadline.

Of course, it goes without saying that any device which is marked for consumer usage will often find itself getting its guts routinely upgraded every few months so that trend followers can justify breaking their piggy banks for new products with 'upgraded hardware and features'. And with OEMs keen to hop on the 3D bandwagon, it should come as no surprise that smartphones featuring stereoscopic 3D displays are starting to make their entrance in the market. But why stop at 3D displays when you can have a fully functional 3D interface to go along with the package?

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Published by: VR-Zone

more than 132 million units worldwide this year, amd over 50 tablets expected to support Flash Player in 2011.

Adobe is also showcasing their latest Flash Player 10.2 along with additional performance advancements. The new release includes support for innovative new features including Stage Video, which delivers much improved video performance through optimizing hardware acceleration on mobile devices, desktops and TVs. Tests show up to 80 percent CPU savings when playing back 1080p video on Windows and Mac OS. Stage Video support for mobile devices will also be available on Android 3.0 “Honeycomb� and BlackBerry Tablet OS. Apparently, it seems that a company known as Rightware has managed to produce an actual 3D user interface for the mobile Android operating system used in the majority of smartphones and tablets today. According to an article by Ubergizmo, Rightware's 3D stereoscopic user interface or Spectrum UI is based of the compan's own Kanzi UI, which is "a platform for displaying complex 3D UIs on mobile devices".

And since attempting to describe a 3D user interface with words alone does not do the product any justice, we have included a short video which demonstrates the capabilities and visual appeal of the Spectrum UI. Looks great, doesn't it?

Arctic Debuts Freezer 13 Pro CPU Cooler February 15th, 2011

Arctic Cooling has unveiled the Freezer 13 Pro CPU cooler, promising improved performance over its predecessor, the Freezer 13 that was launched in October 2010.

Adobe showcases better Flash performance on mobile phones February 15th, 2011

At the Mobile World Congress, Adobe showcased performance advancements with their Flash Player 10.2 and the company has expressed high expectations on the mobile adoption of Flash Player and AIR.

Arctic Cooling has unveiled the Freezer 13 Pro CPU cooler, promising improved performance over its predecessor, the Freezer 13 released in October 2010.

Adobe has announced that more than 20 million smartphones were shipped or upgraded with Flash Player 10.1 software on over 35 certified devices in the first six months following the launch. The company expects Flash Player to be supported on

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Measuring 134 x 96 x 159mm and weighing 902g, the massive cooler has four U-shaped 8mm copper heat-pipes, fourtyseven 0.5mm-thick aluminum fins, a copper base, and is cooled by two fluid dynamic bearing fans - a PWM 120mm and 50mm model that operates at 300 ~ 1250RPM and 700 ~ 2700RPM respectively.

Published by: VR-Zone

It is compatible with all Intel LGA 775/ 1155/ 1156/ 1366 and AMD S754/ S939/ AM2(+)/ AM3 processors and comes with pre-applied MX-4 thermal grease. The Freezer 13 Pro, covered by a 6-year warranty, is available through authorized resellers and e-tailers at a MSRP of US$54.90/ â‚Ź39.90 (without VAT).

MPEG LA declares war on VP8, calls for submission of patents essential to its implementation February 15th, 2011

Remember how Apple's Steve Jobs claimed that the MPEG LA was already in the process of forming a patent pool to 'go after' Google's free VP8 codec when the latter was first released? Well, it seems like the MPEG LA has finally drawn first blood by calling for the submission of patents that it deems essential to the implementation of the VP8 codec used in Google's WebM online video format.

The cold war between Google and the MPEG LA over the legitimacy of the VP8 video codec currently used in YouTube and a handful of browsers may have dragged on long enough, but it remains clear that the MPEG LA is not about to tolerate any form of action that might see itself losing control of what has to be one of the world's widely used video codecs today, especially when royalties are concerned.

And just as we have expected, the firm that specializes in the licensing of patent pools relating to audio-visual technology has decided that the time has finally come to take action.

In an announcement posted on its website, MPEG LA has officially declared a patent war on VP8, claiming that the firm is actively socializing the aid of parties which believe that they have in their possession any patents which would be essential to the implementation of the royalty-free codec. The patents in question would then be submitted to the MPEG LA for evaluation, and submissions which are deemed relevant enough will be included for use in the firm's offensive against

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VP8. Parties interested in taking part in the MPEG LA's patent pool process have until March 18 to make their submissions.

Published by: VR-Zone

for patent submissions over the codec could mean that it has got no relevant patents to pin any infringement claims on VP8, thus reinforcing Google's claim that VP8 was indeed designed from ground up to specifically avoid getting into trouble over such patent pools.

Either way, the die has already been cast, and this time, it is the MPEG LA that has drawn first blood in what appears to be a rather unpleasent patent war over the royalty-free VP8 codec.

And if one cannot help but wonder why all these sounds so familiar, this is because a similar case has actually happened before. Remember Microsoft's VC-1 run-in with the MPEG LA a long time ago? Oh yeah, Microsoft got thwarted. Let's see how Google will fare this time.

Needless to say, Google would not have any of it. In an email response sent to The Register, the search giant rubbished the MPEG LA's move by claiming that its own licenses require that users not be allowed to make patent claims against the royaltyfree codec.

MPEG LA has alluded to a VP8 pool since WebM launched - this is nothing new. The web succeeds with open, community-developed innovation, and the WebM Project brings the same principles to webvideo.

The vast majority of the industry supports free and open development, and we’re in the process of forming a broad coalition of hardware and software companies who commit to not assert any IP claims against WebM. We are firmly committed to the project and establishing an open codec for HTML5 video. The WebM license says that if you use the technology, you can't make patent claims against it.

LG unveils new mobile devices at Mobile World Congress 2011 February 15th, 2011

LG has unveiled their latest lineup of mobile devices at the Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. The devices include the LG Optimus 3D smartphone and Optimus Pad tablet.

For those wondering why Google would choose to compete head-on with an open and widely-used video codec, one must remember that H.264 is not royalty free, especially where playback capabilities are involved. This means browsers vendors wishing to implement H.264 support in their products have to pay licensing fees to the MPEG LA, a move which popular browser developers Mozilla, Google and Opera are opposed to, seeing it as a move that hurts the 'free web'.

As such, it is little wonder why these developers, along with the W3C body, are willing to support Google's VP8 over H264.

And with Microsoft's neutral but generally positive response to the codec, it is clear that VP8 is gaining traction, and that is enough to get the MPEG LA concerned about the state of support the online ecosystem has for H.264.

Needless to say, if enough patent submissions make their way to the firm to allow for the creation of a patent pool, one can be very sure that the first thing MPEG LA will do is to impose royalties on VP8, thus destroying the very reason the codec was created in the first place. After all, there is plenty of money in the form of licensing revenue at stake, considering just how widely used H.264 is at the moment.

However, one might also be able to take comfort in the fact that the MPEG LA's call for patent submission could be considered as an act of desperation. After all, with patent pools for H.264, MPEG 2 and MPEG 4 under its belt, it would have been very easy for the firm to discover instances of patent infringement on VP8's part. The fact that MPEG LA has to find itself calling

LG has introduced two new flagship devices at Mobile World Congress (MWC) - the LG Optimus 3D, a smartphone with superior 3D performance, and the LG Optimus Pad designed with Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS. The company have recently introduced the LG Optimus 2X which claims to be the world`s first dual-core smartphone; LG Optimus Black, one of the world`s slimmest and brightest smartphones; and LG Revolution, the company`s first 4G LTE network compatible phone. The products are also showcased at MWC. LG Optimus 3D The LG Optimus 3D is equipped with 1GHz OMAP4 dual-core processor and four times more video decoders than competing designs, which lets users enjoy superb performance while 20

February 15th, 2011

web surfing, running applications and enjoying multimedia content. In addition, the LG Optimus 3D provides the world's first full 3D experience, from recording to viewing and sharing 3D content. It features a dual-lens camera that enables users to capture any moment in true 3D which can then be viewed immediately on its 4.3-inch WVGA glasses-free display. Connectivity options include HDMI and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) for users to transfer their recorded content to other devices.

LG Optimus Pad The LG Optimus Pad untilizes an 8.9-inch display in a form factor that is comfortable to use one-handed. With a 15:9 aspect ratio and Full HD 1080p decoding, the tablet offers an immersive multimedia environment on a 1280 x 768 WXGA resolution widescreen display. The new device sports Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), Google's latest platform optimized for tablet devices with intuitive PC-like interface for running tablet software. LG`s tablet runs on a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor for outstanding performance and power management. The LG Optimus Pad also claims to be the world`s first tablet with a built-in 3D camera that allows users to capture image and video content that can be viewed on a high definition 3D TV or shared on YouTube 3D.

Yet another iPhone 5 rumour?

February 15th, 2011

The iPhone 5 may have yet to see the light of day outside of Apple's research labs, but one can be sure that with a device as popular as the iPhone, speculation and rumours about upcoming products can never be far behind. And needless to say, we have gone down to dig up some of the more recent bits of information about Apple's upcoming phone from the rumour mill.

Published by: VR-Zone

breaking the piggy bank when the device is released. After all, smartphones are not the cheapest consumer electronic devices available on the market today, and chances are you'd want to have a little more information about whether you will be getting your money's worth when the iPhone 5 eventually gets released for retail.

While we are not about to go around hoping that an Apple employee might 'accidently' leave an iPhone 5 prototype behind for us to play around with, the good news is that the Internet rumour mill is alive and open for business. And apparently, the information we have found seems to concur with what reputable sources have been claiming about Apple's upcoming smartphone.

According to the latest speculation from a Chinese website known as GizChina, one of the more significant upgrades users can expect from the upcoming iPhone 5 lies in the proprietary Apple A4 processor. Apparently, the upcoming iPhone 5 will receieve a significant speed bump in the form of an upgraded variant of the A4 CPU which is supposedly clocked at 1.5GHz, or 500MHz faster than the A4 processor currently found in the iPads.

In addition to the speed bump, it appears that Apple's patents regarding OLED technology which we spoke about earlier might come into play here, as GizChina claims that the upcoming iPhone 5 might ditch the traditional LCD screen in favor of OLED displays. Once again, this makes sense, as a more powerful processor would typically consume more energy, and OLED technology has been known to provide better power efficiency as opposed to traditional LCD displays.

By utilizing OLED displays in its upcoming iPhone, Apple would be in a better position to offer users a lethal combination of high-performance smartphone computing and long battery life.

Last but not least, the image shown above hints at the removal of the physical 'Home' button, with a slightly smaller touchsensitive panel taking its place.

So you want that shiny iPhone 5 Apple has been teasing you with for the past few months, don't you? That is fine and all, but like most sensible customers, merely having a device stamped with the Apple logo is not a good-enough reason to justify

That being said, all these bits of information are nothing more than rumours floating about the depths of cyberspace. As such, there are bound to be issues with accuracy, especially when Apple has been known to make hardware changes to its devices at little to no notice. Still, it does give users a hint as to what they might be able to expect from the Cupertino giant, especially when its iconic iPhone is concerned. And of course, rumours always make for good reading material, as long as you

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remember that such information should always be taken with a huge truckload of salt.

Source and image: GizChina

Samsung launches Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android Honeycomb tablet

Published by: VR-Zone

super-fast HSPA+ 21Mbps, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n for fast mobile and wireless connectivity.

Super Talent Releases DataGuardian Secure Flash Drive February 15th, 2011

February 15th, 2011

Samsung has announced the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 (model: P7100) Android tablet at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The new tablet is running Android 3.0 Honeycomb and claims to provide superb multimedia experience to users.

Super Talent Technology has launched the DataGuardian, an affordable secure flash drive for the mainstream users.

Available in 4Gb, 8Gb and 16Gb variants, these USB 2.0 compact flash drives boast a password system and are able to block auto-play malware attacks.

Super Talent Technology today announced the DataGuardian TM, a password protected USB flash drive that makes data security easy, affordable and usable.

By now almost everyone who owns a PC is familiar with USB flash drives. They are incredibly useful and have become an indispensible part of our computing environments. We all know that we should be using a secure solution, but the fact is security solutions are expensive, cumbersome and limit the usefulness of a flash drive. Most security solutions require the installation of a program, managing public/ private partitions and administrative rights. These limitations often create more problems then they solve and have dramatically slowed the adoption of secure USB devices.

Samsung, in partnership with Vodafone Group, has announced the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 (model: P7100) that features a powerful dual-core Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) Smart Media Device, designed to deliver superb mobile entertainment experience.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 sports a 10.1-inch (WXGA TFT LCD) display with crystal clear 1280 x 800 resolution for immersive experience with hundreds of thousands of games and applications available from Android Market. It also comes with dual surround-sound speakers to give a complete multimedia experience.

The Samsung features a 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with Auto Focus and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls. With the Android browser and Flash 10.1, the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 claims to be the perfect tool for consuming the world of the internet content wherever you are.

Equipped with a 1GHz dual core application processor, low power DDR2 memory and 6860mAh battery, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 offers fast and powerful multimedia and web browsing experience, in an energy efficient way.

Finally, there's a solution to keep your data safe without public and private partitions or even the need for software. Simply plug in the DataGuardian and an application is automatically launched from the drive's firmware (on-chip). Simply enter your password and you will have access to your data; unplug the drive and the drive is secure once again. The DataGuardian also blocks all Auto-run based malware attacks; a malware propagation technique that as become the #1 distribution method for recent virus attacks targeted at USB flash drives.

"We developed the DataGuardian based on input from our customers. Security is a basic need for portable data storage and so is the ability to use it anywhere. The challenge was to make it simple. The DataGuardian does just that," says CH Lee, chief operating officer of SuperTalent.

The SuperTalent DataGuardian Secure Flash Drive are now shipping.

It weighs just 599g and measures a mere 10.9mm slim, which makes it easy to carry around with. Samsung has also included

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Sony Ericsson launches the Xperia PLAY, we go hands on February 15th, 2011

The much anticipated and already leaked Sony Ericsson Xperia Play was launched last night at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain and VR-Zone was on location to get an early hands-on with the new PlayStation certified mobile gaming Android handset. Although the units on display weren't final production handset, we were impressed with what we saw and it's clear that Sony Ericsson is serious about its Android based products.

The much anticipated and already leaked Sony Ericsson Xperia Play was launched last night at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain and VR-Zone was on location to get an early hands-on with the new PlayStation certified mobile gaming Android handset. Although the units on display weren't final production handset, we were impressed with what we saw and it's clear that Sony Ericsson is serious about its Android based products.

Although only four games were playable at the launch event, namely Crash Bandicoot, Star Battalion, FIFA and Asphalt, Sony Ericsson said that the Xperia PLAY will ship with six to seven pre-installed games and as many as 50 downloadable titles will be available at launch. We got some hands on time with Star Battalion which is something of a StarFox clone with reasonably impressive 3D graphics and the game was very responsive during play. The only games of the ones demoed that is part of the PlayStation Pocket app was Crash Bandicoot, but more titles are expected here as well, although as these games are actual PS One titles, we presume they're being ported over to the Xperia PLAY and this might take some time.

So don't expect to find PSP titles on the Xperia PLAY, instead you're looking at PS One games, but this might not be a bad thing.

Published by: VR-Zone

Arts, Fishlabs, Gamehouse, Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Handy Games, Namco Bandai Networks, Polarbit, PopCap, Trendy Entertainment and Unity Tecnologies. As for specific titles we're looking at Need for Speed, the Sims 3 and FIFA 10 from EA, Gameloft promised to have 10 of their best-selling games ready at launch with over 20 titles available over the next six months and with version of Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell arriving first and finally GLU Mobile/Activision is said to be bringing Guitar Hero to the Xperia PLAY. Many of these titles should be available via the Android Marketplace and might as such not be exclusive to the Xperia Play.

That takes care of the games, but what about the hardware?

Well, don't expect the Xperia PLAY to be the fastest device announced during the Mobile World Congress, as it has a single core 1GHz Qualcomm Scorpion SoC with Adreno 205 graphics, although Sony Ericsson didn't specify the exact model, although it's very likely that it's the MSM8655, especially as the Xperia PLAY is said to be launching on Verizon in the US first. What's rather disappointing is the fact that the Xperia PLAY only has 400MB of user accessible memory and there was no mention of how much RAM it has, although it's likely to be 512MB.

The 4-inch capacitive multi-touch screen has a native resolution of 854x480 pixels and can display 16 million colours. What we did note is that it's quite a finger print magnet and it smudges very easily, at least on the prototypes that were on display, so make sure you have something to polish it with handy if you decide to get one. It also has a 5.1Megapixel rear camera with auto focus and an LED light, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Wi-Fi, aGPS, a micro USB port and a 3.5mm audio jack. The battery life is said to be good for up to 8h and 25min talk time in GSM mode, up to 6h 25min in UMTS/3G and 7h 40min in CDMA2000 mode while you'll get about 5h 30min worth of game play time out of it. The downside of having your phone and your handheld console in a single device is of course when you've been playing games for a few hours, there might not be enough battery life left for making calls, but hey, such is life.

Beyond games from Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Ericsson has teamed up with several software launch partners which includes Digital Chocolate, Digital Legends, Electronic 23

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Published by: VR-Zone

Dell Streak review: Streaking its way into the hearts of consumers February 15th, 2011

A few other interesting features worth pointing out is the ability to host multi-player games between to handsets by setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot on one handset and the ability to play multi-player games against users on consoles and PCs. Sony Ericsson will also offer an optional dock for the Xperia PLAY called the DK300 and it will be available in black or white. We're not really sold on the dock though, as the Xperia PLAY attaches to it via the micro USB port and the 3.5mm audio jack and these ports are replicated at the rear of the dock.

The idea is that it's meant to make it easier to charge the phone and connect it to a stereo while it also has a built in application trigger that launches the desktop alarm application on the handset.

As far as the phone side is concerned, the Xperia PLAY comes with the usual selection of features you'd expect from an Android device, although in this case the UI has been tweaked quite a lot by Sony Ericsson. That said, unlike some custom Android UI's Sony Ericsson has come up with a version that works quite well. Finally the Xperia PLAY is expected to hit retail sometime in March in the US, although as far as the rest of the world is concerned the launch date is early spring and of course no pricing was announced.

It is a dog-eat-dog world out there where tablets PCs are concerened, and the success of Apple's iPad can only mean one thing: more OEMs are going to get into the game in an attempt to deliver their own 'iPad killer'. And with tablets and slate PCs of all form factors starting to flood the market, VR-Zone takes a look at Dell's Streak to see how it stacks up against the competition.

As far as tablets are concerned, consumers often find themselves faced with a wide variety of hardware and software choices which, on closer inspection, actually appear to offer no more choices than what they already had back in the world of desktop and notebook PCs. For all the various hardware configurations offered by desktop and notebook PC OEMs today, consumers generally only had three real choices to make, and that is to get a machine that comes pre-loaded with one of the three most comonly-used operating systems.

Namely, Microsoft's Windows, Apple's Mac OS X and in very rare cases, a Linux distribution.

Unfortunately, things are no different here in the tablet/slatelike PC market. While OEMs may attempt to differentiate their products by offering unique hardware configurations, the fact remains that users are still faced with the same three choices. Of course, the main difference now is that the OS choice is now that between Windows 7 (again), Apple's 'closed-is-awesome-because-we-own-your-device' iOS and Google's 'open-is-the-best-because-we-cannot-let-evil-Appletake-over-the-world' Android operating system.

But herein lies the question: does an oversized smartphone on steriods even count as a slate-like PC device? Well, we shall see.

But before that, here is a quick listing of the Dell Streak's technical specifications.

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Dell Streak Pocket Tablet Technical Specifications Bundled Operating System Processor Frequency Bands

Display

Cameras

Memory

Published by: VR-Zone

Android 2.2 (Froyo) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8250 platform UTMS 2100 / 1900 / 850 MHz GSM/EDGE 1900 / 1800 / 900 / 850 MHz HSDPA / HSUPA:HSDPA 7.2 Mbps / HSUPA 5.76 Mbps 5" (12.7 cm) WVGA (800 x 480) in-cell TFT LCD supporting multi-touch 5.0M Rear-Facing Auto-Focus Camera + VGA Front-Facing Camera 512 MB ROM + 512 MB SDRAM + 2 GB non-user accessible MicroSD for system & applications files only

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The Eee Pad Slider, Eee Pad Transformer, Eee Pad MeMO and Eee Slate EP121 are available with three screen sizes, and a choice of either Google Android or Windows 7 Home Premium operating systems.

The Eee Pad and Eee Slate tablets claim to deliver full multimedia experience with high definition (HD) video, broad connectivity options and the widest range of media compatibility with standards like Adobe Flash. Capacitive touchscreens are standard throughout, as is stylus input and support for external HDMI displays.

Location-Aware Smartphone Services The ASUS ‘seamless mobility’ concept extends to pocket-size devices too, and there are a number of ASUS smartphones at MWC. Powered by Google Android, the models all include location-aware services that help users connect with the wider world when they’re on the move with intuitive bespoke user interfaces.

Published by: VR-Zone

a chance to see the ViewPad 10Pro, as ViewSonic had some problems with the demo unit when we visited their booth.

The ViewPad 10s is a Tegra 250 based 10-inch tablet with 512MB of DDR2 memory and a mere 512Mb of Flash memory that is currently running Android 2.2. The display has a native resolution of 1024x600 and ViewSonic is offering a model with Wi-Fi only and one with Wi-Fi and HSPA connectivity. The specs aren't that convincing though, as you only get 802.11b/ g Wi-Fi and ViewSonic has only fitted a 1.3Megapixel camera.

Other features include Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, a micro SD card slot, an HDMI port, a USB 2.0 port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It's not the tablet we'd buy, but we'd expect it to be fairly affordable when it launches.

Smart Cloud Storage for Every Device ASUS will also demonstrate its range of cloud-based services at MWC. This includes ASUS Webstorage that offers automatic data backup, easy access to personal data from any location and instant file sharing. Webstorage adds to the portability and flexibility of user data, freeing consumers from the constraints of physical hard drives, while providing robust privacy and security measures.

ASUS Webstorage makes massive amounts of online storage available, which can then be accessed from any internetconnected device — smartphone, notebook, netbook, tablets such as the ASUS Eee Pad range and even a desktop PC. Entertainment is also part of ASUS’ cloud-based service lineup - the @VIBE portal offers a huge range of online multimedia and educational content, or the MEar music streaming service.

Hands on with ViewSonic's new Android devices February 17th, 2011

The ViewPad 4 on the other hand is an interesting device, least not by ViewSonic's definition of what a tablet is. The ViewPad 4 has a 4.1-inch screen and is as such considered a tablet by ViewSonic, while anything 4-inches or below is a smartphone.

Terminology apart, the ViewPad 4 sports a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 SoC, tri-band HSPA with download speeds of up to 14.4Mbit, quad band GSM, 512MB of RAM, 2GB of Flash memory, 800x480 pixel screen resolution, a rear 5Megapixel camera and a front facing VGA camera, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, aGPS, a micro HDMI and USB port and a 3.5mm headset jack.

It should ship with Android 2.4 when it launches and if the price point is right we can see this being another big seller for ViewSonic.

After its success with the ViewPad 7, ViewSonic is continuing to expand its lineup of tablets and at the Mobile World Congress we got to spend a few minutes with ViewSonic's latest additions, the ViewPad 4 and ViewPad 10s as well as its new dual-SIM 3G Android handset, the V350. Sadly we didn't get a chance to see the ViewPad 10Pro, as ViewSonic had some problems with the demo unit when we visited their booth.

After its success with the ViewPad 7, ViewSonic is continuing to expand its lineup of tablets and at the Mobile World Congress we got to spend a few minutes with ViewSonic's latest additions, the ViewPad 4 and ViewPad 10s as well as its new dual-SIM 3G Android handset, the V350. Sadly we didn't get

Finally the V350 is more of a budget handset with a 3.5-inch 480x320 resolution display, a 600MHz processor, Android 2.2 and of course Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. What sets the V350 apart from every other Android handset in the market is that it has a pair of SIM card slots, both supporting HSPA and both running at the same time. As such you can make and answer calls from two numbers without having to power cycle or 13

February 17th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

something similarly frustrating to access the second SIM card.

It's also a very light handsets for its size at 125g and although we don't know the price of the V350, we're expecting this to be a fairly budget friendly handset judging by the hardware features, despite the addition of support for a second SIM card.

Intel talks 32nm Atom and Android, demoes MeeGo tablet February 17th, 2011

Intel didn't have a ton of new things to show at the Mobile World Congress beyond its new XMM platform for smartphones and tablets, but one thing the company is communicating very clearly at the show is that Intel will have Atom powered phones in the market later this year. These will be based on Intel's upcoming 32nm Medfield Atom processor which the company claimed will offer at least the same kind of standby power as the competition, presumably referring to ARM based products here. Intel also showed off a MeeGo tablet based on the Oak Trail Atom processor, although the company will also actively support Android on both tablets and smartphones.

Intel didn't have a ton of new things to show at the Mobile World Congress beyond its new XMM platform for smartphones and tablets, but one thing the company is communicating very clearly at the show is that Intel will have Atom powered phones in the market later this year. These will be based on Intel's upcoming 32nm Medfield Atom processor which the company claimed will offer at least the same kind of standby power as the competition, presumably referring to ARM based products here. Intel also showed off a MeeGo tablet based on the Oak Trail Atom processor, although the company will also actively support Android on both tablets and smartphones.

Intel wouldn't say too much about its upcoming 32nm Medfield Atom processor, although the company is currently sampling processors to its partners which is suggesting that we should see the first devices within the next six months or so. What is clear is that Intel is very serious about getting into the mobile phone market space, one way or another and its announcement that it's now officially supporting Android is a clear indication of this. It's not as if Intel has that many other options to be fair, despite the fact that Intel is still pushing MeeGo quite heavily.

To that effect, the company was demoing a MeeGo tablet from EXOPC running a pane based UI, although we can't say that we're sold on this approach after a quick play with the tablet.

That said, MeeGo is quite flexible when it comes to UI's and this is just one of many options and an attempt at doing something different. Some of the functionality worked quite well, but not the concept as a whole. The navigation experience was kind of peculiar as well, not helped by the fact that the home/back button was an optical sensor at the top left hand side of the screen. This wasn't a very intuitive way of navigating compared to every other touch screen based OS/UI we've used in the past and took a little time to figure out.

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see some very interesting projects being submitted. The voting will be open to the public and will commence on the 16th of May, so for those that want to compete, the projects have to be finished by the 15th of May. The winners will be announced on the 31st of May which happens to be the first day of Computex this year.

There will be a first prize, two second prize and three third prize winners in each of the categories and there's also a bonus category where Cooler Master will award a special prize to what they think is the project that had the best effort put into it. Prize sponsors include AMD, EVGA, Gigabyte, Kingston, Patriot, PowerColor, THQ, Zotac and of course Cooler Master themselves.

Intel also mentioned that it was disappointed with the fact that Nokia has decided to more or less drop its support for MeeGo before the OS has even had a chance to show what it can do. We can sort of understand Intel's sentiment, especially as Nokia didn't give Intel a lot of head warning and it was a very key partner in the project. We have a feeling that MeeGo will have too small of a market share in the smartphone market to ever really make it, although as a tablet OS it might still have a fair chance.

Some of the things you can win include SSD drives, Radeon HD 6900 series graphics cards, motherboards, memory, a bunch of different products from Cooler Master including a case of your choice, a 1200W PSU, coolers, portable chargers, mice and in the case of THQ, it's soon to launch and much anticipated Homefront. Sounds like a competition worth entering to us if you're skilled with power tools and knows how to make a case mod that really stands out.

Facebook Launches Facebook Places in Singapore February 17th, 2011

Cooler Master kicks off case mod competition February 17th, 2011

If you want a chance to win a part of prizes worth an estimated US$15,000 and see yourself as the greatest case modder on this planet, then you want to check out Cooler Master's 2011 case mod competition. The registration opened today and it's open to anyone over the age of 18 worldwide. There are two categories to compete in this year and three prize categories, so even if you're not a professional case modder, there's a good chance of winning a prize.

If you want a chance to win a part of prizes worth an estimated US$15,000 and see yourself as the greatest case modder on this planet, then you want to check out Cooler Master's 2011 case mod competition. The registration opened today and it's open to anyone over the age of 18 worldwide. There are two categories to compete in this year and three prize categories, so even if you're not a professional case modder, there's a good chance of winning a prize.

Facebook today announced the launch of Facebook Places in Singapore. Already available in some countries, Facebook Places allows you to “check-in” and share with your friends where you are and who you’re with, find friends who are nearby and discover new places your friends like – all in real time.

Ever felt the need to keep tabs on where your real-life friends on Facebook are currently at so that you might be able to know if they happen to be in the very same location you are currently at? If you do, an announcement made by the world's most popular online social networking service would probably be the news that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Apparently, Facebook has just announced the launch of Facebook Places in Singapore. For those who are unaware, Facebook Places is a service which allows users to “check-in” and share your location with friends in real time.

The two competition categories consist of either modifying a tower case or building your own case mod from scratch. This makes for a very open competition and we should hopefully 15

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specifications. And this especially applies if one happens to want said consumer electronics devices to look almost like the real deal sold globally by established OEMs, but at a mere fraction of the latter's asking price.

Facebook Places is available to users in Singapore with mobile access to the Facebook application for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, HP webOS, and Windows Phone 7, or to touch.facebook.com. When you use Places, you'll be able to see if any of your friends are currently checked in nearby and connect with them easily. You can also check into nearby Places to tell your friends where you are, tag your friends in the Places you visit together, and view comments your friends have made about the Places you visit.

That being said, not every single consumer electronic device in China has to be a clone: apparently, there are original products which bear little to no resemblance to the popular products sold by established OEMs globally. And Phecda's latest product: an ultrathin 13.3-inch notebook powered by NVIDIA's ION2 platform, is living proof that there is still some degree of originality left in the Middle Kingdom.

How to use Facebook Places?

1. Go to the “Places” icon within the Facebook mobile applications or touch.facebook.com, then tap the “Check In” button, which will pull up a list of places near you.

2. Choose the place that matches where you are. If there isn’t one already in the list, users can search for it or create a new one.

3. Tap the “Check in” button to share that you are at the place. Users can also add comments and tag friends.

With Places, users are in control of what they share and with whom they share. They choose whether or not to share their location when they check in at a place, and only friends can see when they do, unless users choose to set their privacy setting otherwise. When users check in, they can tag friends who are with them but only if their settings allow it. When they are tagged, they are always notified.

Currently codenamed the P13, Phecda's ultrathin notebook looks anything but generic. Apparently, Phecda has pulled out all the stops by opting to furnish the P13 with premium aluminium for its exterior instead of cheap, generic plastic.

Unfortunately, the hardware used in the P13 is anything but premium: instead of the CULV processor typically found in such thin-and-light notebooks, Phecda apparently decided that the dual-core Intel Atom D525 processor would provide sufficient computing horsepower for most of today's basic tasks.

Chinese notebook gets a diet with ultrathin form factor, ION2 and even thinner pricetag

Fortunately, it seems that the weak processor was the only compromise Phecda has made in order to produce an ultrathin notebook which does not magically shrinks one's wallet after purchase. At least, the P13's screen is capable of a respectable 1366 x 768 resolution and comes with a myriad of I/O and connectivity options such as a 5-in-1 card reader and three USB 2.0 ports, along with both a VGA and HDMI-out port for external display purposes.

February 17th, 2011

China might be a great country for shopping if one desires to load up on cheap consumer electronic devices which bear more than a passing resemblance to existing products but at a fraction of the latter's selling price. However, that does not mean that the world's largest clone producer does not have its own set of original bang-for-buck devices for the domestic market, and the release of a new ultrathin notebook from Phecda should be proof of that.

It is probably common knowledge by now, but it stands that China is still the best place to buy cheap consumer electronic devices such as notebooks and tablets with decent hardware 16

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Certainly, such bold words bring about much controversy as fanboys of both DSLR and compact cameras argue the pros and cons of their beloved camera. Fast forward to 2011, Panasonic has launched the improvised Lumix DMC-GF2, the successor to the GF1.

Our review model (DMC-GF2C) came with a 14mm f/2.5 pancake lens and sports a white exterior and packed in a rather humble looking box. Compared with the GF1, the new GF2 is approximately 19% smaller in size and approximately 7% lighter.

That being said, there seems to be one major flaw with Phecda's ultrathin P13 notebook, and it lies in the fact that the bundled 2200mAh lithion-ion battery is reportedly only capable of sustaining up to two hours of usage on a single charge. But if that does not sound like a serious enough flaw to affect your mobile productivity, the P13 can be had for only a mere US$365 (approx S$467), though you will have to get a Chinese friend to purchase one for you: they are exclusive to China only. Dang.

Source and images: M.I.C Digi

The GF2's interface has been redesigned to compliment the touchscreen technology included in the camera. The popup flash unit has been redesigned, it pops forward rather than popping up, an improvement to reduce vignetting. Of course, the most noticable change is the removal of the physical model dial in the camera and includes a dedicated Intelligent Auto (iA) button.

Technical specifications have been bumped up in the GF2 and noticable changes include the highest ISO that has been bumped up to 6400, built-n stereo microphones, support of 1080i video recording and the removal of remote shooting function.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Review February 17th, 2011

The micro four-thirds camera has come a long way, bringing the performance and quality that is almost on-par with of an entry-level Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera while boasting the lightweight of a compact camera. With the new GF2 from Panasonic evolving to a slimmer and new redesigned interface, how does it fare ? Read on...

When the first micro four thirds camera from Panasonic came out in 2008, it was a mixed bag of reactions with its bulkiness of a professional camera and uncertainity of a new technology back then. Through the years of constant research, Panasonic launched the Lumix DMC-GF1 in 2009 with a slimmer design similar to a compact camera and promising quality.

A closer look and you will realise some of the trademark logos on the box - Dolby, SDXC, AVCHD. It seems like we have a gem in our hands and we cant wait to unbox it and unravel out the awesomeness it is going to bring.

Here is what you get in the retail box of Lumix DMC-GF2, • DMC-GF2 camera • Battery charging cradle and power cable • Battery (DMW-BLD10E / 7.2V / 1010mAh) 17

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[Full HD] 1,920 x 1,080, 60i (sensor output is 30p) (FSH: 17 Mbps, FH: 13 Mbps) [HD] 1,280 x 720, 60p (sensor output is 30p) (SH: 17 Mbps, H: 13 Mbps)

• Startup guide, software CDs • A/V cable, USB cable • Neck strap And a loook at the technical specifications of the camera

-Type Recording Media

Image Sensor Size Lens Mount Image Sensor Type Total / Effective Pixels Color Filter Dust Reduction Recording Formats Image Quality

Color Space File Size (pixels)

Digital interchangeable lens system camera SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card 17.3 x 13.0 mm (in 4:3 aspect ratio) Micro Four Thirds mount Live MOS Sensor 13.06 Megapixels / 12.01 pixels Primary color filter Supersonic wave filter JPG, MPO (3D recording), AVCHD, Quicktime JPEG RAW, RAW+Fine, RAW +Standard, Fine, Standard MPO+Fine, MPO+Standard (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard) sRGB, Adobe RGB [4:3] 4,000 x 3,000 (L), 2,816 x 2,112 (M), 2,048 x 1,536 (S), 1,600 x 1,200 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard) [3:2] 4,000 x 2,672 (L), 2,816 x 1,880 (M), 2,048 x 1,360 (S), 1,600 x 1,064 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard) [16:9] 4,000 x 2,248 (L), 2,816 x 1,584 (M), 1,920 x 1,080 (S), 1,600 x 904 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard) [1:1] 2,992 x 2,992 (L), 2,112 x 2,112 (M), 1,504 x 1,504 (S), 1,440 x 1,440 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard) -[4:3] VGA: 640 x 480, 30 fps / QVGA: 320 x 240, 30 fps [16:9] WVGA: 848 x 480, 30 fps [HD] 1,280 x 720, 30 fps

Focus Type Focus Mode AF Mode

AF Detective Range AF Assist Lamp AF Lock Others

Light Metering

Light Metering Mode Metering Range Exposure Mode

ISO Sensitivity

Exposure AE Lock White Balance

Shutter Speed Shutter Timer Scene Mode

[Full HD] 1,920 x 1,080, 50i (sensor output is 25p) (FSH: 17 Mbps, FH: 13 Mbps) [HD] 1,280 x 720, 50p (sensor output is 25p) (SH: 17 Mbps, H: 13 Mbps) Contrast AF system AFS / AFC / MF Face detection / AF Tracking / 23-area-focusing / 1-area-focusing Touch (1-area-focusing in Face detection / AF Tracking / Multi-areafocusing / 1-area-focusing) EV 0 - 18 (ISO 100) EV 0 - 18 (ISO 100) Set the Fn button in custom menu to AF lock Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion image recording), AF+MF, Touch shutter, Touch MF Assist Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion image recording), AF+MF, Touch shutter, Touch MF Assist Intelligent Multiple / Center Weighted / Spot EV 0 - 18 (F2.0 lens, ISO 100) Program AE / Aperture Priority AE / Shutter Priority AE / Manual Auto / Intelligent ISO / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 1/3 EV Step, ±3 EV Set the Fn button in custom menu to AE lock Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1, 2 / Color temperature setting Still Image: 1/4,000 - 60 10 sec, 3 images / 2 sec / 10 sec Still Image - Portrait / Soft Skin / Scenery / Architecture / Sports / Peripheral Defocus / Flower / 18

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Food / Objects / Night Portrait / Night Scenery / Illuminations / Baby 1, 2 / Pet / Party / Sunset Movie - Portrait / Soft Skin / Scenery / Architecture / Sports / Flower / Food / Objects / Low-light / Party / Sunset

Burst Shoot

Flash

(Activated by selecting Still Image SCN mode then pressing Movie Button. Still Image SCN modes without corresponding Movie SCN mode is recorded in mode suitable for the recording situation.)

H: 3.2 frames/sec, M: 2.5 frames/sec (with Live View), L: 2 frames/sec (with Live View) TTL Built-in-Flash, GN6 equivalent (ISO100 · m), Built-in Pop-up

112.8 x 67.8 x 32.8 mm / 4.44 x 2.67 x 1.29 in (excluding protrusions)

Sony Ericsson announces Xperia neo and Xperia pro Android smartphones February 17th, 2011

Aside from the Xperia Play (or formerly known as PlayStation phone), Sony Ericsson has also announced the Xperia neo and Xperia pro Android smartphones. Read on for more information.

-Modes: Auto, Auto / Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On / Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. / Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off --

LCD Monitor Live View

Sync Speed: Less than 1/160 second 3.0 inch; 460,000 dots pixel Digital Zoom - 2x, 4x Others: Guide Lines (3 patterns)

Interfaces Battery

Dimensions

Real-time Histogram USB, HDMI, AV/Out ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1,010mAh) (Included) Battery Charger Approx. 475 g / 16.75 oz (SD Memory Card, Battery, HFS014042 lens included) Approx. 365 g / 12.87 oz (SD Memory Card, Battery, HH014 lens included) Approx. 265 g / 9.35 oz (Body onl

Sony Ericsson has announced the Xperia neo and Xperia pro that promise exceptional multimedia experience on the latest Gingerbread Android platform.

The Xperia pro features a slide-out keyboard with smart functions for fast messaging experience. Sony Ericsson Xperia pro has also introduced a subtle but fast Type & Send functionality eliminating the need to open a dedicated app for each type of message, and Smart Keyboard for predictive messaging when the user slides out the keyboard.

The Xperia pro is designed as the ideal business phone for business professionals with functions including syncing email, calendar and contacts in a secure way and preloaded Office Suite Pro for users to view and edit office documents directly on the phone.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia neo sports a stunning design and is ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in the user’s hand.

--

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Sony Ericsson Xperia neo Key features - Exmor R. Great stills and videos even in low light - Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine

Published by: VR-Zone

Kinect motion sensor is the most highly sought-after console and accessory of this generation's console wars. After all, why else would Lenovo and Eedoo attempt to market a new video game console that seems to mimic the Xbox's Kinect in more ways than one?

- Built-in HDMI. Your stills and videos on HD TV - More than 100,000 apps on Android Market - Google services. At your service

The Sony Ericsson Xperia neo will be available in Blue Gradient and Red.

Sony Ericsson Xperia pro Key features - Touch phone with perfect slide-out keyboard and smart functions for fast messaging - Synch your email and edit office documents on the go - Sony Mobile BRAVIA速 Engine and Exmor R for mobile

Do you enjoy gaming on a video game console? If you do, well, chances are that you will already own at least one of the current-generation game consoles and are undoubtedly enjoying the unique features it has to offer over the competition. That is not surprising though: after all, each of the three video game consoles feature various specific characteristics that are clearly targeted at specific kinds of console gamers.

However, it seems that the console video game market is about to get a little shaking up this year, courtesy of Lenovo. That's because the Chinese OEM has announced that it is making plans to launch a new video game console which will mimic Microsoft's Kinect controller for Xbox. And not surprisingly, the new console's bears a name which all but reveals the fact that the main source of inspiration comes from Microsoft.

Anyone fancy an Ebox?

- HDMI. Connect to an HD TV or a projector - Google services and more than 100,000 apps on Android Market

The Sony Ericsson Xperia pro will be available in Black and Silver.

Sony Ericsson Xperia neo will be available globally in selected markets from end Q1 and Sony Ericsson Xperia pro from end Q2 2011.

Lenovo and Eedoo prepare to launch Ebox game console, goes toe to toe with Xbox's Kinect February 17th, 2011

According to a report posted by gadget website GizChina, the Ebox is the result of a collaboration between Lenovo and a Chinese company known as Eedoo, and is expected to be released for retail in China exclusively by June this year. Which is just as well though: considering that the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 are officially not allowed to be sold in China, the lack of competition means that the Ebox essentially has the entire Chinese video console market all for itself.

Disposable thumbdrives: will consumers ever bite?

February 17th, 2011

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, is it not? Well, if the saying were to hold any truth in today's context, then it would seem that Microsoft's Xbox and its complementing

Wouldn't it be nice if our thumbdrives could be made disposable like sheets of paper on a notepad so that users don't 20

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have to keep hunting for their tiny flash storage devices that always seems to have a knack for mysteriously disappearing ?

Well, it appears that a design company known as Art Lebedev Studio has found a solution to the problem with its new concept known as Flashkus.

Gone are the days where going to a hardware shop to purchase a 4GB thumbdrive would cost the purchaser a limb or a second mortgage. Thanks to the rapidly falling prices of flash storage, the cost of the humble thumbdrive has dropped to the point where most PC users can easily afford to own a handful of such devices with storage capacities ranging from anywhere between 2GB to 32GB. That being said, thumbdrives are anything but disposable. And while their prices have dropped to the point where one can easily afford to own more than one of it, it is still costly enough for the average Joe to not make a huge deal out of it when it eventually gets misplaced due to various reasons. And this appears to be the kind of problem Art Lebedev Studio intends to tackle with its new concept thumbdrives, the Flashkus.

Needless to say, the Flashkus will be ideal for circumstances where data needs to be shared and transferred among multiple users without the use of wireless data transfer methods. However, it does not change the fact that the each 'disposable' thumbdrive still packs the full performance of a standard, non-disposable thumbdrive due to it having the same underlying hardware and cirtuitry hidden beneath the cardboard exterior. That being said, shouldn't it be only fair that a 'disposable' thumbdrive offer read-write cycles which are drastically lower than that of an actual thumbdrive in order to reduce wastage?

Apple iPhone 5 rumored to have a 4-inch display February 17th, 2011

Simply put, the Flashkus essentially consists of four cardboard thumbdrives that are designed to be discarded after use, much like how one would rip and dump used writing paper from a notepad after it has served its purpose. Users simply rip one thumbdrive off the bunch when the need for data storage or sharing arises, plug it into a PC's USB port and everything's dandy.

Despite various new smartphones announced at Mobile World Congress, Apple is still getting a lot of eyeball on its upcoming iPhone 5. Apparently, the Apple iPhone 5 is rumored to incorporate a 4-inch touchscreen display and powered by the ARM Cortex-A9-based A5 dual-core processor.

According to various news sources, Apple was said to be unveiling a lower priced iPhone Nano and that the rumored iPhone 5 may sport a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display and powered by Cortex-A9-based A5 dual-core processor.

In fact, rumor of the larger screen size has existed for a few months now, with the first version being a 3.7-inch as 21

February 17th, 2011

compared to the iPhone 4's 3.5-inch display. The rumored news source came from the same parts manufacturer who recently claims that the iPhone 5 is likely to be a 4-inch screen instead.

With various phone manufacturers putting dual-core processor on their devices, Apple is going with the nextgeneration Cortex A5 dual-core processor. From iTunes code, Apple will incorporate Qualcomm chip in the iPhone 5 . It is likely to be Qualcomm's new dual-mode 3G chip which supports CDMA/GSM dual-mode 3G network, or that the dual mode means 3G/4G network support.

Spanish hacker arrested for stealing gamers' information and threatening Nintendo February 17th, 2011

Technology news from Mobile World Congress isn't the only thing coming from Spain this week. Apparently, news of a Spanish hacker has been arrested for stealing gamers' details and blackmailing game company Nintendo.

Published by: VR-Zone

Think that the deal between Microsoft and Nokia was like a match made in heaven? Far from it, especially if Google has got anything to do about it. According to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, the search giant had actively attempted to woo Nokia over into taking back their 'pissing in the pants for shortterm relief' comment and join the Android fold even before Microsoft approached the Finnish handset manufacturer.

When Nokia made the headlines last year with the announcement that its newest CEO would hail directly from the Redmond software giant known as Microsoft, many started to speculate that it would only be a matter of time before the Finnish handset manufacturer dropped its Symbian and MeeGo mobile operating systems in favor of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 OS. And it made perfect sense too: with Symbian steadily losing market share to the likes of Android, iOS and even the recently-launched Windows Phone 7, it was clear that Nokia needed to take action to stem the tide.

However, it appears that Microsoft was not the only contender in the bid to sway Nokia into using its own mobile platform as a replacement for Symbian. According to a statement made by Eric Schmidt at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC), Google had already been actively holding discussions with Nokia's board even before Microsoft made its move in an attempt to convince the Finnish company to consider migrating to the popular Android operating system instead of casting their lot with Windows Phone 7.

"We had confidential negotiations with Nokia that were every extensive," he said.

That being said, at least one analyst thinks that Nokia made the right choice by passing up on the Android ecosystem and opting to strike a partnership with Windows Phone 7. Tony Cripps, a principal analyst for Ovum, claims that there was no doubt that Nokia's board had carefully weighed the pros and cons of going with either platform.

According to BBC news, a Spanish hacker has been arrested for stealing 4,000 Nintendo gamers information. On top of that, the unnamed individual has also threatened to contact the country's data protection agency, accusing the game company of negligence.

The hacker had leaked some details online when Nintendo did not reply. Authorities said that he planned to release the entire user information on the web, but the hacker was arrested before he got the chance to do so. It was unclear if the data theft was done via Nintendo's computer system or through a third-party.

Google: We tried to woo Nokia over to our fold

"Nokia devices in the future would have been vectors for Google services, whereas Microsoft has been relatively good at pinpointing ways in which assets could be leveraged on both sides," he said.

Needless to say, the Google CEO was disappointed that things did not go his way, although he seemed to have taken it in his stride.

"We would have loved if they had chosen Android. They chose the other guys," he quipped.

Nvidia unveils Quad-Core "KalEl" chipset February 17th, 2011

February 17th, 2011

Most DC comic fans will recognize the name "Kal-El", which is the Krytonian birth name of Superman. Well, looks like "Kal22

February 17th, 2011

El" is also the codename for Nvidia quad-core processor for mobile devices and tablets that was unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2011.

Published by: VR-Zone

their last release (iWork '09) was more than two years ago (6th January 2009). Even possibly as a Mac App Store exclusive, to boast awareness and sales through their online sales platform.

But Best Buy Mexico has really caught us off-guard with this announcement.

Translated from Spanish, it reads "visit Best Buy on February 19th and find out what you can do with iWork '11."

While this is obviously not an official announcement from Apple, this event is a good indication that iWork ’11 is nearing release. We hope it is at least, otherwise there’s going to be a fairly unhappy crowd at a Best Buy in Mexico on February 19th.

The iWork '11 event is currently still listed on the front page of their website.

At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Nvidia unveiled "Kal-El" which is the first quad-core processor for mobile devices and tablets. Kal-El is only the first; the company has also showed their roadmap with chips called "Wayne," "Logan" and "Stark" that claim to offer approximately 100 times the processing power of current Tegra 2-based phones, by 2014.

Apple fights jailbreak and piracy through iBooks 1.2.1 update February 17th, 2011

Kal-El is said to offer five times the graphics performance of the Tegra 2 and can output to display at 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution. Not only is this higher than high definition, but it is possible to use your mobile phone or tablet as a full-fledged PC. According to sources, tablets incorporating Kal-El may become available by August, while the phones will be available in Q4 this year.

iWork '11 available on February 19th?

Even though the United States government explicitly allows users to jailbreak their iOS device, Apple has started to take matters into their own hands in the battle against jailbreaking.

How? Apple's iBook app will refuse to open content purchased from Apple's iBookstore if the device has been found to be jailbroken.

February 17th, 2011

Best Buy's Mexico division has announced and are advertising a special in-store event for this Saturday involving Apple's iWork '11. What is unusual is, of course, Apple has not announced or release iWork '11.

According to a noted jailbreak author via Twitter, the latest update of iBooks inject a series of unsigned binaries as a test to see if the device's OS has been tampered whenever a user tries to open a DRM-protected eBook purchased from the iBookstore. If the improperly signed binaries works, the device is listed as having jailbroken and refuses to open the eBook, alongside with an error message. This applies even if you have legally purchased your eBooks online through Apple's iBookstore.

Many have speculated that Apple has worked on a replacement to their previous release of their flagship office suite, since

So far, this affects jailbreak users running on a hack dubbed as "Greenpois0n", and have updated their iBooks to the latest version. Apple has implemented such jailbreak checks since iOS 4.0 but thus far, it has only been triggered by jailbroken 23

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iOS devices running "Greenpois0n". The only solution by far is to restore the iOS device back to the orignal iOS and thus, removing the jailbreak.

Even though jailbreaking voids your warranty with Apple, the practice of jailbreaking to run unauthorised codes was approved and legalised by the U.S. governement last July.

With Apple now blocking access to legally acquired iBookstore content just because it's running on a jailbroken device, this may draw interference with legal usage in the States.

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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.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 21 Feb 2011 February 21st, 2011

AC and DC current: Fundamental differences and a simple explanation February 21st, 2011

Through daily experience with common household equipment, many people should have noticed the terms AC and DC voltage and / or current; for example on a car battery which outputs 12V DC voltage or a household lighting lamp which needs 230V AC voltage. Yet only very few people can actually realize even that there are differences between AC and DC current, let alone understand the differences themselves.

The purpose of this article is to explain the main characteristics and highlight the differences of AC and DC current, in terms understandable by people with very low or without technical expertise, along with providing some encyclopedic knowledge on the subject.

Through daily experience with common household equipment, many people should have noticed the terms AC and DC voltage and / or current; for example on a car battery which outputs 12V DC voltage or a household lighting lamp which needs 230V AC voltage. Yet only very few people can actually realize even that there are differences between AC and DC current, let alone understand the differences themselves.

The purpose of this article is to explain the main characteristics and highlight the differences of AC and DC current, in terms understandable by people with very low or without technical expertise, along with providing some encyclopedic knowledge on the subject.

In today's news roundup: MSI's P67-based Big Bang Marshal motherboard gets reviewed; Intel has confirmed that shipment of the silicon-corrected versions of its faulty six-series Cougar Point chipsets have commenced; NEC announces world's thinnest smartphone based off Google's Android operating system; Samsung has unveiled five new lenses for its NX mount; Nintendo's 3DS handheld video game console gets ripped about for a little hardware CSI-ing. and Jill Valantine from the Resident Evil game series shows off some spiffy-looking combos in Marvel vs Capcom 3.

Hardware News: Lamptron FC-8 Fan Controller Review @ Legit Reviews Description: Lamptron is a company that only a handful of consumers may be familiar with at the time of writing this; as they are a brand new company to the enthusiast scene of PC modding & gaming supplies. Lamptron already offers an impressive array of fan controllers with multiple control inputs. Today we'll be giving the FC-8 a run through an array of tests to see if their newest control really performs as good as it looks. With 30 watts per channel, will the FC-8 be the last fan controller you need to buy? Read on and we shall find out.

Crucial Ballistix Active Cooling Fan Review at Overclockers Online Description: Crucial’s Ballistix Active Cooling Fan aims to cool down your memory by eliminating often ignored dead spots around your system memory. Easily installed and compatible all across memory makers the Ballistix Active Cooling Fan makes a great addition to any system even if low noise is important to you.

Sapphire PURE Black P67: beyond the limits of Sandy Bridge (Italian) Description: (Machine translation) Last week we brought you the review of the motherboard X58 Sapphire Pure Black , high-performance solution in sight to the preview last CES in Las Vegas and designed the first generation of CPU based on Core i7 Socket LGA 1366. That product was a turning point for Sapphire same: always inextricably linked to the combination of AMD-ATI decides to change course and embrace competition from Intel's home, diversifying its offerings and to attract the attention of users of high-end or enthusiast.

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InWin Dragon Slayer mATX case Review @ XtremeComputing Description: InWin is not the most well known brand, at least amongst UK enthusiasts, however with the ambitions and working ethic that In Win have set out, I am looking forward to reviewing their latest PC case."

Corsair Dominator GT 2133 CL9 Review @ ocaholic Description: The Dominator GT series is Corsairs flagship. As soon as you take a closer look at the specifications you'll see that they are very serious. Accordingly the DIMMs need only 1.5 Volt to operate at 2133 MHz with 9-10-9-27 timings.

MSI Big Bang Marshal P67 Review @ ocaholic Description: With the Big Bang Marshal, MSI presents its absolute high-end motherboard for Intels latest Sandy Bridge processors. Therefore it comes for example with a truly sophisticated power design as well as eight PCI-Express x16 slots and numerous other features.

NZXT Phantom Computer Case Review @ Tweaknews Description: The more I played with the NZXT Phantom, the more I liked it. The white finish with its black accents really makes this case stand out from the crowd and the roomy interior was a joy to work in thanks to the excellent cable management.

Intel Begins to Ship B3 Stepping of 6-Series Core-Logic to Mainboard, Notebook Makers Description: Intel Corp. has initiated shipments of correct versions of its Cougar Point chipset for Sandy Bridge processors. Leading manufacturers of mainboards and notebooks have reportedly received the B3 stepping of the core-logic and will be able to install it shortly.

Consumer Electronics and Software News: Koribo Leira Wireless Keyboard @ TestFreaks Description: Today for review I’ve got another keyboard from Koribo called the Leira. It’s a wireless keyboard that features a laptop style touchpad and a full set of multi-media keys. It’s made to be used with an HTPC, but you can use it for your desktop computer of course, but with an HTPC is where it shines surely. With the Leira you’ve got full control of your computer from a distance and quick access to all of the multimedia functions right at your fingertips.

Apple expected to update MacBook Pro line this week Description: Apple's MacBook Pro line is due for a refresh with all the signs on the magic eight ball that is the Internet pointing to Thursday February 24 as launch day for updated MacBook Pros with Intel's latest Sandy Bridge processors. As usual, Apple has been playing its cards close to its corporate chest and hasn't confirmed (or denied) that new MacBook Pros are on the immediate horizon, but a couple of listings of unexplained MacBook Pro part numbers by retailers online may just have let the cat out of the bag before Apple has had a chance to announce the new models.

VMWare: Windows 7 Ethernet is Missing @ Computing on Demand Description: I recently created a VM for Windows 7 and proceeded to waste hours trying to figure out why the Ethernet controller was missing from the Device Manager. Installing VMWare Tools didn't fix the issue, tracking down the correct

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Ethernet driver didn't help; other people that created the same Virtual Machine were not having problems (of course), just me. Fixing the problem is easier than you may think...

Veebeam HD Review @ TestFreaks Description: Veebeam is a company that I met at last year’s Pepcom trade show and they were kind enough to send us a sample of their Veebeam HD. This device works by streaming high definition video via Wireless USB. Not to be confused with AppleTV, GoogleTV or Roku; it’s not so much a media center as a media streamer Sony's VPL-VW90ES high-end 3D projector is now shipping for $9999 Description: Sony's VPL-VW90ES is now shipping for $9999.99 (including two pairs of active-shutter glasses). The VPL-VW90ES is Sony's first 3D projector which uses activeshutter glasses (at 240Hz). The projector is a part of Sony's Elevated-Standard (ES) family of high-end products. It uses Silicon X-tal Reflective Display (SXRDTM) technology and offers Full-HD (1080p,24fps), 1000 lumens, and a 150,000:1 contrast ratio.

The world’s thinnest smartphone from NEC is only 7.7mm thick Description: Some pictures of NEC’s upcoming Android phone have leaked, and boy it is skinny. Some photographs of the NEC Medias recently leaked online, and it lives up to its 7.7mm thickness by being that width all the way from the top to the bottom of the phone instead of just being slim in one area (like the Xperia Arc). The phone will only weigh 105g, have a 4″ (854 x 480) display, pack an 800MHz processor, a 5.1 megapixel camera, digital TV tuner and an e-wallet function (NFC). It will run on Android 2.2 (unfortunately) and probably won’t it’s make over to the US, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed. Head here for larger images of the NEC Medias.

Samsung unveils five NX-mount lenses for its 2011 roadmap Description: Samsung today brought out details of five lenses for the NX swappable lens system found on cameras like the NX11. The company is catering first to everyday users with an 18-200mm, f3.5-6.3 long zoom lens to cover most shooting situations with a single lens. While image stabilized, it won't have a silent autofocus system and is likely targeted at newcomers who want an all-purpose lens.

Gaming News: Nintendo 3DS torn apart Description: The Nintendo 3DS hasn’t even made its way to the stores yet, but it has already received a tear down, thanks to some folks who managed to get their hands on an early device and posted it up for the world to see. There’s nothing spectacular or impressive about the console’s innards, so I guess the magic happens when you actually turn it on. The Nintendo 3DS goes on sale in Japan this week, so we’ll be finding out how much of a hit this device will actually be. Head here to check out more photographs of the 3DS torn apart (unfortunately the original page is down, so you’ll have to view a Google cached version of the site).

Marvel vs Capcom 3: Jill Valentine Gameplay Video Description: Have you been whipping out those inhumane combos in Marvel vs Capcom 3 ? Looking forward to see some 2

February 21st, 2011

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Jill Valentine? Her latest gameplay video has been spotted on youtube

• Gentle slope reduces neck strain and improves typing comfort

Agarest Senki 2 Review Description: Fantasy RPG games are often accompanied with cute or hot looking girls, regardless if it is 2D or 3D but in Agarest Senki 2, the game woos fans who stay traditional to the visual novel and generic RPG elements that comes with lovely 2D artworks and non-complex visual gameplay.

• Extended non-slip protective pads on the base and top

Spire Releases Juno Notebook Cooler

• Extends the life of laptops and battery efficiency

February 21st, 2011

• Active cooling by one 70mm silent USB powered fan • Portable & small, easy on the go and working on the road • Stylish, lightweight and innovative structure design • Telescope bars accommodate 7- to 15.4-Inch laptops • Backed by 3 year limited service warranty Compatibility The Juno ergonomic laptop stand and active cooler is compatible with the smaller mini- and larger wide-screen laptop series from 7-inch up to the 15.4-inch.

Spire has unveiled the Juno notebook cooler and stand (SP317AP), targeting mobile users who require a portable and efficient thermal solution for their laptops. Measuring 220 x 90 x 20mm, the portable cooler has non-slip rubber pads at the top and bottom, retractable bars (supports laptops/ netbooks up to 15.4"), and is cooled by a 70mm fan. Juno is backed by a three year limited warranty and cost about US$27.99.

SPIRE PRESS RELEASE

MSRP USD$27.99/ EURO 22.95 Product Includes Multilanguage Owners Manual Attached USB cable Warranty registration card.

Availability The Juno laptop base and cooler is now available from our factory in Shenzhen, China and from our branch locations throughout Europe and the Americas. For more information or ordering, please contact us utilizing the e-mail Form on our Contact Page, or feel free to give our branch offices a phone call, we're glad to be at your service.

In-Win Introduces BUC PC Enclosure February 21st, 2011

Shenzhen, China - Spire Corp today announced the Juno. The Juno is an ergonomic laptop base stand and cooler, it is the perfect travel companion when often working on the road or at different locations. The Juno is a great product to make working on your laptop more comfortable. The gentle slope, made by foldable rubber pads reduce the neck strain and comfort screen viewing.

The Juno accommodates small mini- and larger 15.4 inch laptops by extending the side bars. When folded in the total size is only 22x9x2cm, easily fitting your laptop or carryon bag. Equipped with a 7cm cooling fan your laptop is silently cooled whilst working. The Juno is the perfect portable choice for mobile computing from Spire - Powered by Innovation.

In-Win Development Inc., manufacturer of various computer cases, PSUs and digital storage devices, has announced the BUC. The all-black steel mid-tower PC case has three exterior 5.25" drive bays, three EZ-swap tool-free HDD drive bays (accessible via a lockable flap on the side panel), and a frontside I/O panel with USB 2.0/ 3.0 ports, eSATA, and audio connectors. The BUC, equipped with 120mm fans for cooling, is expected to start shipping soon.

IN-WIN PRESS RELEASE

Main Features 3

February 21st, 2011

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Build and protect with ease, in the latest In-Win BUC PC chassis Taiwan - February 2011 - In-Win Development Inc., a leading innovator in contemporary PC hardware and multiple winner of the internationally renowned reddot design award, has today launched its new performance PC chassis, the BUC.

Finally, three integrated 120mm and several extra fan positions give it excellent cooling potential for all the latest hardware as well.

With core design innovations and high quality of construction, the In-Win BUC PC chassis is a great choice for PC builders worldwide.

About In Win

The "shield" concept behind the BUC's design is echoed across its front panel, while the strong SECC steel construction and a hard-wearing black interior and exterior create a reliable, subtle and high quality case for PC builders.

The BUC's design gem is the clever EZ-swap HDD drive bay, with a lockable door that allows access to three HDD without having to remove the whole side panel. The tool-less, vibration reducing drive bays complete the package to give a triple innovation.

With convenient Super-speed USB 3.0, USB 2.0, audio and eSATA ports on the top of the chassis, users can easily connect headsets, cameras, cell phones, external hard drives and a wealth of other devices with ease.

IN WIN Development Inc., an ISO 9001 manufacturer of professional computer chassis, server chassis, power supplies and storage devices, is the leading provider of enclosure solutions to system integrators worldwide. Founded in 1986, IN-WIN provides high quality product that conform to all safety regulations, as well as unsurpassed customer service.

Our slogan "Contemporary and Innovative" serves as the foundation of not only our product development but also our attitudes in serving and catering to our strategic partner's wishes. We take the "im" out of "impossible"‌

JAMBOX, world's first intelligent wireless speaker and speakerphone, comes to Courts Singapore February 21st, 2011

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Courts Singapore has introduced Jawbone’s JAMBOX, which claims to be world's first intelligent wireless speaker and speakphone, to Singapore.

It can deliver full spectrum audio, and quickly and easily connects with mobile phones, computers, tablets, iPods or any other Bluetooth device. This allow users to seamlessly stream and share music, movies, games, phone and conference calls anywhere wirelessly.

JAMBOX features two powerful acoustic drivers and ultrasmall dome that can produce wide audio spectrum. And with an innovative moving-wall passive bass radiator and airtight enclosure, it aims to deliver shimmering highs and massive low frequencies. It can be updated with apps, software and new features at Jawbone’s industry-first online platform, MyTALK. Audio alerts let you know battery life, caller ID, call functions and more. JAMBOX can also be personalised with voice and language options.

JAMBOX comes in four designs: Blue Wave, Black Diamond, Grey Hex and Red Dot. The full JAMBOX line is available today exclusively at Courts – Megastore, Orchard, Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Jurong Point and Causeway Point for S$328 (GST included).

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automated telephone reminders, and one-on-one coaching to cut down on truancy. The program is similar to the ones being implemented in Baltimore and San Antonio. Basically, students with over four absence without valid excuse will be put in this program.

Every morning during schooldays, students will get an automated phone call reminder them that they need to get to school punctually. Each day, they will need to enter a code that tracks their locations - when they leave for school, arrive at school, lunch hour, when they leave school and at 8pm. A coach will also be assigned to these students who will call them thrice a week to see their progress and help them find ways to make sure they are punctual in schools.

Luckily, this program is only available in some schools in US. Hopefully the schools here do not need to implement such system. *image taken from www.dailymail.co.uk

ZTE tablet from China gets Android 3.0 treatment February 21st, 2011

Skipping class? Careful, your school can track you February 21st, 2011

Of all the China-brand tablets that we have been covering for news updates, it would appear that ZTE is one of the few OEMs which have the potential to make a name for itself in both the domestic and the global arena. Apparently, the Chinese OEM has just churned out a new tablet that is said to follow the 'highquality-at-low-cost' trend most Chinese devices are known for.

Most students have skipped class at least once during their school term. Not exactly an uncommon thing, but schools do not tolerate such behaviour. With the advancement in technology, some education institutes these days have implemented a system making use of GPS to track down students who played truant. *image taken from www.dailymail.co.uk

When it comes to purchasing a portable computing device such as a notebook, smartphone or tablet, most of us would only put our money with a reputable OEM, and for good reason. After all, devices belonging to be aforementioned categories are anything but cheap, and more importantly, the role they play in today's digital world means that the word 'downtime' is usually not acceptable at any point of time.

According to online reports, Anaheim Union High School District in California has participated in a pilot program which involves using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology,

Still, it would seem that certain Chinese OEMs are starting to understand that there is a potential goldmine to be had out in the global market instead of merely catering to the domestic market. And it would seem that ZTE is next in line to take the

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Published by: VR-Zone

global market by its horns by introducing a new low-cost tablet which it calls the V11.

According to Chinese gadget website Newpad.cn, the ZTE V11 is the latest's in the company's line of high-performance, lowcost tablet PCs. Processing power is reportedly provided by an unidentified SoC which features a processor core clocked at 1.2GHz, while backing up the V11's multitasking and storage capabilities are 512MB of memory and built-in storage capacities ranging from 8GB to 32GB. In addition to the aforementioned specifications, Newpad also claims that the V11 comes equipped with dual cameras, while the 10-inch touchscreen display sports a native resolution of 1280 x 800. Last but not least, the V11 will feature the standard range of wireless connectivity functions such as WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and support for 4G mobile data connections and will come preloaded with the latest version of the Android operating system, Honeycomb.

However, it would appear that for a tablet touted to be a 'high-performance-low-price' device, ZTE has not revealed how much users can expect the V11 to be. However, we are quite certain that, given Chinese OEMs' tendency to compete on price, the largest possible pricetag ZTE could attach to the V11 will still be orders of magnitudes below the size of those currently found on competing products from the global, more established OEMs.

IT SHOW 2011 Floorplans February 21st, 2011

Level 4:

Will you name your son or daughter after popular social network sites?

February 21st, 2011

Finding a good name for your child isn't an easy task. But would you go to the extend of naming your son or daughter after popular social network sites? Well, one Egyptian man did, and he named his daughter "Facebook".

According to Al-Ahram, one of the popular newspapers in Egypt, an Egyptian man has named his daughter "Facebook" Jamal Ibrahim, from the translation. He did so as a tribute to the social network site in organizing protests in Tahrir Square, and verthrow Egyptian dictator Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak. "Facebook" has received many gifts from youths who were overjoyed by her arrival.

While it isn't unusual for parents (mostly Asians and even Africans) to name their kids after memorable events, it is surely a first in this case to name after a popular social network website. Would you name your child Twitter or Myspace?

Microsoft vs Google: It's a 'social' affair February 21st, 2011

Level 6:

In the next round of the highly-anticipated battle between Microsoft and Google, it appears that both IT giants will be 6

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taking the fight over to where it really counts: the social media field. And with Google already having drawn first blood with an update to its social search, what does Microsoft have up its sleeves to take the thunder out of Google's...erm, Google?

Barely five days ago, Google made a little announcement regarding a slight tweak to its current search algorithms. By all accounts, there were no major changes taking place over at the California search giant's headquarters: all the company did was to refine its search service a little by mixing. results from its Social Search service into that of the standard Google search.

Needless to say, Google wanted to make sure that the combined results did not end up confusing the user. But at the same time, it did not want to fall back to its previous tactic of having all social-related searches relegated to the bottom of the search page. The eventual decision was to display the results based on relevance, as shown in the images below.

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of Facebook so tightly within the browser that users can essentially perform all their Facebook-ing from the comfort of the Bing Bar without having to move around tabs on Microsoft Internet Explorer. As IT website eWeek puts it, Bing Bar is almost like a miniaturized version of the RockMelt browser in toolbar form.

At first glance, it might appear that Google's Social Search and Microsoft's Bing Bar are offering the same feature: the ability to integrate social networking features into the conventional browser. However, it is also clear that this is one of the few cases where Microsoft simply has the better offering for users: unlike Social Search which merely integrates social networking results into Google search, the Bing Bar takes this notion one step further by putting the user in complete control of Facebook's services from within the toolbar. For example, Microsoft claims that users can receive Facebook feeds, alerts and even comment or 'Like' any update from the comfort of the Bing Bar. Needless to say, this feature will be very useful to PC users who feel the need for Facebook-ing on the sly without having to open a new browser tab and getting called out on doing so during official working hours.

However, that does leave one major question unanswered.

With Google's Social Search integration all but soundly trounced by Microsoft's Bing Bar, what does the search giant have in store in order to turn the tide around? Well, according to eWeek, speculation is rife that this latest step from Google is but a stepping stone to a much larger ecosystem known internally as Google +1, which will see even greater levels of integration between typical web content and social networking content.

Of course, that sounds nice and all, but one should also keep in mind that Google +1 is only slated to come into existence later this year. And until the Californian search giant can roll out an actual working service that users from all geographic regions are able to use (Social Search integration is not available here yet), Microsoft's Bing Bar will probably be the choice for the online social networker in all of us. That is, if you don't mind installing Windows on your Mac, since Bing Bar is an Internet Explorer-only add-on.

But once again, one can always count on a little friendly intervention from the likes of Microsoft to upstage Google's show with another formidable offering of its own. Enter the new Microsoft Bing Bar, which integrates the functionality 7

February 21st, 2011

Sony Ericsson 7-inch 4Gcapable tablet device spotted

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smartphones last year - SH-03C and 003SH - and are likely to retail in China this spring.

February 21st, 2011

Sony Ericsson has previously stated that it will not be launching a Windows Phone 7 smartphone or tablet devices anytime soon. However, it looks like the company may have a tablet device in the works, and one such prototype has been spotted.

The Sharp 003SH and SH-03C 3D-capable smartphones, which does not require 3D glasses, has already gone on the shelves in Japan since December. And it looks like the two models would be the first 3D smartphones to enter the China market around Q1 this year.

The 3D technology works regardless of whether you are viewing in portrait or landscape orientation, and you can also switch between 2D and 3D. According to sources, the Nintendo 3DS that is scheduled to launch this month in Japan, is also using Sharp's 3D technology, which makes use of the naked eye parallax 3D grid form, to achieve a true 3D experience.

Last June, a top executive from Sony Ericsson has expressed that the company will be focusing on smartphones although it will also not rule out the possibility of tablet devices. Ever since Apple has launched the iPad, various manufacturers have jumped onto the tablet bandwagon. But not Sony Ericsson who stated there won't be a Windows Phone 7 or tablet product at this point in time.

The Sharp 003SH and SH-03C will be preinstalled with the latest Android mobile operating system, though in Japan, the 003SH is running Android 2.2 Froyo while SH-03C is using Android 2.1 Eclair. Aside from displaying images in 3D, both smartphones also have built-in 3D-capable cameras to capture videos and images in 3D. Sharp has also unveiled various apps such as one that can convert 2D pictures to 3D, and Chinese input.

Recently, NieuweMobiel has exposed a Sony Ericsson prototype tablet. From the picture, it looks like the device is about 7-inch and there is a LTE 4G logo on the bottom left of the display. The tablet also sports a 3-megapixel front camera with three buttons below it, and the speakers are on both sides of the screen. It may still be a prototype and probably won't be launched anytime soon.

It is also obvious that this Sony Ericsson tablet is different from the recently exposed S1 tablet. We are led to believe that it will run Android OS.

Sharp 3D Android phones coming to China this spring February 21st, 2011

Google releases new beta of Chrome 10 with lightning-fast V8 engine February 21st, 2011

LG isn't the only phone manufacturer to come up with smartphones with 3D display which does not require 3D glasses. Japanese maker, Sharp, has also launched two 3D 8

February 21st, 2011

Just how fast does a browser have to be when it comes to interpreting JavaScript codes and commands from a web page? Well, it would seem that Google's answer to such a question will be 'never enough', especially if its Chrome browser has got anything to do about it. How does a 66% speed increase over a previous version of the browser sound like to you?

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In addition to Chrome 10's updated V8 engine sporting performance gains of up to 66% over the current stable release, Chan and Min claim that the beta build of Chrome 10 features rudimentary support for GPU-accelerated video that is supposedly capable of reducing CPU loads by as much as 80%. However, no mention about the type of codec the new browser would support was made, which leads us to assume that both Chan and Min had to be referring to either hardwareaccelerated WebM or Flash video, since the search giant had made the decision to drop H.264 support from the source tree in order emphasize the importance of an Internet that does not rely on proprietary codecs.

Last but not least, it would seem that Chrome 10 would receive a slight UI tweak which allows tech-savvy users to directly modify their browser settings by keying in a specific URL instead of navigating through a bunch of windows, as shown in the video below: Unprintable Content (Video, Flash, etc.)

Google's Chrome might already be the fastest browser in the world on the desktop and notebook front, but one can be sure that the team of developers working under the search giant's payroll are not the kind to rest on their laurels. At least, not when the competition for browser market share is starting to heat up with the advent of HTML5, especially with established powerhouses like Microsoft, Opera and Mozilla keen to fight for a larger share of the pie with markedly improved performance levels and support for both existing and new web standards.

As usual, Google has once again attempted to test the grounds and score a little headstart over the competition by releasing a new beta build of yet another version of the Chrome browser which it dubs Chrome 10. However, unlike the current version of Chrome which was centered around delivering new features such as webGL, Chrome Instant and Chrome Web Store, Chrome 10 is seemingly built around the premise of sheer performance, with the updated V8 JavaScript engine taking centerstage of the new beta release.

According to a blog posting made by Jeff Chang, Product Manager and Min Li Chan, Product Marketing Manager, the updated V8 engine is so fast the browser is now capable of rendering JavaScript 'as fast as a bunny'. Obviously, the team was still in somewhat of a Lunar New Year mood when the post was made, but the results more than speak for themselves.

If that sounds good enough to warrant a test run on your own PC, feel free to head down to this page and hit up the download link to retrieve the beta build of the Chrome 10 browser. Google has confirmed that all three major operating systems are supported in this particular beta release, so getting a compatible binary for your OS of choice should not be an issue. That being said, the usual disclaimers about beta software applies: we are not responsible if your PC seizes up after installing Chrome 10 Beta.

And don't worry about bugging Google if issues do crop up: this is the company that promised not to be evil, right?

Mac OS X Lion to feature a "Safe Deposit Box"?

February 21st, 2011

Not much new features have been known to the public prior to the expected Summer release of Apple's upcoming OS, Mac OS X Lion. Besides Launchpad, Mac App Store, Mission Control and full-screen enabled apps, what else is installed for us in Lion? According to reports, Apple has patented an application.

Is that headed for Lion or beyond?

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Simply dubbed as "Safe Deposit Box", it is a new Mac OS X feature that might just appear in this summer's release of Mac OS X Lion.

Apple's patent is about a safe deposit box for securing important user files. In one aspect, when a user dragsand-drops a file representation onto a safe deposit box icon, the file is secured. In another aspect, when a user selects the safe deposit box icon and verifies his or her identity, the user could access secured files through a safe deposit box window.

By simply dragging your vital documents into this all-new "Safe Deposit Box", files are automatically encrytped and stored in a hidden place. Original copies of the file will be securely wiped out and even copied into the cloud for backup purposes.

One of the key attributes or selling points of Apple's Safe Deposit Box Application or OS X feature is that your digital valuables could be stored "off site" or beyond the home computer to safeguard your digital valuables which could be something like a Will or Living Will, agreements, life insurance policies, home insurance policies, a simple home inventory list or video or perhaps something that's really valuable to most every iTunes fan: a copy of your iTunes Library.

Well, there's no certainty that this will or will not appear in the next Mac OS. But this is surely something that Apple is simplifying for Mac users.

With tablets popping up all over the market like popcorn kernels in a microwavable popcorn bag, it should probably come as little surprise that OEMs need to offer more than just a pretty shell in order to capture the hearts of consumers. Not to mention that this is especially so when one takes into account that the vast majority of tablets on the market today can only offer a limited choice of operating systems for the consumer to choose from.

And while HTC may have gained a huge deal of publicity with its upcoming HTC Flyer tablet, the fact remains that consumers are still in the dark about certain details pertaining to the device. Granted, everybody knows that the Flyer will come equipped with a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen, a single-core Snapdragon SoC clocked at 1.5GHz and 32GB of NAND flash memory, but HTC has yet to reveal just how badly the Flyer will hurt one's wallet when the tablet is finally released for retail. And the good news is that consumers no longer have to wait for that information anymore.

HTC reveals size of pricetag for Flyer tablet February 21st, 2011

Remember how we once spoke about OEMs loving to tease consumers by intentionally revealing a lot of information about an upcoming product, only to withhold the most important parts in order to feed the hype machine? Well, HTC is at it again: after talking about its plans for a tablet and showing off the HTC Flyer over at Mobile World Congress, the Taiwanese smartphone OEM has finally spilled the beans about the elusive pricetag its Flyer will come attached with when the device is finally released for retail.

According to our sources, the HTC Flyer is expected to retail for the handsome sum of US$669 (approx S$853), which makes it one of the more costlier tablets to enter the market in 2011. However, we should point out that the large pricetag was to be expected: after all, HTC had already confirmed in our previous article that the Flyer is not going to be an affordable tablet due to various features such as its design, processor and more importantly, the unique stylus which none of the competition has yet to offer.

However, it appears that there might be some good news in store for consumers who are planning to get their hands on a new Flyer when it officially reaches our shores. After all, most tablets are usually sold at a discounted price as part of a data subscription bundle, so here's hoping that whichever telco that

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manages to secure distribution rights for the device will be able to offer an attractive pricetag for the entire data bundle.

Largest Apple retail store to open in Shanghai?

February 21st, 2011

If you have been following closely on "Apple retail store" related news, you would have heard about the largest Apple retail store to be located in Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal in the States. But now, it seems like Apple have set their eyes on China instead to build the largest Apple store.

According to an article reported by The Wall Street Journal, the Mac makers is continuing its focus in the Far East and plans to open the largest retail outlet in Shanghai.

The company is planning to open a new store - it's biggest in China - on Shanghai's famous Nanjing Road, an Apple spokeswoman has confirmed to China Real Time after news of the plan appeared in Thursday's Beijing Youth Daily.

The newspaper reports (in Chinese) that Ron Johnson, the company's senior vice-president of retail, said the company is now looking for bigger spaces to accommodate the crowds that routinely pack its China Apple stores, which are visited by more than 40,000 people per day?four times the average traffic in their American stores.

Apple to adopt Light Peak soon?

February 21st, 2011

Various hardware vendors have already adopted USB 3.0 as the choice for the next-generation high speed connection.

Nowadays, USB 3.0 peripherals and computers have started popping up but Apple has yet to adapt it? A report is now pointing that Apple will adopt Light Peak instead of USB 3.0 for its products "in the near future".

According to reports by CNet, Apple is set and expected to announce a "new high-speed connection technology" soon.

Apple is speculated to rebrand Intel's Light Peak and use another name for it.

Apple is expected to adopt this Intel technology in the near future--but likely use a name other than Light Peak, a source familiar with this aspect of Apple's plans said. Intel has said in the past that the first products using Light Peak should appear in the first half of 2011.

While USB 3.0 is considered fast in today's pace, Light Peak is significantly faster. So why would Apple adopt USB 3.0 now if Light Peak is going to debut soon enough?

We are expecting Sandy Bridge processors to make an appearance in the upcoming MacBook Pros and reports point that there would be additional enhancements. Light Peak?

Hmmmmm...

If this comes to fruition, this would be Apple's third in Shanghai, with another two outlets located in Beijing. Bringing a grand total of five retail stores out of the target of 25 retail stores spread across China by 2012. But Apple might be slowing the pace if it shift its focus on quantity to quality.

Well, this is certainly not surprising if Apple's China retail efforts ranks as the company's top performer worldwide in terms of human traffic and product sales.

Apple has opened its first Shanghai store last year in Pudong district. A second Shanghai store will be opened in Hong Kong Plaza in September this year.

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Published by: VR-Zone

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-OC Overclocking Features Preview February 21st, 2011

The folks at GIGABYTE have released a set of pictures showcasing their upcoming Intel X58 Express chipset-based overclocking motherboard, the GA-X58A-OC. There are quite a number of cool features on the board, so we shall take a quick look at them. Join us!

The GA-X58A-OC motherboard has dual 8-pin CPU power connectors for input up to 720A. A variety of Intersil power management ICs handles power delivery on the new board.

PWM frequency can be adjusted to 300KHz, 600KHz and 800KHz according to the information we have on hand.

It appears that both GIGABYTE and us at VR-Zone.com share the same thought: the Intel X58 Express platform is far from dead. During a period where Intel's new 'Sandy Bridge' seemingly rules the roost, the motherboard maker is about to officially introduce its GA-X58A-OC motherboard, based on the Intel X58 Express chipset and supporting Intel Socket LGA 1366 processors. A decent Gulftown will have a Core i7-2600K for breakfast, lunch and dinner under the same extreme overclocking conditions, which is why the 'ageing' platform is still the fastest... at least till the end of this year.

The processor voltage regulation module (VRM) is a 12-phase 'dual power' design supporting up to 600A output, while the Uncore portion is a 3-phase design, and the memory a 2-phase.

Surface mount POSCAP tantalum capacitors are used as they are not only reliable, but save space as well. The low height clearance and added space means enthusiasts no longer need to worry if their larger cooling solutions will be obstructed.

In fact, on the GA-X58A-OC, GIGABYTE has completely done away with the can-type solid capacitors.

OC-Touch To make things a little more convenient for overclockers, the GA-X58A-OC has voltage measurement points for: • VCORE, • CPU PLL, • DDR, • DDR VTT, • QPI VTT, GIGABYTE has released some photos of the new board and we shall take a quick look at its five main overclocking features:

• QPI PLL, and • IOH

• OC-VRM, • OC-Touch, • OC-PEG, • OC-Cool, and • OC-Dual BIOS

OC-VRM

There is also a debug LED that will flash BIOS POST codes.

Debug LEDs almost became extinct the past few years, before making a return starting with higher end Intel P67 Express motherboards.

The red power switch is um, self-explanatory I guess...

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Published by: VR-Zone

The '4G' button will help 'newbies to reach 4GHz'. Man, what a way to put it in the material! Anyway, this button will simply tell the motherboard to automatically overclock the processor to 4GHz on the next boot.

Overclockers can then use the two sets of buttons to adjust CPU ratio (the set on the left) and BCLK (the set on the right) on-the-fly. The 'Gear' button changes the adjustment step of the BCLK back and forth between 0.3MHz and 1MHz.

Lenovo ThinkPad T420 with Core i5-2540M pictured in the wild February 21st, 2011

With the launch of Intel's dual-core 'Sandy Bridge' mobile processors imminent, VR-Zone.com has already pictured a Core i5-2540M Processor touting Lenovo ThinkPad T420. The T420 is the successor to the popular T410, although the new laptop has not been introduced officially so far.

This particular T420 appears to be a watered-down version, equipped with a dual-core Intel Core i5-2540M Processor which runs at a frequency of 2.6GHz. The native screen resolution on this unit also appears to be lower at 1366 x 768.

The display is driven by the integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 controller as there is no discrete graphics solution onboard.

The laptop also sports an Intel 82567LM GbE PHY; this integrated solution has been used starting from the Intel Centrino 2 platform. Lastly, wireless is handled by a new Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 WLAN card.

RaidSonic Introduces IB-172SK-B 2-Bay HDD Mobile Rack February 21st, 2011

The Lenovo ThinkPad T420 looks very much like its outgoing predecessor, the T410. However, one noticeable difference is the display's aspect ratio. Lenovo has dropped the 16:10 14inch screen in favor of a more common 16:9 one.

The fingerprint reader, originally beside the touchpad, has been shifted down to the right corner. There are also minor finishing differences such as the position of rubber bumpers.

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Published by: VR-Zone

It is a trayless module with support for one 2.5" and 3.5" SATA II HDD/ SSD in a 5.25" bay, and features EasySwap (tool-free installations of any HDD/ SSD). The IB-172SK-B is ideal for users who require data mobility and transfers data amongst different HDDs/ SSDs regularly.

Transcend Unveils Stylish JetFlash 560 USB Flash Drive February 21st, 2011

Transcend Information, Inc. has expanded its line-up of USB flash drives with the addition of the JetFlash 560. Measuring 45.2 x 23 x 8.5mm and weighing 7g, the classy flash drive features a retractable USB 2.0 connector and supports data transfer speeds up to 18Mb/s (read) and 10Mb/s (write).

The JetFlash 560, covered by a limited lifetime warranty, is expected to cost about US$15 (4Gb), US$21 (8Gb), and US$41 (16Gb).

TRANSCEND PRESS RELEASE

Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, today announced the launch of its new JetFlash 560 USB flash drive. The new JetFlash 560 features a simple yet exquisite design with easyto-use retractable USB connector, offering a touch of urban sophistication as well as ultimate convenience.

The JetFlash 560 is the newest member of Transcend’s JetFlash series that boasts an excellent combination of style 14

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and performance. Its silver-tone metallic case is embellished with a classic checkerboard pattern, which adds a chic urban touch to an otherwise dull portable storage device. Thanks to its use of ultrasonic welding technology, the sleek and trendy JetFlash 560 USB flash drive is rugged enough to withstand a few bumps and falls.

Published by: VR-Zone

Under the terms, Apple will take a 30 percent share of the revenue. In addition, a "most favored nation" clause states that subscription rates offered to iOS app users will have to match rates offered through external channels.

This basically means that developers who want to tap on Apple's dominance over the tablet market and iTunes' global reach will have to pay a high price and are forbidden from passing this extra cost over to the consumers.

The Justice Department recently sued a Michigan healthinsurance company, alleging that the company used similar clauses to block competitors. Apple is currently under preliminary investigations by the US Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission, the EU (European Union) is also "closely monitoring the situation".

In addition to its eye-catching exterior design, the JetFlash 560 also features a handy push-out USB connector. With a simple flick of the thumb, users can effortlessly extend and retract the connector for easy one-handed operation. Such retractable design not only keeps dust and debris out of the drive, but also ensures there is no cap to misplace or lose.

The entire JetFlash lineup is backed by Transcend`s Limited Lifetime Warranty. For added value, users can freely download and install the exclusive JetFlash Elite data management tools for better mobile productivity. With the aid of this software, users can easily turn the flash drive into a key to log on to website accounts, or temporarily lock a computer to prevent unauthorized access.

Offered with three different storage capacities, the JetFlash 560 is now available for a suggested price of US$15 for the 4GB model, US$21 for the 8GB model, and US$41 for the 16GB model.

Apple's iOS Subscription Policies Investigated February 21st, 2011

The day after Apple announced the details of its in-app subscriptions, Google revealed a competing service called "One Pass" that will take just 10 percent of revenue. If this year's Honeycomb lineup proves to be a hit, Apple might just live to regret offending it's developers when they decide to offer their wares on Android instead.

Silicon Power Announces Velox V20 SSD Series February 21st, 2011

Taipei-based Silicon Power has unleashed the Velox V20 series, its latest SSD offering based on the SandForce (SF-1xxx) controller. Measuring 100 x 69.85 x 9.4mm and weighing 70g, the 2.5" SSDs boast a SATA III interface, MLC (multi-level cell) NAND flash memory, TRIM Command, AES-128 encryption, built-in ECC, “WearLeveling” technology, shock and vibration resistance, and support data transfer speeds up to 285Mb/s (read) and 275Mb/s (write). The Velox V20 SSD Series, available in 40Gb, 60Gb, 120Gb and 240Gb capacities, are covered by a three year warranty and bundled with a 3.5” adapter bracket.

SILICON POWER PRESS RELEASE

Apple announced its iOS App Store subscription service on the 15th of February. Almost immediately, there has been some violent criticisms from developers regarding the terms of the new service.

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Taipei, Taiwan, February 15, 2011 ~ World leading flash memory manufacturer Silicon Power today announces the new Velox V20 series Solid State Drive (SSD). Instantly boosting PC performances, it uses the latest SandForce controller, featuring a maximum read-speed of 285MB/s and write-speed of 275MB/s so enthusiasts can sit back and enjoy the speedy transfer rates!

Published by: VR-Zone

accepted by millions of end-users in more than 100 countries, becomes the world's leading manufacturer of flash memory cards, USB flash drives, card readers, DRAM modules, solid state disks, and portable hard drives in less than a decade.

Headquartered in Taipei, we continuously established various branches throughout the world including Netherlands, Japan, Russia, Mainland China and other emerging market. With superior quality and innovative design, our products stood out in several competitions and awarded Taiwan Excellence and COMPUTEX Design & Innovation Award in 2009 and 2010.

Winning trust of global consumers, Silicon Power holds a record of successive double-digit revenue growth for last seven years. For Silicon Power, the product we introduced is not only a digital storage device but also a real promise to create and preserve your most valuable memory in every moment.

Enermax DeButs New Cooler and Fans at Cebit 2011 February 21st, 2011

Tremendous Write-Speed Improvement Silicon Power's V20 SSD uses the latest SandForce controller, it boasts a continuous read / write speed up to 285MB/ 275MB per second, respectively. An actual test using a 40GB V20 required only 13 seconds to boot into Windows and open up a program. It is the perfect enterprise office PC storage solution or the ideal boot-up disk in any PC! In addition, V20 SSD also supports TRIM Command and Garbage Collection technology to counter performance drop issues due to long period of use and continuous write actions.

Enermax is ready to introduce its new T.B.Silence fans and high-end CPU cooler at Cebit 2011 in Hannover this March.

Significantly Extending Lifespan Using SandForce controller's patented DuraClass technology, it can extend the SSD lifespan up to 5 years! The DuraWrite technology optimizes the to-be written data to a reserved 7% flash memory storage block that acts as an intermediate station before data are written with an amplification less than 1 to their final storage blocks. This vastly reduces the occurrences of bad sectors and thus extending the lifespan.

Silicon Power Whole New SSD series V20 Gives You the Best of Both Worlds Silicon Power's V20 SSD comes with a 3-year warranty and a 2.5inch to 3.5inch adapter bracket for you to install into a desktop PC to boost performances! *NOTE: Performances may vary due to platform differences

Enermax is ready to introduce its new T.B.Silence fans and high-end CPU cooler at Cebit 2011 in Hannover this March. The new fans have a 4-pin connector that allows both automatic and manual speed control whilst the new cooler has three copper heatpipes and boasts a "Vortex Generator Flow" design. The cooler is equipped with two Twister fans to provide high airflow at relatively low noise levels and will be available in six variants.

News via [Softpedia]

About Silicon Power Silicon Power Computer & Communications Inc., founded in 2003 by a group of enthusiastic specialists of flash data storage industry. Well dedicated in brand image and product quality, Silicon Power has been recognized and well 16

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Published by: VR-Zone

Jetstar Airways to offer inflight iPad rentals February 21st, 2011

Perhaps the first of its kind around the world, Australia's Jetstar Airways is going to offer in-flight iPad rentals on every aircraft in its fleet starting as early as April. And you can experience all of the fun that Apple's tablet can offer on-board for a mere AUD$10.

According to the first report, Italian rumour site iSpazio claims that it has recieved notification from an Apple employee that Apple is preparing to release five new MacBook Pro models.

In specific, the model numbers are MC720, MC721, MC723, MC724, and MC725. These five models will span across all three current MacBook Pro sizes of 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17inch.

Currently, Apple offers six standard configurations of the MacBook Pro. It seems likely that Apple will drop a standard configuration from one of the 15-inch models if they were to ever drop to offer five models.

Another Italian site, Slide to Mac, reports that Apple's new models of MacBook Pro will arrive either on Thursday or Friday next week, and that the update is not merely just a spec bump of the existing offerings.

Back in June 2010, Qantas Airways' low-cost airline Jetstar has been trialing the concept of in-flight rentals of Apple's iPad. Pre-loaded with movies, music, magazines, books, and games, the rental program was suppose to launch at the end of last year, just in time for the holiday season. But due to contract negotiations and pending licensing agreements with Apple, they weren't able to get it ready in time.

With some airlines already offering integration between iPods and in-flight entertainment systems and iPads being used as electronic flight bags for pilots, you can say that the sky isn't the limit for Apple.

Five new MacBook Pro models to arrive next week?

Apple Bitch, on the other hands, reports on the tightening of supplies of MacBook Pro over the last month and it has affected Apple's own retail distribution points around Asia.

Apparently websites for Apple Stores in several Asian countries have been updated today to reflect longer shipping times for the MacBook Pro. For example, the Malaysian Apple Store updated its website today to show that shipping times for the 13 inch MacBook Pro have slipped from 24 hours to 1-5 days. This is also reflected in other countries such as Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan.

It is interesting to note that even though neighbouring countries reflect a delay in shipping date for any MacBook Pro, Singapore still shows "Today" for shipping.

February 21st, 2011

NYTimes: "Apple is not currently developing a smaller iPhone" A new series of claims have surfaced and continues to point to tightening supplies of the current-generation MacBook Pro line. The latest rumour is that the upcoming refresh of Apple's MacBook Pro line could arrive as early as late next week.

February 21st, 2011

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Contrary to reports published by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times published a report that claims that Apple is not planning to launch a smaller iPhone.

However, they did report that Apple is planning on launching a cheaper iPhone.

Published by: VR-Zone

Apple iPhone 4 awarded "Best Mobile Device" at MWC February 21st, 2011

You can say that the Mobile World Congress isn't one of Apple's territory; arguably more of an Android-centric affair this year. But despite the lack of appearance of the iPhone makers, the company was awarded the award "Best Mobile Device" for the iPhone 4.

According to the judges of the panel, the iPhone 4 has a "great screen, sharp design, fantastic materials, and phenomenal ecosystem for app developers. In a tight race, the iPhone 4 built on the success of its predecessors to set the pace for smart phones.�

In a conflicting report to the other various published reports, The New York Times has confirmed via their sources that Apple is indeed not working on a smaller version of the iPhone (or N97, iPhone Nano) as well as integrating voice commands.

But contrary to published reports, Apple is not currently developing a smaller iPhone, according to people briefed on Apple's plans who requested anonymity because the plans are confidential.

That said, the next-generation iPhone is "likely to be similar in size" to the current iPhone. Which make sense as incorporating a smaller screen would require app developers to rewrite their Apps to fit to the new resolution.

The New York Times' piece, however, did conform to some of the details spelled out by The Wall Street Journal's report. In specific, Apple is working on improving its' voice command system to allow easier navigation with the iPhone Apple is also working on changing some of the internal components to reduce costs to possibly sell versions of the iPhone at a cheaper price.

"Although the innards of the phone, including memory size or camera quality, could change to offer a less expensive model, the size of the device would not vary," said the person, who has worked on multiple versions of the device.

Reports on MobileMe seems to be on par with the others, citing that MobileMe will be available for free and allow users to wirelessly access their photos and other media files online.

However, despite creating the "Best Mobile Device", Apple still lost to HTC as they were awarded "Device Manufacturer of the Year." What mounts up to HTC's win includes "great communication and good customer service" admist "a strong portfolio of devices across many platforms."

Check out other awards here.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 18 Feb 2011 February 21st, 2011

In today's news roundup: The 'Wintel' dominance appears to be on extremely shaky ground now that tablets are fast replacing traditional PCs and netbooks as the preferred computing platform; TSMC is reportedly taking action to further ramp up wafer production capabilities at its fabrication plants to meet the growing demand; Sony launches a new premium line of OLED television sets, and... ... starts cracking down on users who have 'jailbroken' their PlayStation 3 consoles by landing the banhammer on the first group of offenders Hardware News: Kingston DT Ultimate 3.0 32GB Review - XSReviews Description: Kingston have long been known for producing high quality memory products, from laptop/desktop memory to flash drives and SSDs. What we have today falls into 18

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the flash drive category. It's a 32GB USB 3.0 version of the DataTraveler series, the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0. Available in 16, 32 and 64GB versions and boasting some pretty quick read/write speeds it certainly looks impressive but how does it really do? Let's take a look.

Inno3D GTX570 1.25GB Review @ Vortez Description: The GTX570 appears to be an amalgamation of several graphics cards in one on first impressions. Firstly, it features the tweaked GF110 core found in the GTX580. Like the GTX480, it has one stream multiprocessor disabled for a total of 480 CUDA cores and 60 texture units. And lastly, it sports the same memory bus and memory/ROP count of the GTX470, the latter feature being intrinsically to the memory.

Now is the Wintel of Intel’s discontent Description: Netbooks are just so passé nowadays, don’t you think? Every vendor in the world has decided that after the success of the Apple iPad, they’ve just got to have a tablet.

Lian Li PC-V354 Review @ ocaholic Description: With the PC-V354 Lian Li has a m-ATX case in it's portfolio which should offer a lot of space for hardware for such a compact enclosure. Especially regarding the hard drives Lian Li seems to have made its homework. Of course, like with all Lian Li cases the timeless design alone would be reason enough to wirte an entire review.

SilverStone Strider Gold 750W Power Supply Review @ OCIA.net Description: The 750W Strider Gold has many of the same specifications as the 750W Strider Plus (Silver) such as a 750W continuous rating at 40°C, all modular cables, single +12V rail, 19dBA 135mm variable speed fan, 2200uF capacitors on the PCI-E cables and all the same protection features. How the 750W Strider Gold differs from the 750W Strider Plus, aside from the name, is primarily in its greater efficiency.

Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 1000 Watt Modular Power Supply Review Description: Cooler Master already showed in our previous reviews, that they manufacture excellent power supply units and their Silent Pro Gold 1000W power supply underlines this impressively. The results are so impressive, that the Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 1000W received the ocinside.de OverClocking Dream 02/2011 award. In the review we will examine, among other things, how high the current consumption is with this enormously high power of 1KW and if it is worth to buy such a PSU. TSMC to ramp capacity at Fab 14, hire new staff Description: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is currently equipping 12-inch tools at its Fab 14, Phase 4 facility located at the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP). Designed monthly capacity is 40,000 wafers, according to the company.

Consumer Electronics and Software News: PI Manufacturing Digital Indoor, Outdoor ATSC Antenna @ TestFreaks Description: One of the great things about society is free stuff, all of the free stuff that’s out there for anyone to have anytime they want. One of the great free things is TV, it’s just out there for anyone to grab right out of the air. For many years that’s

Published by: VR-Zone

what I did, my kids were young and they didn’t care too much about TV, but as they got older they needed more, and honestly I missed it. I tried a few different antennas with mixed results.

Today for review I’ve got an over the antenna that can be used indoors and outdoors, it’s small and from what I’ve learned it works well.

Sony launches 25-inch OLED TV Description: Sony has announced its new Trimaster EL series of OLED (organic light-emitting diode) monitors for professional applications, such as video production or broadcasting rooms. What is interesting about the new monitors is that the top model, the Trimaster BVME 250, has a nearly 25-inch panel - 24 5/8 inches, to be precise, or, in metric terms, 623.4 mm. This makes it the biggest OLED panel currently in production. In addition, the newest twins also offer 1920x1080 pixel formats, or full HD resolution.

Google Search Finally Going Fully Social With Shared Twitter Links And Even Quora Data Description: At least a couple times a week we get tipped about Google testing a new “social search” feature. The truth is that the “social circle” results that everyone is pointing to have been in place since 2009. But Google clearly didn’t think too much of them and shoved them all the way down at the bottom of the results page. I’m not sure I’ve ever clicked on a link served up there. But this social aspect is about to get a lot more interesting starting today.

Some Nokia N8 and C7 phones have defective AMOLED screens?

Description: It seems that some Nokia N8 and C7 AMOLED displays are defective. The most common complaint (there are several actually) is that the screen has a purple tint in darker areas. It's not clear yet whether this is a software or a hardware issue. It is speculated that Nokia uses two kinds of displays although it's unlikely as all AMOLEDs are made by Samsung.

Smartphone Buying Guide: First Half of 2011 Description: To help you navigate through the sea of new smartphones getting released week in and week out we've put together a selection with what we consider are the hottest devices out there. They are listed alongside their respective specs, price, and features from newest to oldest. Many devices listed here are not yet available but will be in a relatively short timespan. We hope this will help you narrow down your purchase, and as usual your feedback is always welcome.

Cooler Master Storm Spawn: The Red-Black Fury @ InsideHW Description: As evident from the title, Cooler Master’s Storm Spawn comes in a combination of red and black colour. The scroll wheel and all buttons are matted black; according to Cooler Master, Omron microswitches were used to manufacture these, which guarantees at least five million clicks - a mind-boggling piece of information, sufficient on its own to make you want to buy this mouse. The rest of the mouse’s upper body is coloured glossy red, which really has an effect on the overall visual impact…

Koribo Mini Keyboard @ TestFreaks Description: Keyboards are an integral part of our life and they come in many shapes and sizes and some have specialized uses. A little bit ago I was contacted by a new company and 19

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they asked me to review a few of their products, specifically wireless keyboards. Today for review I have a small and unique little keyboard from Koribo just called the Mini. It very much reminds me of a gamepad, it has a full keyboard, many special keys, a joystick for controlling the cursor and a touch sensitive slider for scrolling. It uses two AA batteries that are supposed to give you about three months of use. This little keyboard is perfect for an HTPC setup surely or just anytime you might need a little wireless keyboard.

Gaming News: Valkyria Chronicles 3 To Come With Extra Episodes Description: DLC missions and episodes are heading towards Valkyria Chronicles 3 as Sega plans to release them online.

Extra episodes cost 600 yen while missions are just 200 yen.

Episode one “The Restless” comes out on February 24, which follows the squad leader of “Nameless”. Sega plans to release the extra mission a week later on March 3.

Published by: VR-Zone

of Japanese capacitors, enthusiast-grade performance, and a comprehensive fixed cable set that accomodates tall PC chassis and multiple-GPU installations.

“For years, the Enthusiast Series TX PSUs have been a favorite of gamers, high-performance PC enthusiasts, and anybody who requires reliable, low-noise power delivery,” said Ruben Mookerjee, VP and General Manager for Components at Corsair. “The new TX V2 power supplies are quieter and even more energy efficient, while providing the same legendary reliability, flexibility, and value that customers have loved about the original TX PSUs.”

PS3 hacker bans begin Description: Sony is apparently already dropping the banhammer on PS3 jailbreakers and pirates in Europe and the US.

Corsair Enthusiast Series TX V2 power supplies are now available from Corsair-authorized retailers in the Americas and Europe, and will be available in Asia in March. The TX850 V2 is available for a US suggested retail price of $139 USD. The TX750 V2 is available for $119 USD, and the TX650 V2 is available for $99 USD. For more information on Corsair Enthusiast Series PSUs, please visit the Corsair website.

Corsair Launches Enthusiast Series TX V2 PSU

Hands on with Asus' Eee Pads at MWC

February 21st, 2011

February 21st, 2011

Corsair has announced the Enthusiast Series TX V2 PSUs, targeting gamers and enthusiasts. Available in 650W, 750W and 850W capacities, the non-modular 80 PLUS Bronze certified PSUs boast a single 12V rail, Japanese capacitors, active PFC, an updated DC-to-DC converter design (for tighter voltage regulation), and are equipped with a 140mm double ball-bearing fan for cooling. The Enthusiast Series TX V2 PSUs, covered by a five year warranty, are expected to ship at prices of US$99 (TX650 V2), US$119 (TX750 V2) and US $139 (TX850 V2).

We got a chance to spend a few minutes playing around with a couple of prototypes of Asus' Eee Pads at the Mobile World Congress and although it was clear that these models were far from production ready units, Asus will have something on offer that none of its competitors currently has. The big selling point of both the Eee Pad Transformer and the Eee Pad Slider is the fact that they have near full size QWERTY keyboards which makes them productivity devices and not just consumption devices.

Corsair, a worldwide designer and supplier of highperformance components to the PC gaming hardware market, today announced the Enthusiast Series TX V2 power supplies.

The Enthusiast Series TX V2 is the successor to the awardwinning Enthusiast Series TX power supplies, which have won dozens of awards worldwide and received widespread critical and customer acclaim. The TX V2 PSUs offer improved energy efficiency, with 80 PLUS Bronze certification and European Commission Energy-Related Product (ErP) directive compliance.

We got a chance to spend a few minutes playing around with a couple of prototypes of Asus' Eee Pads at the Mobile World Congress and although it was clear that these models were far from production ready units, Asus will have something on offer that none of its competitors currently has. The big selling point of both the Eee Pad Transformer and the Eee Pad Slider is the fact that they have near full size QWERTY keyboards which makes them productivity devices and not just consumption devices.

The improved efficiency results in lower noise levels than the original TX PSUs under typical usage conditions, and a new DC-to-DC converter design provides tighter voltage regulation, with measurably lower ripple and noise. Features carried over from the acclaimed TX PSUs include the use

In as much as we don't believe that Android will replace fullfat OSes any day soon, being able to use a tablet for proper typing without having to carry a Bluetooth keyboard around with you is a boon to us. That said, in the case of the Eee Pad Transformer, you can of course decide to leave the keyboard at home and just take the tablet part with you. The obvious advantage here is that Asus offers a battery pack that fits inside 20

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the keyboard half and which we were told will extend the battery life to about 15h.

Published by: VR-Zone

Sharkoon Releases DriveLink USB 3.0 February 21st, 2011

Sharkoon has announced the DriveLink USB 3.0, a nifty contraption designed to connect any SATA devices to your PC via an USB 3.0 interface.

The Eee Pad Transformer also has the largest keyboard of the two and we'd say it's on par with the best netbooks out there, even in this early hardware state and hopefully Asus will be able to further improve upon it. As for the hardware, well, we don't have a ton of details to add to what's already known, but both the Eee Pad Transformer and Slider are powered by Nvidia's Tegra 250 SoC. Asus' own UI on top of Android will be used on all of the models and Asus said that it will be using the same UI on future Android smartphones as well.

Sadly the two Eee Pad Slider units on the show that we saw were not fully operational as the first one wouldn't switch on and the second one seemed to have a broken touch screen, so it was impossible to unlock the screen. That said, the keyboard sliding mechanism might be a concern here as well, at least in its current state as it was near enough impossible to open the keyboard on one of the units. The keyboard itself is smaller than on the Eee Pad Transformer, but still perfectly usable.

Sharkoon has announced the DriveLink USB 3.0, a nifty contraption designed to connect any SATA devices to your PC via an USB 3.0 interface.

The third and final Android tablet is the Eee Pad MeMO, but sadly Asus didn't have a working unit on display. This is also the model that is expected to launch last of the three models.

The Eee Pad Transformer is expected to arrive sometime in April with the Eee Pad Slider set to follow in May. For those that can't wait until then, Asus should be unveiling it's 12-inchv Eee Slate EP121 with a ULV Core i3 processor within the next month or so, although this is a Windows 7 tablet/notebook rather than a low power ARM based Android tablet.

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Measuring 58 x 56 x 21mm and weighing 54g, the compact adapter is powered by a 12V adapter, supports all 5.25"/ 3.5"/ 2.5" SATA HDD/ SSD (up to 2TB) and optical drives. It also has a OTB (one-touch-backup) button for easy data backup and a status/ transfer LED. The DriveLink USB 3.0 can be purchased from authorised resellers in Europe at a MSRP of €21.

News via [Guru3D]

NTT Docomo shows off 3D display Android phone at MWC February 21st, 2011

Japanese NTT Docomo was demoing some of its rather unique phones at the Mobile World Congress and one of the more interesting devices that was on display was the Sharp Lynx 3D SH-03C which features a 3.8-inch 800x480 pixel glasses free 3D display. This Android handset is exclusive to NTT Docomo and was developed specifically for the operator by Sharp, one of many partners that develop unique phones for NTT Docomo.

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Other features of the handset includes a 9.6Megapixel CCD camera that also records HD video, a “mobile wallet” or in other words an NFC sensor that allows for payments by touching your phone on a payment terminal, a one-seg TVtuner (a solution unique to Japan) and interestingly enough even an infrared transmitter, something we thought was a dead technology by not as far as data transfers were concerned, but apparently not in Japan.

Some other peculiar handsets that were on display include these cookie and chocolate bar flip phones, also from Sharp and oddly named the Q-pot. Feature wise they're nothing really special apart from the high resolution 854x480 pixel 3.2-inch displays they sport and the fact that they're water proof.

Next we have a Lumix model from Panasonic which sports a 13.2Megapixel CMOS camera with a 27mm wide angle lens and an F2.8 aperture, which is pretty impressive for a phone camera. It too has an 854x480 resolution screen, although a tiny fraction larger at 3.3-inches this time around.

Japanese NTT Docomo was demoing some of its rather unique phones at the Mobile World Congress and one of the more interesting devices that was on display was the Sharp Lynx 3D SH-03C which features a 3.8-inch 800x480 pixel glasses free 3D display. This Android handset is exclusive to NTT Docomo and was developed specifically for the operator by Sharp, one of many partners that develop unique phones for NTT Docomo.

Normally we'd say 3D screens are just gimmicky, but the one of the Lynx looked pretty decent, although sadly it was impossible to recreate the depth of view that the screen offered in our pictures of the handset. That said, this is one of the most promising 3D screen handsets we've seen to date and the two demos that were running clearly benefited to a degree from the 3D screen. It's unlikely that 3D displays will take off any time soon, as the displays still suffer from limited viewing angles and bright light doesn't seem to help with the 3D effect either.

The fourth and final model is from Toshiba and it's yet another Android powered smartphone, although this one features Toshiba's Regza TV technology for the screen and it even comes with a desktop dock so you can show off th 4-inch 854x480 screen to your friends. Interestingly this handset is also water proof and it was demoed by having water running over a unit inside a small box at the booth. The screen did look very sharp; although we're not sure it's the best phone screen we've ever seen.

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A representative for NTT Docomo we talked to said that Panasonic is looking at launching phones outside of Japan later this year, although as to what models we can expect is anyone's guess. The Japanese handset makers have been predominantly sticking to their home market in recent years with the exception of Sony Ericsson. However, by the sound of things, this might slowly be changing, but the question is if there's enough space in the market for someone like Panasonic unless they offer something truly unique in the market.

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Prolimatech, the master of cooling is going a step further after the success of the Prolimatech Megahalems by presenting another revolution in CPU cooling with the Prolimatech Genesis. Besides the immaculate quality - which is present across their entire product line-up - the Genesis sets new standards in cooling capability. Prolimatech continues the trend set forth by the Megahalems and Super Mega by utilizing two separate towers, but instead of placing them next to each other, they have been rearranged for maximum performance.

The large array of cooling fins can hold up to three 120 or 140 mm fans, two of which can be installed right out of the box with the included mounting materials. Besides keeping the CPU cool, the construction allows for direct air flow across critical areas like the memory and power phases of the system.

Prolimatech Rolls Out Genesis CPU-Cooler February 21st, 2011

Taipei based cooling specialist, Prolimatech, is preparing to showcase the Genesis - its latest high-end CPU cooler, at CeBIT 2011. Measuring 146 X 216.5 X 160mm and weighing 800g, the massive cooler boasts six 6mm heatpipes, two aluminum heatsinks, and supports up to three 140mm/ 120mm spinners. Its low height and two heatsinks allow "high clearance for better motherboard compatibility" and cooling for both MOSFET and RAM. The Genesis, compatible with all Intel LGA 775/ 1366/ 1156/ 1155 and AMD AM2/ 2+/ 3 processors, cost â‚Ź59.90 and comes bundled with a tube of PK-1 thermal compound.

PROLIMATECH PRESS RELEASE

Due to the innovative construction, Prolimatech manages to raise the bar and cool down the CPU even more. Adding to the excellent performance, Prolimatech has included additional black mounting screws to add further contact pressure, which translates into even lower operational temperatures. The use of these screws is intended for experienced users, which aim 23

February 21st, 2011

to get the most out of the cooling solution, as the pressure surpasses the Intel specifications. Overclockers will be happy to hear that Prolimatech continues the trend and allows for complete choice of fans, as none are supplied with the cooler.

This enables every user, regardless of their preferences or needs, to select the right models to equip the Genesis. Even when only using a single 120 or 140 mm fan, the Genesis manages to cool the CPU and keep the noise level at a minimum. To make the selection as easy as possible, Caseking offers various Genesis bundles with specific fans and set pricing.

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Shuttle Unveils Sandy Bridgebased Mini-PCs February 21st, 2011

Shuttle has released the XPC Barebone SH67H3 and SH67H7, supporting Intel's new 32 nm-technology processors (Intel's second-generation Core processor). They feature a H67 motherboard, offering four DDR3 memory slots (up to 16Gb RAM), one 5.25" and two 3.5" drive bays, one PCIe 2.0 x16 slot (for graphic accelerator), one PCIe 2.0 x1 (for expansion cards), four SATA II/ III connectors, four USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a mini-PCIe port, DVI and HDMI outputs, and a 300W PSU. SHUTTLE PRESS RELEASE

The Prolimatech Genesis also features broad compatibility as it ships with an AMD mounting kit intended for all modern sockets like AM2, AM2+ and AM3. Intel users will also be able to mount the cooler with the included kit for Socket 775, 1155, 1156 and 1366. To enable the most efficient transfer of heat between the CPU and Genesis cooler, Prolimatech supplies their high-performance PK-1 thermal paste, while a sturdy backplate guarantees a stable hold, taking the strain off the mainboard and socket.

The Prolimatech Genesis CPU cooler will be available from March 4th 2011 for59.90 Euro at www.caseking.de and is available for pre-order immediately. Additional bundles consisting of the Genesis and two 120 or 140 mm fans start at 64.90 Euro. An list of coolers can be viewed on here. A video presentation of the Prolimatech Genesis is also available on Caseking.tv.

Shuttle Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of multiform-factor solutions such as the world-famous XPC MiniPC Barebones, showcases two models for Intel's new 32 nmtechnology processor generation (code name: Sandy Bridge) at CeBIT 2011.

Shuttle, as the Mini-PC pioneer, is set to launch the XPC Barebone SH67H3 and SH67H7 at the end of March 2011.

Both are based on the Intel H67 Express chipset and boast extremely impressive technical features to support all Intel Core 2nd generation i3, i5 and i7 processors with LGA1155.

There are four DIMM slots that enable DDR3 memory support with a maximum capacity of 16 GB.

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The SH67H3 and SH67H7 are available through major retailers and e-tailers at MSRPs of €239 and €251 respectively come end March.

EKL Debuts Alpenfohn Peter high-end VGA cooler at CeBIT 2011 February 21st, 2011

Furthermore, these Mini-PCs are able to accommodate two 3.5" drives and one 5.35" drive with the motherboard offering 2x SATA 6 Gbit/s and 2x SATA 3 Gbit/s. Additional drives can be connected externally via eSATA or via an array of USB ports.

On the front and rear of the SH67H3 and SH67H7 models there are for the first time 4x USB 3.0 and 4x USB 2.0 ports as well as 2x eSATA/USB combo ports. A Gigabit-LAN interface is also provided for fast network access and data transfer.

German based EKL will be introducing its Alpenföhn Peter high-performance VGA cooler at CeBIT 2011 this coming March.

All second-generation Intel Core processors have a builtin graphics function. At the rear of both SH67 models are two digital monitor outputs. With both HDMI and DVII connections, the user can run two monitors and enjoy seamless playback of HD content. The Mini-PCs deliver audio signals via S/PDIF or HDMI. Additional graphics performance is provided by the PCIExpress 2.0 x16 port which is compatible with the latest dualslot graphics cards. If a single-slot graphics card is used, one PCI-Express 2.0 x1 port is then available for expansion cards.

The third expansion option is the Mini-PCIe port, which can be used for various applications, e.g. a WLAN module.

A 300 W, 80-PLUS-certified power supply unit ensures the compact PC is able to deliver high performance. The overall system is cooled by means of a heatpipe with a large speedregulated fan.

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February 21st, 2011

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tablet will sport the PlayStation branding that gamers have come to know and love.

Featuring six copper heatpipes and 91 aluminum fins, the nickel plated behemoth is able to support two 140mm (or four 120mm) fans through a "PCI bracket with a rail fastening system". The Alpenfรถhn Peter is compatible with all Radeon X1600, X1900, HD 2600, HD 3000, HD 4800, HD 5600, HD 5700, HD 6800 series and Nvidia 6600, 7, 8, 9600, 9800, 200, GTX 470, GTX 480 and GTX 580 graphic cards.

Sony reportedly "earnest" in preparing a PlayStation tablet PC...with Android, of course February 21st, 2011

How does the idea of being able to game away on your favourite game titles for the Sony PlayStation console from the luxury of a tablet PC sound like? Well, don't be surprised, but that day might actually come a lot sooner than you'd expect. According to various sources, it appears that the Japanese electronics giant is well under way in its plans to bring out a new tablet PC for consumers that will do more than just enjoy the 'standard' media content supported by most competing devices today.

The PlayStation might be Sony's bundle of joy when it comes to video game consoles, but it seems that the Japanese electronics giant is starting to see that there are many ways in which the PlayStation brand might be able to prove beneficial for its line of consumer electronic devices. After all, the recent scenario of Sony managing to generate a large deal of hype over the supposed 'PlayStation Phone' without having to do anything should be a testament as to how powerful the PlayStation brand really is.

Very few details about the upcoming PlayStation-branded tablet have been revealed, but what we do know is that the tablet is currently known by its codename of 'S1' from within Sony, and that the company in intending to outsource the device's production to Quanta Computer.

In addition, the information that we have managed to gather seems to indicate that the device will sport the Android Honeycomb operating system which Google claims has been specially optimized for larger-than-smartphone displays, while the hardware consists of NVIDIA's Tegra 2 system-ona-chip, a 9.4-inch display and dual cameras. And of course, the PlayStation branding means that the tablet will be fully capable of playing games released for the new PlayStation Suite platform.

Last but definitely not least, it seems that Sony does not intend to compete on price with the tablet: it will reportedly be released for retail in September this year for US$600.

Google woos Delicious users February 21st, 2011

Following rumors that Yahoo is trying to offload its popular social bookmarking service, Delicious, many opportunistic parties have taken advantage of the chaos and come up with their own Delicious boomark importers. Google has joined in the fray in a bid to market its own Google bookmarks as a safe haven. Read On.

However, it would seem that the Japanese electronics giant is not about to stand still, especially when it has the infamous distinction of being one of the few big-name OEMs that has yet to hop onto the current tablet PC bandwagon. The good news though, is that reports from various sources seem to indicate that Sony intends to remedy that situation with a new multimedia tablet that can reportedly do more than just connect to the Internet and watch movies. And yes, that same

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A few months earlier, Yahoo sent their users scrambling to save their precious collection of bookmarks when a leaked slide classified Delicious, a social bookmarking site, as "Sunsetting". This probably means "selling" in Yahoo-speak, users take that literally as closing down.

While there have been many bookmark migration offerings from users, Google has stepped in with its Delicious bookmark migration tool. The search engine giant hopes to make the switch easier for users and boost its user base with its Google Bookmarks.

Meantime, Yahoo has been unable to find a buyer for its Delicious site while Google attempts to steal a few bites from the cookie. Mmm, delicious.

Monster launches Turbine Pearl professional In-Ear speakers

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No iTunes? No problem: new music service offering for Android supposedly in the works for Honeycomb February 21st, 2011

Think that a new user interface and built-in support for devices with larger display sizes are the only draws that Honeycomb has to offer for the Android lovers out there? Well, it seems that Google has got one more ace up its sleeve in ensuring that the latest version of its mobile operating system has got what it takes to go toe-to-toe against the likes of iOS. How does an iTunes-esque music service for Android sound like to you?

February 21st, 2011

Monster has announced the new Turbine Pearl professional In-Ear speakers designed for serious audiophile and audio professionals. The Monster Turbine Pearl is available now.

Monster has launched its new Turbine Pearl In-Ear speakers in Singapore. The Turbine Pearl claims to deliver superb quality sound to meet the demands of today's music professionals and audiophile listeners.

Along with Turbine Pearl, the company has also introduced its new high performance "SuperTip" eartips that offer superior noise isolation, while improving the overall performance by preventing sound leakage. The SuperTip eartips are being offered with the Turbine Pearl in two sizes - small and large.

For those who love the traditional Monster eartips, three sizes are also included, along with traditional foam tips, and two sets of triple-layered eartips for perfect fit.

The Turbine Pearl comes bundled with an attractive, super soft sewn pouch and a matching clip pouch to house the eartips.

Monster offers a one-time Lifetime Replacement Guarantee even if users break the headphones themselves.

Monster Turbine Pearl In-Ear Speakers will be available at Harvey Norman, i Studio, and all Stereo Electronics outlets, and retails at S$339.

Well, that sure took Google long enough. Apparently, in its quest to wrestle market share over from the likes of iOS, RIM, Symbian and Windows Mobile, the search giant has placed too much focus into improving the usability of its Android operating system and neglecting a key aspect about such mobile platform: music. That's right: while Windows Phone 7, Symbian and iOS users get services such as Zune, Ovi and iTunes to play with, it would seem odd that Google is the only odd player in the group that still does not have its own music service for users to sync and purchase audio tracks from.

Fortunately, it appears that someone in Google had finally noticed the absence of such a service from the Android ecosystem and taken action to silently plug up the hole in Google's offering of online services. And of course, all it needed was a simple slip of the tongue from Motorola's CEO to reveal the fact that Google does indeed have a music service planned for a certain future build of Android that a certain tablet will be making use of.

Speaking at this year's Mobile World Conference held at Barcelona, Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha all but gave away the secret when he talked about the services that the upcoming Motorola Xoom tablet will be able to offer consumers.

"If you look at Google Mobile services [via Android] today, there's a video service, there's a music service – that is, there will be a music service."

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According to Jha, Google's music service for Android will be operating system-dependant, although he did mention that the version of Android Honeycomb that will be pre-installed into the Motorola Xoom will come with support for the new service.This would suggest that the new 'Google Music' service is likely to form an integral part of the default Honeycomb user experience when the new operating system is finally released for public consumption.

Unfortunately, this also leaves a key question about backward compatibility about the new 'Google Music' service unanswered. While it is no doubt good news that Honeycomb might come bundled with the means to access the new music service, one must not forget that there are countless other Android-powered devices in the market today that are still running off older versions of the mobile operating system.

And if the 'operating sytem-dependant' part of the service means that older Android builds will never have access to Google's upcoming online music service...well, let's just say that Google's PR team might want to start preparing itself for a very eventful year ahead when Honeycomb launches.

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February 23rd, 2011

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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.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 23 Feb 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--23feb-2011/11304.html February 23rd, 2011

In today's news roundup: Enthusiasts ponder ways on how one might be able to build the cheapest possible PC based off Intel's new Sandy Bridge platform; OCZ's RevoDrive amd Vertex 2 SSDs get reviewed; Angry Birds officially crashes into Windows; Motorola's Atrix 3G smartphone gets reviewed; Nintendo might eventually produce a 'Wii 2' which may feature support for HD content, and EA 'accidently' leaks a few details pertaining to an upcoming sequel for the popular RTS title Command & Conquer Hardware News: XFX Radeon HD 6850 Black Edition Video Card Review @ Legit Reviews Description: There are a lot of video cards on the market today to choose from, but when one shows up on the market with killer performance at the $159 price point and a double lifetime warranty it is worth a closer look. The XFX Radeon HD 6850 Black Edition costs $20 more than the standard version, but it comes factory overclocked and to some that is worth it. Read on to see how this card performs against a Radeon HD 5770 in both single and CrossFire situations.

Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G Review - XSReviews Description: Auzentech have been around for a few years now and that's a good thing; as well as being impressive. They entered the sound card game when it was all about Creative and they did so by simply taking a popular chip, the X-Fi, and throwing it on a board of their own with some nice tweaks. A winning formula. Now though, they're branching away from these roots with the re-tooled X-Meridian 7.1, named the 2g.

Packing a C-Media CMI8788 audio processor with support for plenty of connectors, a daughter board and replacable OpAmps; audiophiles look like they're in for a treat. Let's see if the rumours are true.

OCZ RevoDrive and Vertex 2 120GB SSD Review @ Overclockers Australia Description: Today we have the opportunity to benchmark a pair of mainstream SSDs from OCZ's Vertex 2 and RevoDrive ranges. These are separate products and quite different implementations of the SSD concept, but we're going to examine them both in this article. So, let's see what each variant has to offer!

Corsair Hydro Series H70 CPU Cooler review Description: In comparison to the previous Hydro H50, the H70 has cut its pump/waterblock height in half, measuring now only 30mm. However it has boosted heat dissipation with a 48mm-thick radiator, double the previous model, and the addition of a second fan. It still maintains a black finish and features proprietary hoses that virtually eliminate evaporation of water, and due to the decrease in hose length and pump height, it now includes rotating connectors on the pump side to help with varied mounting positions.

OCZ RevoDrive and Vertex 2 120GB SSDs Review Description: The Vertex 2 follows the standard of a SATA 3Gb/s data and SATA power connection as found in any new mechanical hard drive and most SSDs. However the RevoDrive is a little more exotic, and utilises an x4 PCIExpress connection for even more bandwidth. Unlike earlier SSDs that utilised a PCI-Express interface, the RevoDrive is bootable, meaning that it can be used as primary system drive.

ASUS GTX 560 Ti DirectCU II Top review @ ocaholic Description: With its GTX 560 Ti Direcet CU II Top, ASUS shows a factory overclocked version of the NVIDIAs latest mid-range GPU. Additionally this card got ASUS' powerful DirectCU II cooler as well as an attractive design. Theoretically this card even has the potential to outperform a Radeon HD 6950. Amongst other thigs this is what we'll show in the following review.

PowerColor AX6950 PCS++ Video Card @ Benchmark Reviews Description: When is a 6950 not a 6950? Well, quite often, as it turns out. In the case of the PowerColor PCS++ Radeon HD 6950 video card, it just depends on which way you flip the switch. Push it one way and you have a standard Radeon HD 6950, with 1408 shaders running at 800 MHz. Push it the other way and you have 1536 shaders running at 880 MHz, which is the exact configuration of the HD 6970. The only difference is! that PowerColor kept the 1250 MHz memory chips in the PCS++, instead of springing for the 1500 MHz memory, like a real HD 6970 has. Join Benchmark Reviews

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February 23rd, 2011

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as we investigate this unique product from PowerColor, that's sure to cause some excitement in the marketplace.

sound adds a level of immersion to games and movies that other 2.1 systems cannot reproduce.

ECS H67H2-M Black Motherboard Review @ Madshrimps Description: The H67H2-M Black motherboard from ECS is the most equipped from their H67 chipset series and incorporates technologies like USB 3.0, EZ Charger and Dual Gigabit LAN with teaming support. The board supports only Intel HD Graphics overclocking, the CPU overclocking by multiplier is locked and the memory frequency is limited at 1333MHz.

BlackBerry Torch 9800: The Olympic Torch @ InsideHW Description: Research in Motion (RIM), the company behind the BlackBerry (BB) brand, has been one of the leading smartphone manufacturers for a while now. One of the main reasons for their popularity is the focus on the business environment, in both devices and services offered. A feature present in nearly all BB devices is the existence of a physical QWERTY keyboard with separate keys, and starting with the Storm line, RIM has also delved into the area of touchscreens.

Torch is their latest product that unifies these two worlds within a single device, as well as providing the latest operating system (OS), version 6, with significant advantages…

Build an Intel Sandy Bridge budget system - OcUK @ Vortez Description: "Today we will be doing something a little different from the typical review/article. With many moving over to the Sandy Bridge platform due to the excellent price : performance ratio, those wanting to upgrade at the current time will be surely considering Sandy Bridge. But not everyone has the cash to spend on a high-end system, and as our Sandy Bridge reviews have revealed - mainstream boards are now at a much more affordable cost when compared to any other platform to launch. Mainstream performance comes at budget pricing."

Consumer Electronics and Software News: Angry Birds Available For Windows On Intel AppUp Store Description: Oh, happy day! Angry Birds is now available for the PC. “But wait,” you say. “There’s no app store on Windows.

How will I download it?” Don’t worry: Intel has you covered.

Backlit LED market drives digital TV semiconductor growth Description: The market for digital TV (DTV) semiconductors will see double digit growth in 2011, with backlit LED TVs leading the way.

Mionix Propus 380 Gaming Mouse pad @ TestFreaks Description: Mionix who are known for their gaming accessories have released a high performance gaming mousepad named the Propus 380. This oversized mousepad is designed to provide an ice like surface for a smooth glide while still maintaining the ability to have precise movements.

Motorola Atrix Review: Great Phone, Weak Netbook Description: Saying that the Motorola Atrix is the best Android phone isn't a big deal; that throne gets usurped every few months. But even though the Atrix's accompanying laptop dock is slow and and expensive, the idea behind it is one of the first innovations in mobile technology in quite a while.

Motorola Atrix 4G Smartphone Performance Benchmarks @ Legit Reviews Description: This morning AT&T began selling the Motorola ATRIX and since they are marketing it as the world's most powerful smartphone we had to buy one and take a look at the performance of the phone compared to several other popular Android devices. How will the Motorola ATRIX do against the Droid X, Epic 4G and Droid Incredible on benchmarks like Linpack, Quadrant and Nenamark? Read on to find out!

Antec SoundScience Rockus 3D 2.1 Speaker System Review @ Tweaknews Description: Antec's Soundscience has made an impressive launch into the PC speaker market with the Rockus 3d 2.1 system. Not only can a buyer expect to hear sparkling high frequencies, clear midrange and tight bass response, the 3D

Gaming News: Nintendo To Have Wii 2, Supports HD content ?

Description: We have heard of various rumors on the Wii 2 and possible potential but Nintendo made announcement about four months ago, claiming the company any has got no immediate plans to work on an upgrade to its existing Wii video game console.

"There is no next [Dissidia]" says Tetsuya Nomura Description: As Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy approaches its Japanese release date, fans are speculating on where the series will go from here. According to a recent issue of Dengeki PlayStation (translated by Andriasang) when producer Tetsuya Nomura was asked about the future of the series, he replied "There is no next. We're thinking about ending this pattern of Dissidia here." He also states that there will not be an international re-release for the sequel after launch as was the case with Dissidia Final Fantasy: Universal Tuning.

Command & Conquer Gets New Studio, Next Game in the Franchise Now in Development Description: Nothing to see here is EA's clumsy response after launching a website yesterday that reveals a new Command and Conquer game is currently being developed by new studio Victory Games. The site and its details about the new C&C game have since been pulled, but the web, she sees all, and she never forgets.

HP announces redesigned consumer PC portfolio Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hp-announces-redesigned-consumerpc-portfolio/11309.html February 23rd, 2011

HP has recently announced their newly redesigned consumer PC portfolio which include the Pavilion dv4, dv6, dv7, g4, g6, TouchSmart 610 and HPx2301 Micro Thin LED monitor . The products are scheduled to to be available next month and in April.

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HP has revealed a redesigned consumer PC portfolio at their "A New HP World" event in Shanghai, China, with sleek looks and latest technologies to enhance the way consumers connect to the people, entertainment and information that matter to them to pursue and achieve their personal passions.

The new HP Pavilion dv series notebook PCs include impressive features such as HP CoolSense Technology, HP TrueVision HD webcam and HP SimplePass. Select models of the HP Pavilion dv series also feature Beats Audio for a powerful audio experience.

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Designed to maximize user‘s multimedia experience, the Pavilion dv4 expresses full PC functionality and performance with up to second-generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors and powerful AMD Radeon 6750M graphics. With a stylish exterior in Espresso Black lattice imprint, the notebook is just 1.11-inch thin and weighs from 2.2kg. It features a 14inch diagonal HD BrightView display and has an optional integrated Blu-Ray player. An integrated six-cell battery provides up to 6 hours of battery life.

The latest HP TouchSmart610 Consumer PC reclines from upright to almost flat, providing increased comfort for longerterm use and the freedom to position the TouchSmart610 Consumer PC on a kitchen counter, or anywhere the family gathers.

HP Pavilion dv6 and dv7 The HP Pavilion dv6 and dv7 boast performance, entertainment and security features that suit seamlessly into the lives of users. Available in a dark umber metal finish, they use HP‘s exclusive Beats Audio that provide excellent digital music. Both the Pavilion dv6 and dv7 also include newly optimized on-board quad speakers, and the dv7 features a HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer for additional depth and power.

HP Pavilion g-series The new HP Pavilion g-series is ideal for the everyday user, offering up to second-generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, attractive designs at a great value. Available in charcoal grey and sonoma red, the Pavilion g-series notebooks – the Pavilion g4 and g6 – offer full connectivity for surfing the Internet and connecting with friends . The notebooks also include a HD BrightView display, with Altec Lansing speakers and SRS Premium Audio for enjoying movies and music.

Available with up to second-generation Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processors and optional AMD Radeon graphics, the Pavilion dv6 and dv7 provide enhanced performance. HP CoolSense Technology combines advanced hardware and intelligent cooling software for a notebook that feels noticeably cooler.

The technology automatically adjusts cooling levels according to a customer‘s personal preferences.

HP Pavilion dv4

HP TouchSmart610 Consumer PC The new HP TouchSmart610 Consumer PC offers increased range of motion, superior viewing and an intuitive touch experience with a 23-inch diagonal high-definition (HD) display. It has touch-optimized applications from Facebook, Twitter, as well as HP‘s exclusive RecipeBox, webcam and music applications where users can add new applications via the TouchSmart Apps Center . For the gaming enthusiast, select models of the TouchSmart610 Consumer PC are available with an exclusive HP touch-enabled version of Ubisoft‘s real-time strategy game, R.U.S.E.. It also features Beats Audio and the new HP LinkUp application for users to wirelessly link a notebook PC to the TouchSmart using a home network .

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As in, iPad 2! Or, as BoomTown is now officially nicknaming it: iPad Too! The report goes on to say that the scheduled date is firm and that the event will take place in San Francisco.

It's not clear when Apple will begin sending out its famous invites for gathering, but I am guessing soon, in order to get the Apple faithful to the proper level of froth.

Reuters also posted a story and they are also hearing that Apple will introduce the next iPad on the same day.

Monitor that delivers your digital world The limited edition, stunning, multi-faceted 23 inch HP x2301 Micro Thin LED monitor, features LED backlighting which illuminates the display and an edge lit illumination around the screen. The HP x2301 Micro Thin LED monitor comes in a sleek, slim and sophisticated profile and full HD resolution.

Pricing and availability — The HP Pavilion dv4 starts from US$749 and will be available from mid March 2011 in Asia Pacific.

— The HP Pavilion dv6 starts from US$799 and will be available from early March 2011 in Asia Pacific.

— The HP Pavilion dv7 starts from US$899 and will be available from early March 2011 in Asia Pacific.

— The HP Pavilion g4 and g6 starts from US$549 and will be available in March 2011 in Asia Pacific.

— The HP TouchSmart610 Consumer PC is expected to be available in China from 28 February, Australia and New Zealand from 7 March and Hong Kong from 8 March. The pricing starts from US$1,399.

— The HPx2301 Micro Thin LED monitor is expected to be available in April 2011 in Asia Pacific, starting at USD$239.

Apple will host an event on March 2, where the company is expected to take the wraps off the newest iPad model, an individual with knowledge of the situation said. Apple declined to comment.

The New York Times also ran a similar story announcing that Apple will indeed introduce their flagship tablet on the second day of March.

Now people with knowledge of the matter say that Apple will host an event on Wednesday, March 2 to showcase its new iPad. If true, Apple should be sending out media invites for the event in the following days.

Update: Engadget just posted on their site that they've received the following media invite from Apple indeed scheduled on 2nd March. As you can see, they are very likely going to announce the next iPad from the teaser invite.

Apple scheduled media event to unveil iPad 2 on 2nd March?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-scheduled-media-event-tounveil-ipad-2-on-2nd-march-/11307.html February 23rd, 2011

Numerous reports have surfaced suggesting that the California-based tech giants have plans for a media event on 2nd March to introduce the much-anticipated next-generation iPad. Update: The rumours are true, Apple has started to send out invites.

According to a report by All Things Digital, Apple has scheduled a media event in the start of March where they are going to announce the upcoming iPad 2.

To those who intensely cares about this kind of stuff - which would be pretty much everyone in the tech ecosystem - Apple will hold its much-anticipated event on March 2, where the tech giant seems poised to unveil a new version of its hugely successful iPad.

Refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro specs leaked, Intel's Light Peak known as Thunderbolt?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/refreshed-13-inch-macbook-pro-specsleaked-intel-s-light-peak-known-as-thunderbolt-/11306.html

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Earlier today, leaked photos and specs of Apple's upcoming 13-inch MacBook Pro hit the Internet and through the leaked images, we discover this shocking symbol. Is that Light Peak?

Well...

It seems that according to this leaked image, Apple has incorporated Light Peak into their new machines under the name "Thunderbolt". And it seems that the new Thunderbolt port will be a hybrid port found on the new 13-inch MacBook Pro, sharing the port with the DisplayPort.

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generation versions of Apple's flagship iOS devices will be available, he explicitly mentions that any "delays" are false and everything is going like clockwise on Apple's side.

From what I've heard this morning both products are on schedule and will ship when they are supposed to.

Only Apple knows exactly when that will be, but the products are not delayed.

In addition, Dalrymple goes on to note the phenomenon of "delays" for products that haven't even been announced to the public.

It seems amazing that rumors of Apple missing product deadlines are running rampant when Apple hasn't even announced the product yet. The only deadlines that have been set are by the media, not Apple.

Having said that, the iPhone 5 and iPad 2 are not delayed.

Without delays, Apple is expected to launch the next iPad between March and April, and June-July window for the nextgeneration iPhone.

GlacialTech Unleashes New Notebook Coolers No delay of iPad 2 and iPhone 5?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/glacialtech-unleashes-new-notebookcoolers/11303.html February 23rd, 2011

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/no-delay-of-ipad-2-andiphone-5-/11305.html February 23rd, 2011

Just yesterday, there were a pair of analyst reports that suggests Apple's upcoming iPad 2 and iPhone 5 will see a delay on their launches due to "issues" with production. But now, there is a chorus of denials on those claims.

Barron's and Reuters are now refuting the claim that the nextgeneration iPhone 5 and the upcoming iPad 2 is delayed for shipping and will arrive consumers' hands later.

According to The Loop's Jim Dalrymple, these claims of delayed iPad 2 and iPhone 5 launch are simply untrue.

While he did mention that he does not know when the next-

GlacialTech, provider of cooling, power supply and PC enclosure solutions for consumers and industrial applicators, has released the V-Shield Series Cooling Pads.

GlacialTech, provider of cooling, power supply and PC enclosure solutions for consumers and industrial applicators, has released the V-Shield Series Cooling Pads.

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V-Shield Series V3

V-Shield Series V7 Last but not least, we have the V7. Measuring 350 x 335 x 45.5mm and weighing 1.3kg, the aluminum cooler has two USB 2.0 ports, four rubber feet, supports laptops up to 15.6", and is equipped with a 200mm LED fan for cooling.

Availability and pricing is unknown.

Nokia launches E7 business phone in Singapore, available now V-Shield Series V5 First up, we have the V3, which measures 340 x 310 x 59mm. It supports netbooks/ notebooks up to 15.6�, has anti-slip pads at the bottom, one USB 2.0 port, and is cooled by a 120mm LED fan. The V5, available in red (V5R) or blue colors (V5B), measures 345 x 340 x 43mm. It has two USB 2.0 ports, support netbooks/ notebooks up to 15.6", a perforated metal mesh surface, and is cooled by a 200mm LED fan.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nokia-launches-e7-business-phone-insingapore-available-now/11300.html February 23rd, 2011

Today, Nokia announced their new E7 that claims to be "The Ultimate Business Smartphone" in Singapore, designed for mobile professionals. The E7 is available now.

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from enhancement in performance and functionalities, for the whole range" says Berka.

According to Berka, the company is working on the transformation and transitioning from Nokia Ovi Store on specific levels. and what will happen to Ovi Store and Microsoft Marketplace. There isn't a lot of details released yet, though the intention is to port the content into Marketplace and Nokia will be working with the developers to do so. Nokia will also be making sure to look into new and innovative areas in terms of content.

Vlasta Berka, general manager of Nokia Singapore,Malaysia and Brunei, gave an opening speech and talked abt the trend of users who are using their smartphones for business.

"More and more users are using their personal smartphones or mobile devices for business use. According to IDC, this trend is the biggest contributor to the growth of business mobile email. It is also forecast by 2014, there is going to be roughly 62 percent of all mobile devices being used are in the business mobility area. But 60 percent of those are personal devices that are being used in the business and enterprise areas."

Genius Announces Navigator 905 Vogue Mouse Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/genius-announces-navigator-905vogue-mouse/11302.html February 23rd, 2011

KYE Systems Corp. (or Genius), manufacturer of the first scroll wheel mouse (Genius EasyScroll) in 1995, has unveiled the Navigator 905 Vogue wireless mouse.

Antony Wilson, head of marketing for Nokia Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, was next to introduce the E7 smartphone and its various features which include the 4inch ClearBlack touchscreen display, QWERTY keyboard, 8-megapixel camera, mobile office, security, and social networks.

So, how will the company convince customers that they will have the support, say one or two years time, especially when security features get updated fairly frequently?

KYE Systems Corp. (or Genius), manufacturer of the first scroll wheel mouse (Genius EasyScroll) in 1995, has unveiled the Navigator 905 Vogue wireless mouse.

"Nokia has got over 200 million Symbian-based devices on the market and have also announced to sell another 150 million (or excess of 150 million) Symbian-based devices, which is close to half a billion in the market. This is by far the largest install-base of any other platform and manufacturing in the market. While the Windows Phone 7 is going to be the primary smartphone for the Finnish company, we will be mad not to look after the customers. What we have got in store are number of improvements and very robust roadmap. For the remainder of this year, we are expecting to release in excess of 50 improvements to the Symbian platform. They will range

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The mouse boasts a stylish diamond-pattern design, BlueEye advanced optical tracking technology (works on any surface), storage slots for the wireless dongle, two buttons, ‘Magic Roller’ scroll-wheel technology, and connects to the PC via a 2.4 GHz RF wireless interface. Powered by one AAA battery, the Navigator 905 Vogue is available through major resellers and e-tailers at a MSRP of US$45.

News via [Techshout]

AMD has "no plans" to enter smartphone market Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amd-has-no-plans-to-entersmartphone-market/11299.html February 23rd, 2011

While Intel still valiantly attempts to make a break into the mobile and embedded space with its x86 processors, it seems that AMD has already given up the fight even before starting.

According to a statement made by the company's interim CEO, AMD has got no plans at the moment about even thinking of making a break into the highly competitive mobile and embedded segement. On a brighter node, it appears that the company's line of Fusion APUs are performing much better than expected.

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The market for processors and highly-integrated System-on-achip (SoCs) is currently all for ARM and its licensees to take at the moment, and it seems that the status quo is not about to see any sudden upsets, at least in the near future. After all, almost every single smartphone and tablet out on the market today make use of an ARM-based SoC save for a few niche devices that sport full-fledged Atom processors.

Apparently, this current state of affairs is all the information needed to convince AMD that it does not stand much of a chance in successfully breaking ARM's dominance in that market segment. In a statement made by AMD's interim CEO, Thomas Seifert put an end to any further speculation by declaring that the company has no plans to make an entry into the smartphone chip market, even though it has an extremely low power, 1W chip up its sleeves in the form of its Bobcat processor which is currently being used by Acer for its new Windows 7-based tablet.

"We have no intention of entering the smartphone space at this point of time. We are not in the process of developing [a] baseband [chip] and this is a clear statement. There are enough players in the is market that have a hard time earning money," he said, when asked about AMD's plans for the smartphone market at the Goldman Sachs Internet and Technology Conference.

On a brighter note, it would seem that AMD's Fusion strategy might well be starting to pay off handsomely. According to a report on DigiTimes, unusually high demand for the company's 40mm Ontario and Zacate processors is causing supply for the aforementioned chips to dry up. To remedy the issue, AMD has reportedly started stocking up on its inventory levels and placed new orders for more processing capability from TSMC.

Windows 7 SP1: Now available for download Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/windows-7-sp1-now-available-fordownload/11298.html February 23rd, 2011

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Do you see that Update button hiding inside the Control Panel in your copy of Windows 7? Well, now is the best time to actually start making use of it if you have not been doing so. That is because Microsoft has just released the highlyawaited SP1 update for its popular operating system for public download.

Well, everybody asked for it, and it would seem that Microsoft has finally delivered. Remember the few stories we ran about the highly overdue SP1 update for Microsoft's currentgeneration operating system, Windows 7? Yep, it seems that the day has finally come for all Windows 7 users to hit the 'Check for Updates' button on Microsoft/Windows Update and start patching the world's most popular operating system against from the few security vulnerabilities that it has been exposed to in the past year of its life.

As we have stated before, SP1 for Windows 7 does not offer any new user-centric features, so you might want to shelf all expectations of seeing some random new option pop up in Windows 7's Control Panel after applying the update. That being said, what you should preparing yourself for when you reach home today is a very, very long updating process.

According to Microsoft, the 32-bit version of SP1` for Windows 7 sports an astronomical package size of 755MB, while the 64bit version throws all notion of size out the window with a combined size of 1GB.

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Rumour: Nintendo Wii 2 will feature support for HD content?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rumour-nintendo-wii-2-will-featuresupport-for-hd-content-/11297.html February 23rd, 2011

Nintendo may have kept its lips tightly sealed over the possibility of releasing an updated Wii console to compete against the likes of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but it seems that the heat competition might be finally starting to get to the Japanese console maker. While the company has confirmed that a console refresh is a distinct possibility, it would seem that Nintendo might have a little extra something planned for the new machine. Read on to find out more.

Barely four months ago, Nintendo made an announcement claiming that the company has got no immediate plans to work on an upgrade to its existing Wii video game console. And its reason was as simple as it could get: its current sales numbers did not justify the pouring of additional resources into creating a successor for the current-generation console.

To top it off, Nintendo's US president Reggie Fils-Aime bluntly told the media back then that that would be no talk of such a console until the company could meet its sales targets: "As we sit here today we're saying the Wii has many, many more units to sell. After we've reached an installed base of 45m here in the US we can have a conversation about the next generation."

Apparently, Nintendo seem to have backtracked on its words, for the company's European MD of Marketing was reportedly telling a reporter from Edge that there will (eventually) be a Wii 2. And when the time is right to release the Wii's successor out to the retail market, it will still sport the optical drive as the main medium for gameplay, although digital game downloads will still be supported.

But that is not all. According to the predictions made by Michael Patcher, an analyst with Wedbush, the Wii 2 will come with support for HD content, if only because the console maker is already trailing far behind the competition in this aspect.

Needless to say, you will want to hit the 'Update Now' button and leave your PC or notebook on overnight while Windows does its work uninterrupted. Here's hoping your ISP is up to the task of dealing with larger-than-usual data consumptions tonight: after all, nobody wants to see the dreaded 'Service Pack failed to install' error message, right?

Of course, much of this information is made up of nothing more than speculations from consumers and analysts, so it is 9

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highly prudent that readers take these details with nothing less than a truckload's worth of salt.

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install custom ROMs legitimately into your Xoom sounds like? *Note: the image shown above is NOT that of the real Motorola Xoom's bootloader screen!

Apple iPad 2 shipments delayed from April to June?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-ipad-2-shipments-delayed-fromapril-to-june-/11293.html February 23rd, 2011

Apple's upcoming next-generation iPad is expected to be announced later this month and shipped out to consumers' hands by April. But according to a note, the iPad may be delayed from April to June.

As reported by Bloomberg, they cited a research note by Yuanta Securities Co. with the claims of the much-anticipated iPad 2 meeting production issues and thus, a delay in shipment.

The report by Vincent Chen and Alison Chen, analysts at Yuanta, cited ?production bottlenecks? at Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. after Apple made design changes before the Lunar New year.

With the delay in release of the next iPad, this might just give a small gap of oppurtunity for the Andriod 3.0 tablets, which a number are to be launced in April and May.

Installing custom ROMs on a smartphone is always considered to be an act that resides well within the grey area between making legal or illegal modifications to one's device. However, the case for smartphones based off Google's Android operating system is a lot more complex, as its open nature means that technically anybody who is savvy enough can potentially cook up their own custom ROM and release it for public use while being covered by the various open-source licenses governing the use of Android.

Unfortunately, as far as most OEMs are concerned, the very act of rooting an Android-powered smartphone to gain access to its bootloader is an instant passport to voiding one's warranty. But once again, it would seem that certain flagship products are exempt from the need to lock down the device's bootloader. In an announcement made on a Twitter, Motorola's mobile department has confirmed that the Xoom will sport an unlockable bootloader, just like the Nexus S before it. And lest you think we are making this up, here is the actual Twit in all its glory:

Motorola confirms a special feature on Xoom for Android enthusiasts Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/motorola-confirms-a-special-featureon-xoom-for-android-enthusiasts/11296.html February 23rd, 2011

Motorola has had its fair share of criticism from the Android hacker community, especially with its less-thanfriendly policies regarding any act of ROM or firmware modification. However, the latest news from the company seems to hint at a complete about-turn of Motorla's Android strategy: apparently, the upcoming Xoom tablet will sport a certain feature that should make it highly sought after by the aforementioned enthusiasts. How does the ability to

So what will this mean for both end-users and developers?

Well, simply put, it appears to be a win-win situation for all parties involved. End-users who desire a more customized version of Android are free to load up the Xoom with customized Android ROMs for their own use without having to worry about tripping any electronic security mechanism (if any) found in the tablet. On the other hand, developers are free to perform all kinds of hacks on both the Xoom and its firmware to further tweak the device and fix certain bugs, if need be.

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PQI 64GB SDXC Class 10 Flash Memory Card Review @ Legit Reviews Description: The 64GB PQI SDXC card has a very impressive storage capacity with respectable performance numbers. For example the Canon EOS Rebel 550D/T2i DSLR camera records HD video and the user's manual recommends at least Class 6 memory cards in order to record 1080p video smoothly. The PQI 64GB SDXC card should be able to keep up when recording 1080p video and images in continuous burst mode. Having a card that pushes 20MB/s read and write also means you can easily offload all of images and videos from the memory card to computer... *This is NOT the real bootloader screen for the Motorola Xoom!

Still, whether Motorola will continue to offer the freedom of an unlocked bootloader in future tablet and smartphone offerings remains to be seen. However, it would also seem that the ability to install custom ROMs without having to worry about treading into what is essentially a legal minefield out there definitely more than makes up for the lack of Flash support in the initial batch of Xoom tablets to hit retail shelves, don't you think?

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 22 Feb 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--22feb-2011/11292.html February 23rd, 2011

In today's news roundup: Gigabyte is expected to launch a new overclocker-friendly motherboard, the X58-OC, which will supposedly feature various options not found on standard enthusiasts boards; Intel finally updates its aging Itanium lineup with the new Poulson processor; Microsoft charts out its ambitious plans to sway cloud computing and softwareas-a-service applications to its fold via an extremely large ecosystem based on Windows 7, Internet Explorer and Windows Live; Apple's draconian restrictions pertaining to in-app subscriptions has drawn friendly-fire from evebn its own partners; Gran Turismo 5 gets an update, and Sony has been rumoured to be hard at work on a new version of the PlayStation 3 console that cannot be compromised by the master key discovered by 'geohotz' and the fail0verflow group.

Hardware News: ATi Forum.de investigates the top AIB of 2011. Last year, Sapphire won and so how will it end this year?

The contenders for this year are Sapphire, HIS, ASUS, XFX, PowerColor, MSI, Club3D, Gigabyte, Vertex3D, GeCube and, Diamond. The survey runs until 21 April 2011 so cast your votes today.

Corsair Vengeance 12GB DDR3 1600 CL9 Memory Review on Technic3D (German) Description: (Machine translation) The Corsair Vengeance 12GB DDR3 1600 CL9 Memory-Kit arrived Technic3D. Technic3D will see as good they are with Overclocking against the G.Skill Trident, Mushkin Ridgeback and Corsair Dominator Memory Kits on Windows 7 64 Bit and the Gigabyte X58 Extreme Mainboard. You can see 1.932MHz (1,65V) with 9-11-11-24 (2T) and more in the following Review.

Corsair Graphite 600T Computer Case @ Benchmark Reviews Description: It seems that vanity has no limit, as there aren't many markets more entwined in style and appearance than the consumer electronics industry. It makes sense, since these are called Personal Computers, after all. Identity is everything to consumers, which is what makes computer cases such a personal choice for system builders. Corsair is helping to make these decisions a little easier for enthusiasts by offering their Corsair Graphite 600T computer case. Like most things that come from this performance-orientated company, the Graphite series of computer enclosures delivers what people want most. In this article, Benchmark Reviews investigates the CC600T model for functionality and value.

Crucial Ballistix Tracer Black PC3-12800 Review @ OCIA.net Description: What always surprises me about computer memory, is that for months it can hover around the same price range, and then seemingly overnight the bottom will drop out. About this time last year I was reviewing some Ballistix Tracer Red in a 4Gb dual channel kit, and now they have that same pair listed for half the cost, even less at some online retailers. As far as I can determine, prices fell through the floor sometime between the holidays and prior to CES 2011 last month. For those users still on DDR2 who have been holding off on a memory upgrade, waiting for prices to come down, now may be the perfect opportunity to do so.

ASUS GeForce GTX 580 DirectCU II Review @ Overclockers Australia Description: ASUS kick-started the year with a new range of non-reference Radeon HD 6900 and GeForce GTX 500 series graphics cards, both featuring an exclusive DirectCU II cooler with copper heat pipes and twin cooling fans. Today we overclock and test the GTX 580 version - let's see if it's a worthwhile addition to their range.

Micron: Our 25nm NAND Flash Memory Is Perfectly Fine.

Description: Transition of NAND flash memory manufacturing to 25nm fabrication process seems to have run into issues. Some customers of OCZ Technology have complained about lower capacities of solid-state drives based 11

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Published by: VR-Zone

on 25nm memory and also their lower performance. But Micron Technology, the maker of 25nm NAND flash memory, claims that the memory itself has the same reliability as previous-generation and competing makers of SSDs are to be blamed.

frequency response. Total output for the Ruckus is 150 Watts.

SoundScience has also added 3Dsst™. This technology uses digital sound processing algorithms to simulate a surround sound environment. Inputs include 3.5mm, RCA, and optical (TOSLINK).

Intel updates Itanuim architecture with Poulson Description: Intel is finally starting to talk about the upcoming Poulson chip, the first real update to the Itanium architecture in years. While the chip may be huge and technically complex, it is hard to see anyone other than die-hard HP big iron shops actually caring.

Windows Phone 7 update bricks some Samsung users Description: Uh oh – bad news for Microsoft. After releasing the Windows Phone 7 update this week, some folks have ended up with an unusable phone and no way of fixing them save a factory reset or returning them to the store. Although the problem is said to only affect a limited number of people, it makes you wonder whether Microsoft’s decision of pushing out the updates themselves was a good decision to make.

Hopefully this issue gets resolved sooner than later and won’t happen again in the future. On the bright side, this was only a minor update and not the long-awaited copy paste update for the phone – Microsoft could learn from this mistakes to make the next update a better experience for those who got their devices bricked this time around. How many of you have had problems updating your Windows Phone 7 device?

Gigabyte to release X58-OC overclockers mobo Description: Gigabyte is working on a new X58 motherboard totally pimped up and designed for overclocking, as their blog reported. The new color schema is quite wicked alright, anyway the mobo will be called the X58-OC and will come with four PCIe x16 slots and one PCI slot.

Consumer Electronics and Software news: Microsoft's strategy for cloud devices and development of relevant applications: Establish a complete computing architecture of Cloud plus Client based on Windows 7, IE 9.0, and Windows Live Description: Estimates by IDC, Gartner, Strategy Analytics, and Wall Street analysts show that the global PC shipment in 2014 would be at least 50% higher than 2010, and 18% of the growth would come from notebooks, compared to only 1% from desktops. According to Jochen Siegl, manager of ODM Business Development, Microsoft, it is obvious that untypical computing devices such as notebooks, netbooks, and smartphones are replacing desktops and becoming mainstream products in the market, but this also helps extend the average product life cycle of PCs. Apple Smacks Readability In The Face With Subscription Rules; All SaaS In Trouble Description: We’ve already been over (and over and over and over and over) Apple’s new iOS subscription rules. And the initial backlash has seemingly cooled down as everyone has moved on to the next hot topic of the hour. But it’s pretty clear that this issue is going to keep surfacing, because it really does screw a lot of developers. And sure enough, it’s already back today.

Google May Kill Chrome URL Bar Description: Google is working on a “major” overhaul of its Chrome browser user interface (UI). Among the options on the table is the elimination of the URL bar, which could be the most significant UI change to the web browser since its invention. Another feature that appears to be already signed off is the support of multiple user profiles that can be used in parallel.

Antec Rockus 3D SoundScience 2.1 Speaker System Review @Hi Tech Legio Description: The Antec Rockus 3D SoundScience 2.1 Speaker System is Antec's entry product into the sound market. The Rockus 2.1 Speaker System offers out-of-the-box professional quality sound. The Rockus contains two 25 Watt satellite speakers constructed out of anodized aluminum that offer clear highs and mids. There is a 100 Watt active subwoofer with a passive radiator that creates an extended low

Sony makes neon-hued VAIO CA, CB official Description: Sony on Tuesday took the second of its notebook concepts into reality on Tuesday by launching the VAIO CA and CB. The line comes in a wrap-around translucent plastic and has the option of rare neon orange and green hues that create a "glow" around the edges and the trackpad; black, white and (in Europe) pink are also available. TV integration is a cornerstone as they both have the option of WiDi 2.0 wireless video streaming to an adapter as well as Remote Keyboard to steer menus and the keyboard on a Bravia TV, Blu-ray player or PS3.

Windows Phone 7 update updates updater Description: Microsoft has finally shipped an update to Windows Phone 7. Unfortunately, this is not the long-awaited copy-and-paste update. For that, we still have to wait until March. No, this new update updates Windows Phone 7's update mechanism. It's an update to allow next month's update to actually work properly.

Gaming news: Sony Developing Hack-Proof PS3?

Description: Sony is currently working on a 'hack-proof' PlayStation 3 as a counter-measure against recent piracy concerns, according to EverythingHQ. Donations pour in for PS3 hacker; Sony court battle continues Description: George Hotz is in the middle of what could be a long, punishing legal battle with Sony, and his money is running out. "Media, I need your help. This is the first time I have ever asked. Please, if you support this cause, help me out and spread the word," he wrote on his newest blog entry. "I want, by the time this goes to trial, to have Sony facing some of the hardest hitting lawyers in the business. Together, we can help fix the system."

GT5 update revs onto PS3 Description: Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong recently announced a new online update for Gran Turismo 5 that is now available upon starting up the game. The

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new update adds a slew of features, including remote racing between PSN friends to level up their drivers.

Lenovo launches six new ThinkPad laptops Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lenovo-launches-six-new-thinkpadlaptops/11295.html February 23rd, 2011

Lenovo has launched six new ThinkPad laptops - T420s, T420, T520, L420, L520 and W520 - based on the second generation Intel Core and Core vPro processors. The ThinkPads are scheduled to be available in March.

Published by: VR-Zone

battery combined. For extreme battery life requirements, the ThinkPad T420, with its standard 9-cell battery and optional 9-cell slice battery, provides up to 30 hours of computing power. The business class laptops also feature NVIDIA Optimus that switches graphics automatically; the T Series and W Series laptops provide 33 percent better battery performance over previous discrete graphics models.

Ease of Use Lenovo’s Instant Resume helps to maintain wireless connection on the laptop during sleep mode for up to 99 minutes, eliminating the need to login and reconnect. The ThinkPad T420s claims to be the first business class notebook to offer Dolby Home Theater v4 for clearer audio quality.

Pricing and Availability The ThinkPad T, L and W Series will be available starting in March from Lenovo business partners and www.lenovo.com.

Pricing for the T420s, T420, T520, L420, L520 and W520 starts at approximately US$1,329, US$779, US$909, US$719, US$719 and US$1,329, respectively.

Additional details on Intel's Z68 and Patsburg models Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/additional-details-on-intel-s-z68-andpatsburg-models/11294.html February 23rd, 2011

Lenovo has announced six new ThinkPad laptops - the T420s, T420, T520, L420, L520 and W520 - that claim to maximize performance and offer higher productivity for mobile business professionals.

The ultra-thin, sub 1.8kg ThinkPad T420s speeds up boot time 30 percent with Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0; the T420 boasts battery life of up to 30 hours with extended battery; the W520 mobile workstation offers twice the performance of previous models; and the L Series gives users recognized ThinkPad durability at exceptional value.

Smart PC Power & Performance Management The new laptops incorporate self-aware and adaptive technologies to sense where power is needed most. With Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, it can increase processor speed during performance intensive tasks such as video editing, and 3D applications. Incorporating Lenovo Turbo Boost+, it enables laptops to stay in Turbo Boost even longer by keeping processor temperatures below required thermal limits. In this way, the notebook PCs can achieve up to 30 percent longer battery life.

Extended Battery Life With its standard 9-cell battery, the ThinkPad T420 delivers up to 15 hours of battery life, while the T420s offers up to 10 hours with its 6-cell and optional optical bay

It didn't take long for additional details to make its way online about Intel's Z68 motherboards that we wrote about earlier today and now a slide detailing both models have appeared over at Xfastest which gives a lot more details than what we'd seen so far. It also gives us a few additional details of Intel's upcoming consumer focused Patsburg chipset models codenamed Siler and Thorsby that we wrote about a few weeks ago.

It didn't take long for additional details to make its way online about Intel's Z68 motherboards that we wrote about earlier today and now a slide detailing both models have appeared over at Xfastest which gives a lot more details than what we'd seen so far. It also gives us a few additional details of Intel's upcoming consumer focused Patsburg chipset models codenamed Siler and Thorsby that we wrote about a few weeks ago.

Also on the roadmap are details of Intel's first H61 model, the DH61AG which is a mini-ITX board. Although the H61 chipset is Intel's budget chipset, this board has a few extra features that you don't normally get as standard with it, such as SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.0 support. The board will also sport DVI and HDMI connectivity and SO-DIMM slots, the latter most likely to save space on the PCB. It's also interesting to note that Intel 13

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labels this as a thin-AIO (All-in-One) board which means it might be a low profile board.

As for the Z68 boards, first up we have the media focused DZ68DB which will offer USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gbps connectivity as well as DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort connectors. It's clear that this isn't the board most people have been waiting for, but if you want an ATX size board that has a good selection of display outputs alongside overclocking abilities and RAID support, this might be the one for you.

The board that is interesting in this case is the DZ68BC which again sports USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gbps, but it also offers a pair of x16 PCI Express slots (in dual x8 configuration), a feature that should appeal to high-end users and the reason why this board is located in Intel's Extreme range of boards.

The DZ68BC also offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity via a USB adapter (a feature Intel is already offering on some of its other boards) and it does of course feature overclocking and RAID support. There's no mention of any display outputs on this board, although we'd guess there is at least one port on the board.

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According to this roadmap we're looking at the H61 chipset to arrive fairly shortly and the Z68 towards the end of this half of the year, at least if the scale is corresponding to launch dates. This falls in line with what we said in our earlier post today with most Z68 chipset boards launching at Computex. As for the Patsburg based boards, well, it looks like we're in for a longer wait here and we're hearing late Q3 or early Q4, suggesting a potential IDF San Francisco launch in September. So for all of those of you waiting for new chipsets and motherboards, sadly you're going to have to wait a bit longer as Intel doesn't seem to be in too much of a hurry at the moment.

Zalman Unveils 135mm ZM-F4 Fan Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/zalman-unveils-135mm-zm-f4fan/11291.html February 23rd, 2011

Korean cooling specialist Zalman has announced the 135mm ZM-F4 fan, targeting overclocking enthusiasts. Measuring 135 x 135 x 25mm and weighing 151g, it can be installed on 120mm mounting fan holes and has a MTBF of 50,000 hours. The ZM-F4 Fan can operate at speeds of up to 1,300RPM (at 26dBa) and is bundled with Anti-Vibration Silicone Pins and a Resistor Cable (to control fan speed and noise).

ZALMAN PRESS RELEASE As for the Patsburg boards, well, still no model number, but the Siler model is now listed as the DXxxSI so all that's left for Intel to insert is the expect 68 or 78 numbers in the middle (for X68 or X78) depending on what the company decides it want to call its next high-end chipset. The Thorsby is now the DXxxTO and shared features between the two models include dual x16 PCI Express slots, although it might be worth pointing out that these are PCI Express 3.0 slots and both boards also sports eight DIMMs (four more than we expected), USB 3.0 connectivity, most likely SATA 6Gbps even though it isn't mentioned, but it's part of the chipset spec and of course overclocking and RAID support. The DXxxSI also offers dual Ethernet ports, most likely of the Gigabit variety and the DXxxTO sports a TPM module.

It's interesting that Intel has chosen to go with eight DIMMs, as this means two DIMMs per channel as the LGA-2011 Sandy Bridge-E processors use quad channel memory. However, as the memory controller will throttle the memory speed if you add more than one DIMM per channel, this seems like a bad move on a consumer motherboard as it could have a potential negative impact on the system performance. Pictures that leaked of a somewhat blurred out MSI board about a month ago showed that MSI had decided to go with only one DIMM per channel for a total of four DIMMs and we're not sure why Intel didn't do the same.

It is our pleasure to introduce Zalman NEW fan, ZM-F4. There are many Case fans in the market, but they only restrict the size up to 120mm for the normal cases. With our ZM-F4, you don’t have to worry about what kind of cases you have. Once your case can support 120mm fans, then you can just go ahead with our new ZM-F4 to enjoy bigger 135mm Fan for higher CFM. Please check for your cases if they have mounting holes for 120mm Case fans, then you are ready for ZM-F4!

Like our Case fan series, ZM-F4 comes with Silicone pins for anti-vibration operation with RC56 (Resistor) to lower fan speed for lower operation noise.

Please go thru below for further information of ZM-F4

Super Talent Readies CoreStore Series SSDs Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/super-talent-readies-corestore-seriesssds/11290.html

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Published by: VR-Zone

February 23rd, 2011

About Super Talent Technology

Well-known flash storage and memory maker Super Talent is preparing to introduce its CoreStore line-up of SSDs. Featuring mini PCIe/ PCIe interfaces, they boast a Marvell 88NV9143 controller, MLC (multi-level cell) or SLC (singlelevel cell) NAND flash memory, and support data transfer rates up to 350Mb/s (read) and 80Mb/s (write) for MLC models and 350Mb/s (read) and 220Mb/s (write) for SLC variants. The CoreStore SSDs are available in capacities ranging from 16Gb to128Gb. SUPER TALENT PRESS RELEASE San Jose, California - February 21th, 2011 - Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of Flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, today announced their CoreStore TMline of SSD solutions designed to bring a new level of performance to the SSD market. By combining the very latest Marvel controller (88NV9143), new DDR ONFi 2 flash and plugging directly to the PCIe bus, Super Talent is now able to create two solutions that deliver unforeseen performance.

Available in two standard formats, mini-PCIe and PCIe Card, Super Talent has a drive to fit many popular applications. The mini-PCIe card (30mm x 50.95mm) is perfect for embedded applications, Industrial PCs, All-in-One PCs, Netbook PCs, Notebooks. Don't have a min-PCIe slot, Super Talent also offers a version of this product that will plug directly into a standard PCIe card slot; perfect for any Desktop PC. Note Gen 2 PCI slot required for top speeds.

Super Talent Technology Corporation based in San Jose, California, designs and manufactures a full range of DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 memory modules and Flash based storage devices for computers and consumer electronics. An ISO 9001 certified company, Super Talent utilizes its state- of- theart factories and leading-edge components to produce award winning products with outstanding reliability. Super Talent is an active member of the JEDEC and ONFI standards bodies.

With over 250 patents, the company was ranked 38th in the 2009 Wall Street Journal's Patent ScorecardTM for the IT industry.

Sony Singapore unveils new products at "Inspiring Innovation" launch for 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-singapore-unveils-new-productsat-inspiring-innovation-launch-for-2011/11288.html February 23rd, 2011

This morning, Sony Singapore held their "Inspiring Innovation" 2011 product launch at Marina Bay Sands Convention and Expo, showcasing the new products this year.

"By utilizing our relationships with both first tier controller manufactures and DDR flash manufactures, we are able to create innovate solutions such as the CoreStore SSD and offer them to our customers before anyone else.", CH Lee COO of SuperTalent.

Taisuke Nakanishi, managing director of Sony South East Asia, was at the event and said that this year, the company will launch products that can enhance, engage and redefine the viewing experience.

YouTube Demo httpwww.youtube.comgosupertalent#pu01ySFYRYuz8s

The products unveiled at the launch include full highdefinition (HD) 3D-capable BRAVIA LCD TVs, Cybershot cameras, Handycam camcorders and VAIO personal computers.

Available March 2011 15

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on the Intel X58 Express chipset and supporting Intel Socket LGA 1366 processors. A decent Gulftown will have a Core i7-2600K for breakfast, lunch and dinner under the same extreme overclocking conditions, which is why the 'ageing' platform is still the fastest... at least till the end of this year.

For the BRAVIA HDTV lineup, there will be 26 new models, with eleven 3D-capable and 20 Internet TVs in the 2011 lineup. Some of the new models will also incorporate Sony's new X-Reality PRO and X-Reality Engine digital video processors to produce the best picture. The new BRAVIA range include BRAVIA HX925 with LED backlight and supports 3D (available in May); 3D-capable BRAVIA NX720 (available in April); BRAVIA EX720 with LED backlight and supports 3D;BRAVIA BX420 and BX320 (both scheduled for March).

GIGABYTE has released some photos of the new board and we shall take a quick look at its five main overclocking features: • OC-VRM, • OC-Touch, • OC-PEG, • OC-Cool, and • OC-Dual BIOS

OC-VRM

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-OC Overclocking Features Preview Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/gigabyte-ga-x58a-oc-overclockingfeatures-preview/11262.html February 23rd, 2011

The folks at GIGABYTE have released a set of pictures showcasing their upcoming Intel X58 Express chipset-based overclocking motherboard, the GA-X58A-OC. There are quite a number of cool features on the board, so we shall take a quick look at them. Join us!

It appears that both GIGABYTE and us at VR-Zone.com share the same thought: the Intel X58 Express platform is far from dead. During a period where Intel's new 'Sandy Bridge' seemingly rules the roost, the motherboard maker is about to officially introduce its GA-X58A-OC motherboard, based

The GA-X58A-OC motherboard has dual 8-pin CPU power connectors for input up to 720A. A variety of Intersil power management ICs handles power delivery on the new board.

PWM frequency can be adjusted to 300KHz, 600KHz and 800KHz according to the information we have on hand.

The processor voltage regulation module (VRM) is a 12-phase 'dual power' design supporting up to 600A output, while the Uncore portion is a 3-phase design, and the memory a 2-phase.

Surface mount POSCAP tantalum capacitors are used as they are not only reliable, but save space as well. The low height 16

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clearance and added space means enthusiasts no longer need to worry if their larger cooling solutions will be obstructed.

In fact, on the GA-X58A-OC, GIGABYTE has completely done away with the can-type solid capacitors.

Published by: VR-Zone

Chasis + CM Storm Spawn Mice) Check out http://launch.vrzone.com and find out how you can win these prizes

OC-Touch To make things a little more convenient for overclockers, the GA-X58A-OC has voltage measurement points for: • VCORE, • CPU PLL, • DDR, • DDR VTT, • QPI VTT, • QPI PLL, and

New MacBook Pro to be lighter, have larger trackpads and dedicated SSD to boot Mac OS X? Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/new-macbook-pro-to-be-lighter-havelarger-trackpads-and-dedicated-ssd-to-boot-mac-os-x-/11287.html February 23rd, 2011

• IOH

Yes, as mentioned in the (mouthful) title of this news, these are the latest rumours to the upcoming MacBook Pro that is expected to drop on us later this week. A lighter machine with larger trackpad and a dedicated SSD just to store and boot the Mac OS X? There is also a debug LED that will flash BIOS POST codes.

Debug LEDs almost became extinct the past few years, before making a return starting with higher end Intel P67 Express motherboards.

The red power switch is um, self-explanatory I guess...

The '4G' button will help 'newbies to reach 4GHz'. Man, what a way to put it in the material! Anyway, this button will simply tell the motherboard to automatically overclock the processor to 4GHz on the next boot.

Overclockers can then use the two sets of buttons to adjust CPU ratio (the set on the left) and BCLK (the set on the right) on-the-fly. The 'Gear' button changes the adjustment step of the BCLK back and forth between 0.3MHz and 1MHz.

VR-Zone Giveaway 3: It's Cooler Master Week Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/vr-zone-giveaway-3-it-s-cooler-masterweek/11289.html February 23rd, 2011

Follow 4 easy steps and stand a chance to win different prizes every week. This week..we are giving away: 3x ( CM Elite 430

Despite the rumour that the latest updated Apple MacBook Pro will be available later this week and the inclusion of the latest generation Sandy Bridge processors, not much is known about what other new features the new refreshed MacBook Pro would carry. But more details have been leaked from recent reports.

A larger trackpad in the new MacBook Pros? Well, that's certainly highly possible as that will allow Apple to develop more vivid gestures and flexibility for users.

The reports also claim that the new and updated laptops will offer a dedicated solid-state drive of 8 to 16 GB purely to house the Mac OS X system files. The result will be similar to those that we can see in today's MacBook Air: dramatically fast bootup and performance. Additional storage for other applications

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and media files will be available in either traditional hard drives or with solid-drives upgrades.

The next bit of information doesn't quite make sense to us, but we have been told the OS on the laptops will be loaded to a separate (internal) 8-16GB SSD while everything else will remain on the regular hard drive.

There will be options for just SSD drives but the base models will feature regular hard disks with the SSD combo for the OS. The report ends off with the source indicating that Apple has apparently reduced half a pound off the weight of each of the MacBook Pro models. The new and improved MacBook Pros has been speculated for release this coming Thursday.

MSI announces new ultrathin netbook for the masses Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-announces-new-ultrathinnetbook-for-the-masses/11285.html February 23rd, 2011

Is the netbook in danger of getting replaced by the tablet? In all honesty, the likelihood of it happening some time in the future is there, but it would seem that the netbook is still safe for now.

And with the demand for netbooks still going relatively strong, it would seem that MSI has deemed it fit to launch yet another notebook and capture a little more market share in the process of doing so.

The fact that MSI is calling the U160MX a 'netbook; should be a clear giveaway as to what kind of hardware will come bundled with the device. True enough, a quick look at MSI's press release reveals that the U160MX is about as networkworthy as it can be: it sports 2GB of DDR3 memory, a 10inch LED-backlit screen makes up the netbook's display, while processing power is provided by the not-so-impressive singlecore Intel Atom N455 processor and onboard GMA 3150 GPU. However, it would seem that MSI is also bundling the netbook with various different features in order to distinguish it from the competition. Apparently, the U160MX will come standard with MSI's proprietary TDE Overclocking Engine to give the processor a speed boost needed for certain heavy usage situations, while its ECO energy-saving technology claims up to 8.5 hours of computing uptime on a single battery charge.

Unfortunately, as is the case with most MSI-related announcements, no release date and pricing details have been disclosed. Bummer. Oh well, at least they left the full list of hardware specifications behind for us:

Is the netbook in danger of going the way of the dodo? Several pundits and analysts might seem to think so, but it would seem that their eventual death is not about to take place any time soon, especially when the tablets of today still sport price tags which are large enough to warrant the purchase of a more powerful, full-sized notebook PC that supports the vast library of hardware available for the Windows software ecosystem.

Of course, there is no denying that technological advancements in hardware fabrication and design will mean that the prices of tablets will eventually drop given sufficient time. However, it is also clear that road warriors who desire a cheap yet highly mobile computing device are not about to surrender their handy netbooks for a 10-inch slate that does not come with a large-enough physical keyboard that is vital for for their productivity needs. And it appears that MSI is banking on this particular premise with its new netbook, the MSI Wind U160MX.

Nexus One gets Honeycomb, problems are aplenty Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nexus-one-gets-honeycomb-problemsare-aplenty/11284.html February 23rd, 2011

The Nexus One is supposed to be one of only two Androidpowered phone that can receive OTA vanilla firmware updates, 18

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but it would seem that such a luxury means nothing to an enterprising developer. Apparently, a group of hackers who have gotten a little impatient about having to wait for the official Honeycomb build have gone ahead and cooked their very own such ROM. The caveat? The holes in its usability outnumber those found in a block of Swiss cheese.

Published by: VR-Zone

It's official: Microsoft opens Kinect development libraries to hackers, as long as they use Windows

Do you own a smartphone which happens to be powered by Google's Android operating system? If you do, chances are you should be no stranger to the healthy demand for custom ROMs, which supposedly offers users added benefits over OEM-supplied ROMs such as better battery life, improved performance, or even the ability to install newer builds of Froyo which the OEM has got no intention of supporting.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/it-s-official-microsoft-opens-kinectdevelopment-libraries-to-hackers-as-long-as-they-use-windows/11283.html February 23rd, 2011

Of course, the last 'benefit' mentioned above does not really apply if the user happens to be using an official Googlebranded smartphone such as the Nexus One or the Nexus S, especially when these particular handsets are capable of receiving OTA firmware updates directly from Google itself.

However, it seems that a group of developers who have gotten impatient with Google's slow progress on the upcoming Honeycomb build has taken matters into their own hands. And their response? A custom Honeycomb ROM cooked specially for the Google Nexus One.

Well, it seems that Microsoft has finally understood what the age-old saying of 'if you can't beat them, join them' means. Apparently, the software giant has decided that the hacker community could prove to be a valuable resource and has thus released a full SDK for the Kinect motion controller for the aforementioned community to play around with. Interestingly, this sudden turn of events comes exactly three months after the Redmond giant claimed that it had 'intentionally' left the Kinect's interface open for precisely the same reason.

According to a forum posting made on XDA-Developers, the cooked Honeycomb ROM should install into any Nexus One smartphone, although its usability is anything but smooth.

Apparently, the successful installation of Honeycomb into the Nexus One is the only thing that works right now for the smartphone: almost every single other critical feature such as phone calls, WiFi, Bluetooth, sound, 3G are non-functional.

In short, a Nexus One flashed with the custom Honeycomb build is nothing more than a black brick with a nice digital user interface and more usability holes than an actual honeycomb.

Of course, this means that the custom Honeycomb ROM for the Nexus One is definitely not intended to be used by end users. The forum post on XDA-Developers also backs this claim, stating that there are easily 'a million (issues)' with functionality at the moment and is intended for developers who desire a clean vanilla build for tackling very specific issues.

And no, we are not going to tell you how you can root your Nexus One and install the cooked Honeycomb ROM, simply because there is enough information floating about the web for that kind of instructions.

Remember how we spoke about how the average Joe might soon be able to to look forward to the day where just about everything in our come could be operated with the humble Kinect motion controller for the Xbox 360? Well, it seems that that day might just be around the corner after all, thanks to a certain act of charity from the likes of the Redmond giant. No, it is not because they are about to start shipping free Kinects to every single hacker who wants to tinker around with the device (though that would be very nice indeed).

Rather, it is the fact that Microsoft appears to have finally recognized that the hacker community could prove to be an extremely valuable asset in helping to promote the Kinect as a versatile device that has the potential to change the way we interact with our daily electronic devices. To that end, the Redmond giant has gone ahead and done the unexpected: the company has just announced in a press release that a complete, non-commercial SDK for the Kinect will be made available as a free download for hackers who wish to get more out of the device.

According to the press release, the non-commercial SDK will contain all the bits and pieces needed to exercise complete control over the Kinect, and is aimed at igniting "further creativity in an already vibrant ecosystem of enthusiasts".

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But of course, as is always the case the Microsoft, there will always be a few certain 'conditions' that need to be met in order for users and developers to enjoy the benefits of its charitable act. While Microsoft has not disclosed the terms of the developer license agreement for the non-commercial Kinect SDK, the press release seems to suggest that the SDK is not cross-platform compatible and must be installed on a Windows-powered system.

Published by: VR-Zone

Unfortunately for us consumers, it would seem that this is a typical case of Murphy's Law in action. Apparently, a microsite hosted by US carrier Verizon to advertise the Xoom has dropped a bombshell which is sure set tongues wagging.

According to Verizon, it seems that the first batch of Xooms being sold to consumers will be offered sans support for the allimportant Adobe Flash plugin, as shown in the image below.

And we all know what that means, don't we? Yup, it seems like OS X and Linux users will have to resort to reverseengineering the Windows-only development libraries in order to set up their own development environment for the Kinect.

Well, that's only fair: after all, Microsoft has to look out for its own ecosystem, doesn't it?

News'flash': No Flash for Xoom + Honeycomb combination Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/news-flash--no-flash-for-xoom-honeycomb-combination/11281.html February 23rd, 2011

It might not be the case down here in sunny Singapore, but in other countries, it would appear that the success of a tablet is tied to a single critical factor: support for the 'full Web content'.

Which, needless to say, includes Adobe's proprietary Flash plugin used in a vast majority of websites today. However, it would seem that Motorola is about to test the validity of such a claim: after all, what other reason can there be for the former to even think about shipping an Android tablet sans the critical plugin?

Now, the lack of Flash support for Android devices is definitely not unheard of. After all, earlier versions of Android were wellknown for not having support for the Flash plugin as well, and it was only with Froyo that Android users were finally able to experience the 'full web experience' often touted by Google and hardware OEMs as a key factor of its alleged superiority over iOS. Still, it does not change the fact that the lack of Flash support is definitely not going to give Honeycomb users the 'full web content' that they can come to expect, especially after the success that was Froyo and Gingerbread. That being said, it is worth pointing out, if only for consolation's sake, that Flash will eventually make its way down to Honeycomb, as long as users do not mind waiting it out for a few more months. After all, 'eventual' Flash support is still infinitely better than opting for a platform that has 'completely zero support' for the plugin, is it not?

Intel's first Z68 board model names leaked Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-s-first-z68-board-model-namesleaked/11282.html February 23rd, 2011

Intel have been anything but forthcoming with details about its upcoming Z68 chipset, but VR-Zone can now as first publication give you the model names of Intel's own brand Z68 chipset motherboards. Intel is planning two models at launch and they're placed in the extreme and media motherboard sections in Intel's line-up.

So the Motorola Xoom tablet is well on its way to hitting retail shelves, and certain carriers will get first dibs on the device before the tablet is released for saleas a standalone unit and not as part of a data contract bundle. That sounds good enough for us: after all, just about all the details pertaining to the Xoom has already be revealed, so nothing else could go wrong for Motorola's and Google's flagship tablet, right?

Intel have been anything but forthcoming with details about its upcoming Z68 chipset, but VR-Zone can now as first publication give you the model names of Intel's own brand Z68 chipset motherboards. Intel is planning two models at launch and they're placed in the extreme and media motherboard sections in Intel's line-up.

Sadly we don't have a ton of detail's at hand, but we wouldn't expect it to be too long until the first real solid details will start 20

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Published by: VR-Zone

to appear. What we do know is that the top of the line model will be called the DZ68BC and the slightly lower-end media board will go under the name of DZ68DB. Both of the boards are expected to arrive in the second half of this year according to roadmap details we've seen. However, the chipset should launch some time in Q2 alongside Intel's budget H61 chipset.

This suggests that there won't be too many Z68 boards on display at CeBIT in March, although there ought to be plenty of boards on display at Computex which starts on the 31st of May. The slide that leaked some time ago detailing the specifications of the Z68 proved to be the real deal and nothing has changed in terms of chipset features since then. We would like to point out one small thing though, the Z68 chipset won't support SSD caching from day one, as this is a feature that will rely upon Intel's Rapid Storage Technology drivers which will only add SSD caching in release 10.5. This would also require a firmware upgrade for the Intel SATA controller, but this would be part of a BIOS upgrade for the Z68 motherboards.

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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.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 25 Feb 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--25feb-2011/11338.html February 25th, 2011

To round up this week's news: Overview of the SandForce SF-2000 Series Solid-State Drive (SSD); Review of Spire Slimod II GPU cooler; Google launches preemptive strike at Office 365 ; Barnes & Noble updates Nook Android app, promises a Honeycomb version this spring; Elder Scrolls V preview up on YouTube; Mortal Kombat banned in Australia etc..

Hardware News: Description: SandForce DuraClass technology paired to TRIM support in Windows 7 has helped with this concern, but it was their RAISE technology that provides RAID-like protection for single SSD computer systems paired to AES-128 automatic data encryption that put them on top.

GIGABYTE’s laboratories, including 24-phase power design, Driver MOSFETs and Dynamic Energy Saver 2 technology.

Description: The Antec 600 v2 is a slight redesign of the original Antec 600 featuring some new attributes like a larger storage hole for cables, front hot-swap 2.5" bay, top mounted "moon roof" window, and a CPU-Backplate cut out for aftermarket cooler installation, like the Antec Kühler 620.

Consumer Electronics and Software News: Description: Google made the algorithmic announcement on its blog yesterday and said that the change is significant.

However, it is only designed to target low value websites that copy content from other websites.

Description: One of the cooler new features not seen before is AirDrop. Say you're somewhere with no Internet connectivity, don't have a USB key handy, and want to transfer a file to another Mac user in the room. Go into an options page and enable the feature.

Description: Google's new Cloud Connect collaboration addin for Microsoft Office strikes at the heart of the Office 365 juggernaut Description: For a six-week period this spring the company will release a series of popular mobile games that have yet to make their way to the platform. The “Must Have Games” sale will include Plants Vs. Zombies, Hydro Thunder Go, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, geoDefense, Doodle Jump and “more,” according to Microsoft’s Major Nelson.

Description: The shape of the heat sink inherits the radiator of the Super Mega Megahalems cooler because Prolimatech was not an experiment. Between the aluminum fins are now found scattered copper fins, reducing the weight increased from 790 grams to 155 grams once to 945 grams.

Description: Okay, so they're rather minor updates, but our guess is that the Nook Honeycomb app that's being promised for some time this spring will be far more exciting. Yep, it's a lot of B&N Android, but while we're on the topic, we've got to admit we're wondering about the whereabouts of that Nook Color app store, which was announced back in November.

Description: Spire are internationally recognised as a premiere producer of cooling technology that specialises in cooling for gaming PCs. But as usual, a name doesn't give you a pass in XSR testing, so let's see how their latest iteration of GPU cooler, the Slimod II stands up.

Description: Staff Buyers of Apple's new MacBook Pro lineup will get the newly out-of-beta FaceTime for Mac free with a new machine, while existing Mac users can buy the video chat software on the Mac App Store for 99 cents.

Description: One of the additions to the Corsair cooling lineup was the original Hydro H50 CPU cooler which provided a near plug-and-play water cooling system for your CPU. Now Corsair is back again with a revamped and beefed up solution called the Hydro H70.

Description: Rockville-based game company Bethesda Softworks has released an in-game preview of the latest installment of its popular Elder Scrolls series of games. The latest installment, called Skyrim, is due Nov. 11.

Description: The GIGABYTE P67A-UD7 is not just new in terms of looks, but also sports all the latest innovations from

Gaming News:

Description: Although many pundits are predicting a change to Australia’s classification system coming soon, Warner

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Published by: VR-Zone

Bros. Interactive Entertainment's (WBIE) upcoming Mortal Kombat is the latest game to fall victim to Australia's outdated classification rules.

Intel Began Z68 Chipset Production, Launch in May Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-began-z68-chipset-productionlaunch-in-may/11339.html February 25th, 2011

We have reported earlier that Intel has started P67 B3 production last week and shipment to customers has resumed.

Interestingly, Intel has also started production of their Z68 chipset this week along with other Cougar Point SKUs like H61 and Q65. All of them are based on the new B3 stepping therefore the SATA port 2-5 issue is fixed before they hit the market.

We have reported earlier that Intel has started P67 B3 production last week and shipment to customers has resumed.

Interestingly, Intel has also started production of their Z68 chipset this week along with other Cougar Point SKUs like H61 and Q65. All of them are based on the new B3 stepping therefore the SATA port 2-5 issue is fixed before they hit the market. Judging from the specs, it seems Intel has catered Z68 specially for enthusiasts which allows better processor overclocking, discrete graphics support and SSD caching capability. With these enhancements, Intel has priced the Z68 chipset some US$8 higher than the P67 counterpart.

The launch for the Z68 chipset is slated for first week of May.

Do you make heavy use of Western Digital (WD) products in your daily computing and entertainment life? If so, this latest bit of information direct from the American manufacturer of hard disks should be just the news you need to perk up your Friday night after a hard day's work, and that is not because WD is about to start giving away a bunch hard disks as free gifts.

Rather, the good news comes from the fact WD has just announced in a media conference held at A*STAR Data Storage Institute (DSI) that it has established a research and development centre right here in sunny Singapore. This new centre, which is situated in the Singapore Science Park, will facilitate the leveraging of the local talent pool and expertise of research organizations/ In his opening address, Western Digital's Chief Operating Officer, Timothy Leyden, spoke about how the humble hard disk has withstood the test of time, while describing the significance of entering such a strategic partnership with the DSI.

Western Digital establishes R&D centre in Singapore Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/western-digital-establishes-r-d-centrein-singapore/11337.html February 25th, 2011

The next time you head out to a computer shop to purchase a Western Digital (WD) product, don't be surprised if you find out that part of the technology used to develop the company's storage devices hails from Singapore's very own laboratories.

This is because the American hard disk manufacturer has just announced the establishment of a research and development centre in Singapore with the partnership of our country's A*STAR Data Storage Institute (DSI).

"Hard drive technology is remarkable, and it is true nanotechnology. Being more than 50 years old and US$35 billion strong, the hard disk drive industry has survived and thrived because it invested in talented people, built a robust supply chain and has persevered and flourished when confronted with technological hurdles," he said, while adding that the partnership with the DSI "embodies this spirit".

Leyden also explained the reason Western Digital had chosen Singapore to be the location for its new R&D centre instead of other developed countries, citing the country's infrastructure and location as key factors in the company's eventual decision.

"Singapore has built a treasure trove of engineering talent.

This environment has produced an advanced technology research and human resource culture that makes Singapore an ideal location for investment," he said.

In response, A*STAR's chairman, Lim Chuan Poh, praised Western Digital's well-deserved success in the data storage 2

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Published by: VR-Zone

industry, while speaking about how he envisions the strategic partnership as one that greatly benefits both parties.

which claims to be the world's slimmest Android phone on the market, measuring just 7.7mm.

"Our magnetic media research team has built strong research capabilities since its inception in 1996, (and) further enhancing its strengths and capabilities in research is the state-of-the-art infrastructure over at DSI. The Master Research Collaboration Agreement signed today would give WD access to there facilities, as well as to the team of experienced researched in DSI in the magnetic media area," he said.

Today, NTT Docomo in Japan has officially launched the MEDIA N-04C Android smartphone. The smartphone will retail on 15 March while consumers can start to pre-order on 4 March next week.

Last but definitely not least, the agreement was set in black and white when both Leyden and DSI executive director Dr Pantelis Alexopoulos inked their respective signatures onto the documents presented before them.

NEC MEDIAS N-04C is world's slimmest Android phone at 7.7mm Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nec-medias-n-04c-is-world-sslimmest-android-phone-at-7.7mm/11336.html February 25th, 2011

While NEC phones aren't available in SIngapore, they are selling pretty well in the land of the rising sun. And it looks like the manufacturer has just launched the MEDIAS N-04C

Weighing 105g, the MEDIAS N-04C sports a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480x854) with a layer of toughened guerilla glass. The smartphone runs Android 2.2 Froyo and the company has stated that the 2.3 Gingerbread update will be available this summer. The phone also comes with a 5megapixel CMOS camera, microSDHC card slot and supports i-mode, 3G/GSM and GPS, Wi-Fi, HSUPA and Bluetooth.

The N-04C will be available in black and white, and NEC said it will ship the phone outside of Japan soon.

ASUS to launch new notebook PCs at IT Show 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-to-launch-new-notebook-pcs-atit-show-2011/11320.html February 25th, 2011

ASUS will be launching four new laptops at the upcoming IT Show 2011 in Singapore - Eee PC 1015PW, Eee PC 1015B, ASUS U41Jf and N73Sv. More details inside.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Pricing information to be announced closer to IT Show 2011.

Xoom corporation sues Motorola over tablet name Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/xoom-corporation-sues-motorola-overtablet-name/11334.html February 25th, 2011

The ASUS Eee PC 1015PW sports a sleek Seashell design with elegant "wave" finish on the exterior and inside. Weighing just 1.25kg, the 1015PW is powered by the dual-core Intel Atom N550 processor and boasts a battery life of up to 10 hours. ASUS also has the 1015B model which uses AMD processor. The Eee PC 1015PW comes in Purple Rain, Gold Dust and Angel Skin.

When it comes to the word "Xoom", most users following consumer technology news would naturally link it with Motorola's latest Android 3.0 tablet that is running a dualcore processor. Well, Xoom is also the name of a company that provides online international money transfer service, and it is no wonder a lawsuit is filed against Motorola over the trademark of the company's name.

Whenever a company comes up with a new product, giving it a name is probably the most difficult task before it goes to market; you wouldn't want to receive lawyer's letters on the infringement over the trademark name. (Well, unless you have the wealth to settle with that company).

The new U series laptop claims to offer an ultra slim design, and superb performance for the mobile road warriors.

The ASUS U41Jf is equipped with the latest Intel Core i5/ i3 processor and you can boost the machine's performance up to 15%, thanks to ASUS’ Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) technology. On top of that, it also features two incredible energy-optimizing technologies to help extend battery life to over 10 hours.

Law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has filed a trademark suit against Motorola, on behalf of San Francisco-based money transfer company Xoom Corporation. Yes, this is all about the Motorola's Xoom tablet device. According to news reports, Xoom has had its name since 2003 and has indisputable trademark over it.

Motorola's purchase of the keyword "Xoom" on Google and other search sites could have caused potential disruption to the financial company's business, which was the main ground of complaint. At the moment, Motorola has no comment over the lawsuit.

Xoom's company tagline may be "The Smarter Way To Send Money", but in this case, it surely is a smarter way to earn money.

Dead Space 2 PC Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/dead-space-2-pc-review/11322.html February 25th, 2011

The ASUS N73Sv boasts SonicMaster audio technology that offers outstanding audio performance on the portable laptop.

It is also equipped with the second generation Intel Core processors, and utilizes advanced Smart Performance and Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0.

The game starts from the very moment our engineer Isaac Clarke awakes from a coma after events from the first game on the Sprawl, an offshoot human colony on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. As usual, things do not go favorably with the already tormented engineer, and there is yet another Necromorph manifestation on board the space station. For those who don’t know, Necromorphs are undead, reanimated corpses that have mutated beyond recognition. And they are as blood thirsty as they are intelligent. The usual culprits behind 4

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this outbreak are, of course, the oddball religious fanatics called Unitologists and the Earth Government, who have their own agenda as well.

Published by: VR-Zone

With the new iPad 2 expected to be announced next week, many have speculated that Apple will drop its newest iOS 4.3 alongside with their new tablet device. There have been reports that the iOS 4.3 has already hit the golden master stage and the iPad makers are reportedly finalising on the mobile operating system.

One of our Apple sources has just informed us that it looks like Apple has finalized the code for its upcoming iOS 4.3 release. The build, we're told, is 8F190 for those keeping track.

The dynamics of the struggle between the two opposing factions are interesting, and throughout the game, clues are dropped in the form of text logs, audio tapes and video tapes to fill you in as you play. The narrative pacing is excellent here; the game does enough to educate and yet intrigue you further as into what happened. The brief walkthrough from a Unitologist centre that leads to their eerie church near the beginning keeps a comfortable momentum going, and while Isaac isn’t the most talkative of video game protagonists, he does enough to pull you entirely into his see-saw world of desperation and survival. Isaac has serious personal, but equally pressing issues: his bouts of dementia trigger hallucinations and visions, and the mental manifestation of his girlfriend are as thrilling as they are terrifying. These jarring moments fit in nicely with the gameplay mechanics - Isaac’s struggle to perpetuate reality from his mental state of mind directly mirrors his tensed physical encounters with the frightening Necromorphs.

Apple's iOS 4.3 available for all at next week's media event?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-s-ios-4.3-available-for-all-atnext-week-s-media-event-/11330.html February 25th, 2011

Apple's upcoming iOS 4.3 for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad has reported hitting the golden master stage, and ready for its public appearance as early as next week.

iOS 4.3 could make its debut public appearance sometime next week, possibly at Apple's media event scheduled for next Wednesday. The updated mobile operating system is set to add more unique features such as personal Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, enhanced support for AirPlay video streaming and more.

Elpida considers increasing DRAM price in March Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/elpida-considers-increasing-dramprice-in-march/11332.html February 25th, 2011

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) price may increase come March, as Japanese PC chip maker Elpida considers raising DRAM prices in view of growing demand. Projected price for 2Gb DRAM chips in March could be as high as $2.50, a 19% increase over the current $2.10.

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) price may increase come March, as Japanese PC chip maker Elpida considers raising DRAM prices in view of growing demand. Elpida President and Chief Executive Yukio Sakamoto suggested that projected price for 2Gb DRAM chips in March could be as high as $2.50, a 19% increase over the current $2.10.

Sakamoto also reiterated his hopes for a merger with Taiwan's Powerchip Technology Corp, Rexchip Electronics Crop and ProMOS Technologies Inc. The merger would see the new alliance holding a 40 to 50 percent share of the global mobile DRAM market, and be in a better position to combat South Korean giants Hynix Semiconductor Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. Rexchip, which is a joint venture between Elpida and Powerchip, will start production in the third quarter of this year. Elpida also has plans to buy all of Powerchip's DRAM output to 'bolster its competitiveness and help it focus on higher-end chip production'.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 24 Feb 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--24feb-2011/11328.html

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In today's news roundup: Intel is reportedly planning to demonstrate its new Medfield platform for tablet PCs in the upcoming Computex 2011 event held at Taipei; The market for NOR flash memory is set to shrink by as much as six percent this year; Android and Nokia Maemo users can play with a beta of the Firefox 4 browser which has been specially made for both operating systems; The Google Nexus S officially loses the ability to perform Facebook syncing; A new Crysis 2 trailer has emerged, and Dead Space 2 is set to gets its first set of DLC on March 1 this year.

Hardware News: Intel expected to offer 3rd-generation MID platform Medfield in 3Q11 Description: Intel, in order to compete with ARM architecture devices which are prevailing in the tablet PC industry, has had Medfield, its third-generation MID platform, enter testing

by Taiwan-based hardware partners, with products to be demonstrated at Computex Taipei 2011 and shipments to begin as early as the third quarter, according to industry sources.

Edimax ES5500 G Gigabit Switch Review -XSReviews Description: The easiest way to get yourself some faster network transfer rates is to throw a Gigabit switch into the mix.

That's what I'm looking to do today with the Edimax ES 5500G 5 port gigabit switch. Is it worth the money? Does it give good transfer rates? That's what we're here to find out.

FSP Aurum AU-600 -600W PSU Review on Technic3D (German) Description: (Machine translation) The FSP Aurum AU-600 -600W PSU arrived Technic3D. See you in the following Review from Technic3D the next PSU with four +12V rails (18A), 120mm Fan, 6x SATA hard disk connectors and 3x PCIe 6+2-Pin NOR flash memory shipments set for 2011 drop Description: NOR flash memory is going to take a slight knocking this year, with IHS iSuppli research claiming that the market will drop by nearly six percent.

Deepcool Ice Matrix 400 Review at Overclockers Online Description: When looking at the entire picture, Deepcool’s Ice Matrix 400 is a spectacularly assembled piece of equipment.

Combining four heat pipes with a simple 120mm fan, the heat sink does well at keeping the CPU at acceptable operating temperatures.

Thermaltake MAX 5G External HDD Enclosure Review @Hi Tech Legion Description: The Thermaltake Max 5G 3.5” HDD Enclosure offers a solution to data and OS portability. Offering 5Gbs USB 3.0 transfer speeds along with SATA III capability, the Thermaltake Max 5G offers portability along with all of the speed one would expect from an internal HDD. The Max 5G is also the first external HDD enclosure offering the superior cooling capabilities of twin 80mm fans. These fans also offer a little eye candy with glowing blue LEDs which are

Published by: VR-Zone

selectable on or off accenting a sleek black enclosure design.

The Thermaltake Max 5G is, of course, backwards compatible to USB 2.0/1.1, as well as SATA II/I. The Thermaltake Max 5G also offers quick and easy installation to go along with rock solid build quality.

ASRock P67 Profess1onal Fatal1ty - Layout and Design @ ocaholic Description: With the P67 Profess1onal Fatal1ty, ASRock has a high-end Sandy Bridge motherboard in its portfolio which especially targets the gaming market. Next to a very attractive design the board also features three PCI-Express x16 slots and ten SATA-Ports.

Antec LanBoy Air ATX Case Review Description: At first glance you can tell this is an enthusiast and gamer-oriented product. Antec touts the LanBoy Air for its highly customizable and modular design. Weighing 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg), the case can be outfitted with an insane fifteen 120mm fans -- so you know the "Air" moniker belongs in its name. Perhaps more intriguing, nearly every part of the case is modular, even the motherboard and PSU mounts.

Scythe Mine 2 cooler @ Hardwareoverclock.com Description: The Mine 2 CPU Cooler is based on a twin cooler Layout. Eight copper heatpipes transport heat to two generously dimensioned cooling blocks. By placing the fan in between the 2 heatsink towers, intake as well as exhale airflows are optimized to provide high performance. By default, the Mine 2 will be delivered with a centrally placed, adjustable 140 mm Slip Stream PWM & VR fan. Although the fan supports the PWM feature, the user can manually adjust the PWM bandwidth between 470 to 1,370 rpm and 740 to 1,900 rpm.

OCZ Vertex 3 240GB SATA 3 6Gbps SandForce SSD Preview @ Legit Reviews Description: Since the inception of the line, the Vertex name has been synonymous with performance and helped propel OCZ to a prominent position in the SSD market. Not resting on their laurels, OCZ has jumped out in front again with the Vertex 3 to be the first to launch a line featuring the latest SandForce controllers paired with a SATA III 6Gbps interface and 25nm NAND, while others ostensibly seem a little more conservative in their speed to market. Just how high has the bar been set? Read on to see.

Consumer Electronics and Software News: New Firefox 4 for Android Available Now Description: Firefox 4 for Android and Nokia Maemo devices is now available in a new beta version that’s made huge leaps in terms of stability and performance.

Coolermaster Spawn gaming mouse: comfortable, powerful, portable Description: Good things come in small packages, and Coolermaster’s Spawn gaming mouse is one of them, packing a good balance of features and comfort into a small, inexpensive, capable gaming mouse.

A Sleeping OS X Lion Stirs Description: The iPad 2 nears! An iPad 3 is on the horizon! iPhone 5 is coming! Maybe an iPhone nano! New MacBook Pros! New iMacs! Maybe even an Apple television! Of all the

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Apple rumors out there right now, there’s a odd lack of talk about something we know is coming — and soon: OS X Lion.

Eurocom Launches Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Processor in its Panther 2.0 Description: Eurocom Corporation (www.eurocom.com) announces support for Intel's new high performance i7-990X Extreme Edition Processor inside the EUROCOM Panther 2.0 performance notebook. The addition of the Intel Core i7-990X to the long list of processor options gives Eurocom customers even greater choice when customizing their unique systems.

What the iPad 2 Needs to Steal From Android and WebOS Description: Motorola and HP proved that companies can make tablets with UI as usable, if not more so, than the iPad. Now, with the iPad 2 being announced next week, Apple is the one that needs to play catch-up to others. But is it possible without drastically retooling iOS? Replace or Add User Profile Fields in WordPress @ Computing on Demand Description: If you take into consideration that WordPress is the most widely used blogging platform, it is confusing why they are still living in the past. I am referring to the usage of AIM, Jabber, and Yahoo in the user's profile. Currently, within WordPress, there is no way for you to modify these choices.

However, with a few simple lines of code in our functions.php file, we can bring WordPress into the 21st century.

New Google PageRank Algorithm Debunked Description: In my recent article on SEJ about Google PageRank I suggested that a new formula could be in action.

The article has gone big on Twitter and LinkedIn, with hundreds of shares. And from some comments, it looks like many people accepted it for a fact.

Google Drops Facebook Sync On Nexus S: Google/Facebook Battle Continues Description: The reason Google cites is because Facebook contacts “cannot be exported from the device” and thus do not allow users to “control their data” as freely as Google would like.

Gaming News: New Crysis 2 Trailer Focuses On Story, PC Multiplayer Demo on March 1 Description: With about a month to the launch of Crysis 2, the folks from EA released another trailer focusing on the story and giving a sneak of the transition of story from its predecessor. The trailer revolves around Jacob Hargreave, a man with an obsession with the Nanosuit for most of a century.

Check out “Prophet’s Journey” below

Published by: VR-Zone

out their children were racking up huge purchases without understanding what they were doing - including one young gamer who managed to download more than $1,400 in virtual Smurfs currency...

Intel announces Thunderbolt Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-announcesthunderbolt/11333.html February 25th, 2011

So what's all the fuss about? Well, Intel and Apple has announced the launch and availability (at least in Apple's products) of a new co-developed I/O interface previously known as Light Peak, but it now goes under the name of Thunderbolt. The new interface uses the same physical connector as the mini DisplayPort interface and it's compatible with DisplayPort signals, but it also offers up to 10Gbps of PCI Express data to allow for a wide range of external peripherals to be connected to it.

So what's all the fuss about? Well, Intel and Apple has announced the launch and availability (at least in Apple's products) of a new co-developed I/O interface previously known as Light Peak, but it now goes under the name of Thunderbolt. The new interface uses the same physical connector as the mini DisplayPort interface and it's compatible with DisplayPort signals, but it also offers up to 10Gbps of PCI Express data to allow for a wide range of external peripherals to be connected to it.

With so much bandwidth available it's clear that Thunderbolt was designed with the future in mind. That said, with companies such as Aja, Apogee, Avid, Blackmagic, LaCie, Promise and Western Digital as launch partners, it's pretty clear that the bandwidth is much wanted, especially in the video and audio industry. Thunderbolt is at the moment the fastest interface you'll find on any computer that isn't a highend server and then you'd end up talking about network cards or Fiber Channel or something similarly advanced that isn't easily implemented into consumer and business devices.

Dead Space 2 Gets Severed March 1 Description: Finished strategically dismembering an entire space station's worth of Necromorphs? Go back and do it all over again on March 1, this time from a different perspective, in the first DLC pack for Dead Space 2: Severed.

FTC agrees to investigate "deceptively free" iPhone games Description: The Federal Trade Commission has confirmed it will investigate mobile games that are advertised as free but then entice players into buying virtual goods within the game, especially those that target younger users. This comes after several complaints surfaced by parents who found 7

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Published by: VR-Zone

five devices and one display are supported – it's bi-directional and it delivers power. However, on the power side things aren't fantastic, as Thunderbolt is limited to 10W, a typical external 3.5-inch hard drive requires 12W, so it's not going to be possible to power plenty of external storage device directly from the bus. Something of an oversight in our eyes, but then again, it's unlikely that single hard drives will even be kitted out with Thunderbolt interfaces.

Another interesting aspect is what you can connect to a Thunderbolt interface, since as it uses PCI Express signalling, pretty much anything that connects to the PCI Express bus can interface with Thunderbolt. In this way Thunderbolt is very much like the external PCI Express interfaces that never really took off, just with a much more compact connector. This means that solutions like laptop docks could become quite advanced and offer a wide range of advanced interface that don't have to be built into the notebook to save space. Another option would be to build a display that acts as a laptop dock with all of the ports built into it rather than the notebook.

The use of the mini DisplayPort connector is an odd choice in our opinion, although as the DisplayPort signal runs parallel with the PCI Express signal used for all other data, it sort of makes sense, at least in a notebook implementation.

We haven't heard or seen anything relating to desktop implementations of Thunderbolt, although we'd expect it to be entirely possible, just something of a hassle, especially as you'd need a motherboard with a mini DisplayPort connector and a way to route the graphics card signal through this port. We won't put it past the motherboard makers to come up with a solution in due time though, as this would be a differentiator on high-end motherboards.

As for notebooks, so far it's only Apple's MacBook Pro models that will come with Thunderbolt, although others are expected to follow. However, we'd go as far as to say that this is a technology that at least for now will be used exclusively on high-end notebooks due to the additional cost involved. Also, as far as the implementation goes, the Thunderbolt controller requires four PCI Express lanes and connects directly to Intel's PCH, so it seems like it's an exclusive technology tied into Intel's platform, at least for the time being. Call it a competitive advantage if you like, although it's possible that it'll work with any other chipset and/or device that have four available PCI Express lanes of bandwidth available.

One unanswered question is how much it'll cost to implement Thunderbolt, but it can't be too expensive considering that Apple doesn't appear to charge a premium for the technology.

That said, just judging by the picture of the controller Intel supplied, it's going to be vastly more expensive than USB 3.0.

It's also possible that Thunderbolt will stun the continued development and deployment of USB 3.0 which in our opinion would be a bad thing.

Thunderbolt was developed with the future in mind and as such it's almost overkill today, but given some time it's likely that even Thunderbolt won't be able to keep up. However, with more than twice the practical bandwidth of USB 3.0 and nearly twice that of SATA 6Gbps we can see a lot of companies coming up with creative usages of the new interface. The video and audio hardware creation companies are happy to have been given yet more bandwidth to play with and the storage device manufacturers are some of the first to jump aboard the new interface. The big question is if Thunderbolt will ever become mainstream and this isn't likely to happen for quite some time.

Intel Resumes P67 B3 Shipment, Limited Initially In many ways Thunderbolt is a bit like the old FireWire interface, as it can be daisy chained – up to six devices or

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-resumes-p67-b3-shipmentlimited-initially/11331.html

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Published by: VR-Zone

February 25th, 2011

Last week, Intel has began production on the P67 B3 chipsets and has shipped out to various motherboard manufacturers. This week, we saw ASUS and Biostar announcing that they are shipping out their P67 B3 motherboards to their customers and the same goes for Gigabyte, MSI, Asrock as well. We can expect the new boards to reach by early March. However, full recovery won't be expect till late March or early April therefore replacement boards for end users are expected to be in shortage initially.

Last week, Intel has began production on the P67 B3 chipsets and has shipped out to various motherboard manufacturers. This week, we saw ASUS and Biostar announcing that they are shipping out their P67 B3 motherboards to their customers and the same goes for Gigabyte, MSI, Asrock as well. We can expect the new boards to reach by early March. However, full recovery won't be expect till late March or early April therefore replacement boards for end users are expected to be in shortage initially.

Apple releases first developer preview of Mac OS X Lion Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-releases-first-developer-previewof-mac-os-x-lion/11329.html February 25th, 2011

First demonstrated last October, we have not heard anything from Apple since. But now Apple, along with the release of their updated line of MacBook Pro, has provided us with some info on their new features in Mac OS X Lion which is all set for a public launch later this summer.

Apple today released a developer preview of Mac OS X Lion, which takes some of the best ideas from iPad and brings them back to the Mac for the eighth major release of the world's most advanced operating system. Lion features Mission Control, an innovative new view of everything running on your Mac; Launchpad, a new home for all your Mac apps; full screen apps that use the entire Mac display; and new Multi-Touch gestures. Lion also includes the Mac App Store, the best place to discover, install and automatically update Mac apps. The Lion preview is available to Mac Developer Program members through the Mac App Store today, and the final version of Lion will ship to customers this summer.

Apple has also outline a number of key features that will be included as part of Mac OS X Lion: - Mail, a new version of Mail, with an elegant, widescreen layout inspired by the iPad; Conversations, which automatically groups related messages into one easy to read timeline; more powerful search; and support for Microsoft Exchange 2010; - Versions, which automatically saves successive versions of your document as you create it, and gives you an easy way to browse, edit and even revert to previous versions; - AirDrop, a remarkably simple way to copy files wirelessly from one Mac to another with no setup;

Along with the updated line of MacBook Pros, Apple has also just announced the release of the first developer preview version of Mac OS X Lion. Let's see what is Apple going to surprise us with in this upcoming version of the Mac OS.

- Resume, which conveniently brings your apps back exactly how you left them when you restart your Mac or quit and relaunch an app; - Auto Save, which automatically saves your documents as you work; - the all new FileVault, that provides high performance full disk encryption for local and external drives, and the ability to wipe data from your Mac instantaneously; and 9

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- Mac OS X Lion Server, which makes setting up a server easier than ever and adds support for managing Mac OS X Lion, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.

More information on the upcoming Mac OS X can be found on Apple's feature page for it here.

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way. The speed in which it can achieve, is expected to replace the need for USB 3.0 "Thunderbolt is a revolutionary new I/O technology that delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second and can support every important I/O standard which is ideal for the new MacBook Pro." The following new models are available now online at the Apple Store.

Apple launches refreshed MacBook Pros with Quad Core CPUs, AMD GPUs and Thunderbolt Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-launches-refreshed-macbookpros-with-quad-core-cpus-amd-gpus-and-thunderbolt/11308.html February 25th, 2011

Apple has just formally launched their refreshed MacBook Pros and it's available right now online. While still retaining the same body, there has been a lot of changes under the hood.

• 17" 1920x1200 Display. 2.2Ghz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. S$3398 • 15" 1440x900 (1680 option) Display. 2.2GHz Quad i7.

750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. S$2988 • 15" 1440x900 (1680 option) Display. 2.0GHz Quad i7.

4GB RAM. 500GB HD. AMD 6490M 256MB. S$2488 • 13" 1280x800 Display. 2.7GHz Dual i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. S$2048 • 13" 1280x800 Display. 2.3GHz Dual i5. 4GB RAM. 320GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. S$1648

Full specifications are available here.

A-Data Launches CH11 USB 3.0 External HDDs Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/a-data-launches-ch11-usb-3.0-external-

The much-anticipated refreshment of MacBook Pros are here.

For the first time ever in the company's history, Apple has included Quad Core CPUs into their laptops. The 15-inch and 17-inch models offer Quad Core CPUs using the Intel 2.2GHz Quad Core 2720QM and 2.0GHz Quad Core 2630QM. The new Sandy Bridge processors found in these new MacBook Pro also feature Intel's Turbo Boost 2.0, which will increase athe speed of the remaining cores when the others are underultilised.

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 automatically allows processor cores to run faster than the base operating frequency if it's operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits.

For those who are interested in the Quad Cores, the maximum Turbo clock speeds for the 2720QM and 2630QM are 3.2GHz and 2.9GHz respectively.

Another new feature that Apple has introduced in this refreshment is the hybrid Thunderbolt/ mini Display port.

This revolutionary technology, which represents Intel's Light Peak technology, is expected to surface in other Macs along the

hdds/11327.html February 25th, 2011

A-Data has expanded its line-up of external HDDs with the addition of the CH11. The compact 2.5" external HDD delivers transfer speeds up to 90Mb/s (read) via a USB 3.0 interface and comes with custom tags (allowing users to label drive contents). Available in black, white or pink colors, they are expected to start shipping in Europe soon.

A-DATA PRESS RELEASE Taipei, Taiwan - February 21 2011 - ADATA™ Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules and NAND Flash application products, today introduced the new CH11 external hard drive, the company's latest contender in the high-speed external storage market.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Drives (Gartner, May 2010), and the Top 20 global brand in Taiwan, provides complete memory solutions, including DRAM Modules, USB Flash Drives, Memory Cards, solid state drives and portable hard drives. ADATA products are internationally recognized by Germany's iF Design Award, red dot Award, CES Best of Innovations Award, Japan's Good Design Award, Best Choice of Computex Award, and Taiwan Excellence Gold Award. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.adata-group.com.

The CH11 incorporates the most recent "SuperSpeed" USB 3.0 standard, and achieves read speeds of up to 90 MB/ sec. As end-users worldwide become increasingly aware of the tremendous performance advantages of USB 3.0 capable devices, products like the CH11 are expected to displace drives using the older USB 2.0 standard in the market. Consumers who need to transfer large image, video, or other media files will find the CH11 an appealing option.

Last minute MacBook Pro rumours Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/last-minute-macbook-prorumours/11326.html February 25th, 2011

The MacBook Pro rumours continue to appear all over the web and the latest one bring with them some additional details that may or may not prove to be true, although it seems like we won't have to wait too long to find out what's true and what's not. On top of that, Intel is readying an announcement related to Thunderbolt for later today together with Apple, but we can't give you all the details quite yet as that is under NDA for the time being, so check back with us later for the full details.

An added benefit of the CH11 is the inclusion of custom labels, providing users with a handy solution for labeling drive contents. The unit can be stored and used vertically, making it an excellent choice for those who frequently work with multiple external drives of different categories. The CH11 will be available in 500GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities.

Availability The CH11 will be available through ADATA's selected distributors and resellers. More information can be found at the company's website at: http://www.adata-group.com.

About ADATA ADATA Technology, the world's 2nd largest vendor of DRAM Modules (iSuppli, May 2010), 3rd largest of USB Flash

The MacBook Pro rumours continue to appear all over the web and the latest one bring with them some additional details that may or may not prove to be true, although it seems like we won't have to wait too long to find out what's true and what's not. On top of that, Intel is readying an announcement related to Thunderbolt for later today together with Apple, but we can't give you all the details quite yet as that is under NDA for the time being, so check back with us later for the full details.

The new rumours are talking to some degree about Thunderbolt and without getting ahead of things, yes, this is Intel's Light Peak technology, but as we said, more on that later. What is clear now though is that all of Apple's MacBook Pro models will feature Thunderbolt support, but it's not certain that the vanilla MacBook's will. It's also unclear as to when and if we'll see this on desktop Apple computers, although we'd expect Apple to implement this at least on its Mac Pro's. The downside here is of course that Apple won't support USB 3.0 which is suggesting the standard has lost a major promoter for better or worse.

Other rumours include dropped support for Nvidia graphics in favour of AMD, something that's been a long term rumour but which might finally prove to be true. Considering that Apple have been using AMD graphics in its Mac Pro and iMac desktops for quite some time, we'd say this is a very likely rumour to come true.

Sadly it seems like the 13-inch MacBook Pro's have to make do with Intel's HD 3000 series integrated graphics, at least 11

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if the leaked specs are anything to go by. At least the entire range from top to bottom will get kitted out with Intel's second generation of Core i processors which in a way is a big win, as Apple has finally decided to give up on Intel's Core 2 platform in lieu of something much faster.

The rumours about SSDs don't seem to have proven to be true though, but we should find out shortly if this is the case or not.

The high-resolution screen rumours have as yet to be proven right as the spec leaks for the 13-inch model suggested no change here. Apple is expected to unveil its new product range shortly, so stay tuned for more on the new MacBook models, as well as a detailed look at Tunderbolt.

MSI releases finalized version of Afterburner 2.1.0

Published by: VR-Zone February 25th, 2011

After the wildly successful original Facebook contest, BitFenix is pleased to announce BitFenix Facebook Sweepstakes 2.

From now until March 9th, users can go to the BitFenix Facebook page and enter the contest by "liking" the page and filling out the sweepstakes entry form. At the end of the contest period, one lucky fan will win a brand-new BitFenix Survivor gaming chassis!

BitFenix Press Release

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-releases-finalized-version-ofafterburner-2.1.0/11324.html February 25th, 2011

Facebook fans can enter to win a brand-new Survivor chassis After months of being in beta status, MSI Afterburner 2.1.0 has been finalized and is now available for download. The new version supports the latest graphics cards, including the NVIDIA GeForce 500 Series and AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series.

(BitFenix Design Lab, February 23th, 2011) - After the wildly successful original Facebook contest, BitFenix is pleased to announce BitFenix Facebook Sweepstakes 2. From now until March 9th, users can go to the BitFenix Facebook page (http:// facebook.bitfenix.com) and enter the contest by "liking" the page and filling out the sweepstakes entry form. At the end of the contest period, one lucky fan will win a brand-new BitFenix Survivor gaming chassis!

After months of being in beta status, MSI Afterburner 2.1.0 has been finalized and is now available for download. The new version supports the latest graphics cards, including the NVIDIA GeForce 500 Series and AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series.

The latest Afterburner has a new feature known as Predator, which allows users to capture a video of the game you are currently playing.

Win a Survivor gaming case: BitFenix Facebook Sweepstakes 2 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/win-a-survivor-gaming-case-bitfenixfacebook-sweepstakes-2/11323.html

"We had so much fun with our fans last time, so we just had to bring it back," says David Jarlestedt, BitFenix Product Manager. "The support for the fans has been tremendous and

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February 25th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

these contests are meant to give back to the very community that helped make BitFenix into what it is today."

Entering the contest is easy: 1. Go to the BitFenix Facebook Page (http:// facebook.bitfenix.com) and click "Like" 2. Find the Sweepstakes tab and fill in the contest form In addition, BitFenix will give away one additional chassis if the BitFenix Facebook page can reach 2,000 fans during the contest period! The more people that enter, the more prizes will be given away!

Enter the sweepstakes by going to the BitFenix Facebook page: http://facebook.bitfenix.com Full contest details can be found here: http://bit.ly/eysnEl For more information www.bitfenix.com.

on

BitFenix,

visit:

http://

The Playon!HD2 (ACR-PV73700) supports video formats including AVI, MKV, TS, TP, M2TS, MPG, MP4, MOV, M4V, VOB, ISO, DVD-ISO, IFO, DAT, WMV, ASF, RM, RMVB, BDISO, FLV resolution up to 1080p. Even though it supports Gigabit full HD streaming of up to 1000Mbps, wired data transfer only reaches 100Mbps due to the limitation of the onboard processor.

AC Ryan launches Playon!

HD2 and Playon!HD Mini2 in Singapore Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ac-ryan-launches-playon-hd2-andplayon-hd-mini2-in-singapore/11317.html February 25th, 2011

This morning, AC Ryan has announced their new Playon!

HD2 and Playon!HD Mini 2 full high definition players in Singapore. They are available now and you can check them out at the upcoming IT Show 2011.

Eugene Wong, senior product engineer for AC Ryan, introduced the two new media players from the company Playon!HD2 and Playon!HD Mini2, which claim to feature the latest Realtek 1185 media player processor. According to Wong, both media players allow users to interact with friends on Facebook, Twitter and Instant Messenger (ebuddy).

The power button is at the front of the Playon!HD2 while on the right holds a card reader, three USB ports (one Type B USB3.0). The USB ports can also connect to an external hard disk as well as a wireless dongle for wireless connectivity.

However, note that full high definition (HD) streaming will not be that seamless via wireless. According to Wong, the optional wireless dongle can be purchased at S$49, and the Playon!

HD2 with built-in wireless is scheduled to be available near end of March.

More connectivity options are at the rear of the media player including composite, component, HDMI, LAN, optical and coaxial.

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February 25th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

It is clear that Microsoft wants Windows to be as ubiquitous in the cloud as it currently is in the desktop and notebook PC market. And while Microsoft is also considered to be one of the latecomers to the entire 'software-as-a-service' ecosystem, it would seem that this minor setback is not about to hinder the software giant in its plans for (virtual) world domination: Microsoft has announced the commencement of a free trial in a bid to attract more users to its Azure Services Platform.

The hard disk compartment is on the right and to insert your hard disk, simply remove the side cover.

Cloud computing and 'software-as-a-service' might be mere blanket terms used to describe the future of computing, but as far as Microsoft is concerned, it would seem that the such services are more than ready to be implemented in today's computing ecosystem. After all, enterprises have been known to be relatively slow on the uptake of new technology, and in most cases, all it needs is just a simple push to get the entire industry moving in the 'right' (or wrong) directions.

With that in mind, what would Microsoft's plan for pushing people onto the path of cloud computing under the Windows banner and ecosystem be? Simple: to offer a free trial of its Windows Azure Platform, in the hopes that enterprise developers will be able to get their feet wet with Microsoft's cloud computing solution and join the Microsoft ecosystem.

The Playon!HD Mini2 (ACR-PV73800) is more compact than its Playon!HD2 sibling though it also supports most video formats.

At the rear are component, composite, HDMI, LAN, optical and two USB connectors.

Both the Playon!HD2 and Playon!HD Mini2 are alreday available at S$269 and S$199 respectively, and will also be retailing at the IT Show 2011.

For those who might not be aware, Microsoft's Azure Services Platform is a 'platform-as-a-service' offering and forms a core part of Microsoft's cloud computing strategy. It allows customers to deploy applications and data into the cloud, and is designed to compliment the company's other 'software-asa-service' offering, Microsoft Online Services.

Microsoft launches free trial of Windows Azure Platform Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/microsoft-launches-free-trial-ofwindows-azure-platform/11314.html February 25th, 2011

So what's in the free trial of Microsoft's Windows Azure Platform for developers who bite? Well, according to 14

February 25th, 2011

Microsoft, interested developers can choose between one of two offers, namely 750 hours of an Extra Small Compute Instance or 25 hours of a Small Compute Instance. And in addition to the free computing time offered, Microsoft is also throwing in a few extra features such as free inbound and outbound data transfer of up to 500MB and 100,000 AppFabric access control transactions across two service bus connections, as shown in the screenshot below:

Published by: VR-Zone

immediately after the revised design is released by Intel.

ASUS hopes that its fast response will prevent any further inconvenience and interruption to customers.

As part of an overall recovery plan following the detection of the Intel 6 Series chipset design error, ASUS has implemented various customer support measures, including extensive product replacement and return with additional service hotlines around the world.

Of course, this complimentary trial is not without its own set of caveats though. Developers and system administrators might want to take note that Microsoft does not impose hard data transfer or storage caps: this means that system administrators who end up consuming more than the amount of data allocated to them will be charged at Microsoft's current rates. Last but definitely not least, Microsoft has also confirmed that the trial is time-bombed to expire on 30 June this year, and that any subsequent usage of its Windows Azure Platform after the aforementioned date will be charged at the standard rates as well.

Based on new information from Intel, ASUS has announced that its updated Intel 6 Series-based motherboards will begin shipping starting this week, immediately after the revised design is released by Intel. ASUS hopes that its fast response will prevent any further inconvenience and interruption to customers.

As Intel indicated the design error only occurs with certain SATA 3Gb/s ports, ASUS has created the SATA Verifier utility to help customers clearly identify all unaffected SATA 6Gb/s ports for each relevant product. More information can be found at http://event.asus.com/2011/mb/ Identify_unaffected_SATA_port/.

Customers who already own potentially affected motherboards may visit http://event.asus.com/sg/2011/ SandyBridge/ for product return and replacement details and registration.

If that sounds reasonable enough to warrant getting your hands and feet wet with what Microsoft has to offer the cloud computing ecosystem, hit up the registration link located here.

ASUS to begin shipping motherboards with revised 'B3' P67 and H67 chipsets this week Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-to-begin-shipping-motherboardswith-revised-b3-p67-and-h67-chipsets-this-week/11319.html February 25th, 2011

As part of an overall recovery plan following the detection of the Intel 6 Series chipset design error, ASUS has implemented various customer support measures, including extensive product replacement and return with additional service hotlines around the world. Based on new information from Intel, ASUS has announced that its updated Intel 6 Seriesbased motherboards will begin shipping starting this week,

Users can easily identify revised products by checking for the 'New B3 Revision' label displayed on the packaging. The chipset version can also be verified through the sticker affixed on the motherboard itself, the BIOS, ASUS SATA Verifier and CPUID’s CPU-Z utility.

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February 25th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

ASUS would like to use this opportunity to encourage any current users in possession of affected products to carry out return and replacement promptly, so that the transition to the revised hardware is as smooth and fast as possible.

Rumour: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 590 release during PAX East 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rumour-nvidia-geforce-gtx-590release-during-pax-east-2011/11318.html February 25th, 2011

According to a latest report from DonanimHaber, NVIDIA's upcoming dual-GPU flagship, the GeForce GTX 590, is all set to release at PAX East 2011 - which takes place between March 11th and March 13th. Prior to PAX East, the GTX 590 will be introduced behind closed doors at upcoming CeBIT 2011 (March 1st to 5th).

Well, this is indeed surprising. For a company that has already prided itself on having products which boast some of the longest product lifespans, it would seem that Sony has also got quite a few products which do not seem to live past its first year of retail life before getting canned from the company's production line.

And in this case, it would appear that even popular products are not spared from the hammer, for the latest device to get the heave-ho from Sony's production line is that of the compactsized 'DSLR' known as the NEX-3. Indeed, a quick peek into Sony's Japanese site reveals that the information was no hoax: the NEX-3 has indeed been dropped, with the product page listing the camera's status as 'Discontinued'.

As has been rumoured for quite a while now, the GTX 590 is expected to sport two fully enabled GF110 GPUs. The power consumption is rumoured to be through the roof - likely breaking the PCI-SIG certification limit of 300W. The GTX 590 is certainly going to be an exclusive, ultra-enthusiast product, with limited availability.

AMD's competitor - the Radeon HD 6990 - which was earlier planned for a December 2010 release, is also expected to finally release some time in March.

Sony quietly discontinues NEX-3 series of digital cameras Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-quietly-discontinues-nex-3series-of-digital-cameras/11313.html February 25th, 2011

Unfortunately, Sony has not been very forthcoming with its reasons for the sudden pulling of the NEX-3 from its NEX lineup. And with no press release issued, it would seem that consumers do not have much choice but to wait for the official explanation from the Japanese consumer electronics giant.

ImageShack pulls plug on hotlinking to unregistered domains Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/imageshack-pulls-plug-on-hotlinkingto-unregistered-domains/11312.html February 25th, 2011

The NEX-3 may be one of the more drool-worthy digital cameras to exist on the market today, but it seems that Sony has got other plans in store for the market segment currently targeted by the aforementioned device. In what is probably the shortest-ever product lifespan for a digital camera, Sony Japan has labelled the NEX-3 as a discontinued product, despite it being barely a year since it was launched.

Do you make use of ImageShack's image hosting services?

Well, if you do, you might want to seriously start considering moving over to other alternative image hosting services.

Apparently, it seems that ImageShack has made the decision to pull the plug on hosted images that have been hotlinked to 'unregistered domains'. And we all know what that means, don't we?

Free image hosting services are a dime a dozen, so migrating over to another service should be as easy as pie, should it not?

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February 25th, 2011

After all, the only thing one has to do is to download the entire photo album from the original hoster, extract the images from within and re-upload them into the new image hoster.

Okay, so maybe it might be a little more tedious that it sounds.

However, users who often upload images to a particualar image hosting service known as ImageShack for the sole purpose of sharing them on websites or forums might want to start considering a migration to alternative services. Not because ImageShack is shutting down though: rather, this is due to a new policy implemented across ImageShack's image hosting services.

Apparently, the hoster has just recently implemented a 'registered domains' system: this policy requires that webmasters register their domains with ImageShack in order to ensure that visitors to their site can view all ImageShackhosted images. And because no prior warning about this sudden change in policy was made to the Internet-going public, it seemed that many were caught unaware when the policy was enforced. As such, ImageShack users who have hotlinked images to unregistered domains will only see this image on the offending site:

Published by: VR-Zone

Mach Xtreme Technology Adds 128Gb Model to FX USB 3.0 Flash Drives Series Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/mach-xtreme-technology-adds-128gbmodel-to-fx-usb-3.0-flash-drives-series/11316.html February 25th, 2011

Mach Xtreme Technology has expanded its FX USB3.0 flash drive line-up with the addition of a 128Gb (MXUB3MFX-128G) variant. Measuring 78 x 27 x 9.3mm and weighing 39g, the compact flash drive delivers data transfer speeds up to 130Mb/s (read) and 90Mb/s (write). Mach Xtreme has also obtained Asus's USB 3.0 certification for its MX-FX series of flash-drives, offering users full USB 3.0 usability and compatibility with ASUS mainboards.

MX-TECHNOLOGY PRESS RELEASE Mach Xtreme Technology Inc., a worldwide leader in top performance, high reliability and user-friendly designed PC components, announces that MX-FX Series gets “Optimized For ASUS USB 3.0 Mainboards� certification and adds 128GB model to expanding FX USB3.0 flash drives series today.

More importantly, it appears that this issue is affecting users on a global scale, and is not just limited to users from a particular geographical region. To remedy the situation, users can either attempt to visit the link listed on the image above and register their often-visited sites with the image hosting service, or bug the webmasters of those websites to do so on their behalf.

Of course, at this point, users can also just opt to ditch ImageShack completely and go for an alternative, no-cost image hosting service. After all, as they always say, whatever floats your boat.

MX has announced its successful certification of MX-FX USB 3.0 series flash drives, confirming close cooperation with ASUS. Only devices rigorously tested with ASUS USB3.0 motherboards feature a prominent logo. Customers can recognize this logo and purchase ASUS certified USB 3.0 devices with peace of mind. The extensive compatibility testing ensures complete compatibility with ASUS mainboards, offering consumers full USB 3.0 usability.

Besides, Mach Xtreme Technology adds 128GB model to expanding FX series. The MX-FX 128GB flash drive delivers best-in-class read and write speeds clocking in at up to 130MBs read and 90MBs write along with its ultra compact size (78mm x 27mm 9.3mm). Mach Xtreme FX flash drives come also in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB flavors.

All this combined with 3-Years warranty and consumer friendly pricing nominates MX-Technology FX Series USB 3.0 flash drive as the #1 choice.

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February 25th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

128GB FX Series USB 3.0 Flash Drive at A Glance •

USB 3.0 Interface

•

Max. Read Performance up to 130MBs

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Max. Write Performance up to 90MBs

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Bus Power 900mA (no external power cable needed)

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Power Consumption Idle 1.0W Active up to 4.0W

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Shock and vibrations resistant

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Compact and easy to carry 78mm x 27mm x 9.3mm

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Lightweight 39g

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Certification ROHS, CE, FCC

•

Capacity 128GB (MXUB3MFX-128G)

•

Warranty 3-Years

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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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February 28th, 2011

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.

Published by: VR-Zone

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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February 28th, 2011

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

Published by: VR-Zone

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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Published by: VR-Zone

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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Published by: VR-Zone

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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Published by: VR-Zone

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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Published by: VR-Zone

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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Published by: VR-Zone

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 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/play-pc-games-on-your-iphone-and-

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

ipad-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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Published by: VR-Zone

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

Published by: VR-Zone

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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February 28th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

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

February 28th, 2011

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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February 28th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

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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February 28th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

For more information, visit the product page.

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