VR-Zone Tech News for the Geeks Jul 2011 Issue

June 30th, 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.

Sandy Bridge-E delayed until January 2012 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sandy-bridge-e-delayed-untiljanuary-2012/12816.html June 30th, 2011

Wow, what's going on at Intel? It seems like the company has decided to delay its entire consumer desktop roadmap, as we've now heard from a very reliable source that Intel has pushed back the Sandy Bridge-E launch from Q4 this year to January 2012.

Too Hot to Handle: Sony issues BIOS update for 535,000 VAIO notebooks at risk of overheating Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/too-hot-to-handle-sony-issues-biosupdate-for-535-000-vaio-notebooks-at-risk-of-overheating/12815.html June 30th, 2011

Sony has just issued an urgent BIOS update for certain F and C series VAIO notebooks. The affected models were sold in the first half of 2010 and are at risk of overheating due to a faulty thermal management system. According to Sony, the BIOS update should fix the issue. More than half a million units worldwide are affected, of which 120,000 are in Southeast Asia.

Wow, what's going on at Intel? It seems like the company has decided to delay its entire consumer desktop roadmap, as we've now heard from a very reliable source that Intel has pushed back the Sandy Bridge-E launch from Q4 this year to January 2012.

We have a feeling that Intel is doing an AMD and what we mean by that is that Intel is focusing on its server CPU business instead of on consumers. AMD delayed its consumer Bulldozer launch in favour of its Opteron CPUs and it's possible that this is part of what made Intel change its strategy. The Sandy Bridge-E CPUs are based on the same core as Intel's upcoming LGA-2011 and LGA-1356 Xeon processors and these are big chips which mean fewer chips per wafer. As such it's entirely plausible that Intel is trying to stock up on chips for its Xeon platforms, but this is only speculation from our side at this point in time.

As the Sandy Bridge-E CPUs are set to replace Intel's aging LGA-1366 Core i platform it looks like the enthusiast end of the market is going to have to wait another quarter before they can get their hands on the new platform. This is going to disappoint quite a few people out there, but this is still a very tiny market for Intel and it's unlikely that it will affect Intel's profits much, if at all. Hopefully there won't be any further delays, although it's also entirely possible that this is a calculated move by Intel, as the company launched a new LGA-1366 CPU only this week, but it's believed to be the last of a dying breed.

More than half a million VAIO notebooks are at risk of overheating due to a faulty thermal management system, according to Sony. A product recall was previously issued but Sony now says that a BIOS update will fix the problem. The affected parts have serial numbers starting with VPCF11 or VPCCW2 and were sold in the first half of 2010.

535,000 notebooks are affected worldwide, about half of which are in the US. Of the remainder, 103,000 are in Europe, 120,000 are in Southeast Asia and 52,000 are in Japan.

The number of overheating cases reported so far is said to be between 30 and 40. No injuries have occured, but the notebooks can get hot enough to warp the plastic casing and cause burns.

To check if your Sony notebook is affected, refer to Sony's support website. Sony advises owners of affected notebooks to cease all usage until the fix has been applied.

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This is hardly the first notebook recall in recent years, though recalls are more often due to notebook batteries. In 2008, Sony recalled 73,000 VAIO notebooks due to a similar overheating issue. Sony was forced to recall over 4 million notebook batteries back in 2006 after a notebook battery exploded in Japan.

Skype announces updated client for Android, brings video calling to supported smartphones

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According to the official press release, Skype for Android 2.0 will allow users of Android-powered smartphones to "make and receieve free 1-1 video calls over Skype between their Android phone", as well as with other Skype contacts who are making use of the service on other platforms. In addtion, the client will work with both WiFi and 3G data connections, although Skype recommends the use of a "strong WiFi connection" for best results.

Users will also notice that the user interface for Skype's new client has been given an overhaul, as shown in the image below. According to Skype, this was done to ensure that users can easily gain direct access to all of the key functions that are available in the client.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/skype-announces-updated-client-forandroid-brings-video-calling-to-supported-smartphones/12809.html June 30th, 2011

For the longest time, users of Android smartphones could only watch in envy while their iOS-totting friends were happily utilizing Skype's services to initiate video calls among their fellow iOS users, but it seems that things are about to change for the better very soon. This is because Skype just announced the availability of an updated client which it has confirmed will be bringing that missing feature to the Android platform. Android users, let the video calls begin.

Skype may have been present on mobile platforms for a long time, but the unfortunate truth is that the Android version of Skype still has some way to go before it can be proclaimed to have finally achieved feature-parity with the one that is currently available for Apple's iOS. This is especially true, considering how Skype for Android still lacks support for video calls, a feature that was made available for iOS 4 in late December last year.

However, just as good things always comes to those who wait, it would seem that today is the day Android users can finally have something to phone home about, for Skype has just announced the availability of an updated version of its Android client, which is designed to bring that missing feature to what is currently recognized as "the fastest growing mobile OS".

Of course, in addition to video calls, users can also continue to make use of Skype's services as a means to make calls to landlines and mobiles, as well as send SMS’s to their friends and family members under Skype's existing rates.

That being said, you might want to hold your horses first.

VR-Zone was given the opportunity to interview Skype's Mark Douglas, who confirmed that support for video calls is currently limitted to only four devices in the initial rollout, and they are HTC's Desire S, Sony Ericsson's Xperia neo and Xperia pro and Google's Nexus S, although Skype has confirmed that more devices will be added to its compatibility list in time.

However, there is no way to get the feature working on unsupported phones, as Douglas has confirmed that the 2

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app is closed-ended. This means that devices which fulfill the minium requirements (Android 2.3 + meets the OS's video requirements) but are not on the compatibility list will be locked out from making video calls via Skype on their smartphone, although they will still have access to all the other services.

Also, those of you who are hoping for a greater degree of integration of Skype into Android will probably be disapointed to know that the company has got no plans to do so, but that is only because the developers are limitted to what Google allows them to do via the SDK. And last but defintiely not least, no, group video conferencing is not available on this new release, although Douglas did suggest that such a feature might eventually make its way into future versions of its mobile Skype client once smartphones gain access to much more powerful and capable hardware.

Above: 8 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports and a single HDMI display output.

Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3-iSSD Preview Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/gigabyte-ga-z68xp-ud3-issdpreview/12810.html June 30th, 2011

Above: The power delivery system uses DrMOS (Driver +MOSFET)

Intel specifically designed the 20GB SSD 311 to be used as a cache drive with Z68's Smart Response Technology. Now Gigabyte has taken the mSATA version of the SSD 311 and bundled it onto a full-fledged Z68 motherboard, hoping to save you the hassle of purchasing the SSD separately. We haven't had the chance to test out this unique motherboard yet, but look inside for a quick tour.

Above: An additional two USB 3.0 ports are accessible via header. A Marvell 88SE9172 controller provides two additional SATA 6 Gbps ports (grey).

Above: Gigabyte's trademark blue colour scheme.

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Behind The Scenes: The Making of the Jay Chou ASUS N43 Notebook Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/behind-the-scenes-the-making-of-thejay-chou-asus-n43-notebook/12808.html June 30th, 2011

Above: The two x16 slots can be used in a x8/x8 configuration for SLI/CrossFire. Gigabyte has used the Realtek ALC889 audio codec and RTL8111E ethernet controller.

Today, VR-Zone barged into a secret ASUS design facility where Jay Chou has been spending some of his time to design and develop the N43 notebook. We are shown with some of his works that are eventually incorporated into the final design of the notebook. Let us walk you through the workplace of Jay Chou now.

Above: The key selling point of this motherboard - an onboard Intel SSD 311 20GB solid state drive.

Today, VR-Zone barged into a secret ASUS design facility where Jay Chou has been spending some of his time to design and develop the N43 notebook. The ASUS designers revealed that Jay Chou spend some of his nights in this facility over the last 6 months entering only by the back door to avoid any unwanted attention. His visits to ASUS are even kept a secret from most of the ASUS employees. We are shown with some of his works that are eventually incorporated into the final design of the notebook. Let us walk you through the workplace of Jay Chou now :

Stay tuned for our full review of the Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3iSSD!

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This is the place where Jay Chou sat down with ASUS designers to ponder over the design, colors and features that he wish to see in the notebook. This is also the place he drew the J letter in calligraphy.

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The ASUS designers eventually picked this one and a few others to mix and match to form the perfect J

These are the J letter calligraphy drawn by Jay Chou and one of them is picked by the ASUS designer as the signature J found on the N43 notebooks.

The signature J letter is found on the box and notebook

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Initially, he wanted a really bright pink but through numerous revisions, the color is eventually toned down to the one you are seeing now.

That's all for the walk through of his workplace in the ASUS Design facility.

Olympus officially announces three new Micro Four Thirds cameras Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/olympus-officially-announces-threenew-micro-four-thirds-cameras/12807.html June 30th, 2011

Jay Chou and the ASUS designers have drawn this together and is eventually imprinted onto the notebook cover

While Panasonic may have claimed an early head start in this race with the recent launch of the GF3, it is clear that Olympus is not about to let itself get outdone anytime soon, for the company has just announced three new Micro Four Thirds system cameras that look set to give Panasonic's GF3 a run for its money. VR-Zone brings you the coverage.

Not so long ago, Panasonic and Olympus made headlines when they jointly announced the creation of the Micro Four Thirds system. The new standard was initially met with varying degrees of skepticism. Some pundits claimed that the concept was superfluous because the use of large lenses would negate any size-related advantages that Micro Four Thirds was founded upon.

Jay Chou has written on some Post It notes specifically wanting a hot pink color notebook and exceptional sound quality.

Fast forward to 2011, and what was once considered a 'superfluous' standard has quickly matured into one of the most popular segments in the digital camera market due to its ability to capture excellent stills in a compact-sized body. As evidence of this success, Olympus saw it fit to announce not one, but three new Micro Four Thirds cameras today that at the National Geographic Store in VivoCity, Singapore.

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The latest additions to the Micro Four Thirds stable are the E-P3, Olympus's flagship model, and the smaller E-PL3 and E-PM1. Hirobumi Imano (above), Olympus Imaging Corp.'s general manager for the design centre, was given the task of officially unveiling the new devices to the world. Imano described how the new cameras reflect the design principles which have been a focal point of the company's PEN cameras even since their conception:

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smaller E-PM1 will get Live Guide, which allows users to control the camera's background defocusing.

"A camera should not be a toy.. the Olympus PEN is a product that is designed to deliver the happiness of photography all over the world without two main obstacles - difficulty in usage, and price. PEN exludes a sense of class and refinement, and its feature set is always expanding. And today, we will introduce the E-P2's sucessor, which sports the same design but is a completely different camera in its own regard, along with two additional products", he said in Japanese.

Toshiyuki Terada (above), senior manager of Olympus' SLR division, then described some of the new features of the new EP3, E-PL3 and E-PM1. In a nutshell, the new E-P3 will feature a faster autofocus algorithm, an extremely sensitive sensor capable of ISO 12800, TruePic VI technology and a capacitive OLED touchscreen.

Terada also announced the availability of two new largeaperture prime lenses for its entire Micro Four Thirds camera lineup, the 12mm, F2.0 "Snap Lens" and the 45mm, F1.8 portrait lens.

The E-PL3 will boast a tilting widescreen LCD display and support for high-speed continous shooting, while the

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Lamptron to Release Sliderbased Fan Controller Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lamptron-to-release-slider-based-fancontroller/12804.html June 30th, 2011

Lamptron, a China-based manufacturer of computer modding accessories, has announced the FC9 fan controller. The FC9 uses sliders to control up to four fans and includes customizable LED lighting. See inside for more pictures.

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as weak PC end-user demand and consequent inventory buildup at OEMs, and that prices may continue to fall in July; AMD's next-generation Opteron microprocessors which are based off the Bulldozer microarchitecture will reportedly boast a new feature where by users can tweak the chip's maximum TDP, thus allowing them to strike a balance between power consumption and performance; Netvolution has launched its very own Avenue App Store for Microsoft's desktop Windows operating system, in which users can browse through apps by popularity and category, and be informed about featured and new apps; Eurocom Corporation has announced its support for the high-performance Killer Wireless-N 1102 highperformance wireless network adapter as another available wireless card option in its premium notebook solutions; Blizzard announced the availability of a new 'Starter edition' of the popular World of WarCraft game, in which gamers will be allowed to play for free until their character reaches level 20, after which their levels will remain capped until the full version is purchased, and PSP owners can expect to see more action from Lord "The Most Badass Freakin Overlord In the Cosmos" Zetta, for Nippon Ichi has confirmed that it will be porting the PS2 title, Makai Kingdom, over to Sony's handheld gaming console, and is expected to be released for sale on September 22.

Hardware news

Lamptron is doing away with knobs on its latest fan controller.

The FC9 uses sliders instead to control the fan speed, supporting up to four fans. Each channel can deliver up to 50W of power (or just over 4A), which is more than enough for high performance fans. The dimensions of the FC9 are 148.5 x 42.5 x 75mm, which means it will fit into a 5.25" bay.

The FC9 will be available in silver or black, with both models including customizable LED lighting. The FC9 supposedly requires a 600W+ power supply for optimal operation, but unless you really use that many high-powered fans it doesn't really make sense. Pricing for the FC9 has not been announced.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 29 June 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--29june-2011/12798.html June 30th, 2011

In today's news roundup: Nanya is claiming that the contract prices for DRAM could decline even further due to issues such

Sentey Burton Full-Tower Computer Case @ Benchmark Reviews Description: The Sentey Burton GS-6500 is a full tower enclosure developed for enthusiasts who desire high performance and a sexy exterior. This case flaunts its multiple LED fans, and LED buttons, turning heads in the process. The Burton, is one of several models belonging to the Extreme Division line of computer cases, and it is available in 3 flavors; The GS-6500 in glossy black, the GS-6500B with blue highlights and grills, and the GS-6500R with red highlights and grills. It's pretty easy to glance at the exterior of this case and be charmed into submission...

DRAM contract prices may decline further, says Nanya Description: Weak PC end-user demand and consequent inventory build-up at OEMs have put pressure on contract prices for DRAM, Nanya Technology has pointed out. Prices may continue to fall in July as OEM clients slow down their pace of orders, Nanya said.

TEAM Group TR1151 USB 3.0 42-in-1 USB 3.0 Card Reader Review Description: USB 3.0, the big brother of the USB 2.0 bus standard which was introduced way back in 2000, is now here and in force after quickly gaining momentum in the market after both ASUS and GIGABYTE launched boards at CES 2010 with USB 3.0 chips onboard. As a quick recap, USB 3.0 claims to offer a ten times improvement over USB 2.0, which has a maximum bandwidth of 480Mbit/s or 60MB/s. USB 3.0 has a maximum bandwidth of 5Gbit/s or 625MB/s. While we are not sure if you would actually know someone who has achieved speeds this high, the potential is there as the products that make up USB 3.0 such as chips and devices ramp up in terms of performance.

Liteon iHES212 12x Internal Blu Ray Review - XSReviews 8

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Description: Blu Ray might just be a stop gap before true HD streaming, but for now it’s one of the easier ways to get hold of high definition movies and other media; especially since it’s becoming more affordable. While they used to cost hundreds of pounds, now you can get yourself an internal one like the one we’re reviewing today for around £60. This one is the Liteon iHES212 12x Internal, let’s give it a look.

OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 480GB PCIe SSD Review @ Legit Reviews Description: OCZ gave everyone a hint of things to come at Computex 2011 with a sneak peak of the third generation of the RevoDrive. We've been impressed with our previous encounters with this SSD line and this time is no different as we give the RevoDrive 3 X2 480GB PCI-E SSD a test drive. Is it fast? Well, how does 1500MB/s reads grab you? Oh yeah, there's TRIM support too!

Adesto to sample CBRAM Description: Adesto Technologies Corp. of Sunnyvale in California is sampling a completely new type of RAM called CBRAM. The CB stands for Conductive Bridging and the RAM differs from traditional DRAM in several important aspects.

First of all CBRAM is non-volatile and secondly it scales well down to at least 12nm, where it is very difficult to manufacture traditional DRAM – to put it mildly.

AMD's Next-Generation Opteron "Bulldozer" Chips to Feature Adjustable TDP. Description: Advanced Micro Devices' next-generation Opteron microprocessors based on Bulldozer microarchitecture will support capability to adjust maximum thermal design power (TDP). The technology will allow customers to regulate TDPs in order to balance power consumption and performance of data centers.

Consumer Electronics and Software News Cooler Master NotePal Infinite EVO Notebook Cooler Review Description: Even as far as fans go, I really thought I had seen it all. 80mm fan, 120mm fans, all the way up to a single 20mm fan; I have tested them all as far as standard fans go. If I remember correctly, I even tested a cooler with a rather large "squirrel cage" style fan that was the size of a hamster wheel.

I also recall that that fan idea didn't work out too well and offered very little in the way of actual cooling to the laptop. This time around Cooler Master uses a blower style fan, or rather a pair of them, to do the cooling in the notebook cooler we received for testing.

With SkypeKit, Skype wants to be everywhere Description: Skype opened up its development platform to all comers Tuesday, but it still has a disconnect between revenue generation and its platform efforts. Like many companies trying to build a dominant position in the technology ecosystem, Skype is navigating the path between dollars and devs.

Windows Gets an App Store of Its Own: Avenue Description: Windows users, don’t you wish there was a vendor-agnostic, one-stop shop for downloadable software?

Something with easily browsable categories, ratings, reviews and simple purchase options? Several companies are trying to make an Apple App Store-like software shop for Windows.

Yesterday we noted the launch of Pokki, a store that puts

Published by: VR-Zone

mobile-style applets on the PC desktop. Avenue is a user friendly, lightning fast and immediately available option for fully functioning Windows apps.

Custom Firmware Alternatives For Your Wireless Router Description: For most users a good wireless router is the one that you set up in a few easy steps and forget about it as long as it gets you online. But beyond the stock features that came with your router, there are many things that the hardware you bought might be capable of. Luckily for you, people have been working on ways to get the fancy stuff running on your average $60-$100 device. After a relatively simple upgrade to a free third-party firmware, you'll be able boost your wireless signal, prioritize what programs get your precious bandwidth, and do lots of other stuff usually reserved for pro-grade wireless routers.

Nvidia gets excited about Alienware notebooks Description: And it's all thanks to its own GTX 580M GPU, the company says. You can buy the Alienware M18x notebook now if you're richer than the sense you have. There's an option to have two of the GPUs under the hood if it takes your fancy. Machines that feature the GTX 580M, says Nvidia, are among the fastest DirectX 11 machines you'll find on the market. It claims the GPUs offer up to six times the tessellation performance of "any other notebook GPU" along with a performance increase of 20 percent compared to the last lot.

The World's fastest Notebooks now support the World's fastest Wireless Card!

Description: Eurocom Corporation, a leading developer of long lifespan, fully upgradable notebooks, high performance mobile workstations, All-in-One desktops and mobile servers is announcing support for the Killer Wireless-N 1102 highperformance wireless network adapter as another available wireless card option in Eurocom systems. The addition of the Killer Wireless-N 1102 adapter by Bigfoot Networks gives Eurocom customers an ultra high-performance wireless card for their custom built notebook.

The HP TouchPad Will Come With Its Own Facebook Tablet App (Leaked Pics) Description: The world has been waiting for an official Facebook tablet app, and waiting, and waiting. But that app may not appear on the iPad first (although Facebook is working on an iPad app for sure). Instead, Facebook’s first tablet app will appear on the HP TouchPad, which comes out this Friday and runs the WebOS it bought with Palm. This app was not built by Facebook but by HP, much like how RIM built the Facebook app for the Blackberry Playbook using Facebook platform Gaming news World of WarCraft is free until Level 20 Description: Sick of the 14-day trial in World of Warcraft ?

There is a change for the better. Calling it the Starter edition, Blizzard will be making World of WarCraft free-to-play until your character reaches level 20 and their levels will remain capped until you purchase the full version.

Makai Kingdom conquering PSP in Japan this September Description: Fans of Nippon Ichi strategy RPGs like the Disgaea series can definitely look forward to more of their 9

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favorite titles re-released for the PSP. The PS2 title Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome (known as Phantom Kingdom in Japan) will be out for Sony's portable system in Japan on September 22.

of new features, it was definitely a good sign for users, as it means that Microsoft is definitely taking steps to ensure that Internet Explorer remains as up-to-date as possible with the latest web standards.

OnLive Talking to Sony and Microsoft About Streaming Games Description: The service offered by OnLive is quite intriguing, as it allows you to play games on any number of platforms. A high-end game plays just as well on the OnLive MicroConsole which hooks up to your TV as it does on your PC or laptop, regardless of the specifications of either computer. At E3, the company even demonstrated the ability to stream games on an iPad; figuring out a way to handle the controls on a touchscreen aside, it's impressive. Two places OnLive wouldn't mind also being available on are Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

It might seem like a stretch, but it's in the process of speaking to both companies about possible support.

Fast forward to the present, and it seems that Microsoft is not about let up development on Internet Explorer 10 any time soon, for a quick visit to the Internet Explorer Test Drive Home Page reveals that the second Platform Preview for its upcoming web browser has already been made available for download.

Yep, all this in less than 80 days after the first Platform Preview was launched. Way to go, Microsoft.

Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 2 now available for download Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/internet-explorer-10-platformpreview-2-now-available-for-download/12803.html June 30th, 2011

Well, it seems that Microsoft sure is not about to take its time with its browser development schedule, especially if this latest piece of news is of any indication. In just less than 80 days, the Redmond giant has pushed out yet another Platform Preview for its upcoming Internet Explorer 10 web browser for developers to test and experiment with. And based on what we have seen, it appears that one thing is clear: Microsoft is deeply committed to enhancing a user's online experience with its web browser.

However, unlike the first Platform Preview which had extremely little to show off to developers, Platform Preview 2 is actually loaded with a ton (figuratively speaking) of new features which are bound to be of great interest to web developers, especially if they have already committed themselves to the new HTML5 standard. According to a blog post made by Dean Hachamovitch, who serves as the corporate vice president in charge of the Internet Explorer team, these new features come in the form of support for a wide variety of web technologies, such as Positioned Floats, HTML5 drag-drop and the HTML5 File Reader API, among many others. Most importantly, though, has got to be the fact that HTML5 forms are now supported as well, although web developers were quick to note that Microsoft's decision to not include support for the text-shadow attribute was a major disappointment.

If you would remember, we heaped praise on Microsoft in a story written two months ago when news broke out that the Redmond giant had already commenced work on the next version of its Internet Explorer web browser, and had even released a working Platform Preview of Internet Explorer 10 for developers to get their hands wet, in spite of the fact that Internet Explorer 9 was barely even a month old at that time.

Even though the Platform Preview had little to show in terms 10

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A demonstration of Positioned Floats support in IE10 Platform Preview 2...

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Interested? Well, the usual disclaimer about pre-release software definitely applies, even if the application comes direct from a company that is as established and reputable as Microsoft. Considering that Platform Previews were never meant to be serve as full-fledged web browsers, it goes without saying that this particular release, like the one before it, should not be used as one. However, if you just want to have some fun in playing around with the various new features mentioned above, the second Platform Preview for Internet Explorer 10 can be downloaded off the Internet Explorer Test Drive home page here.

Corsair HX1050 1050W PSU review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/corsair-hx1050-1050w-psureview/12801.html June 30th, 2011

...and HTML5 forms.

In addition to the various new features, Microsoft claims that the Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 2 application also boasts enhancements in a variety of areas such as web application performance and security.

It appears as if Corsair has been releasing more highend power supplies than RAM modules during the past few months. It was only a few weeks ago that we reviewed the currently most powerful power supply Corsair offers, the AX1200, and the exceptional TX850 V2. Today we are going to examine and review a unit in between those two, their Professional Series HX1050 modular power supply.

It appears as if Corsair has been releasing more high-end power supplies than RAM modules during the past few months. It was only a few weeks ago that we reviewed the currently most powerful power supply Corsair offers, the AX1200, and the exceptional TX850 V2. Today we are going to examine and review a unit in between those two, their Professional Series HX1050 modular power supply.

Manufacturer’s features and specifications

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• Guaranteed to sustain its full rated wattage at an ambient temperature of 50°C • Up to 88% energy-efficiency under real-world load conditions

interested in licensing its WebOS for handheld devices.

Apparently a number of companies are interested, although this generally doesn't mean anything until a license agreement has been signed.

• Single +12V rail design providing up to 87.5A • Multi-GPU ready • Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value of 0.99 • Supports ATX12V 2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 standards.

Backwards compatible with ATX12V 2.01 • Auto switching circuitry for universal AC input from 90-264V • Over Current/Voltage/Power Protection, Under Voltage Protection and Short Circuit Protection provide complete component safety • Dimensions: 150mm(W) x 86mm(H) x 180mm(L) • MTBF: 100,000 hours • Safety Approvals: UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TÜV, CCC, C-tick

CMPSU-1050HX AC 100-240V INPUT ~ 13A-7.5A 50/60Hz DC +5V +3.3V OUTPUT MAX 30A 30A CURRENT MAX 180W 1050W COMBINED WATTAGE TOTAL POWER: 1050W @ 50°C ambient temperature

+12V

-12V

+5Vsb

87.5A

0.8A

3.5A

9.6W

17.5W

HP mulling WebOS licensing

The inevitable looks like it's about to happen, HP has started talks with various potential partners to see if anyone's interested in licensing its WebOS for handheld devices.

Apparently a number of companies are interested, although this generally doesn't mean anything until a license agreement has been signed.

According to Bloomberg, WebOS is being considered as a choice to Google's Android OS and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7, something that almost has to happen if HP wants the platform to survive. It's a dog eat dog world in the mobile device OS market with Apple and Google dominating it at the moment. WebOS is somewhere at the bottom of the pecking order having been a proprietary solution owned by Palm before HP bought the company and although it has a lot of unique features and several benefits over its competitors, it lacks market share.

Samsung is rumoured to be one of the companies interested, but considering the company is already involved in just about every single mobile OS platform, bar iOS, at least directly, this isn't entirely surprising. The question is who else will jump on board, as HP needs all the device partners it can get to grown the ecosystem for its WebOS, especially as its lacking in developer support for apps. The way the market has developed, this has become a key part of any mobile OS, as if you can't offer the apps your customers want, they'll go elsewhere.

HP is also expected to be putting its WebOS on its desktop and notebook computers, but as a virtualised environment rather than as a dual boot solution. The reason behind this move is so that users could access their mobile device apps even on their desktop, something that could prove to be a small win for HP. That said, if it remains exclusive to HP PC's, it's not likely to go down well with WebOS users, as very few consumers tend to like to get tied in with a single brand for all their products, notwithstanding Apple users.

Olympus set to launch new m4/3 cameras later today Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/olympus-set-to-launch-new-m43cameras-later-today/12800.html June 30th, 2011

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hp-mulling-weboslicensing/12802.html June 30th, 2011

The inevitable looks like it's about to happen, HP has started talks with various potential partners to see if anyone's

If you're looking at getting a new mirrorless camera then you might want to hold off a little bit, as later today Olympus is set to unveil no less than three new micro 4/3 cameras, of which pictures of two models have already leaked. Full specs of one model has also made an appearance on the web ahead

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of the launch and one of the headline features of Olympus' new models is superfast auto-focusing.

If you're looking at getting a new mirrorless camera then you might want to hold off a little bit, as later today Olympus is set to unveil no less than three new micro 4/3 cameras, of which pictures of two models have already leaked. Full specs of one model has also made an appearance on the web ahead of the launch and one of the headline features of Olympus' new models is superfast auto-focusing.

The three new models are the PEN E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1, all based around the m4/3 lens and sensor system. So far, full details of the E-P3 has tipped up, alongside with a couple of pictures of the E-PM1. As far as the E-PL3 is concerned, it seems like we might have to wait until the official launch later today.

As far as the E-PM1 is concerned, we're looking at a tiny m4/3 camera, albeit apparently not as small as Panasonic's GF3 and it's meant to share its design, but not size with the E-PL3. As far as specifications are concerned, we'll have to wait for the official word from Olympus, but the good news is that we'll be at the launch event in Taipei to bring you the full details of these new cameras and lenses.

MSI's CX480 notebook features top mounted battery indicator Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-s-cx480-notebook-features-top-

The E-P3 is Olympus new high-end m4/3 mirrorless model and it features what Olympus calls Instant AF. This almost sounds too good to be true, but Olympus has created a sensor for its new cameras with 35 focus points that are spread across most of the sensor surface and it features what is believed to be infra-red sensors to further improve the AF speed. Olympus claims that this camera has the fastest AF of any camera with interchangeable lenses which says something about how good it should be.

Further improvements over the E-P2 – a camera which shares a very similar body and design with the E-P3 – include an OLED touch screen which is expected to feature a higher resolution compared to Olympus current m4/3 cameras.

Despite having a touch screen, Olympus has included a regular mode dial as well as two customizable scroll wheels for more advanced users.

The E-P3 is also Olympus first m4/3 camera to offer 1080 video recording, albeit only interlaced video at 60fps. It records video in the AVCHD or MJPEG formats and it can also shoot in 720p. A few new lenses are also expected and to get the most out of the new, superfast AF you need to team the camera up with the new lenses.

mounted-battery-indicator/12796.html June 30th, 2011

So far we've already seen quite a few notebook models from MSI this year, but the company is continually updating its line up and the new CX480 follows the CX640 in terms of overall design, but it has a few features of its own. MSI has really started to get the fact that design matters and beyond having managed to put together something that looks attractive, the company will also offer the CX480 in multiple colours and we have some exclusive pictures of the blue model.

So far we've already seen quite a few notebook models from MSI this year, but the company is continually updating its line up and the new CX480 follows the CX640 in terms of overall design, but it has a few features of its own. MSI has really started to get the fact that design matters and beyond having managed to put together something that looks attractive, the company will also offer the CX480 in multiple colours and we have some exclusive pictures of the blue model.

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The standard 6-cell 4,400mAh battery is said to be good for up to 8.5h of usage and a one hour charge replenishes 80 percent of the battery power. The screen has an ambient light sensor and it adjusts the screen backlight automatically based on ambient light and there are 16 brightness levels. At 2.2kg the CX480 is somewhat on the chunky side, but still a fairly standard 14-incher. It will be available in black, white and blue as per our pictures. No word on pricing as yet, but we'd expect it to be slightly cheaper than the CX640 which would put it in the very affordable category.

The CX480 is by all intents and purposes a fairly average 14inch notebook with a 1366x768 resolution screen, a choice of an Intel Core i3-2310M or Core i5-2410M processor and it should support up to 8GB of 1333MHz DDR3 memory. That said, MSI has kitted it out with a GeForce GT 520M graphics card with 1GB of dedicated DDR3 graphics memory and in as much as this is Nvidia's most basic 500-series mobile GPU, it should still prove to be a smidgen faster than Intel's HD 3000 graphics.

Rumour: NVIDIA's nextgen Kepler taped out, AMD Southern Islands in September Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rumour-nvidia-s-next-gen-keplertaped-out-amd-southern-islands-in-september/12799.html June 30th, 2011

Add to that various storage options, an optical drive, 802.11b/ g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a USB 3.0 port, HDMI, D-sub, a pair of audio jacks, a memory card reader and a webcam and you got a somewhat better than average notebook. However, MSI has added at least one nifty feature, a battery charge indicator located next to the power button. This consists of four green LEDs which will switch off in order and once you hit 10 percent battery life the last LED will start flashing.

After an eternity at 40nm, thanks to 32nm cancelation and 28nm delays, the GPU industry is finally transitioning to TSMC's long, long awaited 28nm HKMG process. Fudzilla reports that NVIDIA's next-gen GPU, based on the Kepler architecture, has already been taped out. On the AMD side of things, we have heard reports of Southern Islands tape-out dating all the way back to March 2011. AMD's Southern Islands GPUs could release as early as September, with NVIDIA's Kepler releasing earliest in Q4 2011; more likely Q1 2012.

At this early stage, there is still very little known about the next generation. While AMD has recently presented it's future GPU architecture at AMD Fusion Developer Summit, the HD 14

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7000 generation is expected to be a tweaked version of the VLIW-4 architecture currently used only in HD 6900 series.

Of course, it is possible that the one line of the HD 7000 series - perhaps HD 7900 - will feature the new AMD's Graphics Core Next architecture, following a similar architecture split as seen in the HD 6000 series. Other rumours also suggest AMD will be splitting GPU lines between TSMC and Globalfoundries.

While optimistic rumours peg Southern Islands' release date at mid-Q3, SemiAccurate suggests that September is a more likely release date for the first HD 7000 GPUs. The bottleneck, as usual, is TSMC, and it remains to be seen when they can fab 28nm wafers, and in what quantity?

Incredibly, the first 40nm GPU, the HD 4770, was released over 2 years back. Pegged back at 40nm, both NVIDIA and AMD have only offered incremental performance upgrades for the Geforce 500 and HD 6000 generations. The GPU industry, in general, desperately needs an efficient 28nm process - over to TSMC.

Samsung to launch Korea's first Android-based Smart Home Phone on July Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-to-launch-korea-s-firstandroid-based-smart-home-phone-on-july/12797.html June 30th, 2011

Considering how Google's Android operating system was originally designed to be an OS which is meant to be used exclusively by smartphones, it would be expected that Samsung's idea of introducing a line of portable media players that are powered by Android would raise more than just a few eyebrows. However, leave it to Samsung to put a unique spin on its latest Galaxy Media Player by launching it as a VoIP device that is capable of making phone calls via the power of the Internet. Now that has got to be some rather creative thinking on the Korean electronic giant's part.

Now that a smartphone is capable of fulfilling just about every single task under the sun that consumers could possibly ask for, would you pay good money to purchase an Androidpowered device which is designed to serve as a portable media player, much like the approach Apple has taken with its iPhone and iPod Touch product lines? Well, it seems that Samsung believes that there is still a large enough market out there for such devices to justify the release of yet another addition to its Galaxy line of portable media players.

However, in what has got to be rather interesting twist to the story; Samsung will not be selling the its new Galaxy player as the portable media player that it is supposed to be, but as a mobile phone which is capable of making actual phone calls.

Wait, say what?

Well, according to the official press release from Samsung, the upcoming portable media player, which is also known as the Galaxy 070, will be able to function as a mobile phone of sorts due to the use of VoIP to achieve this feat. In fact, to further convey the message that the Galaxy 070 is capable of functioning as a mobile phone (albeit without a SIM card), Samsung has announced that it has teamed up with LG U+ for the Galaxy 070's official launch on the first of July this year, where the device will reportedly be marketed as Korea's first ever Smart Home Phone to be based off the Android operating system.

Further sweetening the deal are the hardware specifications of the Galaxy 070: Samsung has confirmed that the device will boast a four-inch Super Clear LCD screen, a rear-facing camera capable of capturing still images at a maximum resolution of three megapixels, a T-DMP module, WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, 8GB of memory and support for additional storage via the use of microSD cards.

Customers who purchase the Samsung Galaxy 070 Smart Home Phone from LG U+ will be charged the same tarrifs that are currently has in place for existing "Internet Phones".

However, the company has also added that it will be enhancing the functionality of the device by allowing consumers to access the all-important Android Market on the Galaxy 070, a decision which will definitely appeal to users considering how important a role apps play in the popularity of a mobile platform.

No information about the Galaxy 070's pricing has been revealed by either company.

ASUS and Jay Chou jointly announce special edition N series notebook PC Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-and-jay-chou-jointly-announcespecial-edition-n-series-notebook-pc/12795.html

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Today, ASUS and renowned Taiwanese musician, singersongwriter and actor Jay Chou have jointly announced the new special edition N-series notebook PC. The 14inch notebook PC features the latest second generation Intel processor, SonicMaster audio technology (from the collaboration with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower), and unique designs from Chou. VR-Zone brings you the coverage.

Updates : Check out Behind The Scenes: The Making of Jay Chou N43 Notebook

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he is happy to have Chou as the designer for the special edition N-series. To conceptualize the design, it boils down to how the combination of the consumers sixth senses and ASUS' advanced technologies, and bring out the incomparable experience to the users. According to Chou, he had used "incomparable" as the theme for one of his concerts and that the design of the special edition N-series is very much like east meets west.

Shih also presented Chou with an honored employee pass which means the celebrity is officially working for the company.

Here are some pictures of models with the ASUS special edition N-series laptop:-

The event kickstarted with a symphony comprised of ASUS laptops, conducted by ASUS chairman Jonney Shih and Taiwanese celebrity Jay Chou playing the piano. And later, both unveiled the Jay Chou special edition N-series notebook PC.

No, it isn't exactly a celebrity endorsement; Chou was the chief designer who has worked with the ASUS design centre on the laptop. Shih said that the company's vision is to produce more of such distinct products which are incomparable and 16

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themselves disappointed, as most 3D-capable television sets are definitely too big to be used as PC monitors without causing some serious neck issues on the user's part, and 3Dcapable monitors typically lack support for certain A/V jacks which are widely used by many digital appliances today.

However, it seems that users who are finding themselves caught in the aforementioned situation now have a potential solution to their needs, and it comes in the form of LG's new MX235D Cinema 3D TV monitor, which was just released for retail in South Korea yesterday.

LG releases new Cinema 3D TV monitor for sale in South Korea Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lg-releases-new-cinema-3d-tv-monitorfor-sale-in-south-korea/12779.html June 30th, 2011

Wouldn't it be nice if you could have a 3D-capable television set that is so small and compact, it could also double up for use as a PC monitor? If your answer to that question is a resounding "yes", well, we got some good news for you, and it comes in the form of LG Electronics' new MX235D Cinema 3D TV monitor, which is reportedly capable of fulfilling the aforementioned need, and then some.

Now that 3D technology is fast becoming mainstream, it is hardly surprising to see manufacturers start rolling out new 3D-capable television sets and monitors as though there is no tomorrow. Unfortunately, consumers who are on the lookout for a one-size-fits-all 3D-capable device will probably find

According to the official press release posted by LG Electronics, the MX235D boasts an ultra-thin bezel which measures16.8mm and is fitted with 3D conversion chips which allow for on-the-fly conversion of digital content from 2D to 3D without the need to pass the device through additional software needed for doing so. In addition, LG has claimed that the MX235D utilizes passive 3D technology; this allows users to do away with the heavy and cumbersome battery-operated active shutter 3D glasses which have been said to have the side effect of potentially inducing dizziness among users. Add that to the fact that the MX235D's 23-inch display size is small enough to be able to double up as a PC monitor, and you have a rather decent one-size-fits-all, 3D-capable device which can shuttle between the roles of both a HDTV and a HD monitor effortlessly.

Last but definitely not least, LG has also confirmed that the MX235D television set will come equipped with various standard features such as a pair of 5W speakers, a USB port for playing back content via external storage devices, and 17

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built-in support for MP3 playback. This means that users who are planning to utilize the MX235D as a monitor due to its size can potentially make use of the device's media playback capabilities to enjoy their digital media content without even having to turn on the PC to do so.

No mention about global availability for the device has been made by LG, although you may be interested to know that the MX235D is currently available for sale in South Korea at the price of 479,000 won (approx US$445).

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at a modest subscription fee of US$6 a month per user. And speaking at the event's opening address today was productivity guru Michael A. Podolinsky, who described in great detail the importance of the cloud and Microsoft's Office 365 in helping businesses transform themselves and achieving even greater productivity.

Microsoft officially launches Office 365 for businesses Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/microsoft-officially-launchesoffice-365-for-businesses/12786.html June 30th, 2011

Remember the little story we ran a few months back about how Microsoft was attempting to make life easier for businesses by pitching the then beta version of its cloud-based productivity suite, Office 365, as a solution to allow business consumers the luxury of not having to worry about maintaining their own IT infrastructure? Well, the good news is that users can finally start migrating away from the beta, for Microsoft has just officially launched the finalized version of Office 365 today in a media event held at Swissotel The Stamford. Hit up the link for the coverage of today's event...

For those who would remember, VR-Zone ran a story a couple of months ago which talked about Microsoft's unveiling of the then beta version of its cloud-based productivity solution for businesses. Known as Office 365, the idea was that Microsoft's new offering, which combines the functionality of Microsoft office, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Lync Online together into a single, tightly-integrated cloud offering will help business users to enhance their productivity by ensuring that their data will remain accessible at all times, online collaboration will be as seamless as possible, and that the IT department can spend more time dealing with user-specific issues.

"Because of the connectivity aspect of the cloud... 60% of the IT focus this year is going to be about it. And with almost threequarters of the people and companies involved in it, this is a tipping point which we will not go back from," he said, while adding that adoption of Office 365 is expected to be seamless due to the fact that most consumers are already familiar with the way Microsoft Office works.

Podolinsky also described how businesses do not have to worry about compatibility or security issues on Office 365, as Microsoft will ensure that the software on its servers always remain up to date, and that systems administrators will always have full control over their data in the cloud to ensure that company files or information do not get removed or destroyed without the proper authorization.

Up next was Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific, Andy Pickup, who talked about what users can expect from Office 365 now that the finalized version of the service is already available for subscription.

That sounded great and all, save for one little problem: there was no mention as to when the finalized version of Office 365 will be released for public use. Fortunately, the last piece of the puzzle has fallen into place, for Microsoft has officially announced the availability of Office 365 in a press event held at Swissotel The Stamford, where it will be offered to businesses 18

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"This is the first time Microsoft has offered a premiere productivity suite in a cloud-based service format. Customers will be able to choose between a rich client that is downloaded on one's device and used in that way, or to opt for a costeffective, affordable and predictable service fee that allows them to access Office through the power of the Internet," he said.

In addition, Pickup also described other benefits users can expect to derive from utilizing its Office 365 solution, such as the assurance of having 99.9% server uptime and a "rich and powerful experience" that stems from the seamless integration among various Microsoft services, along with ready access to the service regardless of location via an Internet connection.

All of this, he said, can be had for a subscription fee that costs less "than a cup of cappuccino".

"Our heads are up in the cloud, but our feet are very firmly here on the ground," he quipped.

That being said, we should point out that Microsoft has got a total of seven different price plans for users who are keen to sign up for Office 365. The one which Pickup described as costing only US$6 a month is targeted at small businesses and individuals, and offers 25GB of email, along with access to Office Web Apps, SharePoint and the Lync enterprise instant messaging client. Larger enterprises will have up to six price 19

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plans to choose from, four of which cost between US$10to US $27 per user per month, while the other two for kiosk workers are priced at US$4 and US$10 per person. Of course, the more costly plans will come with added features such unlimited Exchange storage, the full desktop Office suite, Lync voice capabilities and Office Professional Plus.

Alternatively, there is also the free 30-day trial which can be obtained from the Microsoft's product page if you feel the need to give Office 365 a test spin before deciding to commit yourself to a full-time subscription for the service. Last but definitely not least, more information about the various components which make up the complete package that is Office 365 can also be obtained there.

Google releases tool to convert SWF files into HTML5compatible content Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/google-releases-tool-to-convert-swffiles-into-html5-compatible-content/12791.html June 30th, 2011

When you've got certain OEMs making sure that their bestselling products are designed not to play nice with the current online standard known as Flash, what is a socially responsible corporation to do to ensure that users will still be able to enjoy much of the web's beauty? Simple: release a tool which converts the offending code into nice HTML5compatible instructions. Which is exactly what Google's new Swiffy tool is all about. Read on to find out more about Swiffy...

Pundits may claim that Flash is well on its way to becoming irrelevent soon while pointing to the introduction of the new HTML5 standard as the basis for their convictions, but the truth of the matter is that, despite its capabilities and potential, it will still take some time before the world is ready to migrate to a web that is powered purely by HTML5. Until then, there is little to be gained from turning one's back on well-established standards which are widely used in the dissemination of online content today, such as Adobe's Flash platform.

However, if for some reason you have chosen to drop Flash completely in your daily web-browsing needs, fret not. Google has, in its typical "Don't be evil" fashion, released a tool which allows users to convert SWF files into viewable content written in HTML5 code so that they can continue to enjoy their online experience without having to feel left out over their decision to do so.

This tool, which is known as Swiffy, has been described by Google as one that as originally built by an intern by the name of Pieter Senster as a means to explore how the company could find a way to get Flash animations working on devices which do not support the standard. Apparently, Google was so impressed by Senster's efforts that the company decided to not only hire him as a full-time staff, but also assembled a team to commence work on the project, which resulted in the birth of the Swiffy tool that is now currently available for use as a Google Labs feature.

For those who are wondering how Swiffy works, here's how it is done as described by Google's Marcel Gorden, who is also the product manager for the tool: Swiffy uses a compact JSON representation of the animation, which is rendered using SVG and a bit of HTML5 and CSS3. ActionScript 2.0 is also present in the JSON object, and is interpreted in JavaScript in the browser. This representation makes the Swiffy animations almost as compact as the original SWF files.

That being said, we should probably point out that Swiffy does not play very nice with Internet Explorer, as the tool insists that only a WebKit-based browser will be capable of displaying the results of the conversion accurately. Still, the introduction of such a tool will definitely be good news for users who want to view Flash animations on devices that do not support Adobe's Flash platform.

Be Quiet Dark Rock Advanced C1 CPU cooler review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/be-quiet-dark-rock-advanced-c1-cpucooler-review/12792.html June 30th, 2011

During the past few months we brought you the reviews of several power supply units from Be-Quiet, a German manufacturer. The company produces more than just power supplies though, offering a wide range of cooling products as well. Today we have yet another product from Be-Quiet to test 20

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and review but it is no power supply this time; it is the Dark Rock Advanced C1, a high performance CPU cooler.

During the past few months we brought you the reviews of several power supply units from Be-Quiet, a German manufacturer. The company produces more than just power supplies though, offering a wide range of cooling products as well. Today we have yet another product from Be-Quiet to test and review but it is no power supply this time; it is the Dark Rock Advanced C1, a high performance CPU cooler.

Manufacturer features and specifications • For gaming, multimedia and CAD systems even at maximum processing power.

Fan dimensions (mm) Speed @ 100% PWM (rpm) Air flow @ 100% (CFM; m3/h) Air pressure (mm H2O) Bearing type Rated voltage (V) Input current (A) Input power (W) PWM Controller Connector Cable length (mm) Cable sleeve Livetime L10 @ 25 °C (hours)

120 1500 50,5; 85,8 1,63 FDB 12 0,09 1,09 Yes 4-pin Molex 200 Yes 300.000

• Suitable for overclocking operation.

• Extremely efficient up to more than 180 watt.

• Maximum cooling efficiency, Delta T 10.9 @ 100 watt.

• Quiet operation with 1× Silent Wings PWM fan, 6.6–18.8 dB(A).

• High-quality materials with dark nickel surfaces.

Thermal resistance @ CPU Power disposal (Rth @ P) Overall dimensions without mounting material (L x W x H) (mm) Total weight CPU Wattage Range (W) Socket compatibility Backplate Mounting Push pin mounting Fan model, number Anti vibration fan fixing Rubber string Stainless steel clip and contact ring Overall noise level (dB(A)) @ 900/1250/100% (rpm) Fin dimensions (L x W) , thickness (mm) Number of fins Fin material Base material CPU contact surface Heatpipe number, Diameter (mm) Surface treatment

Angry Birds finally smashes into Windows Phone 7 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/angry-birds-finally-smashes-intowindows-phone-7/12790.html June 30th, 2011

0,109

122 x 95 x 167 1100gr 180 LGA 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366, AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / 754 / 939 / 940 Yes SilentWings PWM , 1 Yes

6,6 / 14,4 / 18,8

122 x 72 x 0,4 44 Aluminium Copper CNC machined

Microsoft may have left a less-than-favourable impression on Rovio Mobile by using the Angry Birds logo in an advertisement to tout that theWindows Phone 7 will have a ton of cool apps well before the latter has yet to even commit to such a port (if at all), but the latest turn of events seems to suggest that the game's developers have since decided to let bygones be bygones. After all, that can be the only reason Angry Birds is now available for download on Windows Phone 7, no?

It is common knowledge that in the smartphone space, having a top-notch operating system is no longer enough to win the hearts of consumers over to a company's side. Rather, the one factor which can potentially make or break a mobile operating system today lies in the size of its app repository, and suffice to say consumers are not going to be interested in a new platform if it cannot offer the same popular apps that are currently available on competing operating systems.

While it is clear to all that Microsoft has got its work cut out for it in terms of being able to deliver a well-populated app repository that is capable of attracting consumers to its Windows Phone 7 platform, consumers will undoubtedly be gratified to know that the world's most popular casual game for smartphones, Angry Birds, is finally available for download on their WP7-powered devices.

6; 6 Nickel plated 21

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The Windows Phone 7 port of Angry Birds is identical to the ones that have already been released for both iOS and Android, so suffice to say Windows Phone 7 users are not going to be getting any extra love from Rovio in the form of additional platform-exclusive content. However, we'd dare say that owners of Windows Phone 7-powered handsets will probably be more than satisfied to finally have their chance in experiencing just how addictive the act of flinging some furious avians onto huge green pigs can be. Of course, do make sure that you keep your bird-flinging acts out of sight from the boss; we don't want to be held responsible for any unhappy exchanges between you and your superiors about how the office is supposed to be a place for working, and not gaming.

Oh, and one more thing, the Windows Phone 7 version of Angry Birds is not a free download. Rather, you will have to fork out US$2.99 for the right to engage in some avian-bovine carnage from the luxury from your smartphone. But hey, that's a small price to pay for what the game is really worth, right?

ASUS MATRIX GTX 580 Platinum Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-matrix-gtx-580-platinumreview/12682.html June 30th, 2011

Remember the ASUS MATRIX GTX 580 Platinum from Computex? That behemoth of a card has landed, and it's packed full of features targeted at hardcore overclockers. Join us as we journey into the MATRIX and push it to the limits...

The MATRIX GTX 580's box is even larger than most motherboard boxes out there. This is really unnecessary in our opinion since there's so much empty space inside.

Asus N43SL Gets Jay Chou Endorsement (Live Coverage) Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-n43sl-gets-jay-chouendorsement-live-coverage-/12789.html June 30th, 2011

Asus is launching a certain N-series laptop with Jay Chou endorsement in W Hotel. Our correspondents who are now in Taipei is uncovering what secrets there might be with this Jay Chou endorsement. Hop on to find out more. *Update* Check out more videos inside as well as our official coverage here.

Also check out Behind the Scenes : Making of Jay Chou N43 notebook

ASUS' MATRIX brand has been around for quite some time now. Memorable models from yesteryear which have garnered many accolades include the 9800GT MATRIX, 9600GT MATRIX and MATRIX GTX 285.

The latest addition to the family, the MATRIX GTX 580, is apparently inspired by exotic sports cars and even Formula 1 racing cars. Aesthetics aside, ASUS has lined up a whole slew of features. These include a DirectCU II cooler, 19-phase Super Alloy Power, a specially-designed GPU Tweak utility, TweakIt buttons and ProBeIt voltage measurement points.

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Asus, together with Jay Chou has launched the N43SL laptop in W Hotel, Taipei today. The N43SL, which is a special edition is endorsed by Jay comes with four of his albums and 3 MTV videos albums bundled in this N43SL special edition notebook. The company has additionally worked with Bang and Olufsen for its ICEpower Sonicmaster speakers to bring awesome sound to the notebook PC.

ASUS N43SL Jay Chou Edition powered by Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3GHz processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M graphics, 4GB memory and 500GB 7200rpm hard drive will be available in two colors; Gold and Peach. This 14" 2.4kg model will first be on sale in Taiwan tomorrow for NT36000 (USD 1250). For Singapore market, it will be on sale from the first week of July for S$1298. However, this model is not expected to be sold in US and Europe market.

Model with N43SL

"Design inspiration has always been part of Asus DNA and we are honored to appoint a talented singer and songwriter like Jay Chou to infuse new elements of design in our N series laptop", said Jonney Shih, Asus chairman. At the event, Jay performed on the piano with Jonney Shih as the conductor on a stage with Asus notebooks.

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Jay Chou and his staff pass Check out more videos next page as well as our official coverage here. Also check out Behind the Scenes : Making of Jay Chou N43 notebook

AOC To Roll Out USB-Powered LCD Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/aoc-to-roll-out-usb-poweredlcd/12787.html June 30th, 2011

another model with the Jay Chou notebook

AOC is going to push out their USB-Powered LCD which was showcased at the CEA Line Show in New York last week.

lovely pose

AOC e2251Fwu USB-powered LCD monitor will feature 16:9 1920 x 1080 resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 200 cd/m2 brightness and a 5ms response time. It is likely to retail in August. However the price is still unknown at the moment.

Facebook Hires 'GeoHot' Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/facebook-hires-geohot-/12784.html

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June 30th, 2011

Facebook has reportedly hired well-known hacker George Hotz, a.k.a. GeoHot. He became famous after jailbreaking the iPhone in 2008 and hacking the Playstation 3 last year, for which he was sued by Sony. But, like several hackers-turnedinsiders in recent years, it seems GeoHot has also decided to go legit after all.

George Hotz, better known by his handle GeoHot, has been working for social networking giant Facebook since May. GeoHot is best known for jailbreaking the Playstation 3 last year and then being sued by Sony. In April, he entered into a settlement with Sony under which he agreed never to hack Sony's products ever again.

GeoHot distanced himself from the subsequent 'revenge' hacking of Sony by Anonymous, even saying on his blog that "hacking into someone elses server and stealing databases of user info is not cool". It seems that he decided to go legit just like several hackers in recent years. Facebook has not yet revealed his exact job scope, though one can easily guess what it entails. Facebook has been known to regurlarly hold night sessions called "hackathons" during which engineers are encouraged to write new code.

ASRock Brings PCIe 3.0 To Fatal1ty Z68 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asrock-brings-pcie-3.0-to-fatal1tyz68/12783.html June 30th, 2011

ASRock will be the first to push out motherboards with PCIe 3.0 standard. The ASRock Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 is equipped with two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots allowing NVIDIA Quad SLI and AMD CrossFireX. More details inside.

The Fatal1ty brand motherboard is marketed as a high end premium product. Combining the Fatal1ty with PCIe 3.0 configuration, you will get the ASRock Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 motherboard. It comes with two PCIe 3.0 25

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x16 slots and one PCIe 2.0 x16 slot which are capable of NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX. The PCIe 3.0 is a next generation standard for PCI Express which has twice the bandwidth compared to PCIe 2.0. Other features include the integrated PLX PEX8608 chip which enables multiple PCIe devices to run at the proper speed simultaneously and the Fatal1ty Mouse Port which has a wide range polling rate from 125Hz to 1000Hz. See more specifications at the ASRock Website.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 28 June 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--28june-2011/12781.html June 30th, 2011

In today's news roundup: NVIDIA has announced the availability of its new mobile GeForce GPU, the GT580M, which the company claims is the fastest mobile GPU ever made; AMD's first processor to sport its "Zosma" core, the Phenom II 960T, has been spotted for sale in Japan in spite of the fact that the chip was originally launched as an OEMonly model and as such was extremely difficult to find off the retail shelves; Sony has unveiled the latest addition to its VAIO Z series of notebooks, which weighs a mere 1.2 kg , measures16.65 mm thin, sports a 13.1-inch screen capable of a 1600 x 900 resolution and boasts a full-voltage Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU along with a solid state drive; LaCie has unveiled the latest additions to its LaCie Porsche Design line of portable hard disks, which come in the form of the P9220 (mobile) and P9230 (desktop) and boast the use of a premium scratch-resistant casing; Sony claims its recent security woes were caused by fact that hackers took offense to the way the company attempted to protect its video game content, and Rumour has it that Odin Sphere, which is a jRPG game, will getting a HD port and that the game will most likely be downloadable off either the PlayStation Network or Xbox Live.

Hardware news Patriot Gauntlet USB 3.0 Hard Drive Enclosure @ Review the Tech Description: Up for review today I’ve got an external hard drive enclosure from patriot Memory called the Gauntlet. This hard drive enclosure is essentially a solid piece of aluminum that will not only protect the drive inside, but will help to keep it cool as well. The Gauntlet features a USB 3.0 connection for fast read and writes, but it also has a backup button on it to allow you to instantly backup your data to the external drive.

News From NVIDIA: The World's Fastest Notebook GPU, The GeForce GTX 580M, Is Available Now & Has Been Benchmarked Description: Following the successful launch of the GTX 560M last month, NVIDIA is now introducing the GeForce GTX

Published by: VR-Zone

580M, the world's fastest notebook GPU. Supporting DirectX 11, PhysX and 3D Vision, the 580M notebooks can happily deal with whatever is thrown their way, as our benchmarking article shows.

Patriot Wildfire 120GB Solid State Drive Review Description: Little Jimmy is now here and Team SandForce can start the game. This game is played on websites, e-tail and retail outlets all over the country. For me, SSDball is more exciting than any sport I watch on TV because I've got front row seats on the first base line. All of the action happens right in front of me and this season is going to be exciting.

AMD's Zosma core spotted in Japan Description: AMD's first processor to sport its "Zosma" core, has gone on sale in the Land of the Rising Sun. The Phenom II 960T, was introduced in the third quarter of 2010, a few months after the launch of 6-core Phenom IIs. However it was only launched as an OEM model and it was jolly hard to find one anywhere.

DDR4 Memory Now Projected to Debut in 2014, But Ramp Up Rapidly.

Description: It took over three years for DDR3 dynamic random access memory (DRAM) to take off and become dominating type of memory and it looks like it will remain on the market till at least 2015 as the debut of DDR4 is now delayed till 2014 and even with rapid ramp of the latter shipments will crossover only sometimes in 2015 (more likely later).

Engineering sample Zambezi overclocked to 4636 MHz (Russian) Description: (Machine translation) Frequency characteristics of processor performance in the Zambezi Socket AM3 + still covered with a secret , known only authentically about their ability to automatically accelerate by up to 1 GHz . The situation is exacerbated by rumors that it was unsatisfactory frequency potential processors Zambezi current revision caused the delay of their appearance on the market. In such conditions it is difficult to determine how representative in terms of frequency potential appearing on the Web screenshots engineering samples of processor performance Socket AM3 +.

AMD's Llano A8-3850 to cost US $135 Description: We managed to get our hands on what appears to be an official price for the upcoming quad-core desktop Llano part that should hit retail/e-tail just a day before the Independance Day, or simply, Sunday 3rd of July.

Consumer Electronics and Software news Apple starts selling a Thunderbolt cable, RAID systems to use it with Description: Admittedly there aren’t many peripherals that use Thunderbolt, or many Macs that have Thunderbolt ports, but as Apple gears up for a whole slew of new Thunderboltenabled computers, a bunch of new peripherals are also in the pipeline. And in order to tap that opportunity, Apple introduced a new Thunderbolt cable today, available in the online store for $49.

Sony takes wraps off new ‘ultra-mobile’ VAIO Z Series with Power Media Dock 26

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Description: Sony has taken the wraps off its new VAIO Z Series at a press event in Europe. Weighing in at 1.2 kg (2.64 lb) and measuring 16.65 mm (0.65 in) thin, the “ultramobile” notebook PC sports a 13.1-inch, 1600 x 900 pixel, anti-reflective display and packs a full-voltage Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU along with solid state drive. Designed for users who don’t want to choose between desktop power and notebook portability, the VAIO Z Series also comes with a Power Media Dock that connects to the notebook via a “Light Peak” optical cable to add quad monitor support, an optical drive, extra connectivity options and AMD Radeon HD graphics.

Maingear Titan 17 Notebook Review Description: Our evaluation system consists of an Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Edition processor, a hexa-core desktop CPU operating at 3.46 GHz. Other notable hardware includes a 17.3” LED-backlit display running at 1920 x 1080, two Nvidia GeForce GTX 485M graphics cards, 6GB of Kingston DDR3-1333 memory, a 120GB Intel 510 solid state drive, a 750GB Western Digital 7200 RPM hard drive, a Blu-ray optical drive, Bigfoot Killer Wireless-N Ultimate network adapter and integrated Bluetooth technology, all running under Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

PCTV Nanotech T2 Review @ XSReviews.co.uk Description: PCs are no longer the domain of purist business and gamer types, they have a myriad of functions and come in a variety of fifferent shapes and sizes. Today I’m reviewing a product that brings TV watching to your laptop, netbook or desktop via a simple USB plugin. Let’s see if its as good as similar products we’ve reviewed in the past.

Published by: VR-Zone

Description: Atari has announced that Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale is now available for the PC. We didn't really like the hack-and-slash title, calling it "a terrible use of Wizards of the Coast's timeless license" (ouch), but hey, maybe you're a huge completist and absolutely must play through anything and everything having to do Forgotten Realms. If that's the case, you can pick up the game for $14.99 at a fine e-tailer near you.

NVIDIA Launches GeForce GTX 580M GPU Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nvidia-launches-geforce-gtx-580mgpu/12782.html June 30th, 2011

One month after the introduction of the GeForce GTX 560M, NVIDIA now launches the new king, GTX 580M. It even showcases some of the benchmarks done in GTX 580M SLI. More details inside.

LaCie Shows Off New Porsche USB 3.0 HDDs Description: USB 3.0 offers faster data transfers so it seems fitting that LaCie enlisted the help of a company like Porsche to design its new USB 3.0 hard drives. Building on an eightyear-old relationship with Porsche Design, the company today celebrated the addition of the P9220 (mobile) and P9230 (desktop) HDDs to its P9000 line of electronics.

Opera lands its Swordfish browser Description: Plucky web browser firm Opera has released version 11.50 of its software, and warned the opposition that it is about to make a big splash on the web.

Gaming news

A new king in the NVIDIA mobile graphics arena has been announced. Benchmarks such as StarCraft II, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Far Cry 2 have shown great differences (up to 30FPS) between the GTX 580M and GTX 560M.

Sony says it was only hacked because it tried to protect its content Description: Embattled entertainment firm Sony claims it was only hacked because it tried to protect its video game content.

Sony CEO Howard Stringer, who faces calls for his resignation over the hacking incidents, spoke at a shareholders' meeting where he tried to explain why Sony was the main victim of the recent spate of hacker attacks.

Odin Sphere To Get High Definition Port ?

Description: Treat this as a rumor but if sources are correct, one of the nice RPGs from Japan will getting a HD port. Odin Sphere, originally from PS2 is made by Atlus and launched back in 2007. There is not much information as of now but based on the source, the game is likely a download on either PlayStation Network or Xbox Live.

Dungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale lands on PC 27

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Published by: VR-Zone

When compared to the previous generation, the GeForce GTX 580M easily beats the GTX 480M in all the benchmarks.

Even after the enabling of 3D Vision, the GeForce GTX 580M is still able to produce more than 30FPS in all the benchmarks at 1920 x 1080 resolution.

GeForce GTX 580M 384

GeForce GTX 570M 336

GeForce GeForce GTX GT 555M 560M 192 Up to 144

CUDA Cores Processor 1240MHz 1150MHz 1550MHz Up to Clock 1506MHz Memory 1500MHz 1500MHz 1250MHz Up to Clock 1569MHz Memory 256-bit 192-bit Up to Up to Interface 192-bit 192-bit Width Product Link Expect manufacturers to pack the GeForce GTX 580M GPU into their gaming laptops. Manufacturers such as Alienware has already equipped their M18x and M17x laptops with GTX 580M and offering SLI option while manufacturer Clevo has included 3D Vision as well.

For more details on the benchmarks, please visit the NVIDIA website.

If a single GTX 580M isn't good enough for you, check out the performance of GTX 580M in SLI. FPS are increased by an average of 85% with the enabling of SLI.

Sony launches sub 1.2kg VAIO Z Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-launches-sub-1.2kg-vaioz/12780.html June 30th, 2011

There's no doubt that there's a certain love/hate relationship for many with the Sony VAIO Z series of notebooks, the hate mostly coming from the fact that the Z series is so expensive that most of us can only dream of owning one. However' the company's latest incarnation of the Z series have taken things 28

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Published by: VR-Zone

to a whole different level, as Sony has managed to come up with a machine that weighs less than most netbooks, yet packs the power of a high-end notebook.

There's no doubt that there's a certain love/hate relationship for many with the Sony VAIO Z series of notebooks, the hate mostly coming from the fact that the Z series is so expensive that most of us can only dream of owning one. However' the company's latest incarnation of the Z series have taken things to a whole different level, as Sony has managed to come up with a machine that weighs less than most netbooks, yet packs the power of a high-end notebook.

From what we saw at the launch event, the new VAIO Z is a seriously impressive machine, although with a few minor irks that we don't quite get. But let's start with some of the good points, first of all the weight is nothing short of impressive as you're looking at a notebook with a 13.1-inch screen and a 35W mobile CPU that weighs in at a smidgen under 1.2kg, somewhat dependent on the configuration. That makes most netbooks look obese and even more so when you realise that the VAIO Z is a mere 16.65mm thick.

On the not so great side the new VAIO Z has a very thick screen bezel which makes it larger than it could've been. That said, with a 1920x1080 screen resolution (or 1600x900 is some markets) we're sort of willing to live with the bezel. Part of the reason for the bigger bezel, at least at the top is the 1.3Megapixel webcam which Sony has kitted out with one of its Exmor sensors and it's said to be offering better details in low-light situations. There's also a lot of corresponding space on both sides of the keyboard, but on the upside there's also a rather large wrist rest and a reasonable size touch pad. The touch pad is buttonless, but features a fingerprint reader. The keyboard is backlit which is also a nice addition.

In terms of ports and connectivity there's plenty on offer, although once again we're curious about the reason behind some of the options on offer. For starters, Sony is sticking to its dual card readers, in this case located around the front, one for Memory Stick and one for SD cards, all the latest variations are of course supported. On the left hand side you'll only find a single port and it's a D-sub connector, which we think is a very questionable inclusion on a notebook like this. On the right hand side we have a USB 3.0 port (more on this shortly), a USB 2.0 port with charge support, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port with a special fold-out connector and finally a 3.5mm 29

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Published by: VR-Zone

headphone jack, but strangely enough this doesn't seem to offer headset support like on some competitor's models.

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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.

Fusion Power: AMD A8-3850 APU Tested Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/fusion-power-amd-a8-3850-aputested/12581.html July 4th, 2011

AMD has been touting its Accelerated Processing Units as the next big thing. Combining a quad-core CPU and a Radeon HD GPU into a single chip, these purportedly offer a superior blend of CPU and graphics performance to Intel's offerings.

Join VR-Zone as we put AMD's very first A-series APU to the test.

AMD's acquisition of ATI back in 2006 was its first step towards integrating CPUs and GPUs. Since then AMD has been sounding the Fusion horn at regular intervals. At the start of this year we finally got the first APU, the low-power E-350 which was aimed at nettops and netbooks. The next logical step was to bring the APU to mainstream desktops and notebooks, the outcome of which is none other than Llano.

A8-3850 A8-3800 A6-3650 A6-3600 CPU Cores 4 CPU Clock 2.9GHz 2.4GHz 2.6GHz 2.1GHz Turbo Core No 2.7GHz No 2.4GHz L2 Cache 4MB (1MB/core) GPU HD 6550D HD 6530D TDP 100W 65W 100W 65W Price US$135 ???

US$115 ???

AMD has four A-series APUs lined up, but only the A8-3850 and A6-3650 are currently priced and available. Both models are rated for 100W TDP and do not support Turbo Core. The A8-3850's CPU is clocked at a rather modest 2.9GHz, which is not surprising since there is also an onboard GPU to take into account. Turbo Core will only be used on the A8-3800 and A6-3600 to maximize single-threaded performance while still keeping within a 65W TDP.

Desktop Llano supports dual-channel memory at up to DDR3-1866 speed. This is significantly faster than Sandy Bridge's (official) DDR3-1333 support, and for good reason, as you'll see shortly. The A8 and A6 series will also be differentiated via integrated GPU performance. We'll take a look at that on the next page, but, first, some pictures of the real deal:

The CPU portion of Llano consists of four tweaked Stars cores.

There is no L3 cache, but AMD increased the L2 cache size to 1MB per core instead. Add some other minor improvements and you squeeze 6% more performance out of what is, frankly, an ageing microarchitecture that dates all the way back to 2003. Performance should be very similar to a Athlon II x4 of similar clockspeed.

A-Series APU Comparison 1

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Published by: VR-Zone

Brazos-T platform. The first Z-APU, Z-01, is basically a power optimized C-50, bringing down TDP to 6W. However, Z-01 still used the Hudson M1 FCH, designed primarily for notebooks/ nettops. AMD's focus for the Brazos-T platform is a FCH more suitable for tablets, cutting down redundant features and saving power.

The Hondo APU is largely similar to the Desna Z-01 APU - 2 Bobcat cores at 1.0 GHz and a Radeon HD 6250 GPU. However, Hondo does away with a PCIe interface - redundant for tablets as they don't feature discrete GPUs. Also, the VGA interface is removed, to leave 2 digital video outs in form of DP, eDP or HDMI. In addition to further tweaks, the result is a reduction in TDP from 5.9W to 4.5W for the APU.

Llano uses a brand new CPU socket - the 905-pin Socket FM1.

The gap in the center is faintly reminiscient of Socket 754 from days of yore. The good news is, heatsinks compatible with Socket AM2/AM3 will also work with FM1.

However, it is the new Hudson M2T FCH which undergoes most changes compared to the Hudson M1 used with Z-01 APU. The package dimensions are reduced to 19x19mm, a single 3 GB/s SATA port is featured and USB 2.0 controllers is cut down to 8. As with the APU, PCIe has been excised completely, and there are no legacy USB1 controllers. An addition is a Secure Digital IO for improved WiFi. The result is a major cut in power consumption for what AMD calls "app power" - or typical power consumptions while running typical tablet apps. The "app power" for the entire Brazos-T platform is an impressive 2W only, which is half that of Desna+Hudson M1. Of course, the TDP will be higher.

AMD preparing Brazos-T platform for Windows 8 tablets Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amd-preparing-brazos-t-platform-forwindows-8-tablets/12849.html July 4th, 2011

The Brazos-T platform is set to be in production by Q2 2012, well in time for the Windows 8 release - which is optimized for tablets as well. In 2013, AMD will transition to Samara, and surely 28nm, offering further reduction in power consumption and next gen graphics. It is important to note that Windows 8 will run on ARM systems as well, so AMD's primary competition will be ARM. Intel is not standing still either, with Atom-based Medfield SoCs due to release in Q1 2012.

Samsung partners SingTel to provide more content for Smart TV consumers DonanimHaber has uncovered AMD's next evolution to the recently released Z-series APUs, the Hondo APU on the

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-partners-singtel-to-providemore-content-for-smart-tv-consumers/12847.html

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Samsung has recently announced that it is the first in the industry to launch SingTel video applications and their Smart TV will also provide more content with 3D Video-On-Demand ("VOD") service. Read on for the details.

Published by: VR-Zone

A Visit To ASUS Headquarters In Taipei Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/a-visit-to-asus-headquarters-intaipei/12834.html July 4th, 2011

While VR-Zone was in Taipei for the official product launch of Jay Chou edition ASUS N-series laptop, we also got the chance to visit ASUS headquarters and check out some of the new products which are going to be launched soon. Read on.

Samsung Electronics announced that it will be providing more content for Smart TV consumers via its two newly developed SingTel Applications and Samsung 3D VOD service from 1 July 2011. The Korean company has partnered SingTel to develop two Smart TV applications – SingTel Video Store and SingTel Video Search.

SingTel Video Search allows consumers to access the desired web video content in standard definition, high definition and 3D content that can be found through an online catalogue.

Apart from movies, consumers also get a wide variety of content ranging from entertainment to news and can easily search for videos across multiple video sites. The 3D video search engine will also bring true-to-life content right to the user’s living room.

SingTel Video Store is an online video store with Asian and other international content. It is the first such store on the new range of internet TVs with the option to watch directly on your TV, without the use of a set-top box. Users can preview the clips with thumbnails, descriptions and watch movie trailers of upcoming movies or stream movies.

In addition, owners of Samsung Smart TVs will be able to access the 3D VOD contentat no additional cost by downloading the ‘Explore 3D’ application available on Samsung Apps from 1 July 2011. A total of 20 3D clips will be made available.

As part of Samsung’s collaboration with Dreamworks, the service will feature exclusive 3D movie trailers from How to train your Dragon, Shrek: The Final Chapter and the latest Kungfu Panda 2 as well as music videos from popular Korean bands - Girls Generation, Super Junior, and BoA. There are also eight 45-minute documentaries produced for IMAX theatres. Samsung expects to increase the number of clips available on demand to 100 by end 2011.

Cecilia Huang, marketing director of ASUS, gave the media a deeper insight of the company and what it does.

"ASUS is a global technology leader in the digital era and we focus on the mastery of technological innovation and design perfection. And in ASUS, we are in search of the incredible.

We have over 11,000 employees worldwide, with over 3,000 are in R&D, 77 support centres and 50 branch offices globally.

Last year, we reached US$10.1 billion revenue and we target US$12 billion this year," Huang said.

The notebooks, Eee PC netbooks and desktops (including EeeTop and EeeBox PCs) account for 74.7 percent of ASUS' global revenue, while components like motherboards and LCD displays make up 24.2 percent; the remaining 1.1 percent come from other product categories.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Henry Lin, engineer of ASUS Golden Ear Team, was also present to talk about the company's proprietary SonicMaster technology and let the media listen to the difference in audio quality from ASUS laptop's speakers compared to conventional ones.

Michelle Hsiao, designer for ASUS, talked about working with the Taiwanese celebrity Jay Chou on the special edition Nseries laptop. Hsiao said that Chou began working with the ASUS design team earlier this year for a period of six months.

The first production unit came out in April but because of color selections and corrections, the final approved version was out only in June. Here's a look inside the work room which is laid with the various design revisions.

Sony VPL-HW30ES home theatre 3D projector lands in Singapore Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-vpl-hw30es-home-theatre-3dprojector-lands-in-singapore/12845.html July 4th, 2011

Sony has recently announced its latest 3D home theatre projector VPL-HW30ES. Incorporating the company's proprietary Dynamic Lamp Control Technology, it boasts amazing brightness levels for users to experience 3D "cinema-style" movies in their own living room.

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Sony has announced the VPL-HW30ES 3D home theatre projector that incorporates Sony’s latest lamp technology, Dynamic Lamp Control system. Movie fans can now enjoy an unrivalled 3D cinematic experience with stunning 3D images that are three times brighter than Sony’s first 3D home theatre projector, the VPL-VW90ES which was launched in Asia Pacific last year.

Sony’s latest Dynamic Lamp Control Technology significantly boosts the brightness levels entering the shutters of the 3D glasses, maximising the picture’s impact and the lamp’s efficiency. The opening and closing of the shutters on the 3D glasses are intelligently synchronised to ensure that each eye receives the accurate image, thus reducing crosstalk to a minimum. In order to achieve an optimal viewing experience that feels natural on the eye, the Full high definition 3D VPL-HW30ES home theatre projector is equipped with Sony’s High Frame Rate SXRD Panel (1920x1080), for exceptionally sharper, dot-free images.

The new VPL-HW30ES delivers contrast ratio of 70,000:1 and brightness of 1,300 lumens. In addition, “3D crosstalk” is further reduced to a minimal thanks to the 240Hz SXRD panel drive system and the unique Dynamic Lamp Control Technology. The automatic Advanced Iris Control feature enhances the contrast levels in accordance with the scene by maximising black and white levels without diminishing peak brightness. Sony’s new Motionflow technology allows the VPLHW30ES to display twice as many images per second. This algorithm, unique to Sony, reproduces dramatically sharper and smoother movements and reduces the image motion blur for a crisper image.

The VPL-HW30ES is capable of taking 2D and simulating 3D images, bringing new life to classic movies from the past and allowing a wide variety of content, such as live sports, to be enjoyed. Sony’s innovative Independent 2D/3D Picture Mode on the VPL-HW30ES allows you to select separate parameters for 2D and 3D content and to change each setting individually to optimise each picture image settings whether watching in 2D or 3D. The VPL-HW30ES also runs very quietly with an advanced air discharge system for a highly efficient cooling system, suppressing noise level to a mere 22dB without interrupting the viewer’s immersion during the movie-going experience.

The VPL-HW30ES is compatible with Sony’s new active shutter glasses, the TDG-PJ1, which are 18 grams lighter than the previous model (59g compared to 77g). The TDG-PJ1, charged in 30 minutes provides 30 hours of continuous watching. In conjunction with the new glasses, Sony has announced a new transmitter, the TMR-PJ1, which synchronises 3D content effortlessly to generate a high-quality natural 3D effect.

Published by: VR-Zone

- High Frame Rate SXRD Panel (1920x1080) for exceptionally sharper, dot-free images - 240Hz SXRD panel drive for minimised cross talk - High Contrast ratio of 70,000:1 - Dazzling brightness of 1,300 lumens - Motionflow technology for sharper and smoother images for less motion blur - Independent 2D/3D Picture Mode - Automatic Advanced Iris Control feature enhances the contrast levels

New Iriver P8 portable media player shows up for sale in Russia Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/new-iriver-p8-portable-media-playershows-up-for-sale-in-russia/12842.html July 4th, 2011

Iriver may have been rather quiet down here in this part of the world, but that does not mean that the company has been letting its line of portable media players remain stagnant as well. Apparently, a new portable media player known as the Iriver P8 which sports quite a few interesting features has been spotted for sale in Russia.

When was the last time you heard of a new product announcement from Iriver? Say, maybe five months ago, with the introduction of the U100 back then? Well, it seems that the Korean consumer electronics manufacturer is back once again with yet another new portable media player to compete in the market, and it comes in the form of the white Iriver P8, as shown below:

The VPL-HW30ES will be available across Asia Pacific in July 2011 at the SRP of USD$$3,999 (without 3D glasses and transmitter). The TDG-PJ1 and TMR-PJ1 are sold separately.

Key features highlight: - Dynamic Lamp Control Technology significantly boosts brightness levels - Full high definition 3D

According to the official hardware specifications available on Iriver's product page, the P8 portable media player sports a five inch touchscreen which is capable of a native resolution of 800 x 480, along with a battery which is reportedly capable 5

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of providing the P8 with up to nine hours of continuous video playback or approximately 40 hours of audio playback on a single charge. In addition, Iriver claims that the P8 boasts a sufficiently powerful processor which is capable of handling 1080p video playback, support for external displays via HDMI, and well as built-in compatibility with a wide range of media formats such as MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, WAV, AVI, XviD, WMV, MKV, JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF and TXT. No information the P8's pricing and availability has been made public yet, so do check back for updates.

NEC introduces PA series projectors for corporate conference rooms and large classrooms Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nec-introduces-pa-series-projectorsfor-corporate-conference-rooms-and-large-classrooms/12844.html July 4th, 2011

NEC has introduced the PA series projectors - PA600X, PA550W and PA500U - designed for business professionals.

The projectors boast brightness of up to 6000 lumens, and are stackable with up to four projectors to be stacked vertically or horizontally to provide 24,000 lumens. The NEC PA series projectors are available now.

Published by: VR-Zone

offering of three different native resolutions, the PA Series is a complement to any large room requiring demanding AV support. The virtually maintenance-free projectors, with up to 4000 hours of lamp and filter life, lower users’ total cost of ownership and lengthen the projectors’ lifecycle.

Additionally, these three new models offer stacking capability, which allows up to four projectors to bestacked vertically or horizontally to boost the image brightness up to 24,000 lumens. This feature is an asset to larger-sized screens and environments with additional ambient light. With Integrated Device Technology HQV, a high-performance video processing and scaling system, users can present with superior image quality using the technology’s pixel-based, motion-adaptive de-interlacing to remove undesirable motion artifacts. Additionally, selectable ECO Mode technology extends each projector’slamp life, while eco-conscious features like quick start (3 to 4 seconds), autopower on and direct power-off further advance the projector’s lifetime.

Specifications: - Up to 6000 lumens inXGA, WXGA and WUXGA native resolutions - Lamp life up to 4000hours with ECO Mode - Connectivity includes HDMI with HDCP, DisplayPort, dual computer and 5BNC - Stacking capability (up to 4 projectors) - HQV processing - Windows Network Projector Function directly connects to networked projectors without the need for additional proprietary software - Windows RemoteDesktop Function allows the control of the projector with a keyboard and mouse through the USB input - Windows NetworkDrive and Media Connection functions display multimedia files (.jpeg, .bmp,.png, .mpeg2 or .wmv9) - Complete line offive bayonet-style lenses

NEC Asia Pacific has announced its latest PA series projectors PA600X, PA550W and PA500U. The new series of advanced professional projectors is designed for corporate conference rooms and large classrooms that require an installation projector. An abundance of new features have been included in the PA series that improve its quality over its preceding models in the NP Installation series.

The center lens design of these three new models is an advancement that makes retrofitting existing installations easier and more cost effective. The new chassis also provides enhanced connectivity with HDMI and DisplayPort inputs.

Premiering in NEC’s projector lineup is Crestron Roomview, which allows users to directly connect their projector to the managed network for monitoring and control. With a brightness level ranging from 5000 to 6000 lumens and an

- Image Express Lite enables wired/wireless transmission of an image to the projector without theneed for external components - Image Express 2.0 enables image transmission in real time over the network to a single projectoror multiple projectors simultaneously - 3D Reform squares the image by adjusting horizontally, vertically or diagonally when the projector is placed at an offset angle - Keystone correction helps display the image properly when the projector is set up at an angle tothe screen - Geometric correction allows the projector to display squarelooking images on cylindrical, spherical or cornered screens 6

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- Horizontal andvertical lens shift - Edge Blending technology creates panoramic images with multiple projectors - DICOM Simulation - Cabinet control lock - Password protection - Email notificationsto inform the system administrator when the projector’s lamp approachesthe end of its useful life

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out, we did not have to wait very long: a report posted by The Wall Street Journal claims that Apple is now the latest victim of such an attack, and that the damage consists of a number of root and administrator accounts being stolen.

According to the report, a group of computer hackers calling themselves AntiSec (supposedly the shorthand for AntiSecurity) has claimed responsibility for the alleged attack on Apple, while adding that they were able to make off with the passwords of as many as 26 root and administrative accounts. Apparently, AntiSec was able to gain access to Apple's information by making use of a security flaw found in the software used by many companies to power their servers, although no mention was made about the software's name.

The PA600X, PA550W and PA500U projectors ship with a 2year limited warranty and will is available now at an estimated retail price as per below:PA600X Projector with standard lens - S$6,299 PA550W Projector with standard lens - S$6,299 PA500U Projector with standard lens - S$7,799

Apple hacked by AntiSec? Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-hacked-by-antisec-/12841.html July 4th, 2011

With all the hoo-ha that is currently taking place in cyberspace over the recent spate of webpages and servers belonging to major companies and corporations getting attacked by hackers, it would really be of little surprise that some instantlyrecognizable names will eventually find their way as entries on the hackers' hit list. And the next big victim of an alleged hacker attack is seemingly that of Apple, which has reportedly had one of its servers compromised and administrator data stolen. Or did it?

That being said, while certain sites are dismissing the claims made by AntiSec due to the lack of evidence available to verify that the attack was indeed successful, it seems that AntiSec might not have been boasting after all, for technology website ZDNet has seemingly managed to obtain a list of what apparently contains the passwords to the compromised accounts, as shown below:

Now that news about how big-name companies and corporations have been getting their share of the limelight by being the unfortunate victims of a hacking spree has spread around the Internet like wildfire, it should hardly be surprising that most people will be waiting to see which is the next unlucky company to find its servers getting compromised by yet another hacker group, and how much damage the latter could inflict on the company in the process. And as it turns 7

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Published by: VR-Zone

Most online search engines are fully capable of delivering broad but relevant results for any search string at the click of a single mouse button, but there will always be trend-watchers who would like to have the ability to narrow down their search results in order to have abtter idea of just what is currently popular among users of differing age groups, genders, or even regions? And these are the kind of users Yahoo! is clearly aiming to please with the introduction of its new Yahoo! Clues service, which the company claims is reportedly capable of offering "fun and engaging ways to explore what users are searching for on Yahoo!while offering a 'behind the scenes' look into popular search trends".

Apple has yet to make an official statement about the attack, so any information as to whether the hackers were able to walk away with personal data belonging to consumers remains to be seen.

Yahoo! launches new Yahoo!

Clues search service Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/yahoo-launches-new-yahoo-cluessearch-service/12840.html July 4th, 2011

According to the company, the latest version of Yahoo!

Clues now sport various new features, chief of which is the introduction of "Top Trends, which is Yahoo! claims allows for "endless exploration of the most popular search terms on Yahoo! Search". The company goes on to explain how users can make use of filter selections to "choose a combination of time range, gender, age group and geographic location, and even search term category" to have Top Trends deliver the results they are seeking, as shown in the example below.

How does the idea of being able to "instantly discover what’s popular to a select group of searchers – by age or gender – over the past day, week or even over the past year", or to have "controls at your fingertips that let you slice and dice Yahoo! searchers by criteria such as gender, age group and regional interest, or gain deep insights from comparing search terms" sound like? Well, those are the kind of needs which Yahoo! appears to be extremely keen on solving with the launch of its new Yahoo! Clues online search service. Read on to find out more about Yahoo! Clues...

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Published by: VR-Zone

In addition to "Top Trends" Yahoo! has also announced the availability of a variety of other enhancements that has been added to Yahoo! Clues, with some examples being:

doing right now with the “Create for Millions” consumer and developer competition that is currently taking place for its Series 40 platform.

• New site design – Clues now includes a home page with navigation to the Top Trends and Trend Analysis features.

Does Nokia's Series 40 mobile phone platform sound familiar to you? Well, for those of you who may not be aware, that is the name of the software platform that is currently used by the Finnish mobile phone giant to power its mid-end smartphone and luxury Vertu product lineup, and has the honour of being recognized as the world's most widely used mobile phone platform. However, it is clear that Nokia wants to further enhance the Series 40's appeal in the form of providing users with more applications to choose from, and it is attempting to do so by organising a competition for both developers and consumers to submit their ideas for consideration.

• More data – History from one month to over 12 months, and covering over three times as many search terms as the previous release.

• Global coverage – All English-language searches globally are available.

• New map – Trend Analysis includes a brand new map that puts the data at the center of the experience with beautiful neat map visualizations.

That being said, Yahoo! Clues is still currently in beta, although adventurous users can give the service a spin over at http:// clues.yahoo.com/

Nokia announces developer competition for Series 40 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nokia-announces-developercompetition-for-series-40/12839.html July 4th, 2011

Known as Create for Millions, the developer and consumer competition allows developers the opportunity to offer their Java and web-based apps to "millions of consumers worldwide" while still being able to win cash and prizes which are valued at EUR 1,000,000. Consumers, on the other hand, can make use of this opportunity to "submit their ideas for the applications they'd like to see on Nokia Series 40 mobile phones", with Nokia claiming that authors of winning entries will be able to visit the Nokia World event that is slated to be held later this year, where they can see their ideas "come to life in person" and "meet the developers who created them".

Nokia has stated that the applications which are to be submitted for consideration should fall within one of the four categories, namely: • In the Know - News and locally relevant information apps • Fun & Games - Games and entertainment apps • Emotional Closeness - Social networking apps • Access to Knowledge - Life improvement apps, for example education or health

Considering how a large app repository is vital to any mobile phone platform's survival today, what is an established mobile phone company like Nokia to do now that it needs to find a way to encourage developers to produce applications for its software platform? Simple: organize a competition and put some fascinating prices up for grabs in order to gain the attention of its user base. Which is exactly what Nokia is

In addition, Nokia has confirmed that it will be offering a total of 10 cash prizes for each category, and that a top price of EUR 50,000 awaits the best contribution. In addition, submitters of top apps in each category will "win a variety of non-cash prizes such as user experience reviews and app marketing assistance", while "special prizes will be awarded to apps that

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showcase the best touch feature in an app, the best locationaware app and the best overall Series 40 web app".

If that has gotten the developer in you interested, more information about the Create For Millions developer and consumer competition for Nokia's Series 40 mobile platform can be found here.

ASUS unveils ProArt Series PA238Q monitor for graphics professionals Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-unveils-proart-series-pa238qmonitor-for-graphics-professionals/12838.html July 4th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

the standard 8-bit table used inconventional monitors. This results in smoother and more accurate color gradation and reproduction. The 50,000,000:1 contrast ratio generates true dark/light distinction and spectacular image quality.

Productivity-boosting features ASUS bundles exclusive QuickFit Virtual Scale functionality with the PA238Q, powering true-sized displays of photos and documents on the screen. It also supports alignment, centimeter and inch-based grids for added flexibility. Users can activate QuickFit via a simple hotkey at any time.

This goes along picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture viewing for easier multitasking. Additionally, thePA238Q’s stand integrates fully-adjustable height, tilt, swivel, andpivot, making for easier work and enjoyment. The four convenientlylocated USB ports on the PA238Q (two on the side, two on the back) afford easy access to a wide range of storage devices and file formats, helping users display content instantly.

Extensive input/output options

The 23-inch ASUS ProArt series PA238Q monitor claims to deliver superb graphics performance that are ideal for professional applications. With QuickFit Virtual Scale, it can display images and documents in their true size on the screen.

As a fully-featured high-end monitor, the PA238Q offers a complete portand connector array. HDMI makes it effortless to insert the PA238Q into anymodern multimedia and content sharing setup, while the inclusion of Display Port, DVI-D, and D-sub maintains connectivity options with a wide range of devices so consumers can use the monitor as a single display formultiple sources.

Razer BlackWidow, BlackWidow Ultimate and Anansi: now available for Mac Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/razer-blackwidow-blackwidowultimate-and-anansi-now-available-for-mac/12837.html July 4th, 2011

The ASUS PA238Q is designed to meet the needs of graphic designers and other professionals. The 23-inch IPS-paneled PA238Q is the latest addition to the ProArt Series of displays, LED-backlit model with native 1920x1080 resolution. It reproduces 100% of the sRGB color space, with every individual monitor precision calibrated at the factory to ensure unmatched color accuracy. The PA238Q ships with ASUSexclusive QuickFit Virtual Scale software to display photos and documents in their true size on screen. In terms of ergonomics, a fully adjustable and sturdy stand complements a wide I/O range, which includes HDMI, Display Port, DVI-D, D-sub, and multiple USB ports.

Meticulous factory calibration IPS technology allows for 178-degree viewing angles, prevent color loss and wash even from extreme vertical and horizontal viewing directions. The internal firmware of the PA238Q uses a 10-bit lookup table for RGB coloration, going beyond

Think that Windows is the only operating system that can make the best use out of sophisticated gaming keyboards, such as Razer's BlackWidow and Anansi? Well, think again: the American computer peripherals manufacturer has just announced the availability of both the aforementioned gaming keyboards in the standard Mac keyboard layout which it clsims are capable of "offering the same competitive edge for Mac gamers as their PC brethren".

Keyboards are all the same, regardless of the OS that they are connected to, right? Well, tell that to the large numbers of Mac fans out there, many of whom will gladly start a fierce debate about seemingly unlimited advantages the Mac keyboard layout has over its Windows counterpart. And if you happen to be a Mac gamer, this latest bit of news will most probably make your day, for Razer has announced that it will be bringing its BlackWidow, BlackWidow Ultimate and Anansi gaming keyboards over to users of the world's second most popular operating system, Mac OS X, complete with support for the standard Mac key layout.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Razer BlackWidow: Mac Edition

The Razer BlackWidow: Mac Edition’s sports the use of mechanical switches which, according to the company, "provides a distinctive tactile feedback that simulates the experience and precision of performing a mouse click", thus "giving gamers an entirely new keyboard feel". In addition, Razer claims that the BlackWidow: Mac Edition also boasts an "ultra robust construction, fully programmable keys, 5 additional macro keys, and on-the-fly macro recording", features which reportedly "make the BlackWidow: Mac Edition a fully equipped and revolutionary gaming keyboard".

The Razer BlackWidow: Mac Edition gaming keyboard is currently available for sale globally at the price of US$79.99.

Razer BlackWidow Ultimate: Mac Edition

Said to be designed with the MMO gamer in mind, the Razer Anansi: Mac Edition gaming keyboard allows gamers to "execute seven times more commands instantly compared to a standard keyboard" thanks to the seven thumb modifier keys located below the space bar. In addition, the Razer Anasi: Mac Edition gaming keyboard boasts over 100 programmable keys and five additional gaming keys that allow gamers to "further expand their repertoire of boss-killing abilities and macros, providing total control with convenient and instantaneous command executions".

The Razer Anansi: Mac Edition gaming keyboard is currently available for sale globally at the price of US$99.99.

SingTel offers 100 more tickets to Lady Gaga showcase Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/singtel-offers-100-more-tickets-tolady-gaga-showcase/12836.html July 4th, 2011

The quintessential "big brother" to the Razer BlackWidow, the BlackWidow Ultimate: Mac Edition boasts a couple of added features not found on the BlackWidow, such as having individual backlit, illuminated keys, as well as the availability of media and USB passthrough jacks.

The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate: Mac Edition gaming keyboard is currently available for sale globally at the price of US$129.99.

Telecommunication operator SingTel has announced that it will be offering 100 more tickets to Lady Gaga showcase that is happening on 7 July this week. Well, if you want to stand a chance to win the tickets, just dress up in Lady Gaga-inspired costumes, come over to SingTel Comcentre fountain courtyard today at 4.30pm. Read on for the details.

Razer Anansi: Mac Edition

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Published by: VR-Zone

units. During the past few weeks we have reviewed two units from their Straight Power series, the E8 CM 680W modular PSU and the mainstream E8 400W PSU. Today we are going to have a thorough look at the weakest power supply of BeQuiet’s best series, the Dark Power Pro P9 550W power supply.

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) has announced that it is offering an additional 100 tickets to Lady Gaga’s showcase available to her fans. To stand a chance to win a ticket, fans are invited to dress-up in Lady Gaga-inspired costumes and gather at the SingTel Comcentre fountain courtyard at 4:30pm on 4 July. They will then be asked to sing and dance along to a selection of Lady Gaga’s latest hits. Tickets will be awarded to the most creative fans with the most interesting performances.

AMPed customers can also stand a chance to win one of 100 showcase tickets simply by downloading Lady Gaga’s songs from AMPed. There are also 10 exclusive meet-andgreet passes up for grabs to allow fans to rub shoulders with the world’s reigning queen of pop. Winners will be selected through a lucky draw whereby customers who have downloaded more songs will have a higher chance of winning.

Fans can win VIP showcase tickets and backstage passes for themselves and up to nine friends through the ‘Gagafy Yourself’ competition on SingTel’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/singtel). As part of the VIP experience, they will also enjoy a ride to the showcase in a chauffeur-driven luxury stretch limousine. The prize will be awarded for the most creative submission.

As an added bonus, fans can watch Lady Gaga’s showcase from mid-July on mio TV on-demand channels and on SingTel’s MobileTV video streaming service. The SingTel AMPed ‘Born This Way’ Lady Gaga showcase will be held on 7 July 8pm.

Be Quiet Dark Power Pro P9 550W PSU review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/be-quiet-dark-power-pro-p9-550wpsu-review/12833.html July 4th, 2011

Be-Quiet is a company based in Germany which for the past few years has been creating computer related products for enthusiasts. The company has a long list of products but their primary focus lies on high quality and silent power supply units. During the past few weeks we have reviewed two units from their Straight Power series, the E8 CM 680W modular PSU and the mainstream E8 400W PSU. Today we are going to have a thorough look at the weakest power supply of BeQuiet’s best series, the Dark Power Pro P9 550W power supply.

Manufacturer’s features and specifications • For high-res gaming, professional graphics • For stable high-end multi-GPU applications • 12V multi-single rail operation, overclocking • Cable management • Extremely quiet running • Top efficiency (80 PLUS Gold)

Continuous power (W) Peak power 500 ms (W) Form factor ATX 12V Form factor EPS 12V Modular cable management Special technology Voltage (Vac) Frequency (Hz) Input current (A) PFC, active PF Power factor at 100% load Compliant to Intel C6 mode Power consumption in standby (W) Average life time (h / 25°C) Operating temperature (°C)

550 650 ATX12V Version 2.3 EPS12V Version 2.92 YES LLC, DC/DC 100 - 240 50 - 60 8-4 YES 0.99 YES < 0,3 100.000 0 - 40

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 1 July 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--1july-2011/12828.html July 4th, 2011

Be-Quiet is a company based in Germany which for the past few years has been creating computer related products for enthusiasts. The company has a long list of products but their primary focus lies on high quality and silent power supply 12

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In today's news roundup: OverClocked Inside has announced the availability of a new interactive tool on its website which allows users to determine whether their favourite CPU coolers will fit with their motherboard of choice "by moving the desired CPU heatsink fan combination virtually on the selected motherboard"; Hynix has found itself back it court once again, this time over a patent infringement lawsuit filed

by Cascades Computer Innovation LLC, which has accused former of infringing on its DRAM patents in a range of products, including the Hynix DDR3 range, without asking for licensing permission; Google has updated the Google search experience for BlackBerry 6.0 WebKit enabled devices by adding a number of enhanced search features integrated throughout the homepage and search result pages, making searching faster and easier on www.google.com, especially on touch-enabled Blackberry devices; Adobe is attempting to court dissatisfied users of Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer announcing its plans to offer a such consumers a 50 percent discount on either Premiere Pro CS5.5 or CS5.5 Production Premium; Word has it that several subscribers of the popular Star Wars Galaxies online game have taken action against Sony Online Entertainment by filed a classaction lawsuit against the company in a bid to prevent it from shutting down the game, and The King of Fighters XIII will be heading for consoles on October 27 this year at a price for 7,140 yen in Japan (asia ver to be confirmed) but fans can expect some interesting surprises and add-ons to the console port.

Hardware news MSI Big Bang Marshal (Intel P67 Express) Motherboard Review Description: MSI has had an interesting couple of years.

During CES 2010 we saw them show off their new line of Big Bang motherboards with Lucid Logix's Hydra chips on them.

Unfortunately we saw this demo stutter through 3DMark Vantage. They were able to recover from that and managed to put out a few good boards with this package in them. We took a look at a couple of them here on TweakTown (and will probably look at more to come). Then this year at CES, we heard from one source at MSI that they were planning on using the Hydra as more of a bridge chip for adding extra PCIe 2.0 lanes on their high end boards to enable tri and quad SLI as well as Crossfire. So, the question is, where does Hydra fit into the Big Band series now?

Fit for fan - does the cooler fit on the motherboard ?

Description: n the year 2001 ocinside.de already followed the question, which CPU cooler can be used for which motherboard. With this interactive fit for fan guide one can find out exactly this with a few clicks, by moving the desired CPU heatsink fan combination virtually on the selected motherboard. The interactive fit for fan guide is a complete new development, which already contains some AMD Socket AM3/AM3+, Socket AM2/AM2+, Socket 939, Socket 754 and also older Socket A motherboards and some HSFs for each Socket. Additionally one can visit a review and check the current price of each cooler or motherboard directly after the selection.

Kingston HyperX H2O 4GB 2133MHz DDR3 Memory Kit Review @ Legit Reviews

Published by: VR-Zone

Description: Sick looks and integrated water cooling top off this special H2O edition from Kingston with their HyperX 4GB 2133MHz kit. Legit Reviews pushes the Kingston HyperX H2O 2133Mhz memory kit in our Sandy Bridge test bench to see if there is any more juice that can be squeezed out of it and we will show you how this DDR3 memory kit stacks up to some run of the mill 1600MHz memory.

NZXT Havik 140 CPU Cooler Review @ Vortez Description: The Havik 140 is a completely new and fresh design to come out of NZXT’s lab. As the name instigates, it is designed to take advantage of better performing but quieter operating 140mm fans. Thermalright and Noctua have been the first to introduce such concepts and given the rising popularity of 140mm fans into the mainstream, it wasn’t long till consumers were going to see these on CPU coolers. Perhaps the closest competitor to the NZXT is the Thermalright Archon which also comes with its own 140mm fan. The Havik looks like a very traditional heatsink on initial impressions. It boasts six 6mm heat pipes, uses an aluminium and copper construction, has a densely packed laminar fin array and dimensions comparable to other towers such as the Venomous X. As such, we expect performance to be comparable. The highlight is of course the inclusion of two uniquely shaped 140mm fans, a first for tower coolers. The overall package from NZXT is a complete one but can NZXT compete outside of their comfort zone?

Gigabyte Z68X-UD7-B3 - Layout and Design @ ocaholic Description: With the Z68X-UD7-B3 Gigabyte presents it flagship model which supports Intels latest Sandy Bridge CPUs. This board also comes with the new color scheme which really is very nice to look at. Furthermore there is the long feature list which comes with every motherboard that is based on Intels latest Z68 chipset.

Hynix sued in DRAM patent row Description: resh from its legal fight with patent troll Rambus, the semiconductor outfit has found itself on the receiving end of a suit filed by Cascades Computer Innovation LLC (CCI).

The Korean technology company has fingered Hynix as using its DRAM patents in a range of products, including the Hynix DDR3 range, without asking for licensing permission. The patent in question is number 6,366,130, titled the "High Speed Low Power Data Transfer Scheme", which CCI claims Hynix has been "contributorily infringing".

AMD A8-3850 Lynx APU Processor @ Benchmark Reviews Description: When AMD merged with ATI in 2006, they immediately began working on combining discrete level graphics onto the die with an x86 CPU, thus forming an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). In 2009, AMD expanded on that effort by launching VISION with the intent of shaping the performance of a PC to fit the needs of the user. Five years after the merger, AMD's design has come to fruition in desktop form. In this article, Benchmark Reviews is taking a look at the AMD A-Series A8-3850 APU. Consumer Electronics and Software News Improved Google Search for BlackBerry 6.0 devices Description: Today we’ve updated the Google search experience for BlackBerry 6.0 WebKit enabled devices. We’ve added a number of enhanced search features integrated 13

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throughout the homepage and search result pages, making searching faster and easier on www.google.com, especially on touch-enabled Blackberry devices.

What WebOS Means To HP, Linux, And You Description: In John’s review of the new HP TouchPad, he claimed that “WebOS is the real star of this show. The OS offers true multi-tasking and uses a system of “cards” and “stacks” to display active applications.” I think it’s worthwhile to remind everyone that WebOS is built atop the Linux kernel, and that has several interesting ramifications. HP has continued Palm’s dedication to user experience, and WebOS should make it abundantly clear that “Linux” need not be synonymous with “complex and arcane”. But there’s a lot more than just superficial window dressing to consider.

Creative ZiiO Multimedia Android Tablet Review on Technic3D (German) Description: (Machine translation) The Creative ZiiO Multimedia Android Tablet arrived Technic3D. Enjoy exceptional wireless audio playback for all your music, movies, and games with the ZiiO 7-Inch Wireless Entertainment Tablet from Creative. The compact touch-screen tablet not only offers convenient mobile computing, but it also lets you stream lossless audio to Bluetooth-compatible wireless speaker systems or headphones. It features a vivid 7-inch color display as well as an HDMI-out for enjoying movies on a bigscreen HDTV...

Steelseries 6Gv2 Mechanical Review @ XSReviews.co.uk Description: Have to say, I’m a big fan of the mechanical keyboard. My personal gaming setup has a Steelseries 7G and I use a Zowie Celeritas while working. With that in mind, you can understand why I was looking forward to this review. Once again I get to spend an afternoon playing some games and typing away on another mechanical keyboard, the cut down version of my own 7G, the 6Gv2.

Razer Hydra unboxing & first impressions Description: The Razer Hydra combines the features of a gamepad and motion controller into two ergonomically shaped controllers vaguely similar to the Wii’s Motion controller and Nunchuck combo. Each Hydra controller is similar to a large, more ergonomic Wii ‘Nunchuk’ with a thumbstick and a total of eight available buttons: 5 buttons around the base of thumbstick, as well as 1 bumper, 1 trigger, and the thumbstick itself (which can be pressed).

Adobe starts 'switcher' campaign to lure Final Cut Pro users Description: Adobe leapt on Final Cut Pro X frustrations Friday with a new switcher promo. Anyone with a copy of Final Cut Pro or even Avid Media Composer can get a 50 percent discount on either Premiere Pro CS5.5 or CS5.5 Production Premium. The software house gave a knowing tweak to Apple that chastised it for dropping imports of the old version and traditional imports from tape.

Published by: VR-Zone

was labeled as the protest "ring leader" and threatened with a permanent ban from all SOE games. Even more, SOE allegedly threatened to sue this specific "ring leader" for trying to cause "unlawful harm to the company."

The King of Fighters XIII gets release date for consoles, adds Billy Kane Description: The King of Fighters XIII will be heading for consoles on October 27 this year at a price for 7,140 yen in Japan (asia ver to be confirmed) but fans can expect some interesting surprises and add-ons to the console port. For a start, SNK Playmore has confirmed Billy Kane as a playable character in the console ver. This has been a wait for many fans worldwide, KOF XIII will be available for PS3 and Xbox 360 on the same day.

Call of Duty convention deploys Sept. 2-3 Description: Activision is aiming to build the Call of Duty community in a big way. The publisher last month announced Call of Duty Elite, a new service for fans of the military firstperson shooter series with a wealth of social networking bells and whistles. Today, Activision followed that up with the introduction of Call of Duty XP 2011, a convention it dubbed a "celebration" for the game's community.

Andino Texas & PowerPlus series iPhone 4 and iPad 2 cases Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/andino-texas--powerplus-seriesiphone-4-and-ipad-2-cases-review/12752.html July 4th, 2011

With everyone around you owning a brilliant piece of Apple's technology, one of the few ways you can differentiate and personalise your gadget(s) is with all sorts of individualistic cases and sleeves. If you are looking for something that is rugged yet looks good with whatever you are wearing, read on and check out what Andino has to offer. Besides denim cases, we will also take a look at an external battery case for the iPhone 4 that is also made by Andino.

Gaming news Star Wars Galaxies Players File Suit Against Sony Description: VentureBeat reports that several SWG subscribers have written in claiming that they actually filed a class-action lawsuit against SOE to prevent the company from shutting down the game. The lawsuit also centers on SOE swinging it's Ban-Hammer in the forums, and how one player 14

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Published by: VR-Zone

cheap, but you do get a very sleek and stylish looking notebook for your money.

The first generation 11.6-inch Series 9 notebooks from Samsung featured a previous generation Intel Core i3-380UM processor clocked at 1.33GHz, whereas the new models are actually getting a slightly slower processor in the shape of the Sandy Bridge based Core i3-2357M which is clocked at 1.3GHz. Both CPU's sports 3MB of L3 cache, two cores and four threads, but the Core i3-2357M has 1W lower TDP, Intel's much improved HD 3000 graphics (350/950MHz clock in standard/turbo modes) with support for Intel Quick Sync video and a few other features and finally it also supports AVX.

One of the decision that most iPhone and iPad users have to make after getting their cherished device is what kind of case to pick. Not only does the case serve its primary task of protecting your gadget, it also allows you to personalise and stylise your beloved iPhone or iPad. While there are literally tons of different designs, materials and functions out there in the wild, this is probably the first mass-marketed iOS device cases that comes in denim. This should strike a cord with many, as jeans go along with almost anything right?

Based in Singapore, Andino has come out with a line of denim cases and has thoughtfully included a crystal screen protector with all their cases, including the external battery case as well.

With three different shades of denim available throughout their Texas line of cases, today we have a hands-on feel with their cases and see how it fits with our iPhone 4 and iPad 2.

Samsung gives its Series 9 notebooks some Sandy Bridge love Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-gives-its-series-9-notebookssome-sandy-bridge-love/12831.html July 4th, 2011

The base model retains the pathetic 2GB of RAM and 64GB SSD, although the price has come down from US$1,199, to US$1,049 for the base spec. Luckily Samsung has come to its senses and offers an upgraded model with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD for US$1,249 which is a price we'd be happy to pay for a usable notebook compared to the base version. Both version will be available in the US from August.

The 13.3-inch models have gone through a lesser transformation with the CPU being upgraded from a Core i5-2537M at 1.4GHz to a Core i5-2467M at 1.6GHz. The turbo frequency for the new model is still capped at 2.3GHz, but its graphics core will go all the way to 1,150MHz, compared to 950MHz for the older version. Samsung has also added a Core i7 option with the 2617M CPU which has a slightly lower base clock than the Core i5-2467M, as the Core i7-2617M starts out at 1.4GHz, but it'll turbo up to 2.6GHz. It also has an additional 1MB of L3 cache, but surprisingly it has the same graphics clock as the Core i5-2537M. It's worth pointing out that the Core i5-2467M lacks support for Intel VT-d and Trusted Execution Technology, something the Core i7-2617M offers.

The MSRP for the first generation model was US$1,649 and Samsung is no offering its base model as a much more affordable US$1,349 which includes the Core i5-2467M CPU, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. At US$1,649 you're looking at an upgrade to a 256GB SSD and finally US$2,049 gets you the Core i7-2617M model with 6GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. All three models have already gone on sale in the US.

UEFI coming to TI's OMAP SoCs courtesy of Insyde Samsung's ultra-thin 11.6-inch Series 9 notebooks have finally been upgraded to Intel's ULV Sandy Bridge CPUs, while the larger 13.3-inch version was given a spec bump or a price reduction. That said, neither model is exactly what we'd call cheap, but you do get a very sleek and stylish looking notebook for your money.

Samsung's ultra-thin 11.6-inch Series 9 notebooks have finally been upgraded to Intel's ULV Sandy Bridge CPUs, while the larger 13.3-inch version was given a spec bump or a price reduction. That said, neither model is exactly what we'd call

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/uefi-coming-to-ti-s-omap-socscourtesy-of-insyde/12830.html July 4th, 2011

With ARM processors being part of the Windows 8 eco system there are going to be some changes needed to how ARM systems work and as you may know, there's no BIOS to be found on a smartphone or tablet. Well, this is about to change as Insyde has announced that it will be offering a version of its UEFI for Texas Instruments OMAP processors which is apparently a requirement to make ARM processors play nice with Windows 8.

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With ARM processors being part of the Windows 8 eco system there are going to be some changes needed to how ARM systems work and as you may know, there's no BIOS to be found on a smartphone or tablet. Well, this is about to change as Insyde has announced that it will be offering a version of its UEFI for Texas Instruments OMAP processors which is apparently a requirement to make ARM processors play nice with Windows 8.

Not a lot of details are known, but Insyde is working hard to make sure its InsydeH2O UEFI works with TI's OMAP platform ahead of the launch of Windows 8. There's no word on other ARM solutions being supported, but we'd be surprised of TI was the only company working with UEFI makers to get ready for Windows 8.

Luckily there's still plenty of time to get everything working, but the two companies are obviously eager to get things up and running as quickly as possible, as for them Windows 8 is a big step in a new direction. We wouldn't expect to see the amount of options as you would inside a UEFI for an x86 based machine, although as this is mostly intended for laptop usage, think laptop BIOS/UEFI and you'll get an idea of the options you'll have, i.e. not that many. That said, a few options are needed to make Windows happy and it's also suggesting that it might be possible to install other operating systems on these upcoming ARM based products.

Ricoh splashes out 10 billion Yen on Pentax

Published by: VR-Zone

rather its expertise in medical products, such as endoscopes and various other things.

As such, Hoya is now selling off the Pentax camera business unit, something that was expected to happen much sooner.

Apparently Ricoh is also getting Pentax binocular and security camera related business units as part of the deal. Judging by the press release Ricoh will also take over Pentax manufacturing plant in Vietnam.

Interestingly the press release mentions that part of the reason why Ricoh bought Pentax is because the company is interested in a small and lightweight interchangeable lens camera system, but we can't see Ricoh splashing out the rumoured 10 billion Yen (about US$124 million) for Pentax's Q-system which was announced recently.

We'll simply have to wait and see how things develop, but hopefully we'll see a stronger product portfolio from Ricoh/ Pentax on the DSLR side, as for as much as Pentax has some excellent lenses and some very durable high-end DSLR's, the company has always been a little bit behind the competition when it comes to features.

Samsung Galaxy S II's slightlyunderpowered sibling appears, calls itself the Galaxy Z Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-s-slightlyunderpowered-sibling-appears-calls-itself-the-galaxy-z/12826.html July 4th, 2011

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ricoh-splashes-out-10-billion-yen-onpentax/12829.html July 4th, 2011

Remember Ricoh, the company behind the crazy GXR interchangeable sensor camera and who's known for its GR Digital series of high-end point and shoots? Well, they also happen to make printers and copy machines, but that's beside the point, as the company has decided to further its camera business unit by purchasing Pentax from Hoya.

Remember Ricoh, the company behind the crazy GXR interchangeable sensor camera and who's known for its GR Digital series of high-end point and shoots? Well, they also happen to make printers and copy machines, but that's beside the point, as the company has decided to further its camera business unit by purchasing Pentax from Hoya.

It's actually quite an interesting move, as Ricoh is one of the smallest digital camera makers out there today, although the company has focused on making fairly niche market cameras with somewhat unusual features.

If desktop and notebook OEMs are able to install hardware of differing performance levels into the same notebook and sell them for different prices to cater to a variety of consumer needs and desires, it would make sense that is was only a matter of time before smartphone OEMs start adopting this practice as well. And it seems that Samsung is all ready to start doing so with the introduction of the Galaxy Z, which, according to reports, is a slightly underpowered version of its current Galaxy S II smartphone. Read on to find out more...

Apparently, there were rumors floating about that Samsung was planning to release a slightly "downgraded" version of its current Galaxy S II smartphone, but nothing beats having official information from the likes of either the Korean electronics giant or its partners to confirm or disprove the rumor. And as it stands, the rumor is currently looking very confirmed at this point of time, considering how details of a Galaxy Z smartphone have surfaced on Swedish telco Three Sweden's product page:

Pentax on the other hand was merged with Hoya â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a Japanese optical company- back in 2008. Hoya is known for its high quality photographic filters, but when Hoya merged with Pentax it wasn't its camera business that Hoya was after, but 16

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The writeup provided by Three Sweden in its product page describes the Samsung Galaxy Z smartphone as a "little brother" of sorts to the established Galaxy S II, a statement which is backed up by the device's hardware specifications.

Apparently, the Galaxy Z will utilize a 4.2-inch Super Clear LCD screen capable of WVGA resolutions, while a yetunknown 1GHz dual-core processor (rumored to be NVIDIA's Tegra 2 System-on-a-Chip) provides the smartphone with the raw power it needs to perform most general-purpose tasks.

In addition, Three Sweden has confirmed that the Galaxy Z will be running off version 2.3 of the Android operating system (aka Gingerbread) and will come with support for a variety standard features such as Wi-Fi, GPS and an FM radio tuner. Last but definitely not least, the Galaxy Z will also sport 5MP camera which is capable of a 4x digital zoom and HD video recording support, while the device's 8GB internal memory can be expanded via the use of microSD cards with capacities of up to 32GB. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Z does not appear to be available for sale anywhere outside of Sweden at this point of time, where it is priced at 3995 Kr or approximately US$633.

Corsair Unleashes Its Force Series GT SSD Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/corsair-unleashes-its-force-series-gtssd/12821.html July 4th, 2011

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Corsair has shipped its Force Series GT SSD, which utilizes the SandForce controller and features a chassis which is coloured with its trademark fiery red theme. More details inside.

Published by: VR-Zone

world's most popular online social networking is slated to be heading our way some time next week, and that this new feature, which has been developed in Facebook's Seattle office, will reportedly be centered around the "mobile or tablet arena".

That was what Facebook's very own CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, told reporters during a visit to the aforementioned office a couple of days ago, on Wednesday. The Seattle office is widely recognized as the one which drives most of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mobile efforts, and has been known to have played a "central role in the development of Facebookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unified mobile site, which was unveiled at the end of March 2011".

Corsair's Force Series GT SSD is targeted at hardware enthusiasts who will appreaciate the performance it has to offer. Using the new SandForce SF-2280 SSD processor and ONFI synchronous flash memory, the Force Series GT is able to deliver read speeds of 555MB/s, write speeds of 525MB/ s and up to 85,000 random write IOPS. Although the Force Series GT SSD is a SATA 3 model, it will still be backward compatible with SATA 2 ports, allowing more options for consumers. The Corsair Force Series GT SSD will be available in July with a suggested retail price of US$149 for the 60GB and US$279 for the 120GB model. Pricing for the 240GB model is still unavailable.

And just as most would have expected, news of the company's announcement have spread throughout cyberspace like wildfire, and speculation as to what kind of "awesome" service Facebook intends to launch next week runs rampant.

However, most pundits are claiming that an official Facebook app for the iPad, along with a possible photo-sharing app for the iPhone, are the most likely candidates for next week's mystery launch, and for good reason. After all, Mark Zuckerberg himself has been rumoured to be taking a personal interest in delivering a tablet-optimized app for the iPad, which has been "allegedly in developement for almost a year", and leaked images of what is widely believed to be those for the aforementioned photo-sharing app for the iPhone has been released by TechCrunch recently, as shown below:

Facebook to launch something "awesome" next week, speculations abound Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/facebook-to-launch-somethingawesome-next-week-speculations-abound/12824.html July 4th, 2011

Facebook lovers, hang on to the edge of your seats next week. This is because the world's most popular online social networking service has announced its plans to launch something big and "awesome" during that period, and that it will most possibly be centered around the "mobile or tablet arena". And no, we are not making this up: that is exactly what Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg told reporters in his visit to the company's Seattle office a couple of days ago. That being said, does anyone want to hazard a guess as to what this big, "awesome" launch could possibly be about?

Faceook users, hang on tight to the edges of your seats.

Apparently, something very big and "awesome" from the 18

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Published by: VR-Zone

That being said, it is also possible that Facebook might have something completely different up its sleeves in store for users next week. Indeed, ZDNet is speculating that Facebook might just be preparing to launch its very own App Store competitor, which is currently codenamed Project Spartan. Unlike most traditional application repositories on the market, Project Spartan is unique in the sense that it is written in HTML5 and is designed to be accessible by most web browsers. In theory, this means Facebook might have a very good chance of beating Apple at its own game in the App Store department, as it grants users instant access to what is potentially a huge external repository of apps without the need to jailbreak their iOS-powered devices.

Of course, this is nothing but speculation, so we'd suggest that you take in the aforementioned information with a pinch of salt. Still, one thing is certain: the world is going to have a very exciting week ahead of it.

Jabra Stone2 wireless Bluetooth headset: now available in white Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/jabra-stone2-wireless-bluetoothheadset-now-available-in-white/12823.html July 4th, 2011

As the "cool white" version is essentially nothing more than the same Stone2 with a different colour, it has all the specifications and capabilities as its matte black predecessor possesses. This includes its extremely small physical footprint, compatibility with virtually all Bluetooth-enabled devices, the same 10-hour battery life, as well as support for voiceactivated commands, voice-enabled apps and voice guidance.

And yes, it also features the same A2DP technology which is reportedly capable of allowing users to "enjoy listening to music streaming wirelessly from an A2DP-enabled phone with greater clarity and at easy, healthy volume levels".

Do you remember Jabra's Stone2 wireless Bluetooth headset?

You know, the one that is small enough to fit nicely into the palm of one's hand, and yet is capable of boasting an exceptional battery life of up to 10 full hours of wireless talktime? Well, leave it to Jabra to crank the Stone2's desirability up a notch by announcing the availability of a new "cool white" variant of its wireless Bluetooth headset which it claims is designed to appeal to style-conscious consumers.

Three months ago, VR-Zone was invited to attend a handson seesion with Jabra's then new wireless Bluetooth devices, where we were informed that one of the products that was available on display, the Jabra Stone2, may be considered for a cosmetic upgrade in the form of a new colour choice in the later part of the year, and that the new colour would be either white or red. As it turns out, Jabra did indeed deliver on its promise, for the company has just announced the availability of a new variant of the Stone2 wireless Bluetooth headset that now sports a bright, "cool white" body instead of the matte black finish that has been the only available color option up till now.

That being said, if you have been holding off that purchasing the Stone2 over the lack of colour choices available, there should be little reason to do so anymore, now that Jabra has refreshed the Stone2 product line with the aforementioned "cool white" version. And just so you know, the white Stone2 is already available for sale at the price of S$198.

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Canonical releases Ubuntu One Files app for Android Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/canonical-releases-ubuntu-one-filesapp-for-android/12822.html July 4th, 2011

With so many cloud storage providers to choose from today, you'd think that there is hardly any more space for competitors to try their luck in this crowded market, right? Well, Canonical apparently does not think so, for the company has just made available its Ubuntu One cloud storage solution to Android users, which can can accessed via the Ubuntu One Files app that is now available for download on the Android Market.

Read on to find out more about Canonical's Ubuntu One cloud service for Android...

Published by: VR-Zone

seemingly offering more of the same thing. Well, according to a blog post made on the official Ubuntu One blog at Canonical, Ubuntu One Files will allow users to "automatically back up photographs taken from an Android phoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camera directly to their Ubuntu One personal cloud", thus ensuring that users can rest assured that they have a completely up-to-date photo library in their Ubuntu One cloud at all times. In addition, the blog post claimed that users can perform file sharing directly through the Ubuntu One Files app by simply tapping and holding on the file to instantly post it straight to Facebook, Twitter, or their personal blog.

Mention the name "Ubuntu" to most people and chances are you will be greeted with blank stares as though you had just spoken some kind of Martian word that nobody recognizes. That, or get drawn into a long ideological debate about just how important a role Ubuntu is playing the the Linux community by making desktop Linux distributions much friendlier for end-users to play around with.

That being said, there is a lot more to Ubuntu than just the desktop Linux distribution that bears its, and one of the services its founding company, Canonical, have released in recent years is that of Ubuntu One, which is a cloud storage service that allows users to store their data online for easy archival and accessibility. And it is this very service which Canonical has just made available to Android users via its Ubuntu One Files application, which is now downloadable off the Android Market at no cost:

Of course, you might probably scratching your head and wondering about Ubuntu One's capabilities, considering how there are countless other cloud storage providers which are

Of course, with Ubuntu One being a cloud service, it also comes with the standard features users have come to expect from one, such as the ability to let subsccribers store their data into Canonical's servers and access them freely as long as they have a working connection to the Internet. And as an added bonus, Canonical has confirmed in an interview with The Inquirer that it will never rummage through its subscribers' personal data, preferring instead to give them benefit of the doubt that they do not have any illegal or copyrighted content in their storage accounts.

"We do not monitor what people store in their personal clouds.

Each person that signs up to Ubuntu One must agree to the legally binding terms and conditions, which clearly outline our acceptable use and conduct policy...Ubuntu One services allow users to store data on Canonical's servers, but this data can not be in breach of any applicable law and or any individual's data protection or privacy rights," said Cristian Parrino, vice president of online services at Canonical.

Sounds good? Well, it gets better: Ubuntu One is free to use, and all you need is to sign up for an account and you get access 20

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to 2GB of storage to get started off with. And in the event you need additional space, well, Canonical is already ready to offer them to you at varying subscription rates.

ASUS Crosshair V Formula Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-crosshair-v-formulareview/12668.html July 4th, 2011

Each time AMD or Intel releases a enthusiast chipset, you can be sure that ASUS will be ready with a Republic of Gamers motherboard. This time round, it's the 990FX and the motherboard waiting for us is none other than the Crosshair V Formula.

And the answer is, well, nothing much at all. 990FX will use a faster HyperTransport 3.1 link when paired with Bulldozer, although with older processors it will revert to HyperTransport 3.0 speeds. Otherwise the number of PCIe lanes remains the same, and the chip is still manufactured on TSMC's 65nm process.

Published by: VR-Zone

Now that we're done with that, let's have a look at the Crosshair V Formula's specifications. At first glance it looks very similar to its predecessor, the Crosshair IV Formula, with a nearlyidentical expansion slot layout. Notable changes include a doubling of maximum memory to 32GB, an increase in the number of USB 3.0 ports, and the eviction of FireWire.

Asus appears intent on using in-house solutions as much as possible - JMicron and Renesas have been dumped in favour of Asmedia's SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.0 controllers respectively.

In our Z68 motherboard review we found the ASM1042 to be as good as other USB 3.0 controllers, but we've yet to see how the ASM1061 performs compared to the more popular Marvell 88SE9128. We're also happy to see an Intel 82583V controller on the networking front, as these usually have the lowest CPU utilization.

You might also remember the Crosshair IV Extreme, the big brother (literally) to the Crosshair IV Formula and a true hardcore overclocker's motherboard. So far there's been no word of a Crosshair V Extreme, but then there's probably no real need for one given the similarities we've already described.

Turn the page for a closer inspection of the motherboard.

CPU Support

The good news is that AM3 motherboards only need a BIOS update to support AM3+ processors, subject of course to the board's ability to handle Bulldozer's maximum TDP (125W) and the manufacturer's willingness to provide said update. ASUS, Gigabyte and MSI have already announced the models which will be receiving an update to work with AM3+ processors, while ECS' website says that they are currently working on it. AMD does not officially support or endorse this, however.

The SB950 is essentially a renamed SB850. SB850 was ahead of its time with SATA 6Gbps support, unfortunately SB950 doesn't continue that trend and there's no USB 3.0 support.

SB950 continues to integrate PCI and PATA support, which saves motherboard makers the cost of PCIe-to-PCI bridge chips.

Crosshair V Formula AMD AM3+ FX™/Phenom™ II/Athlon™ II/ Sempron™ 100 Series Processors Supports AM3+ 32 nm CPU

Crosshair IV Formula AMD Socket AM3 ;Phenom™II / Athlon™II / Sempron™ 100 Series Processors AMD 140W CPU Support

Supports CPU up to AMD Cool 'n' 8 cores Quiet™ Technology Supports CPU up to Supports 45nm 140 W CPU

Chipset System Bus

Memory

Multi-GPU Support

AMD Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology AMD 990FX/ AMD 890FX/ SB950 SB850 HyperTransport 3.1 Up to 5200 MT/s ; HyperTransport™ 3.0 4 x DIMM, Max. 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 16 GB, DDR3 2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333 2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/16 Hz ECC, NonECC,Non-ECC,UnECC, Un-buffered buffered Memory Memory Dual Channel Dual Channel memory Memory architecture Architecture Supports NVIDIA® Support ATI 3-Way SLI™ CrossFire™X Technology Technology graphics cards

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Supports AMD 3Way CrossFireX™ Technology Expansion Slots 3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (dual x16 or x16, x8, x8) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode)

3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (dual @ x16, triple @x16 x8 x8) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4

USB

2 x PCI 2.2 1 x PCIe 2.0 x1

Storage

1 x PCI AMD SB950 controller : 6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red

SB850 Chipset 6 xSATA 6.0 Gb/ s ports Support RAID 0,1,5,10 FireWire

Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 ASMedia® ASM1061 controller : 1 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red

LAN

Audio

JMicron® JMB363 PATA and SATA controller 1 xSATA 3Gb/s port (Black)

ASUS Unique Features

1 xExternal power SATA 3Gb/s port on rear (SATA Onthe-Go)

1 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red Intel®, 1 x Gigabit Marvell 88E8059 LAN Controller Gigabit LAN controller SupremeFX X-Fi 2 SupremeFX X-Fi built-in 8-Channel built-in 8-Channel High Definition High Definition Audio CODEC Audio CODEC - Supports Jack- EAX® detection, MultiAdvanced™ HD 4.0 streaming, Front Panel Jack- X-Fi CMSS®-3D retasking - X-Fi Crystalizer™ Audio Feature : - X-Fi® Xtreme - Creative ALchemy Fidelity™ - Supports Blu-ray - EAX® audio layer content Advanced™ HD protection 5.0 - Supports 1 Optical - THX® TruStudio S/PDIF out port at PRO™ back I/O - Creative ALchemy

- Supports 1 x S/ PDIF out header

- Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection

- Supports Jackdetection, Multistreaming, Front Panel Jackretasking

- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 6 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 2 at midboard)

NEC® USB 3.0 controller - 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (at back I/O)

AMD SB850 chipset AMD SB950 - 12 x USB 2.0 ports controller : (5 ports at mid12 x USB 2.0 board, 7 ports at port(s) (8 at back back I/O, 1 port at panel, black+white, back I/O is also for 4 at mid-board) ROG connect) 2 x 1394a port(s) (1 port at back I/O, 1 port onboard) ROG Connect : ROG Connect - RC Diagram GameFirst - RC Remote

Extreme Tweaker

- RC Poster

Power Design: - 8+2 phase CPU power design

- GPU TweakIt

Extreme Engine CPU Level Up Digi+ : - 8 + 2 phase power MemOK! design iROG UEFI BIOS features : Loadline - ROG BIOS Print Calibration

Overclocking Features

- GPU.DIMM Post Intelligent overclocking tools: GameFirst - ASUS TurboV Evo iROG Extreme Tweaker - O.C Profile Overclocking Protection : Overclocking - COP EX Protection: (Component - COP EX Overheat (Component Protection - EX) Overheat Protection - EX) - Voltiminder LED - Voltiminder LED - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall) - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall) ASUS TPU : Turbo Unlocker - CPU Level UP Turbo Key II Core Unlocker ASUS Exclusive Features :

Core Unlocker ASUS Q-Connector 22

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- MemOK! ASUS Q-Shield

7 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)

- AI Charger+ ASUS Q-Fan 2 ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution : ASUS EZ Flash 2 - ASUS Fan Xpert ASUS CrashFree ASUS EZ DIY : BIOS 3 - ASUS Q-Shield ASUS MyLogo 3 - ASUS O.C. Profile

2 x CPU Fan connector(s) 3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) 3 x Optional Fan connector(s)

3 x Thermal sensor connectors 1 x IEEE1394a connector

1 x S/PDIF out header(s)

- ASUS MyLogo 3

1 x SPDIF_out 1 x 24-pin EATX connector Power connector(s) 1 x 24-pin ATX 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector Power connector(s) 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector Power connector(s) 1 x En/Dis-able Clr 1 x Front panel CMOS switch audio connector(s) (AAFP) 1 x Core unlocker switch 1 x System panel(s) 1 x Turbo key II 8 x ProbeIt switch Measurement Points 1 x Power on switch

- ASUS QConnector 1 x PS/2 keyboard/ 1 x External SATA mouse combo 1 x S/PDIF Out port(s) (Optical) 1 x eSATA 6Gb/s 1 x IEEE 1394a 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 1 x LAN(RJ45) port 4 x USB 3.0 8 x USB 2.0 (white port can be switched to ROG Connect)

8 -Channel Audio I/O

3 x Thermal sensor 1 x Reset switch connector(s) 1 x OC Station 1 x En/Dis-able Clr Header CMOS header(s) 1 x Go Button 1 x EZ Plug connector(s) (4System panel pin Molex power connector connector)

1 x PS/2 Keyboard port(purple)

2 x USB 3.0/2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF ports out 7 x USB 2.0/1.1 6 x Audio jack(s) ports (1 port is also for ROG Connect) 1 x Clear CMOS button(s) 1 x ROG Connect On/Off switch

Internal I/O Connectors

7 x ProbeIt measurement points

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)

Back Panel I/O Ports

8 x Fan connectors: 1 x CPU / 1 x PWR / 3 x Chassis / 3 x Optional

1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)

1 x Power-on button(s)

1 x Clr CMOS switch 3 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 5 USB 2.0 ports 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (Red) 1 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (Black)

1 x Reset button(s) 1 x CPU Level Up button(s) 1 x ROG Connect switch(es)

Accessories

1 x Go Button(s) User's manual I/O Shield

User's manual 1 x I/O Shield 23

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6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)

1 x ROG Connect Cable

1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s)

1 x 2-in-1 ASUS QConnector Kit

1 x SLI bridge(s)

1 x 2-in-1 SATA 6.0Gb/s Cables

1 x CrossFire cable(s)

2 x 2-in-1 SATA 3.0Gb/s Signal 1 x Q-connector(s) Cables (2 in 1) 1 x 2-port USB2.0 + 1 x ROG Connect ESATA Module cable(s) 1 x Crossfire Cable 1 x Cable ties pack(s) 1 x Cable Ties Pack

BIOS

Manageability Support Disc

1 x ROG theme label(s)

1 x ROG Theme Label

1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s) 32Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI2.0a, MultiLanguage BIOS WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE Drivers Sound Blaster速 XFi 2 Utility

1 x 12-in-1 ROG Cable Label 16 Mb Flash ROM AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI2.0a MultiLanguage BIOS WOL by PME,WOR

by PME,PXE Support DVD: - Drivers and applications

Kaspersky速 AntiVirus

* ASUS PC Probe II

July 4th, 2011

Razer, manufacturer of gaming mice, keyboards and other related accessories, has released a series of Transformer 3themed peripherals. Razer has lined up a gaming mouse, mousepad and laptop sleeve case to help you in your frag adventures just in case you haven't had enough 3D explosions at the latest Transformers movie.

* ASUS Update DAEMON Tools Pro Standard ROG CPU-Z

* ASUS AI Suite * Sound Blaster XFi Utility

ASUS Utilities

Form Factor

ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )

* Kaspersky速 AntiVirus 1-year license ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x24.5 cm )

Razer Introduces Transformer 3 Themed Peripherals Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/razer-introduces-transformer-3themed-peripherals/12812.html

In their latest movie tie-up, Razer has introduced a series of Transformer 3 themed periperals which includes the Death Adder mouse, Vespula mousepad and a collector's edition Laptop Sleeve Case. The mouse and laptop case are available in four vibrant colors. Red and yellow represent the good Transformers a.k.a. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. If you prefer the evil side, silver and purple represent Megatron and Shockwave respectively.

The Transformer 3 themed Vespula mousepad is dual-sided, letting you choose between the SPEED surface for increased slide or CONTROL surface for increased precision. The Collector's Edition Laptop Sleeve Case features a hard yet flexible plastic shell for protection and shock absorption.

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posting, was that users could expect to receieve information about the rollout timeframe for the update "early this week". That is fine and all, except that we are fast approaching the week's end, and HTC has done little more than release another announcement claiming that the Gingerbread ROM for the Desire is currently undergoing tests, and that an update on availability will be made in due time.

The Transformer 3 themed Death Adder mouse, Vespula mousepad and Laptop Sleeve Case will retail at US$70, US$45 and US$50 respectively.

Visit the Razer Website for more information.

Still no release date for Gingerbread update on HTC's Desire Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/still-no-release-date-for-gingerbreadupdate-on-htc-s-desire/12820.html July 4th, 2011

Not surprisingly, HTC's latest announcement is not sitting well with many Desire owners who were expecting to receieve a proper roadmap or schedule of how the Taiwanese smartphone OEM is progressing with the update, and when the ROM could be expected to make its way into their handsets. Indeed, a quick look at some of the comments left behind by some Desire owners have revealed that HTC's customers are starting to lose patience with the company, and that some have already taken the plunge by ditching their Desires for a more up-to-date smartphone, or going the custom ROM route.

Just when you thought all is nice and well with HTC and the world now that the company has confirmed that it will indeed be updating its Desire smartphone with version 2.3 of the Android operating system (aka Gingerbread), out comes Murphy with his ominous Law, and it seems that not even a company like HTC can run away from it. And the result?

Well, Gingerbread will still come to the Desire, but at a future, unspecified date.

Sixteen days ago, HTC made headlines when it first announced that its Desire smartphone, which was released for retail last year, would not be getting Gingerbread due to it lacking the amount of memory needed to faciliate such an update, only to reverse its stand two days later by claiming that the company will trim the ROM down to a more manageable size by cutting some apps out of the release. Needless to say, HTC's sudden about turn resulted in smiles and joy from its consumer base.

However, it seems that HTC is having some trouble with making up its mind on when it will be ready to release its Gingerbread update for the Desire. Apparently, the Taiwanese smartphone OEM 's original plan, as claimed in its Facebook

That being said, we have to admit that HTC's customers do have a point. After all, it was HTC which put the ball in its court when it announced its plans to release a rollout timeframe for its Gingerbread update early this week, an act which it had failed to fulfill in spectacular fashion. Still, if it is of any consolation, HTC's new announcement does confirm that the Gingerbread update for its Desire smartphones is real, and that it will eventually be released to Desire owners for download. All that is missing now is the "when" part of the equation. Which, unfortunately for HTC, is the part which consumers are really only interested in.

Samsung to release 32GB microSD Card (Class 10) Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-to-release-32gb-microsdcard-class-10-/12811.html

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July 4th, 2011

Samsung's latest class 10 microSD card is said to use 32Gb 3bit NAND flash memory chips and a 3-bit NAND controller.

It will deliver up to 24MB/s in read speeds and 12MB/s in write speeds. This will be more than double the write speed of a standard class 4 card. Samsung is also planning to release a 64GB class 10 microSD card in 2012.

Cloned Sony Walkman W250 audio player shows up in China Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/cloned-sony-walkman-w250-audioplayer-shows-up-in-china/12819.html July 4th, 2011

If what they say about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery is true, it would seem that SONY should be flattered about the latest news that is currently going on in China.

Apparently, an enterprising OEM over there have decided that SONY's W-Series portable audio player had a design that was so unique, it just could not resist the urge to produce a nearperfect knockoff of the original.

It has been quite some time since we posted any news about the seemingly lucrative cloning business that China is known for, but rest assured that the scene there is anything abut quiet. In fact, it seems that enterprising OEMs over at China have decided move beyond their typical lineup of mobile phones, notebook PCs and tablets by roping in other consumer electronic devices to their list of potential candidates for cloning, and the most recent device to get the "friendly" treatment from China appears to be none other than Sony's very own W250 Walkman portable audio player:

According to an article published by MicDigi, the knockoff audio player boasts specifications that are similar to its legitimate counterpart, such as having heart-shaped earbuds crafted out of soft rubber and 2GB of storage space. That being said, the site neglected to mention whether the knockoff features the same high-quality, water-resistant body that is present on the actual Sony W-250 Walkman portable audio player, although we suspect that it does not. In addition, the maximum battery uptime on both devices appear to be vastly different; while Sony claims that its W-250 is capable of up to 11 hours of audio playback on a single charge, MicDigi's report suggests that the knockoff is only capable of achieving a maximum uptime of approximately two to three hours.

However, as it has always been the case with such knockoff devices, there is one aspect of the this cloned portable audio player which everybody will have to concede is far superior to the original W-250, and that is the size of its price tag.

While Sony is charging no less than US$60 for the right to own one of its sports-hardened W-250 portable audio players, this particular clone from China can be purchased at the price of...wait for it...US$4.60. And no, we are not making this up.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 30 June 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--30june-2011/12813.html July 4th, 2011

In today's news roundup: AMD may have been struggling to come up with a product that could hold its own against the might of Intel's Sandy Bridge since this year started, but some analysts are claiming that the company's Llano platform could be exactly what it needs to regain some market share; Engineers at IBM Research have reportedly discovered a way to store data in phase change memory technology for longer periods, a discovery which could potentially pave 26

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Published by: VR-Zone

the way for lower cost solid state chips that are faster and more reliable than today's multi-level cell flash memory chips; Facebook has announced two new features for its Comments Box plugin, which lets third party websites embed Facebook comments: Chronological Sort, and Boost Comment; Apple has reportedly set up an FAQ to help veteran Final Cut Pro users make the transistion to Final Cut Pro X, and has even started issuing refunds to dissatisfied customers; Shanda Games International and Eyedentity Games have announced the availability of the popular DragonNest MMORPG for the South East Asia region, while confirming that the free-toplay game's localization will be carried out in Singapore, and Bungie has finally lifted the lid on Bungie Aerospace, which is a project that is designed to support small independent developers by helping them to launch mobile and social games.

ASUS F1A75-M Pro AMD APU Motherboard Review @ Legit Reviews Description: Where the ASUS F1A75-M Pro truly excelled today was the performance of the integrated graphics. Every one of our graphics tests that we compared the Intel HD Graphics 3000 to the AMD A8-3850 with AMD Radeon HD 6550D there was a clear and decisive winner. For our recap of the graphics performance let's start with Total War: Shogun 2 in DirectX 9 mode. The ASUS F1A75-M Pro was able to pull out an average that was 143.4% faster than the Intel system at a resolution of 1280x1024...

Hardware news

IBM Announces Phase Change Memory Breakthrough Description: Engineers at IBM Research in Zurich, Switzerland claim they've come up with a breakthrough in phase change memory (PCM) technology that, for the first time, would allow it to store data for longer periods, potentially paving the way for lower cost solid state chips that are faster and more reliable than today's multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory chips. The trick is in figuring out a solution to a problem called "drift."

Patriot Wildfire 120GB Solid State Drive RAID Report Description: Currently sitting at the top of the storage subsystem throne is the SandForce SF-2281 controller when paired with Toshiba Toggle flash. Patriot, the innovative, awesome, totally groovy company that they are, decided to send us two of their Wildfire solid state drives using this magical combination that allow us to achieve blissful RAID 0 speeds on an inexpensive native SATA III motherboard. So how blissful you ask? How does over 1000MB/s sound?

Larkooler KU3-241 WaterCooling Kit Review @ XtremeComputing Description: Today I will be reviewing the Larkooler KU3-241 ‘Extreme Performance G1/4" Liquid Cooling Kit’. I have never heard of GBU or Larkooler before, so we are in unchartered waters with this new water cooling kit. I have dabbled with water-cooling before, primarily working with Swiftech components, so I know what to expect from the big names – let’s see how this new contender fares.

What Makes the Thunderbolt Cable Lightning Fast Description: It’s the chips. And we’re not talking about the Lay’s variety. We received good word from one of our friends, Ars Technica’s own Chris Foresman, that the $50 Thunderbolt cable may be an active cable. He postulated that the cable may actually have chips containing firmware in it, making it more expensive to produce than your garden-variety HDMI cable — thus justifying the hefty price tag.

Icy Dock MB982SPR-2S Review @ Vortez Description: Today we'll be looking at their dual 2.5" to 3.5" SATA drive convertor the snappily titled MB982SPR-2S. A tiny enclosure that not only accommodates dual 2.5" SDD/ HDD but also packs an integrated hardware raid controller that allows striping, mirroring and combined storage. Further to that the enclosure offers full compatibility with both PC and MAC systems making it a very flexible prospect indeed.

Kingston Triple-Channel KHX2000C9AD3W1K3/6GX Review @ ocaholic Description: The Kingston H2O series belong to the most powerful modules which the memory giant actually has in its portfolio. As soon as you take a closer look at the specifications you'll see that they are very serious. According to Kingston these DIMMs need only 1.5 Volt to operate at 2133 MHz with 9-11-9-27 timings.

AMD Expected to Regain Market Share Description: Analysts today said that AMD got slaughtered by Intel in the first quarter of the year, but Forbes believes that Llano will help the company to regain market share.

Consumer Electronics and Software News 8-inch PMP with glasses-free 3D priced at US$179 Description: Despite the facts that there isn't much appropriate 3D content, and the viewing angles required for the 3D effect are limited (as was described in our Nintendo 3DS review) the list of glasses-free 3D gadgets increases. The HTC EVO 3D smartphone was the latest addition, but certainly won't be the last. Perhaps not many readers have heard of the Chinese manufacturer Gadmei, although there is at least one reason to become acquainted with it. The company has released its P83 portable media player (PMP), which is capable of displaying 3D videos and images that are viewable without glasses, and is certainly one of the most inexpensive devices of its kind offered so far.

Facebook Expands Sorting Options on Comments Box Plugin Description: Facebook has announced two new features for its Comments Box plugin, which lets third party websites embed Facebook comments: Chronological Sort, and Boost Comment.

BenQ's DV-S11 projector camcorder is now shipping for $229 Description: BenQ's DV-S11 is now shipping in the US for $229. The DV S11 is a full-HD (1080P) camcorder with a picoprojector. It's got a 5mp camera and a large (3.5" 230K pixels) LCD. It stores images to an SD card, and includes an HDMI out port. We don't have any technical information about the projector itself, though.

Apple Issues FAQ, Refunds for Final Cut Pro X Users Description: There has been a ton of complaints regarding Final Cut Pro X. Long time users of the editing software were not happy with the update to the software. Apple had dubbed the changes 'jaw dropping' and, while jaws were dropping, it wasn't because users were happy with the changes. Costing $299 via the Mac App Store, the update includes some major changes and is basically a complete rewrite. However, Apple 27

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also ditched some features available with previous versions, raising questions about whether or not it was possible to open and edit projects produced with older versions of the software.

Samsung announces 32GB microSD card capable of 12MBps write speeds Description: Go shopping online for a microSDHC card and you'll find that while manufacturers don't hide the speed specs, they're not exactly crowing about 'em either. Make no mistake, though: Samsung is mighty proud of its new 32GB number, which boasts a class 10 speed rating and read / write rates of 24MBps and 12MBps -- ideal numbers for those of you who plan on making good use of your phone's 1080p camera. If you're a storage buff, you know that class 10 is the highest speed category for SD cards at the moment, and that it sits above classes 4 and 6 -- the tiers covering many other microSDHCs on the market. No word just yet on pricing, but we think it's safe to say you'll be dishing out a premium.

Published by: VR-Zone July 4th, 2011

Intel has informed their customers that their good old X25E SSDs will be discontinued from 11th of July 2011 citing reasons such as short supply of 50nm SLC NAND flash and even greater demand for them. Of course, the main reason is that the X25-E has to make way for the arrival of Intel 710 series (Lyndonville, 25nm MLC HEDT) in mid August. Many online retailers have already ran out of stock and most likely not re-stocking again but you still can find some here and here

SearchLion makes use of the empty space on the side of your display Description: If you’ve got a large monitor and wish you could make use of it more efficiently when you’re browsing search results you now can; thanks to the folks at SearchLion. The company has officially launched SearchLion: a search engine that’s touted as the world’s first search browser. Confused yet?

Don’t be.

Gaming news Dragon Nest SEA announced, localizing in Singapore Description: Shanda Games International (SDGi), together with Eyedentity Games unveiled one of the top massive online action role playing games in Singapore. Titled Dragon Nest SEA, the companies held an official signing ceremony at Hard Rock Hotel, Resort World Sentosa with Thomas Lim, director of interactive media, games and publishing, Media Development Authority (MDA) as the witness.

Limbo coming to Steam and PSN, Playdead handling the ports Description: Yesterday we reported that Limbo may be PSNbound, if a Korean Game Ratings Board listing sought by Sony Computer Entertainment Korea is any indication. We reached out to developer Playdead for comment and CEO and cofounder Dino Patti got back to us today confirming the news.

Bungie's Aerospace Revealed Description: Bungie has finally lifted the lid on Bungie Aerospace, a project it has been keeping under wraps for some time. No new game here; Aerospace is a service designed to support small independent developers. The idea is to help the teams launch mobile and social games.

Intel Discontinues X25-E SSDs, Prepares For 710 Series Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-discontinues-x25-e-ssdsprepares-for-710-series/12814.html

Intel has informed their customers that their good old X25E SSDs will be discontinued from 11th of July 2011 citing reasons such as short supply of 50nm SLC NAND flash and even greater demand for them. Of course, the main reason is that the X25-E has to make way for the arrival of Intel 710 series (Lyndonville, 25nm MLC HEDT) in mid August. Many online retailers have already ran out of stock and most likely not re-stocking again but you still can find some here and here

4.7-inch HTC Eternity leaks, runs Windows Phone 7 Mango Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/4.7-inch-htc-eternity-leaks-runswindows-phone-7-mango/12818.html July 4th, 2011

If you're looking for a Windows Phone 7 handset that's almost the size of a tablet then HTC has you covered. Look no further than the freshly leaked HTC Eternity, sporting a 4.7-inch screen and a 1.5GHz CPU. Well, actually, you might just want to hold off, as even though it seems great at first, you want to dig a little bit deeper into the specifications before you make a purchasing decision.

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If you're looking for a Windows Phone 7 handset that's almost the size of a tablet then HTC has you covered. Look no further than the freshly leaked HTC Eternity, sporting a 4.7-inch screen and a 1.5GHz CPU. Well, actually, you might just want to hold off, as even though it seems great at first, you want to dig a little bit deeper into the specifications before you make a purchasing decision.

If the leaked details prove to be the final spec, then the Eternity isn't exactly going to last an eternity, as it has a last-gen single core Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon SoC at its core, albeit at the fastest speed we've seen this chip running at without being overclocked. Furthermore the 4.7-inch SLCD screen is only sporting WVGA or 800x480 resolution, which is hardly that impressive today with plenty of qHD (960x540) devices in the market.

Published by: VR-Zone

Source: HTCInside

Apple's Thunderbolt cable torn asunder, didn't contain magic Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-s-thunderbolt-cable-tornasunder-didn-t-contain-magic/12817.html July 4th, 2011

What can we say, we adore iFixit and its teardowns of all things, well, electronic. However, we were a little bit surprised that they decided to tear open a cable, as we wouldn't have thought there was much to a cable. How wrong we were, as it seems like Apple's Thunderbolt cables are quite special after all, although there was no trace of magic or unicorns.

What can we say, we adore iFixit and its teardowns of all things, well, electronic. However, we were a little bit surprised that they decided to tear open a cable, as we wouldn't have thought there was much to a cable. How wrong we were, as it seems like Apple's Thunderbolt cables are quite special after all, although there was no trace of magic or unicorns.

On a more positive note, HTC has finally figured out that its customers want plenty of built in storage space and the Eternity packs 16GB of eMMC memory. The 512MB of RAM should be sufficient as well, although it's not quite as good as some of HTC's other devices. It also has an 8Megapixel camera with auto focusing and a pair of LED lights that is capable of shooting 720p video. There's also a front facing camera for video calls.

Other features include 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, DLNA support, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, aGPS, a digital compass, an FM radio, dual microphones and SRS surround sound. At nearly 131x71x10mm this is a chunky phone and even more so when you take into consideration that it weighs in at 170g. This is a WDCMDA/HSPA handset and it supports HSDPA speeds of up to 14.4Mbit/s and HSUPA speeds of up to 5.76Mbit/s.

Part of the reason for the aging hardware is actually the OS, as Windows Phone 7 only runs on fairly limited hardware at the moment and until Microsoft decides to offer support for something better, we're going to be stuck with fairly old Snapdragon processors from Qualcomm. The same goes for the screen resolution, as for now the OS doesn't support qHD displays. That said, HTC has done its best to offer a highly specced handset based on the software limitations. There was no mention at the source of when the HTC Eternity would launch or how much it'll cost.

At US$49.99 a pop, Thunderbolt cables aren't cheap and you'd be forgiven for thinking it's just a mini DisplayPort cable, as that's what we thought at first. It turns out that things are a little bit more complicated than that, as 10Gbit/s bi-directional data transfers over a handful of copper wires isn't done as easily as you'd think. In fact, Apple's Thunderbolt cables are active cables stuffed full of little chips.

As such the Thunderbolt cables contain among other things a pair of Gennum GN2033 active-cable transceivers, one in each end. These transceivers have been designed to cope hand the high data speeds over what the company call “thingauge” cables, although the actual wires insdie the cables are extremely thin. The transceivers are there to maintain lowlatency and prevent transmission errors.

One potential downside here – beyond cost – is that the cable length is hampered and Gennum mentions 2-5 meters as the limitation. That said, as you can (hopefully) daisy-chain Thunderbolt devices, this shouldn't be an issue for most users of the interface. Now we just have to wait and see what the various Thunderbolt devices will cost and of course see if

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anyone comes up with a clever adaptor to interface them with Sony's new VAIO Z.

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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.

Sapphire's Pure Platinum Z68 almost here Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sapphire-s-pure-platinum-z68-almosthere/12926.html July 11th, 2011

We didn't get a chance to see Sapphire's Z68 board at Computex, but the board has appeared on the company website as well as being listed by a few online retailers. The motherboard is called the Pure Platinum Z68 and as always with Sapphire boards it brings an interesting mix of features to the table.

We didn't get a chance to see Sapphire's Z68 board at Computex, but the board has appeared on the company website as well as being listed by a few online retailers. The motherboard is called the Pure Platinum Z68 and as always with Sapphire boards it brings an interesting mix of features to the table.

Sapphire has managed to position the Pure Platinum Z68 at a price point similar to Gigabyte's Z68X-UD3H and Asus' P8Z68-V, two boards that are offering fairly similar features, although Sapphire has managed to create something of a fusion of the two competitor's boards. That said, Sapphire still need to do some work on its board layouts if the company want to be really competitive.

The slot layout leaves something to be desired for one, as Sapphire has gone for three x16 PCI Express slots in a dual x8 and a single x4 config. This in itself isn't a bad thing, but considering that the remaining three slots on the board are all PCI slots, it's not ideal. That said, Sapphire has at least designed a board that won't disable any peripheral interfaces because there are too many PCI Express bus devices on the board, something that is common on many other boards.

We like the fact that Sapphire is sticking with Marvell Ethernet controllers, although do note that drivers for no Windows operating systems might be a bit tricky. The board also has a pair of additional SATA 6Gbps SATA ports, also courtesy of Marvell, on top of the two provided by the chipset alongside the four SATA 3Gbps ports. Sadly the board is missing a front USB 3.0 pin-header, although it has a total of four for up to eight USB 2.0 ports. Other little additions include a Molex connector for extra power to the PCI Express slots, a power and reset button, a BIOS selection switch and a POST80 debug LED display.

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Gingerbread update for HTC Desire to arrive by end July Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/gingerbread-update-for-htc-desire-toarrive-by-end-july/12920.html July 11th, 2011

We have always said that good things come to those who wait, and it seems that this saying applies to owners of HTC's Desire smartphone who are anxiously awaiting news of the eventual Gingerbread release for their handsets will probably have much to look forward to this month, for HTC has finally confirmed that the upgrade is a go, and that it could be ready for download by as early as end July.

The PWM design is rather unusual, as Sapphire has replaced a fair few of the capacitors on the board with a proadlizer, something usually only found on really highend motherboards and graphics cards. Sapphire has gone for an 8+2 PWM design and the company continues to use its unusual chokes with small heatsinks on top. The PWM is cooled by one larger and one smaller heatsink, although Sapphire seems to have decided against using a heatpipe to connect the two together.

Do you remember the short story we ran some time back about how HTC was taken to task by consumers for reportedly failing to deliver an appropriate rtelease schedule for its Gingerbread upgrade for the Desire smartphone? Well, it would seem that the Taiwanese smartphone OEM has taken its customers' concern seriously, for in just 11 days after we published that story, HTC has released yet another announcement claiming that the Gingerbread upgrade for the Desire is well on track, and that users can expect to receive the update soon.

Around the back there's a PS/2 port, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports (via an ASMedia host controller), a Gigabit Ethernet port, 7.1-channel audio with optical S/PDIF out, a Bluetooth 2.1 dongle and a DisplayPort, HDMI, D-Sub and DVI connector. Missing is an eSATA port, although for most users an internal port should prove to be more useful.

We found the board listed for pre-order in Europe for about â&#x201A;Ź139 (S$239) which is sadly about â&#x201A;Ź10 (S$17) or so more than the similar models from Asus and Gigabyte. In as much as we want to like Sapphire's new boards, there are always a couple of things that puts us off them, especially compared to what's on offer from the more established board makers. The higher pricing also makes it difficult, but at the end of the day, we're going to have to see how the board performs before we draw any final conclusions.

According to a posting that was made on its Facebook page, the internal tests which HTC carries out for firmware updates has reportedly gone so well that the company apparently thinks it suitable to push the OS upgrade downstream to consumers by the end of this month. And lest you think we are making this up, we have reproduced the actual announcement posted on Facebook here for you to view in the form of a screenshot:

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That being said, Desire owners, if you have been toying with the idea over selling your smartphone due to fears that Gingerbread will not arrive in time to pull your device back from the obsolescence curve, well, you can ditch that idea now that HTC has given its assurance to start rolling out the update by the end of this month.

Published by: VR-Zone

Choosing to activate Cosmic Panda results in YouTube ditching the typical white background for one of a dark grey hue. However, this only applies to certain pages; for the most part, the main homepage still retains much of the familiar layout most users have come to know and love.

Google tests out Cosmic Panda for YouTube Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/google-tests-out-cosmic-panda-foryoutube/12918.html July 11th, 2011

Do the words "Cosmic Panda" mean anything to you? Well, that is apparently the name for a new user theme Google has introduced for its YouTube online video streaming service, which reportedly claims to be capable of providing users with "a new experience for watching videos and playlists" among many other advantages which the old YouTube layout is not able to achieve. So what is so special about this new interface, and how does it look like? Hit up the link to find out more after the break...

With the sequel to Kung Fu Panda having been aired in cinemas all over the world just recently, you might be tempted to think that Cosmic Panda has got to be the code name for a yet-unannounced sequel to the Kung Fu Panda series of animated movies. Unfortunately, as much as we'd hate to disappoint you, Cosmic Panda is not a third release to Pixar's bestselling animated flim; rather, it is the name of a new YouTube interface which is reportedly capable of providing users with "a new experience for watching videos and playlists".

The most significant change users can expect to see under the Cosmic Panda layout will be that of the video playback page, which has been given a completely new look, as shown in the screenshot below:

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Published by: VR-Zone

psychotic issues with Alice: Madness Returns. After 11 long years, Alice is still tormented by the same memories and plunges back into a Wonderland that needs to be saved once again. Whether or not that has anything to do with her mental state of mind, we'll leave that to you to experience yourself Yes, we are holding back the spoilers. This second rendition successfully welds twisted imaginations, radical ideas and fluid combat together with a solid platform-styled experience.

Sad to say, it isn't without some shortcomings.

Interested? Well, you can always give Cosmic Panda a spin over at this link if you are game enough to play around with a new user interface. Of course, with Cosmic Panda currently being nothing more than an experiment of sorts, chances are that you may run into certain show-stopping bugs or regressions, so do make sure you report those to Google via the Feedback tab that is prominently displayed in YouTube should you decide to play round with Cosmic Panda.

The game stays rooted as a platformer so you'll be jumping off ledges, landing carefully moving platforms and bouncing off mushrooms. To help you traverse through trickier levels, Alice is able to do double-jumps, air glides, and mid-air dashes. To keep things fresh, environmental gimmicks like steam vents keep Alice afloat to reach up to specific areas. There are also hidden pig snouts that you'll have to shoot for secret areas if you wish to fully complete the game. Whenever you feel lost, Alice's shrunken form (which is toggled by hitting the leftctrl button) helps her see hints and clues otherwise hidden in her normal form. These clues are purple in colour and I am going to assume that they were markings denoted by the eerie Cheshire Cat. Speaking of that cat, he appears occasionally to suggest subtle hints to help in your adventures in Wonderland.

Alice: Madness Returns PC Game Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/alice-madness-returns-pc-gamereview/12916.html July 11th, 2011

Alice: Madness Returns is the sequel to the popular 2000 Windows and Mac game, American McGee's Alice. And this time, Alice is still haunted by her past memories and she tumbles into the rabbit hole and returns to Wonderland that needs to be saved. So is this game as good, or even better than its predecessor? Read on.

Back in 2000, American McGee's Alice was a cult classic game that re-invented a children's story. It sets Alice in a not-so-wonderful Wonderland, and gave players a twisted and warped perspective of an innocent child's tale. To carry the gritty plot forward, Alice was driven mentally insane by haunting memories of a fire that consumed her childhood home and family. This year, they return to continue her

Alice's acrobatic finesse doesn't just help her traverse Wonderland. You will have to apply these skills in combat as well. The ability to dash and jump helps her dodge enemy attacks and pull herself out of danger when she is being surrounded. The game seems to pace the amount of enemies thrown at you by beginning with a small handful of foes, and eventually throwing everything in the sink at you as you progress. You will be up against some of the weirdest concoctions of enemies that include spider-like teapots, slugs, three-headed goop things, humanoid ants and more.

Tools to dispatch your assailants come in a variety of weapons.

Some examples are the Vorpal Blade (which is in reality a huge kitchen knife), a Pepper Grinder, and a "Rabbit Bomb".

Each weapon is effective for specific monsters and you will find yourself switching them up on the fly. Thankfully, combat is fluid and once you have mastered the timing of dodging attacks, you will find yourself feeling like an expert combatant.

This is, of course, much more sensational if you managed to strike down every enemy without taking any hits. Sadly, we also found the Focus mode to function like a doubleedged sword during combat. While it allows you to target enemies, the camera would change angle and sometimes 4

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prevents you from seeing what's going on behind you. Enemies in Wonderland LOVE to sneak up from behind.

Mozilla moves Firefox 6 to Beta channel, version 7 and 8 now in the works Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/mozilla-moves-firefox-6-to-betachannel-version-7-and-8-now-in-the-works/12917.html July 11th, 2011

Are you a fan of Google's quick-release schedule for its Chrome web browser? Well, if you are, the latest piece of news concerning Mozilla and its FireFox web browser will probably appeal to you as well. Apparently, in less than a month after Firefox 5 has been launched, the browser vendor has already made the move to "promote" version six of its web browser to the Beta channel. And based on what we are seeing from the release schedules, it does not seem to be long before Firefox 7 and Firefox 8 will be finally upon us. Read on to find out more.

Are you game to test out a web browser that has just recently been moved up from "Alpha" to "Beta" status? Well, if your answer to that question is a resounding "Yes", Mozilla will probably be glad to have a tester like you, for the browser vendor has in a recent announced revealed that the next version of its Firefox web browser, Firefox 6, is now available for public download via the Beta channel, where it will stay for the next 36 days until it gets bumped up to the Release channel on August 16.

According to the release notes that have been published for the Beta version of Firefox 6, the new browser is expected to provide users with more control over their privacy, and it comes in the form of what Mozilla dubs the new Data Management Window. Apparently, a report posted by The H claims that keying the string "about:permissions" into the address bar of Firefox 6 will bring up a list of options to fine tune the kind of data Firefox will allow online content to access, as shown in our example below:

The H also claims that other user-centric enhancements that managed to make their way into the Beta release of Firefox 6 include a new Plugin Check tool which "automatically verifies the compatibility of installed plugins" such as Adobe's Flash Player, a trimmed-down startup time and support for version 7 of the WebSocket protocol. More importantly, the Beta release of Firefox 6 is reportedly enhanced with better support for HTML5, DOM level 3 and newer networking technologies, among many other developer-centric improvements that are well documented in Firefox 6's developer pages.

That being said, the fact that Mozilla has moved Firefox 6 up from the Alpha channel to its Beta channel means that something else needs to occupy the vaccant spot left behind by it in the Alpha channel. And this honour falls to what will eventually be known as Firefox 7, which has already been moved to the Aurora channel and is expected to take its place in the Beta channel come August 16, where Firefox 6 will be pushed out for its official release.

Last but definitely not least, those who prefer to live on the bleeding edge of technology can also check out Mozilla's 5

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Nightly channel, which is where channel Firefox 8 currently resides in.

Of course, since we are talking about pre-release software, the same warnings about Mozilla's browsers potentially borking up your system badly is a possibility, so make sure you got your backups done and more importantly, resist the urge to load these browsers on production machines unless you want to give your office's IT department a royal nightmare.

Purported AMD Bulldozer Benchmarks Leaked Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/purported-amd-bulldozer-benchmarksleaked/12914.html July 11th, 2011

DonanimHaber have run an AMD FX engineering sample through a battery of tests. The engineering sample is said to be a B1 stepping chip clocked at 3.2 GHz. The Turbo Core 2.0 can up the clock speed up to 3.6 GHz with all cores active, or a whopping 4.2 GHz with only 50% (i.e. 4 cores) active. Needless to say, these are likely not the final shipping clock speeds.

The sample features 2MB L2 cache per module, for a total of 8MB and 8MB L3 cache shared between all modules (and cores). The motherboard used was a Gigabye 990FXA-UD5, a high end 990 FX motherboard. The GPU paired is a GeForce GTX 580. We have compiled a table of the benchmarks as reported by DonanimHaber.

Benchmark Score 3DMark11 P6265 Fritz Chess 29.58, 14197 kn/sec PCMark 7 3045 Cinebench R10 24434 X264 45.39 fps (P2), 136.29 (P1) In addition, it took 19.5 seconds to complete SuperPi 1M, which is much slower than Intel competition. However, in real world benchmarks, the story is rather different. In X264 Pass 1 the Bulldozer sample (henceforth mentioned as simply "BD") results a whopping 136.29 fps. To put this in perspective, Intel's fastest CPUs can only manage ~100 fps. However, it is

Published by: VR-Zone

always Pass 2 that is the real test. BD completes with 45.39 fps. The typical speed for a Core i7 2600K is ~36 fps, while Intel's 12-thread goliaths complete in the ~47 fps range. BD is clearly far superior to the 8-thread Sandy Bridge, while nearly catching up to the Gulftown champions.

Even more impressive is the 3D Mark 11. While this score depends from platform to platform, when coupled with a GTX 580, the previous 3D Mark 11 champ Core i7 2600K struggles to achieve the P6000 mark, typically. BD easily sails by with P6265. In Fritz Chess, BD overpowers Core i7 2600K yet again, with a score of 14197 kn/sec. However, it falls short of Gulftown CPUs, which are typically in the 17000-18000 range.

Finaly, in Cinebench R10, BD returns a score of 24434. With this score, it slots right in between Core i7 2600K and Core i7 990X. The results are consistent, for the most part. In multi-threaded applications, BD significantly outperforms Core i7 2600K, and almost catches up with 6-core Gulftown. In less muti-threaded applications, like 3D Mark 11 or X264 Pass 1, thanks to an incredible 1 GHz Turbo Core, BD overtakes Gulftown CPUs. In all situations, BD ended up well ahead of Core i7 2600K. In every situation, BD was massively faster than Phenom II X6 1100T - more than 50% in many cases.

Of course, these benchmarks and comparisons should be taken with a grain of salt - especially it being an engineering sample.

If previous rumours of stock clocks up to 3.8 GHz and a price tag of only $320 are true, AMD could have a real winner on their hands. Even with the engineering sample's clock of 3.2 GHz, a $320 is a bargain for a CPU of this power, wiping floors with the mighty and similarly priced Core i7 2600K. Having been delayed, FX-Series CPUs are now expected to release for desktops in the late August / early September timeline, with more information expected in the coming weeks.

HTC to start unlocking devices via firmware updates this August Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/htc-to-start-unlocking-devices-viafirmware-updates-this-august/12915.html July 11th, 2011

Remember how HTC made headlines not too long ago when the Taiwanese smartphone OEM claimed that it will eventually sell its smartphones without locking down the bootloader?

Turns out that users need not have to worry about older devices not getting some unlockable love fron HTC, for the company has announced that it will be issuing a firmware update to unlock the bootloader on some of its devices come this August. Read on to find out more.

OEMs may lock down the bootloaders on their smartphones over perfectly valid security concerns, but it does not change the fact that such actions seldom, if ever sit well with tinkers 6

July 11th, 2011

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and the hacker community, and for good reason. After all, it inteferes with the ability to install custom ROMs that can potentially provide a much greater experience than what the stock OEM ROM is capable of delivering.

However, owners of HTC-branded smartphones can probably breathe a sigh of relief about not having to deal with this issue of locked bootloaders much longer, as the Tawanese smartphone OEM has recently announced on its Facebook page that it is on track to deliver a firmware update come August that will unlock the bootloader on certain HTC smartphones.

Still, it does not change the fact that this piece of news will undoubtedly be well-received by many owners of HTC handsets who have been clamoring for unlocked bootloaders but have yet to so via third-party means over fears of potential bricking and voiding of warranty. Now all that HTC needs to do is to release a list of handset models will eventually be blessed with the bootloader unlocking firmware and all be nice and well.

According to the information posted by HTC, the HTC Sensation will be the first device to have its bootloader unlocked via the firmware update that is slated to be released sometime in August this year, while the carrier-locked versions of the same device for T-Mobile and the HTC EVO 3D are expected to follow along shortly. In addition, the company has confirmed its plans to roll out the software update to other device, although it chose to remain silent about which models would be eligible for the firmware update.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thrilled to announce today that software updates to support bootloader unlocking will begin rolling out in August for the global HTC Sensation, followed by the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile USA and the HTC EVO 3D on Sprint. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the testing phase for the unlocking capability now, and we expect it to be fully operational by early September for devices that have received the software updates. We'll continue rolling out the unlocking capability over time to other devices as part of maintenance releases and new shipments.

MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final Wrapping Up Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-master-overclocking-arena-2011asia-pacific-final--wrapping-up/12905.html July 11th, 2011

All good things must come to an end. We thus bring you the last part of our special report on the MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final.

The beginning of the second day at the MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final started with a panel discussion involving principally MSI's marketing, as well as Research & Development (R&D) teams. Moderated by Tim Marshall, overclockers were able to talk directly with MSI staff on possible improvements that could be made to MSI's growing range of enthusiast-oriented products.

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"T_M" looks unaware of all those "Lucky_n00b" assaults coming up.

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"Lucky_n00b" looking ready to take over the world (or the discussion at least).

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OCAU journalist "dirtyd" realises that his patience has reached its half-life.

Planex introduces collectable WiFi dongles based off popular Japanese pop culture icons Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/planex-introduces-collectable-wifidongles-based-off-popular-japanese-pop-culture-icons/12912.html July 11th, 2011

"Just one more question, Tim."

WiFi dongles are supposed to be used as tools for getting online via a wireless connection and not for putting them up as exhibits, right? Well, tell that to Planex; the company has just introduced a new line of collectable WiFi dongles based off popular Japanese anime characters, some of which are cute enough to probably make anybody reconsider actually connecting them to a PC at all. Read on to find out more...

Speak of USB WiFi dongles to most people and chances are they will tell you all about how generic and uninspiring such devices tend to look, and for good reason. After all, USB WiFi dongles are designed to be nothing more than tools that allow users to connect to the Internet via a wireless connection and are not meant to draw attention to themselves. However, leave it to Japanese company PLANEX Communications to break the mould with the introduction of its new GW-USPetit line of USB WiFi dongles, which are sure to change the way you look that these tools forever.

"DFORDOG" converses with "TOPPC" on improving power delivery.

"Deanzo" decided to give "T_M" a long lecture on how to use MSI Afterburner's profile settings:

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While they may sport different designs, the hardware behind the collectible WiFi dongles are identical; hidden beneath the surface is a wireless chipset which supports the 802.11 n specifications and is capable of data transfer speeds of up to 150mbps. In addition, PLANEX has confirmed that the device is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X, so you should not have to worry about any form of hardware or driver incompatibilities when using the WiFi dongles on your operating system of choice.

Last but definitely not least, PLANEX has revealed that the dongles are based off four very popular Japanese pop culture icons, namely One Piece, Rilakkuma, Hello Kitty and more interestingly, Evangelion (in the form of Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu), and that they will all cost 3,150 yen (appox US$39) apiece, regardless of design.

Samsung Nexus S goes to space, on NASA's final space shuttle Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-nexus-s-goes-to-space-onnasa-s-final-space-shuttle/12913.html July 11th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Samsung and Google have jointly announced that the Nexus S is aboard NASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final space shuttle. The Nexus S from Google is part of research that will equip small, freeflying satellites called Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) used by the astronauts to provide a broader range of capabilities and give better communication between land and sky. Nexus S claims to be the first commercial smartphone certified by NASA to fly on the space shuttle and to be cleared for use on the International Space Station. The experiment will use the smartphone-enhanced SPHERES as remotely operated robots to conduct interior survey and inspections of the station, to capture mobile camera images and video, and to study how robots can support future human exploration.

Source: Korea Newswire

Motorola XT531 Domino + touchscreen Android smartphone to launch in August Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/motorola-xt531-domino-touchscreenandroid-smartphone-to-launch-in-august/12911.html July 11th, 2011

The second official Google Phone, also known as the Nexus S manufactured by Samsung, has gone into space and according to the Korean manufacturer, the smartphone is onboard of NASA's final space shuttle as part of research for use by astronauts.

A new Motorola XT531 (also known as Domino+) is scheduled to launch in August. The Android touchscreen smartphone is reportedly to have a 3.5-inch display that supports HVGA resolution. Read on for details.

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four upgraded mono laser printers which it claims are "ideal for personal, home office and small office users".

has done well this year with their new Atrix smartphone and Xoom tablet devices and recently, the company has quietly announced a new smartphone, known as Domino+ (model: XT531). The Motorola Domino+ XT531 comes in black or white flavors with glossy piano finish and sports a 3.5inch HVGA display, 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and powered by 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 processor. It will also run Android 2.3 Gingerbread and according to sources, the Domino+ XT531 will retail at 2198 yuan (or approximately US$340).

Samsung releases upgraded mono laser printers, slaps on new colours on them in the process Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-releases-upgraded-monolaser-printers-slaps-on-new-colours-on-them-in-the-process/12910.html July 11th, 2011

Think that desktop PCs, notebooks, tablets and smartphones are the only devices which OEMs are willing to bless with hardware upgrades in order to ensure that they are capable of meeting consumers' ever-changing demands? Apparently, as far as Samsung is concerned, printers are also fair game for such upgrades, and leave it to the Korean electronics giant to do exactly that for its mono laser printers in the form of four new souped-up models.

Upgrading the hardware of devices such as desktop PCs, notebooks, tablets and smartphones are acts which OEMs commonly engage in, as it allows them to deliver a faster and more up-to-date version of an existing product which is more suited to meeting the every-growing list of demands made by consumers. And as far as Samsung is concerned, it would seem that printers are also fair game for such upgrades, for the Korean electronics giant has just announced the launch of

According to the official press release, three of the four models will be based of Samsung's existing ML-1660 monochrome laser printer, and will bear the model names ML-1673, ML-1674 and ML-1678. Feature and performance-wise, they are essentially identical to the older ML-1660 monochrome laser printer in that the ML-1673, ML-1674 and ML-1678 will all share the same body and maximum printing speed of 16PPM, although Samsung claims that the newer models will give consumers the options to choose between three different colours to suit their working environment; blue (ML-1673), ivory (ML-1674) and pink (ML-1678). In addition, Samsung clams that the ML-1673, ML-1674 and ML-1678 will feature print resolutions of up to 1200 x 1200 and a faster 300MHz processor (versus the ML-1660's 1200 x 600dpi resolution and 150MHz processor) On the other hand, the fourth model is an upgraded version of the ML-2525 and will be marketed as the ML-2540K. While little about the ML-2540K's hardware specifications has been announced, Samsung has confirmed that the ML-2540K will feature a faster print speed at 24PPM and consume up to 23% lesser energy than its predecessor. In addition, Samsung is claiming that the new printer models are capable of enhance the daily user experience thanks to the integration of its onetouch print screen function onto the printer, which allows for easy printing on the contents that are currently displayed on a user's monitor.

No mention about global availability for the upgraded printers has been revealed by Samsung yet, although the company has claimed that the ML-167x series of printers will be selling in Korea at the price of 104,000 won (approx US$98), while the ML-2540K will cost users 159,000 won (approx US$150)

M1 customers stand to win tickets to Faye Wong concert Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/m1-customers-stand-to-win-tickets-tofaye-wong-concert/12908.html

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July 11th, 2011

July 11th, 2011

Chinese singer and song-writer Faye Wong will be performing in Singapore on 29 October and if you are an M1 customer, you not only have priority booking but you also stand a chance to win a pair of tickets to the concert. More details inside.

Here's one of these stories that makes you wonder how silly things can get. The organization behind the HDMI specification, HDMI.org has gone out and said that mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables are breaching the HDMI spec and as such they're not to be sold.

Here's one of these stories that makes you wonder how silly things can get. The organization behind the HDMI specification, HDMI.org has gone out and said that mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables are breaching the HDMI spec and as such they're not to be sold.

Yes, you did read that correct, as apparently the HDMI specifications states that all HDMI cables has to have a male HDMI connector in both ends. Talk about being overprotective over a standard that is already raking in millions in royalty payments that every cable and device makers has to pony up to the HDMI.org.

SingTel may have their Lady Gaga showcase (which happened last week), but rival telco operator M1 also has something in their sleeves. Well, if you are a fan of popular Chinese singer Faye Wong, and also an existing M1 customer, you're in for a treat. M1 customers stand a chance to win a pair of tickets to Faye Wong's concert which is happening at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 29 October. All you need to do is simply redeem 50 SunPerks Points for a chance to win in the lucky draw. The ticket is priced at S$446 and there are altogether 400 pairs of tickets available for grabs.

From the official news release, the M1 presents Faye Wong 2011 Concert Tour SunPerks points redemption promotion will commence from 9am on 11 July and conclude at midnight of 10 August 2011. Results will be announced on 25 August 2011. For more details, visit www.m1.com.sg/faye On top of that, according to SISTIC website, the official Faye Wong concert tee-shirt will also be given to the first 80 M1 customers, though whether that applies to the winners for the pair of tickets, it wasn't stated on the website.

Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables said to breach HDMI spec Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/mini-displayport-to-hdmi-cables-saidto-breach-hdmi-spec/12907.html

The cables in question aren't that widely in use so far, as the mini DisplayPort connector was only widely used on Apple's MacBook range of computers last year after having become a part of the DisplayPort standard in late 2009. The problem is that the DisplayPort interface doesn't use LVDS signalling like HDMI and DVI, so an active or passive adapter is needed and this is built into the cables that are now being pulled from the market.

HDMI.org's solution to the problem is also ridiculous, as they're telling consumers to go out and buy a dongle with an adapter built into from mini DisplayPort to female HDMI port, as these types of adapters are approved. We really can't see what kind of different it would make, except for the fact that it's an additional cost and hassle for consumers. Apparently the HDMI.org has recognized the fact that consumers want a single cable, but their only response right now is to say that such a cable can't be produced under the current licensing system, a pretty weak response in our opinion.

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MSI announces the X460 notebook series Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-announces-the-x460-notebookseries/12906.html July 11th, 2011

We got an early look at MSI's new X460 series of notebooks back at Computex, but now the company has officially unveiled its new models. We've gotten our hands on the first official pictures of the X460 beyond the tiny ones supplied with the press release and we have to say that this looks like yet another interesting notebook from MSI. We got an early look at MSI's new X460 series of notebooks back at Computex, but now the company has officially unveiled its new models. We've gotten our hands on the first official pictures of the X460 beyond the tiny ones supplied with the press release and we have to say that this looks like yet another interesting notebook from MSI. MSI's latest addition to its X-series of slim and light notebooks consists of the X460 and X460D. The X460 relies on integrated graphics while the X460D sports an nVidia GeForce GT540M. However, the X460 is available with a Core i7-2630QM CPU, while both models will otherwise feature the Core i5-2410M.

MSI claims up to 8h battery life, but this is in low power mode and we really expected more from the 65Wh battery pack.

The X460 weighs in at 1.98kg while the X460DX is a smidgen heavier at an even 2kg. Not exactly what we'd call light and at 22.3mm thick, it doesn't quite fit in the thin category by today's standards either. That said, it's not bad for a 14-inch notebook with a built in optical drive. No word on a swappable drive option as per what we were told at Computex, but hopefully this will arrive later.

Common features include a standard notebook resolution 1366x768 14-inch display â&#x20AC;&#x201C; although MSI claims up to 170 degree viewing angles from the screen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, up to 750GB of storage and a built in optical drive.

In terms of connectivity both models feature HDMI, D-sub, two USB 3.0, a single USB 2.0, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0+HS and Gigabit Ethernet. There's of course also a memory card reader and an HD (720p) capable webcam.

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Published by: VR-Zone

MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final Results, Winners, & The Road To Both Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-master-overclocking-arena-2011asia-pacific-final--results-winners--the-road-to-both/12903.html July 11th, 2011

We take a look at the MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final results and whatever else which led to that.

By 6.00 pm, one hour away from the end of the competition, two of the empty 100-odd litre tanks have already been cleared out of the battle grounds. Relative to the Super PI round, the second leg of the competition - 3DMark 11 - is heavy thermal load indeed. More tanks were carted away as organisers laid out the prizes at the front:

Compiled results brought to you by OVERCLOCKING-TV. Many teams that were leading during the Super PI round were found to be slipping down the slippery rungs of the results ladder as issues piled up under the frost. Taiwan and Malaysia, both of which took the lead for Super PI 32M were found in the middle of the scoreboard as contestants launched into 3D. Australia climbed quickly with their strong 3DMark 11 results to join others at the top.

The highest 3DMark 11 scores were generated by China.

However, due to wallpaper non-compliance, the results were eventually voided. Team Katana simply spent the last minutes defeating themselves - a great way to redeem the Super PI mishap they incurred earlier on.

Then it was time for more dancing:

Stress takes on a physical form.

The two components of the contestants' score are split 60/40: Like leaded non-eutectic solder. The first component - Super PI 32M - requires contestants to fix their processor core speed multiplier at 50 or less so as to account for the large variability seen in the average spread of Sandy Bridge-type desktop processors. The second component, which weighs more on the score is none other than Futuremark 3DMark 11. MSI submarines anyone?

Guess the number of FFB-type blowers required to achieve such floppy hairstyles.

MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final Booting Up The Arena Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-master-overclocking-arena-2011asia-pacific-final--booting-up-the-arena/12902.html

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Published by: VR-Zone

July 11th, 2011

We missed out on the customary details just to pump out our Ten Page Special. Time to roll back the clock, so we get to see more of the beginning!

To kick off the event, MSI arranged some saucy young things on stage. That might be the rage these days.

Jason Lee, Marketing Director of MSI. Present to grace the event was Hinajana July, Director of PT. Alfa Arha Andhaya. Alfa Arha Andhaya distributes MSI products in Indonesia.

Hinajana July, Director of PT. Alfa Arha Andhaya Special guest, Dr. Engkos Koswara N. M. Sc/ Advisor ICT (Information Communication Technology & Transportation) was invited to give his speech as well.

Capturing saucy young things on your camera phone however, is something that has never stopped raging.

Jason Lee, Marketing Director of MSI talks about MOA and proffers "thank yous" to all:

Dr. Engkos Koswara N. M. Sc/ Advisor ICT (Information Communication Technology & Transportation).

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Sony introduces new Micro Vault P series flash drives; up to 64GB

Chill Innovation KB-1BT Bluetooth Micro Keyboard review

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-introduces-new-micro-vault-pseries-flash-drives-up-to-64gb/12904.html July 11th, 2011

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/chill-innovation-kb-1bt-bluetoothmicro-keyboard-review/12900.html July 11th, 2011

Sony called their USB flash drive, Micro Vault and recently, the company has announced their new Micro Vault P series in Singapore with capacities of from 4GB to 64GB. The P series claim to be more sleek and compact which allows users to carry with them conveniently.

Chill Innovation is a company founded back in 1996 and originating from Denmark, focusing mostly on high quality power supplies and silent cooling solutions. Today however we are not going to review either a power supply or a cooling solution; Chill Innovation’s latest product is a versatile bluetooth micro-keyboard for multimedia applications, the KB-1BT. Introduction Chill Innovation is a company founded back in 1996 and originating from Denmark, focusing mostly on high quality power supplies and silent cooling solutions. Today however we are not going to review either a power supply or a cooling solution; Chill Innovation’s latest product is a versatile bluetooth micro-keyboard for multimedia applications, the KB-1BT.

Sony Electronics Asia Pacific has recently introduced their new new high capacity Micro Vault P Series flash drives for users to store and share their songs, photos and videos easier.

With storage capacities of up to 64GB, the Micro Vault P Series features a small, stylish and easy-to carry design that gives users all the space they need wherever they go. Available in black or white, the Micro Vault P series has a slim profile, and a strap hole makes attaching to a key chain or mobile phone a snap. A 360-degree LED at the tip lets users know when data is being written, and when it is safe to remove. Sony has also included its popular Click feature that let users reveal the USB connector without adding length to the body and protect it when not in use.

Software for the Micro Vault P series includes File Rescue and x – Pict Story. File rescue provides recovery of important data that might have been deleted by mistake, while x – Pict Story allows the creation of an automated photo presentation using the files stored on the Micro Vault. Featuring storage capacities in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, the new Micro Vault P Series will be available in Asia Pacific from mid-July 2011. Pricing details not available at press time.

Manufacturer’s features and specifications • Compact & Ultra-Slim design!

• Multiple Platform Support!

• Great for both business & pleasure!

• Everything you need - in one device!

• USB Nano Bluetooth Dongle included!

• 71 keys with Backlighting • Multimedia & function keys 16

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• LED Flashlight or Laser Pointer built-in depending on model • Touchpad o

Dimensions: 31 x 31 mm

o

Resolution: 400 DPI

o

Supports 'point and click'

o

90 degree rotation key (horizontal and vertical use)

o

Sensitivity/speed toggle key

Published by: VR-Zone

MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final Ten Page Special Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-master-overclocking-arena-2011asia-pacific-final--ten-page-special/12899.html July 11th, 2011

• Dimensions and weight o

Keyboard: 155mm x 61mm x 12mm

o

Net weight: 102g (including dongle)

o

Packaging: 103 x 192 x 53 mm

o

Gross weight: 380g

• Connection o

Bluetooth ® 2.0 Wireless Technology

o

Point-to-point technology pre-configured keyboard (Does not work as Hub)

o

Up to 10 meter range

• Power and battery o

30 days (battery standby time)

o

Full-charge: approx. 4 hours

o

Fast-charge: approx. 10 minutes for one day's use

o

Battery: 850 mAH Lithium Polymer

o

Power consumption (without backlight): <12mA

o

Standby consumption: <1.3mA

This ten-page special is dedicated to the blood, sweat, tears and spent liquid nitrogen that went into the MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final here in Jakarta, Indonesia. Overclocking, hurray!

Evaporating liquid nitrogen in a humid equatorial country like Indonesia is a spectacular sight. The gargle and spit of liquid nitrogen stirring vehemently in an evaporator is the very sign of life in a healthy benchmarking setup. The coordination necessary for sub-zero overclocking is difficult to fathom for those who have never attempted so. For the rest - such as the participants of the MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final - it is likely an irreplaceable addiction.

• Approvals o

CE

o

FCC

o

RoHS

• Compatibility:* o

Windows XP / Vista / 7, Mac & Linux-based PCs, Notebooks & Tablets.

o

Apple iPad / iPad2

o

Apple iPhone & iPod Touch with OS 4.0

o

Windows Mobile 6.1 and 6.5

o

Nokia Symbian

o

Google Android

o

Sony Playstation 3

o

All other devices with built-in support for Bluetooth HID keyboards.

PaulC fills it up.

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Their silicon is might be sub-zero, but "Lam" from the Hong Kong team is under-20.

The Ice Kachang maker.

Better than watching fireworks.

Way cooler too.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 8 July 2011 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--8july-2011/12599.html

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In today's news roundup: The Intel Core i3-2120 is a very capable processor that felt just as fast and responsive on the desktop as the higher-end Core i5-2600K processor; Kingston's DataTraveler Ultimate G2 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive features read/write data transfer speeds well exceeding the 150MB/s barrier; Apple's rumored next iPad could have a higher-resolution screen; According to a few lines of newly discovered code, is Facebook coming up with their music service? ; The Medic and Assault classes will be merged in Battlefield 3's multiplayer mode, and Developer Playdead confirmed the release of Limbo for PlayStation 3 in the U.S. on July 19.

Hardware news Description: The Intel Core i3-2120 is a very capable processor for the $149.68 price tag that online retailers are asking for it.

It was able to do everything we asked it to during testing and the test system felt just as fast and responsive on the desktop as the higher-end Core i5-2600K processor. It was only when we got deep into the benchmarking that we were able to find the strengths and weaknesses of the Core i3-2120 Description: With Read/Write data transfer speeds well exceeding the 150MB/s barrier the latest DataTraveler Ultimate G2 64 USB 3.0 flash drive by Kingston is without doubt the fastest USB flash drive to pass from our test bench to date.

Description: The Razer Hydra PC motion controller delivers silky-smooth, responsive motion control, but its overall performance is highly dependent upon which (and what types) of games you play—and your own willingness to put up with the learning curve it imposes.

Description: With the Z68X-UD7-B3 Gigabyte presents it flagship model which supports Intels latest Sandy Bridge CPUs. This board also comes with the new color scheme which really is very nice to look at. Furthermore there is the long feature list which comes with every motherboard that is based on Intels latest Z68 chipset.

Description: Today we're going to be looking at our first A75 chipset motherboard in the form of the ASUS F1A75-V Pro. Of course, we've already done a big preview on this board that covered everything on the board and the BIOS; because of that we'll be getting straight into the test system, talk about overclocking and get into the performance side of things.

Description: The Genesis is very unique in its design; it is composed of two radiators, one upright and the other designed as a down-draft heatsink to cool memory modules, MOSFETs and the motherboard Northbridge. This makes the Genesis a very versatile cooler and a promising one at that as it combines the sheer cooling potential of a regular heatsink and the motherboard cooling capability of down-draft coolers such as the Noctua NH-C14.

Published by: VR-Zone

Description: Google said its new unveiled social communication service, Google+, will likely be made available to its business customers by the end of the year. Thus far, the system is not geared for enterprise use yet.

Description: Apple's rumored next iPad could have a higherresolution screen capable of being used for high-end video editing and photography, analysts say.

Description: The one iPhone/two iPhone fifth-gen rumor mill continues to grind, and after yesterday’s supposedly definitive claims that Apple was readying a single iPhone 5 for launch in September this year, rather than a two model lineup including an iPhone 4S, now there’s more intel suggesting otherwise.

Description: After 32 raids across Italy (and one in Switzerland), 15 alleged members of Anonymous have been arrested. The detainees, aged between 15 and 28 with five under 18, have been accused of performing denial of service attacks on Italian Web sites belonging to the government, and on both state and private broadcasters.

Description: A long-anticipated music streaming, downloading, and sharing service could be on the very near horizon for Facebook users, as a few lines of newly discovered code found by blogger Jeff Rose suggest.

Description: While the HTC ThunderBolt remains without its crucial update to Gingerbread, it appears that Verizon is prepping to get Android 2.3 out to another phone in the very near future as documentation has appeared today indicating that the Droid Incredible 2 Gingerbread update is imminent.

Gaming news Description: Electronic Arts and studio Criterion Games will release a new, downloadable Burnout game this fall for the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. Burnout Crash! will focus on the franchise's Crash mode, where players rack up points by slamming into vehicles and triggering explosions.

Description: Developer Playdead confirmed the release of Limbo for PlayStation 3 in the U.S. on July 19. It hits Europe a day later on July 20. A price has not been revealed. Limbo will hit Steam worldwide on August 2. A Japan release date has not been decided yet.

Description: DICE has revealed that the Medic and Assault classes will be merged in Battlefield 3's multiplayer mode, and it's eradicating the dedicated doctor and handing lifesaving duties to the Assault men.

Mach Xtreme Joins the SandForce Party; MX-DS TURBO SSDs Incoming Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/mach-xtreme-joins-the-sandforceparty-mx-ds-turbo-ssds-incoming/12895.html July 11th, 2011

Consumer Electronics and Software news 19

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Mach Xtreme has become the latest entrant to the SandForce SF-2000 party with their MX-DS Turbo series of solid state drives. Specifications look similar to those of SandForce-based drives from other manufacturers, and a three-year warranty is also par for the course. The MX-DS Turbo series will be available in capacities ranging from a modest 120GB to a mind (and wallet) blowing 480GB. Mach Xtreme has announced their first Sandforce SF-2000based solid state drives. The MX-DS TURBO series of SSDs is optimized for use with SATA 6Gbps, and will be available in 120GB, 240GB and 480GB capacities as well as the less common 180GB size. The drives are backed by three-year warranties.

Published by: VR-Zone

tion. DuraWrite™ technology optimizes writes to the ash memory over conventional controllers increasing the overall endurance and reliability of the complete SSD. Highly intelligent block management and wear leveling also extends the overall endurance. It maintains backwards compatibility with existing SATA II 3.0 Gb/s and SATA I 1.5 Gb/ s interfaces.

The MX-MD TURBO drive delivers best-in-class read and write speeds clocking in at up to 555MB/s read and 510MB/s write along with the stunning maximum of 85,000 IOPS, low power consumption (stand-by 1.6W / active up to 2.8W) and superior durability (2.0 million MTBF) compared to previous generation SATA 3Gb/s drives.

Available in capacities of 120GB, 180GB, 240GB and 480GB, Mach Xtreme Technology MX-DS TURBO

The MX-DS TURBO joins the growing ranks of SF-2000based SSDs. Pricing has not been stated but, given the amount of competition out there, can be expected to be aggressive.

SSDs come backed with 3 Year Warranty and outstanding after-sales service.

See the original press release below: MX-DS TURBO Series 2.5” SSD at A Glance: Taipei, Taiwan—July 08, 2011— Mach Xtreme Technology Inc., a worldwide leader in top performance, high reliability and user friendly designed PC components, today unveiled the 2.5” SATAIII MX-DS TURBO Series SSD. This series offers mobile and desktop users groundbreaking computing experience and unparalleled level of read and write performance.

Advanced high speed SATAIII interface has been implemented in newer systems to remove previous performance bottleneck. The MX-DS TURBO Series is perfect to take advantage of that higher speed interface. This SSD series delivers performance that maximizes the throughput of a SATA III 6Gb/s interface with balanced read/write speeds. It supports DuraClass™ and DuraWrite™ technologies.

DuraClass™ technology provides best-in-class endurance, performance and low power consump-

• 2.5” SATA III MLC Solid State Drive • Max. Read Performance up to 555MB/s (480GB up to 500MB/s) • Max. Write Performance up to 510MB/s (480GB up to 420MB/s) • IOPS up to 85,000 • Power consumption: idle 1.6W / active 2.8W • MTBF: 2.0 million hours • Capacity: 120GB (MXSSD3MDST-120G), 180GB (MXSSD3MDST-180G), • 240GB (MXSSD3MDST-240G), and 480GB (MXSSD3MDST-480G)

MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final Setting Up & Some Setups Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-master-overclocking-arena-2011asia-pacific-final--setting-up--some-setups/12896.html

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July 11th, 2011

See the whacky setups contestants assemble for the MSI Master Overclocking Arena 2011 Asia Pacific Final. It's finally gearing up, alright!

In the MOA battle grounds, trouble brews from the very beginning. Even the judges' table is a showcase of gung-hoism.

Japan brought along a self-contained liquid-cooling kit, ready to be clamped in place for quick tests:

The judges' table The Indonesian team's lineup of stuff, ready for deployment:

"ZoLKoRn" technique:

practises

his

proprietary

paste-spreading Amongst the first to get their systems up; the Vietnamese team sure had a good idea of what to use the iPad for!

Dell launches Access program in Southeast Asia Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/dell-launches-access-program-insoutheast-asia/12897.html

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July 11th, 2011

In a world when consumerism reigns supreme, it is common knowledge that any company that does not make a serious attempt to connect and understand its customer base is not likely to remain in business for long. And it seems that Dell is only too aware of the importance of engaging with key influencers, for the company has taken yet another step to further reach out to the community with the launch of its new Dell Access program in a media event today held at the Art Trove. VR-Zone brings you the coverage.

Nowadays, it would seem that merely delivering great products that are capable of meeting customers' demands is no longer enough. Rather, today's consumers expect to be actively engaged as influencers who have a say in how a company's products should turn out, what features should be included into the final product, and so on. And it is clear that Dell is fully aware of the importance of engaging with the community, for the company has just announced the launch of its new Dell Access program which is designed to foster an exclusive community consisting of "brand advocates, influential media personalities and other key influencers to form a synergistic, passionate community that matters".

"Dell Access is all about forging long-term relationships with the media, professional bloggers and key influencers.

Members of Dell Access can expect to be invited to programs such as events, showcases, private workshops and product demonstrations," he said, while adding that such events will serve as platforms for the company to engage with like-minded people, as well as exchange ideas and discuss market trends.

Unfortunately, Dell did not release any details pertaining to various aspects of its Access program such as the requirements (if any) to be met in order to be considered for admission into its exclusive inner circle yet. However, the company did announce that Access members can expect "a string of activities and announcements around the region in the coming months", so do check back for updates.

Last but definitely not least, here are a few pictures of the lovely ladies who were present at today's media event, which also served to double up as a showcase for Dell's various products such as its Streak and Venue mobile offerings, as well as its Alienware, Inspiron R, Vostro and XPS notebook lineups.

Speaking at the event today was Dell's executive director for the consumer and SMB division for South Asia and Korea, Chue Chee Wai, who explained how Dell intends to make use of the new Access program to reach out to its community.

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LG Korea has recently announced that it is jumping on the portable gaming market with its Optimus 3D smartphone and high quality games developed by Gameloft. According to the company, the phone will come preloaded with games and users can download free and paid games in the coming months.

LG has announced its entry into the handheld gaming market with the launch of the LG Optimus 3D in Korea and the introduction of 17 Stereoscopic 3D (S-3D) games from mobile video game developer Gameloft.

Full versions of three Gameloft titles will come pre-installed on the new Optimus 3D smartphones with the remaining S-3D games available for download at significantly discounted prices for LG Optimus 3D owners. The three included S-3D games are Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, N.O.V.A. -- Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance and Let’s Golf! 2. The games were specifically chosen for the realism and immersive game play they would provide when digitally re-mastered into S-3D.

LG goes into portable gaming with Optimus 3D and games from Gameloft Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lg-goes-into-portable-gaming-withoptimus-3d-and-games-from-gameloft/12894.html

Fourteen additional Gameloft S-3D games will be available for download via the 3D Games icon on the LG Optimus 3D. Titles including Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr’s Chronicles, James Cameron’s Avatar, Ultimate Spider Man: Total Mayhem, GT Racing: Motor Academy, Shrek Kart, Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus, Real Football 2011, Star Battalion, N.O.V.A. 2 -Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, Dungeon Hunter 2, Fishing Kings, BackStab, Eternal Legacy and Shadow Guardian will be offered to Optimus 3D owners at half price for the first three months. Archer Craft, an LG produced S-3D game, will also be available as a free download.

The LG Optimus 3D, the world’s first smartphone with full S-3D and Tri-Dual (dual-core, dual-channel, dual-memory) architecture, was designed for maximum performance and efficiency, ideal for the high processing power required for gaming and viewing videos. The LG Optimus 3D is currently being introduced in over 60 markets around the world. The preloaded games will be available from launch, with further 23

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downloadable games rolling out over the coming months through a dedicated 3D Games icon.

StarHub announces availability of new mobile phone which recharges itself via solar energy Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/starhub-announces-availability-of-newmobile-phone-which-recharges-itself-via-solar-energy/12893.html July 11th, 2011

Anybody who has served, or is currently serving their National Service will be fully aware of how much of a pain it is to hunt for a mobile phone which lacks a built-in camera unit and boasts a battery which is capable of extremely long uptimes on a single charge, especially since some camps still forbid their servicemen from bringing in their battery chargers. And leave it to StarHub with what is probably the best solution for such people, and it comes in the form of iNO Mobile's phone known as the SOLO which can allegedly charge itself via solar power.

Wait, say what?

According to a press release issued by StarHub, the SOLO is designed to be an entry-level, affordable feature mobile phone that would appeal to military personnel and outdoor adventurers, a trait which StarHub attributes to the use of a solar charging battery in the SOLO. The company claims that users only have to place the rugged phone in an area which receieves a healthy amount of sunlight for the SOLO to recharge its lithium battery, with 24 hours being the magic number needed to attain a complete charge. In addition, StarHub has confirmed that the SOLO boasts an uptime of up to 200 hours when idle, or up to 200 minutes of talktime.

In order to protect itself against the unintentional hard knocks and drops that are bound to happen in military life, StarHub has claimed that the SOLO will feature an Army-Green rubberise casing which protects the phone from such trauma, while further securing it against other hazzards such as splashes and dust.. Last but definitely not least, the SOLO will come equipped with a 1.8â&#x20AC;? LED screen with 65K colours, a mini-torchlight for night activities and an FMradio.

Sounds interesting? Well, if you think that the SOLO will make a good mobile phone for your NS needs (or your son's NS needs, for that matter), we have got an additional piece of good news as well; StarHub has confirmed that the SOLO will be retailing at the relatively low price of S$99 with any oneyear StarHub Mobile post-paid plan (exceptPowerValue 80) and can be purchased from all StarHub Shops and selected Exclusive Partners' outlets islandwide from 9 July onwards.

Choosing a proper mobile phone for National Service is never easy; in addition to the almost unreasonable requirement of getting a handset that does not sport a built-in camera module, the device also need to boast an extremely long battery life, as some military camps today still enforce the rule of not allowing servicemen to bring their mobile phone chargers with them, due to various reasons.

So what is a poor serviceman to do in the face of such restrictions? Well, thanks to StarHub, the answer is now as easy as pie, and it comes in the form of a new mobile phone from iNO Mobile known as the SOLO, which is reportedly capable of meeting the aforementioned restrictions, and then some.

Lenovo launches ThinkPad X1 in Singapore Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lenovo-launches-thinkpad-x1-insingapore/12891.html

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July 11th, 2011

Yesterday, Lenovo Singapore held a media event on a yacht at Marina @ Keppel Bay to launch their thinnest business laptop, the ThinkPad X1. VR-Zone brings you the coverage.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 claims to be the company's thinnest business laptop designed for the busy business professionals who want superb computing performance and portability.

Weighing from 1.72kg, the ThinkPad X1 sports a 13.3-inch super bright infinity screen with Corning Gorilla glass that offers high durability and scratch-resistance.

The laptop's keyboard has a "modernized" look and feel which the company claims would allow users to type 25% faster, and they are backlit that makes it easier to type even in dimlighting situation. The power button and audio controls are laid neatly on the right edge of the keyboard.

Despite it's slim form factor, the X1 comes with the obligatory USB, HDMI, eSATA+USB, LAN, Wireless connectivity switch and memory card reader. Needless to say, there is no built-in optical drive, though Lenovo bundles an external DVD writer for use with the laptop.

Lee Chown How, country general manager of Lenovo Singapore, talks about the company's new tagline - "For Those Who Do." - and also Lenovo's progress.

"In Lenovo, we create the DO machines, the tools for users who see technology as an integral part of their lives. For them, technology is a tool to help them achieve the goals and be more productive. Our products are built to succeed with substance, tested with military specifications to achieve solid performance in any environment. The features and services that are built-in to our products also helped to drive down the immediate and long term costs. Each of the tools that 25

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we incorporate into our ThinkPads and ThinkCentres are carefully developed with purposeful intent and helped to enhance end users experience," Lee said.

Sony Ericsson launches new Walkman-branded smartphone, the W8 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-ericsson-launches-new-walkmanbranded-smartphone-the-w8/12892.html July 11th, 2011

Sony's Walkman is one of the more well-known brands when it comes to devices dealing with audio and video playback while on the move; as such, it is understandable that Japanese company is not about to let such an established brand fade to oblivion. And in what seems to be the best proof of Sony's commitment to the Walkman brand, the company has just announced the availability of yet another Walkman-branded smartphone, the W8, which Sony claims combines "Walkman functionality with smartphone fundamentals".

Do you still remember the original line of Walkman-branded portable media players that were produced by Sony and highly regarded to be some of the best such devices in those days? Well, the good news is that the Walkman will still live on in Sony's product lineup, and the latest Walkmanbranded device to leave Sony's factories for sale on the market today is a new smartphone known as the W8, which Sony claims combines "Walkman functionality with smartphone fundamentals" to provide a great user experience.

Sony Ericsson claims that the W8 Walkman phone features a unique user interface similar to the one found on its Xperia mini product lineup, and that it can reportedly be usercustomised for one-touch access to their most commonly used applications. In addition, the company has confirmed that the W8 will also come bundled with various standard features such as a 3.2 megapixel camera and wireless connectivity via 3G and WiFi, along with various other Walkman staples such as a Walkman-themed UI and widgets, while the smartphone's display is provided by a three-inch capacitive touchscreen capable of HVGA resolutions, which Sony Ericsson claims is perfect for mobile gaming, browsing the web or watching Youtube videos.

The W8's hardware is a little less impressive though; Sony Ericsson has confirmed that the W8 will feature a 600MHz processor and up to 128MB of built in memory, although the company was quick to point out that users can always expand the phone's available storage with the use of microSD cards of up to 16GB. Last but definitely not least, Sony Ericsson has announced that the W8 will be pre-loaded with version 2.1 (Eclair) of the Android operating system, along with support for the Android Market, although it made no mention about any possibility of a firmware upgrade to newer versions of Android. Still, if it is of any consolation, the company has claimed that the W8 will come with the MH 410 stereo headset as well as the MS450 stereo portable speakers.

The Sony Ericsson W8 Walkman phone is currently available for sale in Singapore at the price of S$348 and sports a total of three different color schemes, namely Azure, Metallic Red and the "iconic Walkman Orange".

Samsung releases prototype WebCL implementation for WebKit Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-releases-prototype-webclimplementation-for-webkit/12890.html

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be able to take advantage of Nokia's implementation any time soon, as it only works with Firefox 4 and not the recentlyreleased Firefox 5. This leaves Internet Explorer and Opera as the only browsers to lack any working implementations of WebCL, although we believe that this situation will change once more complete specifications of WebCL are made available by the Khronos Group.

OpenCL may be a great API for giving applications access to the GPU for non-graphical computing in order to leverage its raw power for achieving greater performance levels, but the prominence of web-based apps means that there is a need to grant web developers the same low-level access in order to ensure that browser-based apps do not deliver sub-par performance, even when running off powerful hardware. This is where WebCL comes in, and it seems that the new standard has just been given a major boost in the form of Samsung's contribution of a prototype implementation for the WebKit rendering engine.

Of course, neither Nokia's and Samsung's implementation will work if you do not have OpenCL-compatible hardware.And if you need a good reason to upgrade your machine with some OpenCL-compatible hardware, well, here is one: apparently, Nokia is claiming that WebCL can be used for BitCoin mining, and for as much as up to US$10 a day. Yep, we are not making this up.

We all know that OpenCL, along with NVIDIA's CUDA, are vital in bringing the benefits of general-purpose computing on GPUs (or GPGPU) to everyday applications in order to provide users with higher performance levels in their daily computing tasks. However, the growing importance of webbased applications means that there is a need to port OpenCL's GPGPU capabilties into a more web-friendly format in order to ensure that online apps can gain access to the same low-level hardware needed to deliver greater performance. And the good news is that users may not have to wait too long for GPGPU support to make its way down to web apps, for word has it that Samsung has released a prototype implementation of WebCL for use with the WebKit rendering engine.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amazon-s-cloud-player-service-nowavailable-for-the-ipad/12880.html

According to a report published by Ars Technica, Samsung's prototype implementation was used to showcase how the technology "can be used to increase the frame rate of an animated N-body simulation on the Web". When put to the test against an identical simulation which made use of conventional JavaScript to achieve the same results, the JavaScript version was capable of achieving framerates of only up to 5-6 fps. This is in stark contrast to the same demo that was powered by Samsung's prototype WebCL implementation, which scored a maximum speed of up to 114 frames per second.

Unprintable Content (Video, Flash, etc.)

Amazon's Cloud Player service now available for the iPad July 11th, 2011

Apple has yet to officially open its iCloud service for public use, but it seems that the Cupertino giant is already going to have to deal with competition from the likes of Amazon in winning the hearts of consumers over to its side, especially where music streaming and storage services are concerned.

Apparently, Amazon has moved to draw first blood by adding in partial support for iOS in its Cloud Player service, along with a few extra features thrown in for good measure. Your move now, Apple.

When Amazon first launched its Cloud Player service for consumers way back in March this year, critics were quick to point out that the multinational electronic commerce company had seemingly chosen not to include support for one of the world's fastest growing mobile platform; iOS. However, it seems that Amazon has since changed its stance over iOS support, and its latest announcement is probably the best proof of that fact.

Samsung's prototype implemention of WebCL is reportedly only compatible with Apple's Safari web browser at this point of time, although Ars Technica has also claimed in that the Korean electronics giant has already open-sourced its WebCL implementation under the BSD license. Technically, this means that there is nothing to stop browser developers from checking out the source tree from Google Code (which is where the project is hosted) and collaborating to implement some form of rudimentary support in other WebKit-based browsers such as Google's Chrome.

In addition, Nokia has also developed its own implementation of WebCL which is apparently designed for use with the Gecko Runtime Enviroment, as it is currently compatble only with the Firefox web browser. However, not all Firefox users will 27

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In its press release, Amazon has confirmed the availability of a web-based version of the Cloud Player service, which can be accessed on an iPad via the built-in Safari web browser.

And according to a report published by TUAW, Amazon has seemingly done a decent job in ensuring that the web-based version of Cloud Player remains faithful to the actual desktop client in most respects, even going as far as claiming that the web app looks and performs just like the desktop version.

Unfortunately, it seems that the iPad is the only product in Apple's iOS lineup that will be getting any love from Amazon, for no mention has been made about support for other iOSpowered devices such as the iPod Touch and the iPhone. And even then, the fact that the iPad can only access Cloud Player via the web-based app will probably turn off iPad owners who prefer to have native apps for their devices, although we'd argue that a having a web-based app is still a much better alternative as opposed to being completely cut off from an online service.

That being said, Amazon has also announced its plans to give users access to an unlimitted amount of storage to store their music files, and that this privillege will be made available to both free and paid accounts. However, this only applies to music bought directly off Amazon, and that there will still be a limit of 5GB for fersonal music uploads. Well, that is defintiely better than nothing.

The Daily VR-Zone News Summary - 7 July 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

improved imaging performance; Hi Tech Legion has published a review of ASUS's GTX580 DirectCU II graphics card, which boasts a combination of direct copper contact and dual-fan cooling to produce up to 600% more airflow compared to the reference NVIDIA design; Google has announced the availability of a new "Download map area" feature in Google Labs which allows users to download map data for use on their smartphones with minimal data consumption; Rumour has it that Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer will be unveiling the first public beta of Windows 8 at the Consumer Electronics Show in early 2012; Konami has confirmed that it will be bringing Castlevania: Harmony of Despair over to PlayStation Network sometime this summer, and EA Games senior vice president Patrick Soderlund is claiming that Mirror's Edge 2 has not been abandoned, and that DICE is "working on something" to follow up on the well-received free running original.

Hardware news Project BMW MPower level 10 PC a Mod project @ XtremeComputing Description: This all started one day when I spotted the thermaltake level 10 case sitting at show, I thought wow that looks very unique. I had been planning for a little while to do a car themed mod and with the level 10 being designed by one of BMW’s design houses, I thought now was a good a time as any to actually do a BMW 3 series Mpower theme, so the concept was born. Now bear in mind this concept started way back last year.

Corsair Obsidian 650D Mid-Tower Case Review Description: In many ways, the Obsidian 650D is a miniature version of the 800D, so we can understand why it has many of you swooning. Though at $190 you will have a difficult time justifying its price as it's one of the more expensive midtowers around. Beyond this price point, the market is largely dominated by Lian-Li and we suspect most users looking to spend north of $200 on a chassis will want to spring for a fulltower model.

MSI N580GTX Lightning Review @ ocaholic Description: With the GTX 580 Lightning, MSI has a graphics card in its portfolio which promises to be extra class. Therefore the card comes with a completely customized TwinFrozerII cooler as well as a PCB that has been redesigned from bottom up. In this case you'll find numerous overclocking features combined with a reasonable noise level. For us this is reason enough to be very curious about the results.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--7july-2011/12885.html July 11th, 2011

Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 Full Tower Chassis Review Description: For some time now Thermaltake as well as many other manufacturers are in an unnamed war to deliver the most feature rich chassis at rock bottom pricing. Just like SilverStone's PS06 we recently looked at, Thermaltake is trying to give the end user a window, USB 3.0 and a hard drive dock. On top of this, you still have to present an attractive full package and offer cooling above and beyond the competition as well.

In today's news roundup: Toshiba has announced the launch of a new 1.12-micrometer pixel CMOS image sensor for smartphones, which is reportedly the industry’s smallest level pixel size and features the use of back-side illumication technology or BSI to achieve both enhanced sensitivity and

Toshiba preps super-sensitive CMOS smartphone camera sensor Description: Toshiba has announced the launch of a new 1.12-micrometer pixel CMOS image sensor. It claims that the new sensor, designed for smartphones, offers the industry’s 28

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smallest level pixel size. The new sensor is also said to feature enhanced sensitivity and improved imaging performance, the result of back-side illumination technology (BSI).

reporting that Microsoft will unveil the first public beta of Windows 8 at the trade-show.

ASUS GeForce GTX 580 DirectCU II 1.5GB DirectX 11 Video Card Review @Hi Tech Legion Description: The ASUS GTX580 DirectCU II is equipped with a large three-slot heatsink designed for a quieter and cooler performance. The ASUS GTX580 DirectCU II’s direct copper contact and dual-fan cooling solution produces up to 600% more airflow compared to the reference NVIDIA design. With two fans operating at lower fan speeds, the ASUS GTX580 DirectCU II can cool the GPU much more efficiently and with much less noise than with a single blower style fan.

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair Hitting PSN Description: Konami confirmed this morning that Castlevania: Harmony of Despair is coming to PlayStation Network this summer. The game was previously released exclusively through Xbox Live. Included with the PSN version is the "Beauty, Desire, Situation Dire" map pack, which contains the Pyramid of Ruin level as well as downloadable characters Julius Belmont and Yoko Belnades.

Consumer Electronics and Software News “Download map area” added to Labs in Google Maps for Android Description: When you’re visiting an unfamiliar location, Google Maps for mobile is great for getting an idea of how close you are to your destination, where streets and landmarks are in relation to each other, or just for getting “un-lost.” But what if you don’t have a data signal, or you’re abroad and don’t have a data plan? We say that if you use Google Maps for mobile, you’ll never need to carry a paper map again. The “Download map area” lab in Google Maps 5.7 for Android is a step in making that statement true even when you’re offline.

What iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 could have Description: Apple’s next iPhone will be thinner and lighter with an 8 megapixel camera, according to a report Thursday.

The new article bears the hallmarks of an intentional leak, and is the surest sign yet that we’ll see new iPhone hardware in September.

Apple's faith-based security fails again Description: A German government watchdog has just worked out that the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch have 'critical weaknesses' that could be exploited by criminals. Apple saves money by not having to provide virus checking software or worrying too much about security. It has marketed this clever plan through its legions of fanboys who claim that they are safe from hackers because they have never been hacked before.

However, the Germans are particularly concerned about the iPhone, which is a little more popular and begging to be attacked.

Motorola Droid 3 Now Available From Verizon Description: Verizon has put up Droid 3, the grandchild of Motorola’s legendary Droid smartphone, up for sale on its website. The Droid 3 sports a 1 GHz dual-core CPU, a 4inch qHD (960 x 540 pixel) screen, an 8-megapixel camera and a slide-out, full QWERTY keyboard. It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and offers 16 GB of storage, as well as all the other standard bells and whistles that adorn the Android smartphones of today, including Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi, UMTS and aGPS support.

Microsoft May Introduce the First Public Beta of Windows 8 at CES 2012 - Rumours.

Description: Steve Ballmer, the chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp., will once again kick-off the Consumer Electronics Show in early 2012. Some web-sites are already

Gaming news

Mirror's Edge 2 'not abandoned' - Report Description: EA Games senior vice president Patrick Soderlund says DICE is "working on something" to follow up well-received free running original.

High Power Direct12 BR 1000W PSU review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/high-power-direct12-br-1000w-psureview/12889.html July 11th, 2011

Today we are having a look at one more high performance product, the Direct12 BR (DP-1000BR) 1000W power supply from High Power, a company which just emerged in the retail market a mere 3 years ago. High Power however is a subsidiary company of Sirfa, a reputable OEM manufacturer of power supplies for many years, founded so as to give the manufacturer direct retail channel access. The specifications of the High Power Direct12 BR 1000W unit are at the very least interesting; we will find out how well it can compete against the stiff competition of the high performance PSU market in this review.

Today we are having a look at one more high performance product, the Direct12 BR (DP-1000BR) 1000W power supply from High Power, a company which just emerged in the retail market a mere 3 years ago. High Power however is a subsidiary company of Sirfa, a reputable OEM manufacturer of power supplies for many years, founded so as to give the manufacturer direct retail channel access. The specifications of the High Power Direct12 BR 1000W unit are at the very least interesting; we will find out how well it can compete against the stiff competition of the high performance PSU market in this review.

Manufacturer’s features and specifications • 80 PLUS BRONZE certified Offer 85% minimum efficiency at 50% load

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• Golf- Surface Fan Whisper quiet double ball-bearing (up to 800W) 13.5cm golf surface fan brings more airflow volume with less noise than convention.

• Off- Delay Fan (Fan Stays On After System Off) It allows PSU fan to continue running after system shut down for few seconds approximately, it helps to exhaust residual air at the end of the heating/cooling cycle for extending component life.

• Single +12V Output Rail - Offers maximum compatibility for the +12V demand.

• 100% Japan- made Capacitors - Longer lifespan than electrolytic capacitors. (under 800W main capacitor only) • Reliable Japan- made Solid-state Capacitors - Enhance your system durability and stability even under extreme conditions. (apply to 850W and 1000W) • Easily Detachable and Flexible Modular Cables - Use only the cables you need. Reduce clutter from unused connectors and enhance the air flow inside your system.

Specific color connectors and infixed socket with sticker design to ease installation.

• PCI-Express Power Connectors - Sufficient and stable current to fully support SLI & CrossFire Systems • Advanced Double Forward Circuit and Double-Layer PCB - It brings more reliable, high efficiency and powerful power supply (Apply to 850W and 1000W) • All output cables with Nylon sleeve - Cable sleeve avoids cable clutter, allows neat and easy installation for an improved airflow.

• Patented Easy Swap Connector - Quick and Easy installation • EuP 2010 Lot 6 compliant • RoHS Compliant - Made with hazardous-free components RoHS is the Restriction Of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This has been a standard in Europe and is now becoming a standard in the world. Not only lead, but cadium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants are limited as well.

• What you see is what you get. NO Tweaks! - True Wattage Rating is the industry's way of designating a power supply model's wattage capacity. It is based on the total DC output wattages that a power supply can continuously provide.

Item Name Model Number Dimension (W / H / D)cm Fan Size Modular Cable

DP-1000 BR HP-1000-G14C Rev A 15/16/8.6cm 13.5cm V

+12V Rail Efficiency PFC Power Good Signal Hold Up Time MTBF Protection Operation Temperature Safety Input Current Output +5V +3.3V +12V1 +12V2 +12V3 +12V4 -12V +5Vsb +5V/ +3.3V Combined +12V Combined

1Rail 85% Active 100~500ms >17ms >100,000 Hours UVP/OVP/OPP/ SCP/OCP/OTP 0~50 °C (Nominal Input Voltage) FCC,CE.UL/cUL,TUV,CB Voltage 100-240V 13A Total Watts 1000W 30A 28A 75A

3A 180W 900W

Pioneer enters the PC speaker market Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pioneer-enters-the-pc-speakermarket/12888.html July 11th, 2011

Remember Pioneer? Well, the company hasn’t been doing great in the past few years has pulled out of several product categories and has of lately been focusing on its audio products. Now the company has decided to launch a pair of PC speakers to try and grow its audio product range, but we’re not if the company is going to be able to break into what’s already a very competitive market.

Remember Pioneer? Well, the company hasn’t been doing great in the past few years has pulled out of several product categories and has of lately been focusing on its audio products. Now the company has decided to launch a pair of PC speakers to try and grow its audio product range, but we’re not if the company is going to be able to break into what’s already a very competitive market.

The two new speaker models are the S-MM301 and SMM751RU, we’d really hoped for some more memorable 30

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model names, but alas that wasn’t to be. The S-MM301 is a pair of stereo USB powered speakers that are targeting the laptop market, but Pioneer didn’t supply a picture, so we don’t know what the speakers look like. They’re said to have metal grills, triple coil drivers and built-in audio controls for volume and a mute button.

More interesting is the S-MM751RU which is a set of 2.1channel desktop speakers. The press release talks up the bass as it features what Pioneer calls “MAXX Bass Dynamic Sound with DSP Bass Enhancement” which is mean to improve the sound from the bass speaker. The entire system is rated at 40W, 20W for the subwoofer and 10W for each of the satellites.

But what makes this set of speakers interesting is the volume control, or rather the additional features built into it. Pioneer has not only added a large volume knob and an audio line input, but there are also playback controls in the shape of play/ pause and forward/rewind buttons. Add to that a USB port and an SD card slot which allows for playback of WMA and MP3 files from suitable storage devices without turning on your computer and you have something a little bit different.

We’re not so keen on the design though, as not only do the speakers look cheap in glossy black plastic, but the angular design isn’t very attractive. The S-MM301 has an MSRP of US $49 with the S-MM751RU coming in at US$129. Both models are available in the US now and are expected to be available in other markets shortly.

InFocus launches affordable DLP projector range Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/infocus-launches-affordable-dlpprojector-range/12887.html July 11th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Looking for an affordable DLP HD projector? InFocus has just announced a range of five new models of which two are 720p capable and the best thing of all is that they're coming in at a really good price point. In fact, InFocus are touting them as its lowest priced projectors, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The new range is called the IN100 series and consists of the IN112, IN114, IN116, IN124 and IN126. The two interesting models are the IN116 and IN126, as they're the models than have a native resolution of 1280x800. The only difference we've managed to make out between the two is that the IN126 is slightly brighter than the IN116 at 2500/3200 lumens (Eco/ High) whereas the IN116 only manages 2200/2700 (Eco/ High).

That said, the IN116 has a longer lamp life of 6000/5000h (Eco/High) compared to 4000/2500h (Eco/High) for the IN126. InFocus claim that the new models features a new lamp design that lasts 50 percent longer than its previous generation of projectors and considering that projector lamps are quite costly, this is a good thing.

The IN112 only manages 800x600 pixels, while the IN114 and IN124 offer a resolution of 1024x768. These models are more suitable in the office than for home cinema usage. The IN116, IN124 and IN126 all feature HDMI 1.3 video input as well, something the cheaper models are missing.

Price wise these new models are very competitively priced with the IN112 at US$339, the IN114 at US$399, the IN116 and IN124 at US$499 and finally the IN126 at US$599. InFocus will be offering all models globally according to its website, although we have a feeling that the prices might not be the same everywhere.

MSI's A75A-G35 motherboard nears launch Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-s-a75a-g35-motherboard-nearslaunch/12886.html July 11th, 2011

Looking for an affordable DLP HD projector? InFocus has just announced a range of five new models of which two are 720p capable and the best thing of all is that they're coming in at a really good price point. In fact, InFocus are touting them as its lowest priced projectors, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

So far MSI has only announced a single socket FM1 motherboard for AMD's Llano APUs, the A75MA-G55, but we've managed to score some pictures of the final version of MSI's upcoming A75A-G35 motherboard. It's not MSI's most 31

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exciting motherboard ever, but it's an entry level model so take it for what it is.

So far MSI has only announced a single socket FM1 motherboard for AMD's Llano APUs, the A75MA-G55, but we've managed to score some pictures of the final version of MSI's upcoming A75A-G35 motherboard. It's not MSI's most exciting motherboard ever, but it's an entry level model so take it for what it is.

Published by: VR-Zone

used heatsinks that are screwed on rather than relying on push-pins.

The rear I/O consists of two PS/2 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, 7.1-channel audio and a D-sub, DVI and HDMI port. Overall there's very little to get excited about, but it's up for pre-order in Europe for as little as â&#x201A;Ź71.50 (S$125) which makes it the cheapest ATX size A75 motherboard so far.

This is so far MSI's first ATX board for AMD's FM1 APUs and as far as we know, this is its entry level ATX model. It should be followed by the A75A-G45 and A75A-G55, as well as the mATX A75M-P35 and A75MA-35. As such the features are fairly basic, in fact, some are outright cost savings.

The slot layout isn't too bad, if a bit unusual with a x16 PCI Express slot at the top, three x1 PCI Express slots, a x4 PCI Express slot and two PCI slots. The board only has two DIMM slots, but considering the target market, we don't see this as too much of an issue.

The AMD A75 chipset provides six SATA 6Gbps ports and MSI has fitted them all, alongside pin-headers for two front USB 3.0 ports (again provided by the chipset), four USB 2.0 ports, a serial and parallel port and a couple of things we're not quite sure what the pin-headers are for, but one of them appears to be for a TPM module.

What's not so sexy is the two jumper blocks at the rear for manual switching between the display connectors, as only two of the three can be used at the same time. This screams low cost and it's something we've only seen on Chinese motherboards for the past couple of years now. On the plus side MSI have 32

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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.

Dell Venue smartphone review: the venue where style and professionalism call home Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/dell-venue-smartphone-review-thevenue-where-style-and-professionalism-call-home/12924.html July 13th, 2011

Android ecosystem. And going up against such big players is definitely not the easiest of tasks, even if Dell has an advantage in the form of the Android operating system being extremely popular with consumers, which gives it an extremely large market to play with right from the get-go.

However, there is also the possibility that Dell could be adhering to the wise saying of "better late than never", and that it is always better to release a well-tested and stable product that will appeal to consumers as opposed to tacking on cutting edge technologies that have a knack for bleeding end-users a lot more than they are worth. But is that always the case? Well, we are about to find out shortly, right after these hardware specifications.

Dell Venue hardware specifications Processor

Dell is widely considered to be one of the later entrants into the market for a slice of the lucrative smartphone pie. And the fact that its first true-blue Android-powered smartphone, the Venue (and not the Streak), has only started seeing the light of day on the retail shelves recently is certainly not about to win the company any favors within the Android ecosystem.

But could this be a classic example of "better late than never", and that Dell's new Venue might just have what it takes to hold its own against the likes of established manufacturers that have made a name for themselves in the Android smartphone space? VR-Zone puts it to the test.

Memory Display

Operating System Cameras Storage capacity

Frequency bands

Wireless connectivity Weight

Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8250 system-on-a-chip with 1GHz Scorpion CPU 512MB RAM 4.1-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display with native 800 x 480 resolution Android Froyo (v2.2.2) built over Linux kernel 2.6.32.9 8MP rear-facing camera 1GB, expandable with MicroSD cards of capacities up to 32GB 2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 3G: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth + A2DP + EDR 164g

Noctua NH-C14 Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/noctua-nh-c14-review/12624.html July 13th, 2011

Being a latecomer to any party is never a good decision to make, and it seems that Dell is about to find that out for itself the hard way now that its first Android-powered smartphone, the Dell Venue, has only been introduced to the market recently when countless other manufacturers have already established themselves as major players in the

In our labs today is an interesting product from the alpine nation of Austria. Noctua's NH-C14 processor heatsink possesses an interesting design which lets you mount the fan either above or below the fin array, promising compatibility 1

July 13th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

with large memory modules or narrow casings. Read on to find out how Noctua's top-flow heatsink design stacks up.

Noctua is quite well-known for their enthusiast-grade cooling solutions. In this article we'll be reviewing the Austria-based company's NH-C14 processor heatsink. The NH-C14 is a topflow design similar to Noctua's earlier NH-C12P (which is still on sale).

Material

Fan compatibility Scope of Delivery

Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating 140x140x25mm / 120x120x25mm 2x NF-P14 premium fan Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.) Ultra-Low-Noise Adaptor (U.L.N.A.) NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound SecuFirm2™ Mounting Kits

The NH-C14's key difference from the NH-C12P is its flexibility when it comes to fan mounting. For users of narrow/short casings, the fan can be mounted below the fin array, reducing the height of the heatsink to just 105mm. The fan can also be mounted above the fin array in the traditional configuration if you require additional clearance, for instance due to large memory heatspreaders (think Kingston's HyperX modules).

And if neither of these constraints apply to you, both included fans can be used together to provide the maximum cooling performance.

All recent processor sockets are supported by the NH-C14.

Noctua offers a whopping six-year warranty, but it's not clear if this extends to the bundled fans, without which the warranty would be rather superfluous since those are only parts liable to fail.

We'll take a closer look at the NH-C14 on the next page.

Heatsink Specifications Socket compatibility

Height (without fan) Width (without fan) Depth (without fan) Height (with fan) Width (with fan) Depth (with fan) Weight (without fan) Weight (with fan)

Intel LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775 & AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1 (backplate required) 105 mm 140 mm 166 mm 130 mm 140 mm 166 mm 700 g 850/1000* g

Warranty Fan specifications Model Bearing Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) Rotational Speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%) Rotational Speed with U.L.N.A. (+/- 10%) Airflow Airflow with L.N.A. Airflow with U.L.N.A. Acoustical Noise Acoustical Noise with L.N.A. Acoustical Noise with U.L.N.A. Input Power Voltage Range MTBF

Noctua Metal Case-Badge 6 Years

1200 RPM 900 RPM 750 RPM 110,3 m³/h 83,7 m³/h 71,2 m³/h 19,6 dB(A) 13,2 dB(A) 10,1 dB(A) 1,2 W 12 V > 150.000 h

LG unveils world's first glasses-free 3D monitor D2000 with eye-tracking technology Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lg-unveils-world-s-first-glassesfree-3d-monitor-d2000-with-eye-tracking-technology/12952.html July 13th, 2011

LG looks to be leading in the glasses-free 3D space with their Optimus 3D smartphone and now, the company has unveiled the glasses-free 3D monitor which claims to be the world's first. The 20-inch D2000 monitor incorporates eye-tracking

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technology (with its built-in camera) to offer superb 3D visual experience to users.

LG today unveiled the world’s first glasses-free monitor utilizing eye-tracking technology to provide an optimal 3D visual experience at most viewing angle. The 20-inch D2000 monitor was developed as a fully functional entertainment display capable of reproducing games, movies and images in all their realistic glory. The D2000's 3D effect comes courtesy of glasses-free parallax barrier 3D technology, and the application of the world’s first eye-tracking feature to the monitor.

Existing glasses-free 3D technologies generally require viewers to stay within a tightly restricted angle and distance to perceive the 3D images. However, the D2000 is able to offer viewers more freedom and comfort viewing. Eye tracking in the D2000 works via a special camera sensor attached to the monitor which detects changes in the user’s eye position in real-time. With this information, the monitor calculates the angle and position of the viewer and adjusts the displayed image for the most optimum 3D effect. In addition to playing back existing 3D content, the D2000 has a highly refined 2D to 3D conversion feature which adds a new dimension to existing movies and game playing.

Published by: VR-Zone

Korean maker LG has a great start this year with its line of Optimus smartphones namely Optimus 2X, Optimus Black and Optimus 3D. And recently, the company has a new upcoming phone with QWERTY keyboard and it is known as the Optimus Pro.

LG has recently unveiled a new smartphone under the Optimus series, the Optimus Pro which claims to incorporate Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread and 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen display. While the screen is not exactly large compared to other phones on the market, the Optimus Pro has a QWERTY keyboard for convenience of typing messages. There isn't much information about the LG Optimus Pro yet, except that it has a 3-megapixel camera, 800MHz processor and that it is positioned to be a mid-range device.

The Optimus Pro is already retailing in Italy at €179 (US$249) and should be available worldwide soon.

Google brings spam filtering to Google Voice Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/google-brings-spam-filtering-togoogle-voice/12951.html July 13th, 2011

The D2000 will be available in Korea this month, and introduced to other countries in the latter part of 2011.

LG's new QWERTY smartphone comes in the form of Optimus Pro Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lg-s-new-qwerty-smartphone-comesin-the-form-of-optimus-pro/12948.html July 13th, 2011

Most people hate dealing with telemarketers, especialy when they always seem to know when is the right (or wrong) time to bug people with a phone call and desperetely attempt to sell some sort of product or service which nobody wants to buy. And while it is still not possible for most users to rid themselves from telemarketers who make calls via a land or cell phone line, Google is attempting to help users achieve that goal online by introducing a spam filter for its Google Voice service, which is reportedly capable of automatically redirecting such calls into a dedicated spam folder. Way to go, Google.

Most people regard telemarketers as a bane of telecommunications, and for good reason. However, it does not help that most telemarkers are able to carry on with their 3

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jobs of harassing consumers over the phone due to their use of unlisted numbers, which makes it difficult for advanced caller ID systems to carry out any form of effective filtering to help users avoid such phone calls completely.

Fortunately, it seems that Google is, in its typical "do not be evil" fashion, actively taking steps to ensure that telemarketers are not about to exploit the capabilities of Internet-based telephony. And it is going about it by implementing what is best described as a spam filter for Google Voice, a feature which the company claims is designed to automatically filter unwanted phone calls directly into a dedicated spam folder, much like how its spam filter for Gmail currently works.

According to a blog post by Google's software engineering intern Alexander Rybak, the search giant is able to implement such a feature simply because it has amassed a huge database of "spammy numbers" which was brought about by the contributions made by "thousands of Google Voice users who mark calls as spam everyday", as well as information that is own spam identification tools were able to pick up. And it is this massive database of blacklisted numbers that allows Google to further enhance the user experience on Google Voice by automatically directing calls made from its database of blacklisted numbers to the spam folder where they belong, all without the need for any interaction on the user's part.

This feature can be enabled by navigating to the Calls tab of Google Voice settings and checking the box next to Global SPAM filtering, as shown below: Last but definitely not least, Rybak is claiming that the spam filter will only get better in time, as more contributions made by users in the form of identifying additional blacklisted numbers and correcting mislabeled spam numbers will allow Google to further refine the filter to ensure that users do not have to worry about having to deal with unwanted calls on Google Voice.

Japan to get Lady Gagadesigned mobile printer in "early September" Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/japan-to-get-lady-gaga-designedmobile-printer-in-early-september-/12950.html July 13th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Would you like to get your hands on a mobile printer that has reportedly been designed by the pop star Lady Gaga herself?

Well, if you do, your best bet will be to ask a Japanese friend to assist you in purchasing and shipping the unit over from the Land of the Rising Sun, as Summit Global Japan has announced that the aforementioned printer will be making its way down to the Japanese market for retail come "early September".

Now that celebrity-endorsed products are fast becoming a good method for capturing the hearts of consumers, it would make sense that many manufacturers are extremely keen on signing up various big-name superstars to design some of their products in order to make them stand out from the competition. And if you happen top be a huge fan of the pop superstar known as Lady Gaga...well, let's just say that Polaroid has got something in store for you, and it comes in the form of the GL10 mobile printer that is currently heading over to Japan for sale come "early September".

First unveiled at CES this year, the Lady Gaga-designed GL10 Instant Mobile Printer is touted as the first Polaroid brand product under the Grey Label line, which is a new brand that the singer launched for the company upon taking up the post as a creative director for Polaroid products last year. According to Polaroid, the GL10 boasts various features such as the use of the 2nd generation ZINK Zero Ink Printing Technology which is reportedly capable of inkless printing by embedding color directly into the paper, wireless print capabilities via smartphone and a wide range of custom designed borders, among many others.

Sounds interesting? Well, you have got to be prepared to break the piggy bank if you want to get your hands on one of these Lady Gaga-designed GL10 mobile printers, for Summit Global Japan has confirmed that the printer will be selling at the suggested retail price of 17,800 yen (approx US$224). Ouch.

WitsTech unveils new Androidpowered A91 tablet device for sale in China Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/witstech-unveils-new-androidpowered-a91-tablet-device-for-sale-in-china/12949.html

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Published by: VR-Zone

differentiate it from its older A81 tablet. For example, the A91 now uses three touch-sensitive buttons at the front as opposed to the physical buttons that were present in the A81, and that the rear housing is now removable to allow users access to the A91's battery pack.

It is a common perception that most, if not all of those Chinabranded tablet devices that are currently making their way onto the retail shelves in the gigantic Chinese domestic market are nothing more than cheap toys which sport poor build qualities and weak hardware, right? Well, leave it to WitsTech to prove such critics wrong with the introduction of its new A91 Android-powered tablet, which reportedly boasts certain improvements over its prodecessor, especialy in the looks department. Read on to find out more...

Have you heard of a company known as WitsTech? Well, they may not have got much of a presence (if at all) in many parts of the world, but it seems that the company is immensely popular in its own Chinese domestic market, where it specializes in the "manufacturing and marketing of portable multimedia devices" such as tablets. And apparently, it would seem that demand for WitsTech's products in China is decent enough for the company to justify releasing a new tablet known as the A91, which the company claims is a huge improvement over its predecessor, the A81.

No information pertaining to pricing and availability for Witstech's A91 tablet has been released yet, although we'd expect it to be extremely affordable, considering how the device appears to be designed for sale only within the Chinese domestic market.

Microsoft issues Critical security bulletin for Windows Bluetooth Stack vulnerability Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/microsoft-issues-critical-security-

According to the hardware specifications published by WitsTech on its product page, the Wits A91 tablet device is powered by 1GHz ARM Cortex A8-based CPU which is reportedly provided by Texas Instruments' OMAP3730 processor, while a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen capable of a native resolution of 1024 x 600 serves as the A91's display.

In addition, the A91 features a decent 512MB of RAM, 2GB of flash memory and a battery pack which boasts a capacitiy of 3000 mAh, although the decision to include a low-resolution 1.3-megapixel camera will probably turn some potential customers off.

That being said, WitsTech has also confirmed that the A91 will feature built-in support for Bluetooth and GPS, with optional support for 3G. Curiously, there is no mention about any form of support for WiFi support on the A91, although we'd figure that it is probably just an oversight on WitsTech's part, considering how most tablets, even China-branded ones, usually come standard with WiFi capabilities. Oh, and it comes bundled with version 2.3 of the Android operating system.

Last but definitely not least, it would seem that WitsTech has given the A91 a bit of a cosmetic overhaul in order to

bulletin-for-windows-bluetooth-stack-vulnerability/12947.html July 13th, 2011

Is your PC running off the Windows 7 or Windows Vista operating system? If your answer to that question is a "yes", you might want to start firing up the Windows Update utility in your operating system and performing a full system update today, for Microsoft has announced that it has released four security bulletins for this month's Patch Tuesday, and that one particular bulletin which has been marked as "Critical" is designed to patch a reported flaw in the Windows Bluetooth Stack found in both Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Well, we are now into the second week of July, and we all know what this means for most people whose PCs are running off the world's most popular operating system. That's right, Patch Tuesday is upon us once again, and Microsoft has 5

July 13th, 2011

announced that it will making use of this period to close 22 known vulnerabilties for its software products by publishing four security bulletins, three of which are designed to patch the Windows operating system.

According to the details posted by Microsoft on its security blog, the three bulletins that will be released for the Windows operating system are centered around closing vulnerabilities found in the Windows Bluetooth Stack, its kernel-mode drivers and in the client/server run-time subsystem. Of all the three bulletins, the one related to the Bluetooth Stack has been flagged as "Critical", and it is this particular security bulletin which the Redmond giant is urging consumers and corporate users to give priority to.

Published by: VR-Zone

Razer has launched their new Mouse Bungee accessory which comes with a new design to help manage the gaming mouse cord from dragging against surfaces or tangling, offering gamers the optimum gaming experience. The Razer Mouse Bungee is schedule to ship around end of July.

Back in '96, when Quake and rocket jumping were synonymous with skilled gaming, there was another product that helped gamers keep their competitive spirits revved and their mouse swiping optimal – the Mouse Bungee. And now 15 years on, Razer has taken this well-loved old-school accessory and given it a modern makeover to keep up with the next generation of professional gamers.

Of course, it goes without saying that the Bluetooth vulnerability which Microsoft is aiming to patch with its latest update will only affect users who have furnished their PCs with Bluetooth capabilities. This means that most desktop PC users could potentially ignore this particular security bulletin without the need to worry about leaving their systems open for determined attackers to gain access into, simply because most desktop PCs, be it self-assembled or purchased directly from an OEM, typically do not come with any built-in support for Bluetooth.

On the other hand, notebook users would probably do well to take heed of Microsoft's advice and patch their operating systems with the aforementioned security bulletin, considering how Bluetooth wireless connectivity is a standard feature found on virtually all mobile computers that are being sold on the market today. And yes, it only affects Windows 7 and Windows Vista, so users of Windows XP can probably heave a sigh of relief...for now.

Razer Mouse Bungee Helps Manage Your Mouse Cord Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/razer-mouse-bungee-helps-manageyour-mouse-cord/12946.html July 13th, 2011

Outfitted with a stable, taut arm, the Razer Mouse Bungee threads your mouse cord through to keep it from dragging against surfaces or tangling. This ensures your gaming experience isn't messed up by unnecessary cord hindrance.

Anti-slip feet and a weight installed in the Razer Mouse Bungee?s base ensure it remains immobile no matter how aggressive your swipes. Razer's updated sleek design and pitch black finish makes it an essential space-saver and aesthetic addition to your gaming setup.

Price: US$19.99 / EU€19.99 Availability: Razerzone.com – Pre-order Now Shipping 28 July, Worldwide – July 2011 Product features: - Anti-slip feet - Rust-resistant taut spring arm to allow cable flex - Head grip for mouse cord management - Weighted base for stability - Space-saving structure

Samsung updates Galaxy Player 70 with new "Black Edition" variant Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-updates-galaxy-player-70with-new-black-edition-variant/12945.html July 13th, 2011

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Well, that certaintly did not take very long: in less than a month after Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy Player 70 portable media player with VoIP capabilities for use on LG's U+ telecommunications network, out comes the Korean electronics giant with a new version of its Galaxy Player 70 for its domestic Korean market. And guess what the new version of this portable media player is called? Why, the Samsung Galaxy Player 70 "Black Edition", of course.

It sure seems that Samsung is on a roll with its Galaxy Player line of media players; in less than a month after it has struck up a deal with LG to sell its VoIP-capable Galaxy Player 70 device for use as Smart Home Phones on the latter's telecommunication networks, out comes the Korean electronics giant with yet another Galaxy Player-related piece of news for its domestic market. Apparently, word has it that Samsung has just introduced a new version of the Galaxy Player 70 portable media player for sale in Korea, and it comes in the form of the Galaxy Player 70 "Black Edition", which boasts a few features that are not present in the original Galaxy Player 70 portable media player.

Published by: VR-Zone

BlackBerry Bold 9900 to launch in US next month?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/blackberry-bold-9900-to-launch-in-usnext-month-/12944.html July 13th, 2011

Remember the little story we published a month ago about Research In Motion or RIM unveiling its upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone, while conveniently choosing to keep consumers in the dark by not providing any details about pricing and availability? Well, we got some good news; apparently BlackBerry fans who cannot wait to get their hands on RIM's newest smartphone need not have to wait for long, for word has it that the RIM is very close to launching the Bold 9900 in the US. And we all know what that means, right?

We have covered its official unveiling a month ago, and brought you a hands on of the product itself when it was exhibited at RIM's booth during the recent CommunicAsia trade event, but in spite of all this publicity, it would seem that RIM is dead set in keeping the two key details of its upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone, pricing and availability, a well-guarded secret. However, it seems that good things do indeed happen to those who are patient, for word has it that RIM has broken its silence over the issue of the Bold 9900 availability in its annual shareholder meeting.

According to a report published by Akihabara News, the new Galaxy Player 70 "Black Edition" will come preloaded with "several new educational services for Korean students", and this service apparently includes access to up to 5,000 free online courses. No detailed information about the aforementioned "educational service" was mentioned in the report, although we'd hazard a guess that the service will most likely consist of links to relevant reading material, or come in the form of e-textbooks to make it easier for Korean students to revise their work while on the move.

In addition, as its name suggests, the new Galaxy Player 70 "Black Edition" portable media player will be available in any colour users want it to be, as long as it is black.

Lastly, Akihabara News has claimed in its report that the "Black Edition" version of the Galaxy Player 70 sports specifications that are identical to those that are already present in the current Galaxy Player 70; this includes the use of a 5-inch display, a preloaded Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system, a rear-facing 3.2MP camera, as well as access to standard wireless connectivity features such as WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and GPS. No pricing for the Galaxy Player 70 "Black Edition" portable media player has been released by Samsung at this point of time.

According to a report published by Electronista, it was RIM's co-CEO, Mike Lazaridis, who spilled the beans about the BlackBerry Bold 9900's launch date during the meeting by claiming that the smartphone was "very close to a launch", and that he expected the device to make its way out onto retail shelves "over the next month". This ties in with the FCC's go-ahead for the device, which had reportedly cleared the BlackBerry Bold 9900 for sale in the US by late August, although Electronista is suggesting that US carriers are more likely to start selling the device only in September.

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Also revealed during the shareholder meeting was RIM's aggressive plans to push the Bold 9900 smartphone out to consumers; Electronista has reported that the company intends to launch the smartphone with no less than "491 certification programs and 191 carriers".

However, it seems that RIM is still intent on keeping a tight lid over the BlackBerry Bold 9900's pricing, as no information about this particular detail was released during the company's annual shareholder meeting, so suffice to say no one really knows just how much the Bold 9900 smartphone will eventually cost when it hits US retail shelves sometime in late August or early September. Of course, you can rest assured that we will be keeping tabs on this as well, so do check back for updates.

Sony improves notebook Li-Ion battery technlogy Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-improves-notebook-li-ionbattery-technlogy/12943.html

Published by: VR-Zone

still delivering 3.5Ah. Another bonus is that the new Nexelion cells are less temperature sensitive and won't suffer from premature discharging at low temperatures, something that is a problem for Li-Ion batteries.

Sony should start shipping the new battery cells shortly and they should appear in battery packs for various notebooks and several other types of products like camcorders and what not.

It'll be interesting to see how much difference in notebook battery life Sony's new Nexcelion cells make and let's hope Sony has managed to improve the reliability as well, so we don't get any more of those nasty exploding battery packs.

Sony launches USB 3.0 hard drive, with home entertainment in mind Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-launches-usb-3.0-hard-drivewith-home-entertainment-in-mind/12942.html July 13th, 2011

July 13th, 2011

If you're finding that your notebook battery life falls a bit short of your expectations, then Sony has good news as the company has managed to improve the capacity of its Nexelion hybrid Li-Ion battery cells. The original Nexelion battery cells were introduced back in 2005 and back then offered a good bump in battery capacity and although it's taken six years, we're now getting another bump.

If you're finding that your notebook battery life falls a bit short of your expectations, then Sony has good news as the company has managed to improve the capacity of its Nexelion hybrid Li-Ion battery cells. The original Nexelion battery cells were introduced back in 2005 and back then offered a good bump in battery capacity and although it's taken six years, we're now getting another bump.

The current generation of Nexcelion cells are rated at 2.2Ah per cell, but now Sony is getting ready to start shipping cells rated at 3.5Ah. The energy density has increased from 182Wh per kg to 226Wh per kg, although the new cells are slightly heavier than the current ones at an additional 10g per cell.

Sony is breaking new ground by releasing an external hard drive for its home entertainment products. The model is called the HD-PG5U and it will connect to a wide range of Sony products ranging from camcorders to TV's and of course the PS3.

Sony is breaking new ground by releasing an external hard drive for its home entertainment products. The model is called the HD-PG5U and it will connect to a wide range of Sony products ranging from camcorders to TV's and of course the PS3.

The HD-PG5U will allow users to record HD TV programs when connected to compatible Sony Bravia TV's and it will allow owners of some of its Handycam camcorders to transfer footage directly to the drive without the need of a PC. The PS3 will be able to play back AVCHD video and photos via an app known as "Filmy" and the drive will of course also connect to any PC via either USB 3.0 or USB 2.0. Sony has preloaded the drive with its "Data Transfer Accelerator" software which is said to double the effective transfer rate, something we'll believe when we see it.

The new cells can also be drained for more power than the current cells, as where the current cells have a cut-off point at 3V the new cells can go all the way down to 2V while 8

July 13th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

as some of its more expensive counterparts; it's overall a pretty decent board. Compared to the Z68A-GD55, the Z68AG45 is missing DrMOS (Driver MOSFETs) and the tantalum capacitors used in the VRM on the Z68A-GD55. MSI has also cut the phase count from 10 to six, but this should still prove to be sufficient even for overclockers.

The drive can also be password protected and support 256bit encryption. Sony also provides backup software for PCs. For some reason Sony is supplying the drive formatted in NTFS, but provides a piece of software that re-formats it in FAT32 (we're not sure why this is needed, since this is a standard Windows feature) so that it can be used with Sony's camcorders and the PS3. Not exactly what we'd call an ideal solution.

Other changes include removal of the power, reset and OC Genie buttons, no angled SATA connectors and no metering points for the Voltages. Again, nothing that most people couldn't live without. The chipset heatsink is also somewhat smaller which is a slight concern, but we can't imagine that MSI has made it so small that there would be heat problems.

The HD-PG5U is only available in 500GB as the drive is a 2.5inch model. Sony will offer it in a choice of either black or white. No word on pricing and apparently for the time being it's exclusive to the UK, France and Germany.

MSI set to launch more affordable Z68A-G45 motherboard shortly Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-set-to-launch-more-affordablez68a-g45-motherboard-shortly/12941.html July 13th, 2011

So far MSI has only really launched five Z68 boards, although two has already been revised with PCI Express 3.0 support for Intel's Ivy Bridge processors that should launch sometime in the first half of next year. We've managed to get hold of a couple of pictures of a more affordable ATX size board that MSI is set to launch shortly, namely the Z68A-G45, the model below the currently available Z68A-GD55.

So far MSI has only really launched five Z68 boards, although two has already been revised with PCI Express 3.0 support for Intel's Ivy Bridge processors that should launch sometime in the first half of next year. We've managed to get hold of a couple of pictures of a more affordable ATX size board that MSI is set to launch shortly, namely the Z68A-G45, the model below the currently available Z68A-GD55.

We can actually see the Z68A-G45 becoming a popular model from MSI, as although it might not be quite as feature rich

What you do get is a pair of x16 PCI Express slots that operate in dual x8 mode, three x1 PCI Express slots and two PCI slots.

There are pin headers for eight front USB 2.0 ports as well as two USB 3.0 ports. Around the back things haven't changed at all from the more expensive model, so we're looking at a PS/2 port, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, 7.1-channel audio with optical and coaxial S/PDIF out and an HDMI, D-Sub and DVI port.

Judging by pre-order pricing in Europe the Z68A-G45 should retail for around â&#x201A;Ź130 (S$223), whereas the Z68A-GD55 is retailing for around â&#x201A;Ź150 (S$257). A small price difference, but 9

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Published by: VR-Zone

then again, none of the really important features are missing, so we weren't expecting a huge price difference in the first place.

Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro C1 CPU cooler review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/be-quiet-dark-rock-pro-c1-cpu-coolerreview/12925.html July 13th, 2011

Today we bring you yet another review of a product from Be Quiet, who perhaps is the most well known German manufacturer of PC-related products. A few weeks ago we had a look at their Dark Rock Advanced C1, a very high quality CPU cooler; today we are going to test and review its monstrous brother, the Dark Rock Pro C1 CPU cooler.

Introduction Today we bring you yet another review of a product from Be Quiet, who perhaps is the most well known German manufacturer of PC-related products. A few weeks ago we had a look at their Dark Rock Advanced C1, a very high quality CPU cooler; today we are going to test and review its monstrous brother, the Dark Rock Pro C1 CPU cooler.

Manufacturer features and specifications • For gaming, multimedia and CAD systems even at maximum processing power.

Push pin mounting Fan model, number SilentWings PWM , 2 Anti vibration fan fixing Rubber string Stainless steel clip and Yes contact ring Overall noise level (dB(A)) @ 12,0 / 19,8 / 25,9 900/1250/100% (rpm) Fin dimensions (L x W) , thickness (mm) Number of fins Fin material Base material CPU contact surface Heatpipe number, Diameter (mm) Surface treatment Fan dimensions (mm) Speed @ 100% PWM (rpm) Air flow @ 100% (CFM; m3/ h) Air pressure (mm H2O) Bearing type Rated voltage (V) Input current (A) Input power (W) PWM Controller Connector Cable length (mm) Cable sleeve Livetime L10 @ 25 °C (hours)

133 x 47 x 0,4 44 Aluminium Copper CNC machined 7; 6 Nickel plated 120 1700 57,2; 93,3 2,1 FDB 12,0 0,2 2,4 Yes 4-pin Molex 250 Yes 300.000

• Suitable for overclocking operation.

• Extremely efficient up to more than 220 watt.

• Maximum cooling efficiency, Delta T 9.2 @ 100 watt.

• Quiet operation with 1× Silent Wings PWM fan, 12.0– 25.9 dB(A).

• High-quality materials with dark nickel surfaces.

Thermal resistance @ CPU Power disposal (Rth @ P) Overall dimensions without mounting material (L x W x H) (mm) Total weight CPU Wattage Range (W) Socket compatibility

Backplate Mounting

Logitech Launches New Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/logitech-launches-new-wireless-touchkeyboard-k400/12937.html July 13th, 2011

0,092

133 x 150 x 166

1550 220 LGA 775 / 1155 / 1156 / 1366, AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / 754 / 939 / 940 Yes

It was only last week that Logitech announced the G400 Optical Gaming Mouse and today, the peripheral maker has launched the Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 designed to offer greater connectivity and convenience for users. Read on.

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Published by: VR-Zone July 13th, 2011

Logitech has introduced their latest Wireless Touch Keyboard K400, which gives users wireless control of their computer or laptop-connected TV conveniently. With a wireless range of up to 10m, the Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 offers easy control of a laptop on its own or when it’s connected to a TV from the comfort of your couch. The Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 is designed specifically for people who connect their laptops to a TV to enjoy their favourite multimedia content on a larger screen. A built-in 3.5-inch touchpad makes vertical and horizontal scrolling intuitive and eliminates the need for a separate mouse.

The Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 is easy to setup – just plug the tiny Logitech Unifying receiver into a USB port and it’s ready to use. The Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 can even add five more compatible devices to the same receiver. Users can also enjoy lean-back wireless control for up to a year without the hassle of changing batteries. The Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 is compact without compromising on comfort, and stands vertically when not in use for easy storage.

Pricing and Availability The Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 is available now for a suggested retail price of S$59.

NVIDIA recently released "Fastest Notebook GPU Ever" - the GeForce GTX 580M - less than two weeks ago. Considering the top AMD GPU at the time - Radeon HD 6970M - featured a cut down Barts core with a conservative price and TDP (compared to NVIDIA competition), a spruced up Radeon HD 6990M was always on the cards. AMD is releasing the Radeon HD 6990M, claiming the "World's Fastest Mobile GPU" title away from the barely 2-week old GTX 580M. There are no major surprises with the Radeon HD 6990M. It features a full Barts core with 1120 SP and 56 TMU enabled (as opposed to 960 SP for the HD 6970M). The clock speed is up to 715 MHz as well. The memory bandwidth continues to be the same. However, the HD 6990M feature 2GB GDDR5, doubling up on the HD 6970M. AMD's internal benchmarks show the Radeon HD 6990M performing 10% faster than the GTX 580M. Of course, these internal benchmarks are often cherry picked, and we will have to wait for independent reviews to confirm AMD's "World's Fastest Notebook GPU" claim. This is a direct reprise for the HD 6870 vs. GTX 560 Ti battle in the desktop arena. Like the desktop battle, the AMD product is based on a much smaller die with much lesser power consumption. Crucially, it is worth noting that the HD 6990M is clocked closer to the HD 6870 than the GTX 580M is to the GTX 560 Ti - so all indications suggest HD 6990M will indeed suprass the GTX 580M, likely with a lower pricing.

The HD 6990M will soon be found in high-end laptops by OEMs such as Alienware, Clevo and Eurocom. Some uber enthusiast laptops may also offer 2x HD 6990M in CrossFire.

HP organizes new team to focus on webOS; and to pioneer Ultrabooks Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hp-organizes-new-team-to-focus-onwebos-and-to-pioneer-ultrabooks/12921.html July 13th, 2011

AMD launches Radeon HD 6990M

HP has appointed a new executive to lead the development of its webOS software which it acquired from Palm, and to push and broaden the software usage. On top of that, the company also aims to pioneer Ultrabook-concept notebook PCs before the rest of its competitors.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amd-launches-radeonhd-6990m/12935.html

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Published by: VR-Zone

flash disks did not exist, but it does not change the fact that most of these USB flash disks have a little problem in the usability department ; they are not small enough to the point where users can simply hook up their storage devices to their notebooks and leave it there without the need to remove them at all, even when packing up or moving around. And this is the kind of need Verbatim is clearly aiming to fulfill with the introduction of its new Verbatim Store 'n' Stay ultra-small USB flash disks.

According to reports, HP has appointed Palmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former CEO Jon Rubinstein to take charge of product development and innovation for the Personal Systems Group, which consists of PCs, tablets and smartphones, and senior vice president Stephen DeWitt who will be responsible for developing and promoting the webOS software. HP has started shipping their long-awaited TouchPad tablet devices in the U.S. last week and the company is counting on producing new products based on the recently acquired webOS operating system from Palm to stand out from the competition. The company is also looking to attract developers to program applications for the webOS platform and to expand on its use.

Said to be no larger than a dime, or approximately the size of a typical nano receiver used by wireless mice, Verbatim claims that the "low-profile, snag-free design makes it the optimal USB flash drive choice for laptop users who want the ability to transfer, store and share their favorite files on impulse", a feat which is achieved by it being "meant to be left in the USB port for always-ready storage". Indeed, with a physical footprint this small, one can simply just pack their notebook without having to worry about the device getting caught on the zipper of their notebook's sleeves or carrying bags.

On top of that, HP is also looking to be the pioneer to launch Intel's Ultrabook-concept notebook PCs, and ahead of ASUS UX21 Ultrabook that is scheduled to launch in September.

The company is also expected to launch Ultrabooks based on Intel Ultra-thin Core i7-2677M (1.8GHz) and i7-2637M (1.7GHz) dual-core processors. The ASUS UX21 Ultrabooks are expected to be available in 11.6- and 13-inch displays.

Verbatim launches ultra-small Store 'n' Stay USB flash drives Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/verbatim-launches-ultra-small-store-nstay-usb-flash-drives/12934.html July 13th, 2011

In today's day and age where the need for ready access to data on the move via portable storage devices is something most people cannot afford to go without, it would make sense that such devices will need to be able to offer more in terms of storage capacity and user confort. And leave it to Verbatim to solve both needs in a single solution that is its ultra-small Store 'n' Stay USB flash drives, which are designed to be installed once on a PC and then 'forgotten', so to speak.

Unfortunately for those looking for blazing data transfer speeds in the Store 'n' Stay flash drives, Verbatim has reportedly confirmed that the devices will be making use of the USB 2.0 interface, so high-seed data transfers with the Store 'n' Stay is definitely out of the question. However, if it is of any consolation, the drives will be available in fairly large storage capacities of 4GB (US$19.99), 8GB (US$29.99) and 16GB (US $59.99), which should be more than enough space for most users to store all their important data with.

Easydy unveils E88 tablet device for China Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/easydy-unveils-e88-tablet-device-forchina/12933.html

Most of us will probably have difficulty imagining a world where portable, high-capacity storage devices such as USB 12

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Published by: VR-Zone

July 13th, 2011

You know what they say about Chinese OEMs and their devices: if there is a product out there that does well on the market, it will only be a matter of time before some enterprising Chinese OEMs produce a similar device based off its likeness, but with vastly different hardware and capabilities to boot. And this is exactly what Easydy has done with its E88 tablet device, which bears more than a passing semblance to a certain tablet we all know so well.

How would you like to own an 'iPad 2' at the unbelievably low price of US$98? Well, that is exactly what a Chinese OEM known as Easydy is offering its domestic Chinese market, and its product comes in the form of the E88 tablet, which, as we have already pointed out previously, bears more than just a passing semblance to the real deal that has been released to critical acclaim by Apple.

In addition to the use of an x86-based processor, the E88 will also feature 256MB of memory, 4GB of storage, (expandable via microSD cards) and a 9.7-inch resistive touchscreen capable of a native resolution of 800 x 600. Last but definitely not least, M.I.C Digi claims that the E88 will come with builtin support for 3G and will weigh 479g.

Haier upgrades HaiPad tablet device, still available only in China Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/haier-upgrades-haipad-tablet-devicestill-available-only-in-china/12932.html July 13th, 2011

According to a report posted by M.I.C Digi, the Easydy E88 may resemble Apple's iPad 2 tablet device, but that is where the similarity ends. This is because, unlike the ARM processors used to power most of the tablets that are currently available for sale on the market today. Easydy has opted to furnish its E88 tablet with a VIA 8650 processor that is clocked at 800MHz. And we all know what an x86-based processor means; technically, users with sufficient computer know-how can replace the bundled Android 2.2 operating system with a working copy of Windows into the E88.

It has been some time since we talked about Chinese products, but that does not mean that the consumer electronics scene in China has been mellowing out somewhat. On the contrary, it seems to be just as lively as it always has been, and the best proof of that fact is has got to be Haier's recent product launch, where it officially unveiled its upgraded Haipad tablet device for the Chinese domestic market.

Haier may not be all that well-known in other parts of the world, but it seems that the company is well-regarded as one of the trusted household brands over in China, and it shows.

Apparently, the company's earlier Haipad tablet has done well enough in the Chinese domestic market for it to jusfity the release of an upgraded veraion of the tablet that comes with some notable improvements over its predecessor.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Prime, and that Google will be supposedly abandoning its "one Nexus phone only" approach in favor of allowing a variety of OEMs to produce their own Nexus-branded smartphones as long as it conforms to a specific set of requirements? Well, thanks to Samsung and its Romanian Twitter account, we have got further information about that aforementioned Nexusbranded smartphone, right down to the operating system that it will be bundled with, and its expected availability on the market.

According to a report published by Shanzhai.com, the upgraded Haipad tablet, which was launched yesterday in China, sports a new operating system in the form of "a DianXin version of Android"... and version 2.2 at that. This puts the Haipad in a bit of a disadvantage, as most tablets that have been released for sale recently now sport the newer and more advanced Honeycomb.

That being said, little about the tablet's hardware specifications has been made public, although Shanzhai.com claims that the upgraded Haipad will sport a seven-inch touchscreen, dual cameras, built-in support for 3G, and utilizes a Samsung processor clocked at 1GHz. In addition, Shanzhai.com also claims that consumers will have five color choices to choose from for the Haipad, and that the company has launched its own app store to provide "more than 15,000 apps to Chinese consumers", although it did not mention whether the Haipad will support the official Android Market.

No information about pricing has been revealed by Haier yet, although the report claims that the Haipad is expected to be released for sale in China only by August this year.

Samsung leaks upcoming Nexus smartphone with Ice Cream Sandwich Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-leaks-upcoming-nexussmartphone-with-ice-cream-sandwich/12931.html July 13th, 2011

Seems like the good folks over at Samsung were just not able to keep a secret in their excitement over the major changes that Google is reportedly bringing to the Android ecosystem in time. Apparently, the Korean electronics giant has essentially leaked just about every important aspect of an upcoming Nexus-branded smartphone, right down to the OS version and its availability. Way to go, Samsung.

Remember the news we posted some time back about how the next Nexus-branded smartphone will be named the Nexus

In case you are wondering what the tweet means, Samsung is claiming that the upcoming Nexus phone is likely to make its way onto the market for sale come end 2011, and that it will be pre-loaded with version 4.0 of the Android operating system, which is otherwise known by its mouth-watering name of Ice Cream Sandwich. Of course, the fact that machine translations are not exactly the most reliable solutions to overcome the language barrier means that the possibility of a misunderstanding due to inaccurate translations is a distinct possibility. However, it is also the closest one can get to actually having an official word from Samsung about the availability of its upcoming Nexus-branded smartphone.

No information about the upcoming Nexus-branded smartphone's hardware has been revealed yet, though.

However, if you are keen to find out what the rumour mill claims is the most possible hardware combination for the Nexus 3, you can head over to our previous story to do so.

Google to add image stabilization to video calls on Google Talk?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/google-to-add-image-stabilization-tovideo-calls-on-google-talk-/12930.html July 13th, 2011

There is nothing more nauseating than viewing a short video clip that looked as though it was filmed by someone who has a severe case of Parkinson's disease, and this is even more so when one is communicating through others via video chat on a mobile computing device such as a smartphone or tablet device. And leave it to Google to attempt a solution to the 14

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problem by reportedly planning to include image stabilization technology into future versions of Google Talk.

Video calls are a great way to keep in touch with friends and family members; unfortunately, the experience can all-tooeasily be ruined by either party failing to have a steady grip on the device that is currently being used to make the video call, which results in what is supposed to be a heartwarming conversation quickly becoming a nauseating experience.

Fortunately, it appears that Google is taking steps to ensure that video calls made via its Google Talk service do not suffer such undesirable outcomes, for word has it that the search giant is planning to implement some form of images stabilization technology into future versions of its online telephony service.

Details about the new image stabilization technology are scarce, but what we do know from various online reports is that the technology will be developed by a company known as SRI International, which some people may remember as the party that was responsible for designing the computer mouse that virtually every single PC user simply cannot live without today. SRI International claims that its technology will be able to benefit users who frequently make use of video calls in two ways, namely in terms of user comfort and the device's video processing algorithms:

Published by: VR-Zone

Pantech releases Vega N5 smartphone for sale in Korea Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pantech-releases-vega-n5-smartphonefor-sale-in-korea/12929.html July 13th, 2011

When it comes to fanciful gadgets such as smartphones and tablets, it goes without saying that Singapore is always one of the last to get its share of the fun (if ever), and the latest announcement from Pantech only seems to confirm that fact.

Apparently, the Vega N5 super-powered smartphone that was announced back in May has finally been released for sale in Korea, and it seems that it will only be available for purchase in that particular country.

Do you remember a certain story we published a long time ago about what was allegedly an Android-powered superphone from Pantech that was known as the Vega X and was touted to be the fastest smartphone to exist on the market? Well, scratch that; Pantech has just outdid itself with the introduction of an even more powerful smartphone that is seemingly capable of leaving the Vega X in the dust of its wake, and it is called the Vega N5.

By stabilizing the video, SRI's software compensates for scene motion and allows the video compression algorithm to improve image quality by using fewer bits to encode the video. There is increased mobile device efficiency when an image is stabilized before compression, and there is less work for a device's video compression engine to perform.

Sounds interesting? Well, hang on to your horses for now: while there is no denying that the inclusion of such a feature will be greatly welcomed by many users engage in video calls while on the move, it seems that not all Androidpowered devices will be blessed with support for SRI's image stabilization technology. at least during the initial rollout. This is because word has it that the feature will only be available to tablets running off version 3.0 or later of the Android operating system, although it seems that many are hopeful that Google will eventually find a way to have the feature trickle downstream to older versions of Android.

According to various online reports, the Pantech Vega N5 is powered by Qualcomm's MSM8660 processor which is clocked at a whopping speed of 1.5GHz, while its memory is provided by 1GB of DDR2 RAM, in addition to its internal storage capacity of 16GB. And if that is not enough to satisfy those who simply have to be on the bleeding edge of smartphone technology, the reports also claim that the Pantech Vega N5 will come bundled with version 2.3.3 of the Android operating system and will feature a five-inch display which is capable of a native resolution of 800 x 480, similar to what Dell currently offers in its Dell Streak 5 tablet/ smartphone hybrid device.

Unfortunately, this is where we have the classic "good news bad news" situation going, and the bad news is that most of the reports have indicated that there is virtually no chance of 15

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a global launch, for the Vega N5 is currently only targeted at its domestic Korean market. No information about pricing has been revealed yet, although some reports are claiming that the Vega N5 will be sold for the equivalent of 550 euros (approx US $767). And no, the lady is not included as part of the package.

1Gbit/s 802.11ac Wi-Fi demoed

by NTT Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/1gbits-802.11ac-wi-fi-demoed-byntt/12928.html July 13th, 2011

Japanese NTT has demoed a prototype setup using the next generation 802.11ac standard which should bring us 1Gbit/ s Wi-Fi. The demo was shown last week at an event called Wireless Technology Park in Yokohama City in Japan.

Japanese NTT has demoed a prototype setup using the next generation 802.11ac standard which should bring us 1Gbit/ s Wi-Fi. The demo was shown last week at an event called Wireless Technology Park in Yokohama City in Japan.

In as much as the technology itself is rather impressive speed wise, there seems to be quite a few hurdles that still need to be overcome before this technology has a chance to win over consumers and business alike. The good news is that it seems to be sufficient with three antennas on the receiving end, but the transmitter at this stage is using no less than sixantennas.

Published by: VR-Zone

We're also moving to wider and wider data channels and the 802.11ac standard will move from the 40MHz per channel of 802.11n to 80MHz per channel. The 802.11ac standard is said to be ratified by 2013, so luckily there's still some time to work out the kinks. Faster Wi-Fi sounds like a great thing, but it almost seems like there's a need to come up with a better way of sending the radio signals, as we can't see a lot of router makers going down the route (no pun intended) of adding six antennas to their devices.

Is the Air Bearing Heat Exchanger the future of CPU cooling?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/is-the-air-bearing-heat-exchanger-thefuture-of-cpu-cooling-/12927.html July 13th, 2011

An outfit called Sandia National Laboratories has developed something called an "Air Bearing Heat Exchanger" or as they like to call it, the Sandia Cooler and it's said to change the way we cool our CPUs. The name is a lot fancier than the technology itself, but it does have some merits compared to a regular heatsink/fan cooler.

An outfit called Sandia National Laboratories has developed something called an "Air Bearing Heat Exchanger" or as they like to call it, the Sandia Cooler and it's said to change the way we cool our CPUs. The name is a lot fancier than the technology itself, but it does have some merits compared to a regular heatsink/fan cooler.

What makes the Sandia Cooler so special is the fact that the cooling fins themselves are actually moving and this is said to remove the "thermal bottleneck" of current CPU coolers. This is done by placing a brushless DC motor in the centre of the heatsink, a spot that's usually where the motor of the fan is located.

If 802.11ac is going to be developed this way, then it means that Wi-Fi as we know it is going to turn asynchronous, something we have a feeling quite a few users aren't going to be too keen on. On top of that, speeds at Gigabit level are currently only being achieved to a single receiver, whereas in a three user scenario the speed was dropped to an effective throughput of 120Mbit/s per user. This is still better than the current 802.11n standard, but far from ideal in a multi-user environment, something that Wi-Fi almost always is.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Apparently the design also prevents the cooler from being "fouled" by dust, i.e. it's not meant to collect dust, unlike your average CPU cooler which tends to need a good clean every few months. It's also meant to be more energy efficient than current air coolers, although considering fan coolers are using similar kinds of DC motors, we don't quite get this point. The technology is currently being offered for licensing and it seems like we'll have to wait and see if there are any takers or not.

It sounds a little bit too good to be true, but we'll wait with interest to see where this goes.

The cooler has a stationary base plate and there's a 0.001-inch (0.0254mm) gap between the base plat and the rotating fins.

Now we can see this becoming a huge precision manufacturing issue, as a gap that small is going to be hard to produce.

However, this design is meant to alleviate what is claimed to be a layer of "dead air" that "clings to the cooling fins".

So far the cooler has only been created in a proof-of-concept prototype, but it's said to offer several times the cooling performance of a regular CPU cooler. The top part of the heatsink is said to rotate at a speed of "a few thousand rpm" but no specifics were given. The fin structure has been designed to be aerodynamic which in turn is said to make it extremely quiet during operation. On top of that, final production coolers are said to be up to 10 times smaller than current "state-of-theart" CPU coolers, whatever that refers to.

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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.

Intel might yet get Sandy Bridge-E out this year Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-might-yet-get-sandy-bridge-eout-this-year/12991.html July 15th, 2011

come with the same features as Patsburg-D, more or less, albeit with some additional consumer tweaks. However, due to whatever issues Intel is having, the company has now decided to downgrade the feature set and we're now looking at a chipset that is similar to Patsburg-B instead. This means no PCI Express 3.0 storage uplink to the CPU and the loss of four SATA/SAS 6Gbps ports. Even for the most performance demanding users this isn't likely to be a huge issue though, but it's still disappointing, especially after having seen so many boards on display at Computex with 14 SATA ports on them.

A couple of weeks ago we reported that Intel's upcoming Sandy Bridge-E processor and Waimea Bay platform had been delayed until January 2012. New information has reached us that suggest that Intel is trying very hard to get the new platform out this year, although this means that the company will axe a lot of platform features.

A couple of weeks ago we reported that Intel's upcoming Sandy Bridge-E processor and Waimea Bay platform had been delayed until January 2012. New information has reached us that suggest that Intel is trying very hard to get the new platform out this year, although this means that the company will axe a lot of platform features.

Judging by the information we've seen, Intel is having several issues with the new platform, ranging from storage, to PCI Express and apparently even CPU revisions. It's pretty much bad news all around. But let's take a step back and look at things with a view from Intel's Xeon roadmap. The picture below is from a partner presentation and although it's been seen before, we're going to leave that partner un-named as we don't want to get them in any trouble. As you can see, it details four different chipset SKUs for Patsburg,- A, -B, -D and -T. The X79 chipset is known as Patsburg-X and was meant to be similar in terms of features to the Patsburg-D SKU. As you can see, there are a few feature differences between the various SKUs with Patsburg-A only featuring four additional SATA 6Gbps ports via the SCU and Patsburg-B gains SAS 6Gbps support. However, where things get interesting is Patsburg-D, the performance option, as this gains not only an additional four SATA/SAS 6Gbps via the SCU, but also a PCI Express 3.0 uplink to the CPU. Patsburg-T just gains an extra RAID level, but is otherwise identical to Patsburg-D. So why are we mentioning all of this? Well, because as we mentioned, Patsburg-X or X79 if you like, was meant to

On a more positive note, Intel is apparently looking into some kind of solution that will add the storage uplink and the missing SATA/SAS 6Gbps ports after launch, but it's not likely that this is a feature that can be added via a software/ BIOS patch simply because the PCI Express 3.0 interface wouldn't be present on the motherboard. Presumably it'd mean a second revision of the X79 chipset, but this is purely speculation on our side.

Sandy Bridge-E was also meant to be Intel's first native PCI Express 3.0 enabled CPU, but alas once again Intel has run into a snag. Due to lack of hardware to test PCI Express 3.0 compliance with, Intel has decided not to include PCI Express 3.0 at launch and once again we're looking at some kind of solution to add this after the platform has launched. Once again this is an issue that is unlikely to have any impact whatsoever; simply because there are no PCI Express 3.0 addon cards available. That said, the LGA-2011 platform is meant to last until at least the second half of 2013, so this is a feature that will future proof it.

On top of all the chipset issues, Intel also seems to have run into a snag with the CPUs, as the C-0 stepping is meant to start shipping to its partners for qualification testing within the next two to four weeks. Intel is apparently waiting for revision C-1 until it feels confident with Sandy Bridge-E. The good news is that despite all of this, Intel's board design guidelines have proven to be reliable enough so that Intel's board partners won't have to do any board re-designs despite all of the changes that have taken place. Well, that is of course 1

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not taking into account things like empty space for missing SATA/SAS ports.

We're not out of the woods yet, but we might actually get to see a Sandy Bridge-E launch this time of Christmas, although it really depends on how quickly Intel can solve all of the issues.

Then again, it might be better to hold off and wait and see what Intel will do with regards to the missing feature than take the plunge early on and miss out on the full platform.

Corsair Force GT 120GB SSD drive review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/corsair-force-gt-120gb-ssd-drivereview/12990.html July 15th, 2011

Random Write 4k (max) Form Factor Interface Type Onboard cache Operating Temperature Storage Temperature Operating Humidity

85k IOPS (4k aligned) 2.5” SATA 3 6Gb/s NA 0C to +70C -20C to +85C 10% to 90% RH (0° to +40° C) Storage Humidity 5% to 90% RH (-10° to +60° C) Maximum Operating Altitude 3,048 m (up to 10,000 ft.)

Maximum Non-Operating 12,192 m (up to 40,000 ft.)

Altitude

ASUS Eee Pad Shipments Hit 400,000 units a Month Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-eee-pad-shipments-hit-400-000-

Corsair has always been one of the biggest players in the computer memory market, consequently it was only natural for them to join the solid state disk segment of the market since SSD’s are essentially made of flash memory chips. Today we are having a look at the fastest SSD Corsair currently produces, the Force GT 120GB drive which boasts incredible speeds of up to 555MB/s sequential read and 515MB/s sequential write.

We are going to examine the drive’s synthetic and real world performance in this review.

units-a-month/12989.html July 15th, 2011

ASUS had already shipped 400,000 units of Eee Pad Transformer for the month and this is expected to increase for the second half of the year.

Corsair has always been one of the biggest players in the computer memory market, consequently it was only natural for them to join the solid state disk segment of the market since SSD’s are essentially made of flash memory chips. Today we are having a look at the fastest SSD Corsair currently produces, the Force GT 120GB drive which boasts incredible speeds of up to 555MB/s sequential read and 515MB/s sequential write.

We are going to examine the drive’s synthetic and real world performance in this review.

Manufacturer features and specifications

• Interface: SATA 3 6Gb/s • Operating temperature: 0° C to +70° C • Storage temperature: -20° C to +85° C • Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% RH (0° to +40° C) • Maximum Operating Altitude: 3,048 m (up to 10,000 ft.)

• Maximum Non-Operative Altitude: 12,192 m (up to 40,000 ft.)

Unformatted Capacity Read Performance (max) Write Performance (max)

120 GB 555 MB/s 515 MB/s

The sleek tablet is gaining popularity quickly. ASUS had already shipped 400,000 units of the Eee Pad Transformer for the month and it is expected to increase further. ASUS had set a goal of shipping two million sets in 2011 and it seems that it will meet the target effortlessly. Sources also indicated that

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ASUS had requested a monthly target of 400,000 to 500,000 units from its touch panel suppliers.

More Specifications Revealed for AMD Bulldozer Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/more-specifications-revealed-for-amdbulldozer/12988.html July 15th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Now this is not really a gadget-related piece of news per se, but it is still something that is interesting enough to warrant some mention on our front page. Apparently, a hardcore Batman fan was able to go about building his own Batmobile with a real honest-to-goodness turbine engine, but the best part is that he was also able to jazz up the build by throwing in an iPad for its avionics. Wait, say what?

AMD Bulldozer will set to appear sometime in October this year. The delay is caused by the inability for some of the processors to reach the required clockspeed. More details inside.

Do you fancy having your own Batmobile to drive on the roads? Well, the unfortunate truth is that Bruce Wayne's superpowered car may not be the kind of vehicle one can simply purchase off a car dealer, so most fans have taken to building their own version of the Batmobile, each with varying results. However, it seems that this particular fanmade Batmobile built by a Casey Putsch has to take the cake where realism is concerned, and for good reason.

AMD will be offering seven models for its Bulldozer FX series as shown in the table above. Three of the models will be the eight-core variants, two six-core variants and two quad core processors. The top of the range eight-core model, FX-8150 will feature a base CPU frequency of 3.6GHz (4.2GHz on Turbo), 8MB L2 Cache, 8MB L3 Cache and a rated TDP of 125W. A lower TDP of 95W is available for the lower end eightcore model (FX-8120) which has a base CPU frequency of 3.1GHz (4GHz on Turbo). The two high end models for the sixcore and quad core variants are still not detailed. Right now, we can only look forward to October for further details.

Guy builds a Batmobile with a real turbine, jazzes it up with an iPad

According to a report published by DVICE, Putsch based his build off Tim Burton's1989 Batman Batmobile, but unlike most fan-made versions of the Caped Crusader's iconic vehicle, Putsch was somehow able to cram in an actual turbine jet engine that was reportedly sourced from an old U.S. Navy drone helicopter, and is capable of utilizing either jet fuel, kerosene or diesel to provide its power. However, Putsch has also attempted to keep his Batmobile up to date by installing an iPad (3G capable version) that is responsible for providing both the Batmobile's avionics and GPS-assisted navigational systems.

And if you are wondering, yes, Putsch's Batmobile is apparently considered to be street-legal, with DVICE claiming that the "two-seater Batmobile is...capable of 365 horsepower, or about the same as a Dodge Viper". Now wouldn't you love to take this little monster out on the roads for a little joyride?

Jawbone's new wristband helps to tune "Up" your health Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/jawbone-s-new-wristband-helps-totune-up-your-health/12986.html July 15th, 2011

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/guy-builds-a-batmobile-with-a-realturbine-jazzes-it-up-with-an-ipad/12987.html July 15th, 2011

Accessory maker Jawbone has developed a new wristband called "Up" to encourage health and wellness. Not only does 3

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Published by: VR-Zone

it looks fashionable, but Up also incorporates hardware and software system, as well as sensors to monitor your lifestyle.

Jawbone has recently unveiled Up, wristband with hardware and software system that can track your lifestyle - eating, sleeping and movements - and give a reading on your general health. About the size of the popular Livestrong strap, Up contains sensors that can intuitively track your activities, while a smartphone app collects the data on a regular basis and get feedback with regards to improving workouts, eat habits and sleep patterns.

However, note that Jawboneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Up is not a sickness-prevention accessory, but a lifestyle gadget designed to encourage wellness. According to the company, Up is designed to be trendy and as a slip-in-on-and-forget wristband. The product is said to ship later this year for iOS and Android devices, though no pricing details has been announced yet.

Adobe rolls out Flash Player 11 Beta, boasts native support for 64-bit browsers

64-bit computing may have reached mainstream status today, but it does not change the fact that Adobe is notorious among users for its insistence of supplying only the 32-bit version of its Flash Player plugin. Needless to say, the world's heavy reliance on Flash for the delivery of rich digital content such as online games and videos means that users of pure 64-bit operating systems are often prevented from enjoying such content, due to the lack of a proper 64-bit version of the plugin for such users.

However, just as we have always said that good things come to those who wait, users of pure 64-bit operating systems will undoubtedly be pleased with the latest news from Adobe, as the company has just released a beta of their updated Flash 11 plugin on Adobe Labs. And the biggest draw of this preview release? Why, the inclusion of a native 64-bit plugin which is reportedly compatible with most 64-bit web browsers currently in use today.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/adobe-rolls-out-flash-player-11-betaboasts-native-support-for-64-bit-browsers/12985.html July 15th, 2011

Have you been moaning and groaning about the dismal state of support Adobe's Flash Player plugin has for 64-bit browsers?

Well, if your answer to that question is a yes, today will definitely be a very good day for you and your favourite web browser, for Adobe has announced the availability of the first beta of its Flash Player 11 plugin, which now boasts...yes, native support for 64-bit browsers. And no, we are not making this up at all.

We tested the x64 build of the Flash Player 11 Beta on a 64bit build of the Firefox web browser, where it worked perfectly fine. At the very least, YouTube videos were completely playable, and the browser was able to recognize the plugin without any additional fiddling around.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Apple iPhone 5 to launch before 4 October?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-iphone-5-to-launch-before-4october-/12983.html July 15th, 2011

Everyone is eagerly waiting to see when the upcoming Apple iPhone 5 will be launched, with rumors suggesting the launch to be in September. And from recent news sources, it seems that the long-awaited phone could be scheduled for a launch before 4 October. Read on.

More importantly, we were quite glad to find out that Adobe has fixed a certain flaw in the 64-bit version of the Flash Player 11 plugin which prevented Ookla's speed test from loading on the older, experimental versions of the plugin.

Former Apple marketing chief, John Martellaro, has expressed that Apple isn't all keeping quiet about their new products, but the company has carefully and purposely plan of releasing certain relevant information to the media as part of their marketing effort. This time, the rumor comes from the American telco AT&T. According to a leaked memo, the company will be making some adjustments on the mobile insurance of the Apple iPhone and other devices from 17 July till 4 October. Previously, it was US$9 and now it will be adjusted between US$4.99 to US$6.99 (and probably increase of monthly prices).

The question is, why should anyone be concerned as to AT&T choosing this period to adjust their mobile insurance? If you recalled, this period overlaps that of the rumored launch month (which is September), and it would seem logical that the iPhone 5 would be launched before the 4 October deadline.

The Flash Player 11 Beta plugin can be downloaded off the Adobe Labs site in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors.

Haipad M9 tablet gets upgraded with newer processor and better touchscreen Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/haipad-m9-tablet-gets-upgraded-withnewer-processor-and-better-touchscreen/12984.html

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RIM's media hub to be called the BlackBerry Cyclone?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rim-s-media-hub-to-be-called-theblackberry-cyclone-/12982.html July 15th, 2011

Looks like Haier is on a roll this week. In addition to launching a new, upgraded version of a yet-unnamed Haipad tablet which we talked about recently, it seems that the company has got yet another product which has been given an upgrade of sorts, and it comes in the form of a slight specifications bump for its M9 tablet.

Remember the short story we ran a few days back of Haier launching a new version of its Haipad tablet that reportedly utilized a 1GHz Samsung processor? Well, it turns out that the aforementioned tablet was not the only product which Haier has in store for the Chinese domestic market, for word has it that the company has rolled out yet another upgraded version of its Haipad line of tablets for sale in China, and it comes in the form of a slight specifications bump for its existing M9 tablet.

Seems like just about every single OEM out there wants to come up with a product of sorts that could compete with Apple's array of consumer electronic devices, and Research In Motion (RIM) is no exception. Apparently, word has it that the Canadian telecommunication and wireless device company is extremely keen on delivering a product that is capable of going head to head with the Cupertino's Apple TV, and that it will be known as the...BlackBerry Cyclone. Yep, you heard that right.

Quite some time back, rumours were abound that Research In Motion (RIM) was planning diversify into other markets, and that the first product which the company was most likely to introduce as a result of this diversification is that of a media player which would supposedly compete against the Apple TV. As it turns out, the rumours may have been true after all, for a site known as Nerdberry has claimed to have gotten in contact with a source who has confirmed the existence of the product, being privy to the company's plans.

According to a report published by M.I.C Digi, the main upgrade to the M9 comes in the form of a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen which is reportedly capable of supporting quintuple multi-touch technology, as opposed to the older M9 which came bundled with a touchscreen display that was only capable of dual-touch technology. In theory, the use of a quintuple touchscreen will allow users to make use of a greater variety of gestures in navigating through the Android operating system that is preloaded on the M9.

In addition, M.I.C Digi has also claimed that the upgraded M9 will utilize a Renesas chip that reportedly features a dualcore EV2 processor clocked at 533MHz and is based off the A9 microarchitecture, along with a PowerVR SGX530 GPU. Lastly, the upgraded M9 tablet will come bundled with 4GB of onboard flash storage and a 4400mAh battery pack which is supposedly capable of lasting up to six hours on a single charge. 3G and GPS is not supported, although it is suugested that the functionality will make its way into future versions of the M9.

That being said, with this being China we are talking about, it should be of little surprise that the M9 sports a very affordable price of 900 Yuan, or approximately US$140.

According to Nerdberry, RIM's upcoming media hub, which is reportedly known by its internal codename as the "BlackBerry Cyclone", will come bundled with support for video output via HDMI and online connectivity via WiFi, while the preloaded OS will support direct access to YouTube and Netflix. In addition, Nerdberry is claiming that the BlackBerry Cyclone will also allow users to access and connect to a variety of media devices that are also visible on one's home network,

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ostensibly to allow for the streaming of media content from the aforementioned devices via the WiFi network.

That being said, little else about the BlackBerry Cyclone's capabilities, let alone its hardware specifications, has been made public yet, but it will be very interesting to see how RIM intends to hold its own in the digital entertainment scene, considering how the company is essentially starting from scratch in its latest endeavor. Indeed, Electronista is claiming that RIM's lack of a central repository for digital content such as Apple's iTunes, coupled with its BlackBerry devices lacking support for functionality similar to that of AirPlay, makes it difficult to ascertain if RIM will be able to survive in this particular market. Well, we will have to wait and see, won't we?

Sanyo Home outs world's first Android-based Smart Home robot, calls it Mirai SANZO Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sanyo-home-outs-world-s-firstandroid-based-smart-home-robot-calls-it-mirai-sanzo/12981.html July 15th, 2011

We have heard of the Android operating system being used to power all kinds of appliances that it was never designed for, such as TV set-top boxes, GPS navigators and even actual PCs. But putting Android into a robot has probably got to be a world's first, and this is exactly what Sanyo Home has done with the introduction of the Mirai SANZO, a domeshaped Smart Home robot which is designed to help out with minimizing one's energy consumption at home.

Think that Android is already everywhere around you, from smartphones to tablets, and even set-top boxes and low-cost PCs? Well, leave it to the Japanese to outdo themselves once again by managing to cram the Android operating system into yet another appliance that it was never meant to be used on, while achieving yet another world's first in the process.

Apparently, Sanyo Home has just announced the availability of what it calls a "Smart Home robot" which is designed to help home users minimize their energy consumption, and yes, you guessed it; it is powered by the same Android operating system that we are currently seeing on our smartphones and tablets.

According to Sanyo Home, the Smart Home robot, which is known as the Mirai SANZO, is meant to be sold as "part of an integrated smart home that Sanyo markets to 'families of the future' in Japan" and is supposed to be hooked up onto a home's local network. Once that is done, the users will be able

Published by: VR-Zone

to make use of the Mirai SANZO to remotely access and control various appliances that have been installed in their home.

Apparently, this includes automatically filling the bathtub with water of the right temperature, turn the air conditioner on (or off), or even sending alerts to one's cell phone in the event of an emergency such as the fire alarm going off. Oh, and somewhere along the line, it can also be used as a central control hub that takes command over all of the aforementioned appliances and help users monitor their electricity consumption.

Sounds interesting? Well, the bad news is that the Mirai SANZO does not appear to be intended for sale anywhere outside of its domestic market, but what we do know is that the Japanese can expect to see the product pop up for sale on the retail shelves starting from today onwards. More importantly, no pricing for the Mirai Sanzo Smart Home robot has been revealed, and that Sanyo Home is apparently keeping a very tight lid on the specifics of the robot, such as the OS version currently in use, and whether it has an unlockable bootloader or not. Oh well, at least Sanyo did not attempt to fashion the Mirai SANZO off the Android mascot's likeness.

HP studies China's online social networking habits, turns up interesting results Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hp-studies-china-s-online-socialnetworking-habits-turns-up-interesting-results/12975.html July 15th, 2011

So you thought that everybody in the world uses online social networking tools for the same thing? Well, you could not have been further from the truth. Apparently, HP has, in its interest to find out just how the Chinese make use of online social media in their daily computing habbits, has conducted a study into the subject, and has managed to come up with some...interesting results in the process.

Online social networking tools may be great platforms for people to get themselves up to date with information and happenings that are taking place all over the world. After all, there is no greater source of information than an online social networking service which is constantly being updated with both shared and user-generated content to produce what is potentially an endless stream of information that is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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That being said, you must have at some point of time thought that the majority of people who are actively involved in such online social networking services are your average users who share the same computing habits as you, right? Well, HP has carried out a study on the trends that are currently taking place in China's micro-blogging scene, and has turned up some interesting findings that aptly demonstrate just how different Chinese social media users are as opposed to their Western counterparts.

Published by: VR-Zone

And if the first finding made by HP is of any indication, it should be of little surprise that most of the top authors of trending topics on Sina WeiBo are average Joes who make use of the regular, non-verified accounts given to the majority of Sina's users. In fact, HP has even drawn up a table detailing the profiles of the top 20 authors of trending topics on Sina WeiBo, where it reveals that as many as 16 such authors are actually on non-verified accounts.

Finding #1: Trending topics in the Chinese micro-blogging scene typically consist of non-news content According to the study, the team has found out that most of the influential authors on China's popular micro-blogging platform, Sina WeiBo, who are responsible for the majority of "retweets" that are made tend to focus on non-news topics such as "follower-contributed jokes, movie trivia, quizzes and stories". This implies that the Chinese see the microblogging scene as a recreational platform which promotes user interaction in the form of contributing user-generated content, and not as one which should be used for the dissemination of news or events that are taking place globally.

Needless to say, this is in stark contrast to how things work in Twittersville, where the top spots are "dominated by popular news sources such as CNN, the New York Times and ESPN".

Finding #3: Chinese micro-bloggers are more likely to "retweet" content

Finding #2: Most authors of trending topics in the Chinese micro-blogging scene utilize non-verified accounts Like Twitter, Sina WeiBo employs the use of two different online account types to differentiate between its gigantic user base, namely the Regular (or non-verified) and the Verified user accounts. Any user which registers an account with Sina WenBo's micro-blogging service will be issued a regular account, while the Verified accounts are typically issued to "a well known public figure or organization in China".

The Chinese usually tend to "retweet" online content a lot more frequently as opposed to their Western counterparts, and the numbers shown in the couple of tables shown above tell the whole story. In fact, HP claims that the six-digit retweet ratio which the top 20 authors in Sina Weibo are enjoying are "several orders of magnitude greater than the retreets for the trending topics on Twitter", where most of the top authors in the latter were only able to post double-digit and single-digit retweet ratios.

In addition, HP has suggested that the huge retweet ratios that it has managed to obtain from its studies are an indication of how the Chinese are more likely to consolidate their 8

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contributions within a small number of topics currently availble on Sina Weibo, and that it is this practice which contributes to a topic's "trending status".

Finding #4: Chinese micro-bloggers make heavy use of digital media files to convey their messages While Twitter and Sina Weibo share one similarity in that both micro-blogging platforms only allow users to post text messages that are no longer than 140 characters in length, the latter boasts an key difference in that it also supports the use of embedded digital content, namely images and video clips. According to HP, it is this unique feature of Sina Weibo which allows Chinese micro-bloggers to express themselves in a greater variety of ways, and the Chinese are clearly making full use of this feature to get their message across. Indeed, HP's findings reveal that a huge percentage of messages that are posted on Sina Weibo are embedded with such digital media content, and the table below confirms that claim.

Potential leaked image of Sony's NEX-7 appear online Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/potential-leaked-image-of-sony-snex-7-appear-online/12980.html July 15th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

For starters it's clear from the picture that the NEX-7 has an electronic viewfinder, something many advanced users saw as a missing feature of the current NEX models. It also has a standard Sony hot-shoe, unlike the special connector found on the current models. On top of that, it's said to have a builtin pop-up flash, yet another missing feature on the current models.

The controls have also changed a bit with a few additional buttons and what appears to be a pair of control dials, although it's not quite clear as to what they do from the picture. The camera is rumoured to have a 24 Megapixel sensor and the EVF is suggested to be the same rumoured 3 million dot EVT used in the new Alpha models. One other thing that makes the NEX-7 different from the current NEX model is its expected price tag of US$1,200 (S$1,460), body only. The NEX-7 is expected to be announced sometime in August.

Zotac planning return to ATX motherboard market, with a bang We've already seen a leaked picture of Sony's upcoming Alpha models and now a picture that's said to be of a pre-production model of Sony's upcoming NEX-7 has made an appearance. If this turns out to be the real deal, then Sony has changed its strategy quite a lot as this model is addressing a very different crowd than the current NEX models.

We've already seen a leaked picture of Sony's upcoming Alpha models and now a picture that's said to be of a pre-production model of Sony's upcoming NEX-7 has made an appearance. If this turns out to be the real deal, then Sony has changed its strategy quite a lot as this model is addressing a very different crowd than the current NEX models.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/zotac-planning-return-to-atxmotherboard-market-with-a-bang/12979.html July 15th, 2011

It's been a while since Zotac launched an ATX motherboard, in fact Zotac's last ATX form factor motherboard was based on Intel's X58 chipset back in 2009 and it's not exactly what we'd call an impressive motherboard in terms of features and layout. Fastforward to now and pictures of an upcoming Z68 9

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from Zotac has made its way online and it looks like nothing you've ever seen from Zotac, in fact, it doesn't quite look like anything we've seen before.

It's been a while since Zotac launched an ATX motherboard, in fact Zotac's last ATX form factor motherboard was based on Intel's X58 chipset back in 2009 and it's not exactly what we'd call an impressive motherboard in terms of features and layout. Fastforward to now and pictures of an upcoming Z68 from Zotac has made its way online and it looks like nothing you've ever seen from Zotac, in fact, it doesn't quite look like anything we've seen before.

The board in question is the ZT-Z68 Crown Edition-U1DU3 (note that the source is a Chinese website and that the Google translation of ??? might be wrong) and we're going to have to wait for the official announcement to find out what the actual retail name will be. The matter of a fact is that you haven't seen a feature packed board until you've seen this motherboard, as there's barely any empty space on the EATX PCB, despite being slightly wider than regular ATX boards.

For starters the board has a massive 24+3-phase VRM design featuring DrMOS, tantalum capacitors and a decoupling capacitor. Over the top springs to mind, especially considering that Intel's Sandy Bridge CPUs are "somewhat" limited when it comes to overclocking thanks to little to no adjustment of the BCLK.

There are a total of eight SATA ports at the front of the board, two of which are via a third party controller. However, there's also an mSATA slot on the board just behind the SATA ports, but an interesting thing here is that it can also double up as a full-length mini PCI Express slot. From what we can tell, it's sharing the same SATA controller as the eSATA port. Oddly enough Zotac has also included an IDE port on the board.

Next we have a VLI VL800 USB 3.0 host controller with two pin-headers for a total of four front ports. There are also headers for six USB 2.0 ports and a serial port. Other little titbits include power and rest buttons as well as a POST80 debug LED, three Voltage metering points and what looks like three BIOS chips. Disappointingly though, we only spotted a mere three fan headers on the board, of which one is for the CPU cooler. That just isn't good enough on a board of this calibre.

Moving on the board sports an nf200 chip which gives the board 3-way SLI support and Zotac has kindly drawn lines on the PCB to indicate which slots are used in 2-way and 3-way configurations. There are a total of four x16 PCI Express slots, although one of them would only work with a single slot card and the bottom slot would be limited to a single slot card as well in a regular 7-slot chassis. There's also a single x1 PCI Express slot and a PCI slot. An extra Molex connector has also been fitted to the board to provide extra power to the PCI Express slots.

From here on in things are starting to get really complicated.

The reason for a missing slot on the board is because Zotac has repurposed the PCI Express lane for use with a mini PCI Express slot into which a half-length 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi card has been fitted. Yes, that's correct, Zotac has decided to kit out this massive board with a built in Wi-Fi card.

Moving to the rear of the board we find a PS/2 port, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports (presumably from a VLI VL810 host controller), an eSATA port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, 7.1-channel audio with optical S/PDIF out and DVI, HDMI a DisplayPort connectors. There are also two antenna connectors here for the on-board Wi-Fi.

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We can only imagine how expensive this board will be when it launches, or rather if it launches. We fully understand that motherboard manufacturers like to produce halo products, but this board is so far over the top that we frankly just don't get it. We've seen a lot of crazy concept boards over the years, but most of them have never made it to market and in a way, we hope this one doesn't make it either, at least not in its current design.

Spire releases Epoxi rev.2 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/spire-releases-epoxi-rev.2/12976.html July 15th, 2011

Nine months after the release of Epoxi full tower casing, Spire is set to introduce Epoxi rev.2. More details inside.

The Spire Epoxi rev.2 features six 120mm blue led fans, 0.8mm thick steel, aluminium front panel, tool-free thumb screw side panels, five 5.25-inch and six 3.5-inch drive bays.

The casing also has well placed holes which allow good management of cables and two holes drilled specially for watercooling pipes. Measuring at 595 x 215 x 580mm (L x W x H) and weighing at 11.25kg, the Spire Epoxi rev.2 will be retailing for US$139.95 (S$170).

See more specifications at Spire website.

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Mach Xtreme Technology releases 2.5" SATA-3 MX-DS FUSION Series SSD Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/mach-xtreme-technology-releases-2.5sata-3-mx-ds-fusion-series-ssd/12978.html July 15th, 2011

Mach Xtreme Technology releases 2.5" SATA-3 MX-DS FUSION Series SSD for budget conscious enthusiast?s. The new Sandforce powered drives offer speeds of up to 540MB/s read and 510MB/s write at a very attractive price point.

The press release also mentions that "this (MX-DS Fusion) series supports DuraClass™ and DuraWrite™ technologies. DuraClass™ technology provides best-in-class endurance, performance, and low power.

DuraWrite™ technology optimizes writes to the flash memory over conventional controllers increasing the overall endurance and reliability of the complete SSD. Highly intelligent block management and wear leveling also extends the overall endurance."

Sparkle Updates Calibre Series with 6 New Models, Quad-Display GTX 580 Included Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sparkle-updates-calibre-series-with-6new-models-quad-display-gtx-580-included/12959.html July 15th, 2011

Above and top: The Sparkle X580 Captain

Sparkle has added six new models to its Calibre series of premium graphics cards. Its new flagship model, the Calibre X580 Captain, supports "2 divided images spanning across 4 displays" and has voltage measurement points for overclockers. Besides this, there are overclocked versions of the GTX 560 Ti, GTX 560 and GTX 550 Ti. Even the lowly GT 520 gets a (pointless) upgrade to 2GB of memory. More pictures and specifications after the break.

The other new models are the Calibre X560Ti DF, Calibre X560 DF and Calibre X550Ti DF. The factory overclocks on these are quite impressive, and the heatsinks are among the better looking ones out there in our humble opinion.

The first addition to Sparkle's Calibre lineup is the X580 Captain, which was on display at Computex. It has three Mini DisplayPort and two Dual Link DVI outputs, which according to Sparkle allow for "1 single image on 3 displays simultaneously and 2 divided images spanning across 4 displays at once".

This description seems to imply that the X580 Captain does not support a true quad-display setup, and that the two display outputs from the GPU are each spanned across two monitors Eyefinity-style instead. The maximum supported resolution in this mode was not stated.

Above: The Sparkle Calibre X560Ti DF/X560 DF

Other features of the X580 Captain include a rear backplate to prevent PCB warping, deluxe hybrid capacitors and voltage measurements points for GPU and memory voltages. Coolingwise, the X580 Captain appears to be using a reference heatsink.

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Win HD Media Players and Coolers by downloading our VRForums app! (Android and iOS) Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/win-hd-media-players-and-coolers-bydownloading-our-vrforums-app--android-and-ios-/12965.html July 15th, 2011

Above: The Sparkle Calibre X550 Ti DF Even the lowly GT 520 gets a fancy black heatsink. There's also a 2GB version of the GT 520, dubbed the X520 King. The word pointless comes to mind.

VR-Zone is giving away numerous product prizes including ACRyan's PlayOn HD2 Full HD Media Players and CoolerMaster/Thermalright Cooling products! Simply download our VRForums mobile app, post a screenshot with your username in this facebook post, and win! Contest is on till this Sunday (17th July 2011) and winners will be notified

by Facebook Private Message.

Above: The Sparkle Calibre X520/X520 King We've summarised the specifications of the new cards in the table below:

GPU

X580 X560Ti X560 Captain DF DF GTX GTX GTX 580 560 Ti 560 822 950 930

X550 X520 X520 Ti DF King GTX GT 520 GT 520 550 Ti 1000 900 900

Core Clock (MHz) Memory 2016 2301 2244 2400 Clock (MHz) Memory 3GB/1.5GB 1GB 1GB 1GB 2GB Size Memory 384-bit 256-bit 256-bit 192-bit 64-bit Interface CUDA 512 384 336 192 48 Cores

-

1GB 64-bit 48

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Nokia invests US$127 million to market their Windows Phone 7

Published by: VR-Zone

to the latest version. This is because Twitter has just released an updated version of its Android client that reportedly brings a certain feature which most Android users have been waiting for quite some time already.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nokia-invests-us-127-million-tomarket-their-windows-phone-7/12973.html July 15th, 2011

Finnish phone manufacturer Nokia has announced that it will be investing US$127 million (or 80 million UK pounds) in promotional activities and advertising for its upcoming Windows Phone 7 devices that are slated to launch in Q4 this year. Read on.

With the collaboration of Nokia and Microsoft, with the phone maker going the Windows Phone 7 way, everyone is awaiting for the highly anticipated Windows Phone 7 device that is scheduled to launch in October this year. According to online sources, Nokia has especially invested 80 million UK pounds (or US$127 million) to market their Windows Phone 7.

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has expressed that the company has invested in professional advertising agencies to create a 6-month campaign that will commence in October. Nokia has recently unveiled a campaign for its QWERTY range of smartphones.

Twitter for Android: Now with push notifications Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/twitter-for-android-now-with-pushnotifications/12971.html July 15th, 2011

If you are the proud owner of an Android-powered smartphone who cannot afford to pass a single day without getting your daily fix of Twitter on your mobile phone, today will definitely be a very good day to hit the Android Market and update that Twitter app currently residing in your smartphone

Do you have Twitter installed on your Android-powered smartphone? Well, if you do, today will be a good day to visit the Android Market for some downloading, as Twitter has updated its official app to include a few new features that now brings the Android version to a level where it has seemingly achieved feature-parity with its iOS counterpart.

According to the description posted by Twitter on the Android Market, the updated version will allow Android owners to receieve push notifications much like how their iPhone counterparts have been able to do so for quite some time already, and that users can choose if they want to limit the notifications to merely mentions and direct messages, or expand it to everyone. In addition, Twitter claims that the updated client now boasts support for multiple accounts and comes with updated widgets, ostensibly to give the app a "newer" look and feel.

Last but definitely not least, Twitter is specifying a minimum requirement of handsets being loaded with at least version 2.1 of the Android operating system, although Electronista is claiming that users who are already on Froyo or newer can expect to enjoy full integration of the app into the operating system upon installation.

Buffalo unveils new BHR-4GRV router for Japan Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/buffalo-unveils-new-bhr-4grv-routerfor-japan/12969.html

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Buffalo has announced the availability of its new Buffalo BHR-4GRV router for the Japanese market, which boasts built-in support for virtual private network (VPN) connectivity via the use of the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), along with various other features. Read on to find out more.

Fancy owning a router which claims to come with built-in support for enabling connections to virtual private networks or VPNs? Well, Buffalo has just announced their solution for users who find themselves dealing with such needs, and it comes in the form of its new BHR-4GRV router, which is reportedly capable of doing just that, and then some.

Published by: VR-Zone

We all know that Amazon has been attempting to compete against Apple in just about everything that is related to digital content, such as e-books, digital music, and even mobile applications. However, it seems that Amazon is all ready to take the fight up to the next level, for word has it that the multinational electronic commerce company is planning to strike at Apple in the market where the latter is at its strongest by intending to introduce a new tablet to compete against the likes of the bestselling iPad. With just about every major computer OEM in the world having already released, or are planning to release, some form of a tablet device in order to carve out a share of the lucrative tablet pie for their own, it would seem that the market for such devices has already reached saturation point, and that there is little chance for any newcomer unless it has something extremely compelling to deliver consumers, right?

Apparently, Amazon does not seem to think so, for word has it that the US-based multinational electronic commerce company is planning to introduce its own tablet device, which will reportedly be positioned as a rival to Apple's iPad. Few details about Amazon's upcoming tablet device has been revealed, although most of the anonymous sources that have been cited by various online publications are claiming that the company plans to outsource both the design and production of the new tablet to an Asian ODM, which ZDNet claims is that of Quanta Computers. ZDNet also goes on to claim that its sources have indicated that the tablet will be utilizing version 3.1 of the Android operating system, and that it will feature a nine-inch display. This has also been corroborated by the Wall Street Journal.

According to Buffalo, the new BHR-4GRV router's built-in support for VPN will allow users to connect to VPN networks via the PPTP protocol, and that it is compatible with a variety of mobile devices, such as Apple's iPad and iPhones. In addition, Buffalo has also claimed that the BHR-4GRV sports a single USB port which users can utilize for hooking up external storage devices to, or for use in sharing a printer across the network.

Last but definitely not least, the BHR-4GRV will sport four Ethernet ports, one of which will support gigabit Ethernet connections at speeds of up to 1000Mbps, and is expected to retail in Japan come early August at the suggested retail price of 6,300 yen, or approximately US$80.

Amazon to release its own tablet in October?

ZDNet has also added that the new tablet, which will reportedly make use of the Kindle branding, is not expected to boast a great deal of onboard flash storage, as the company will reportedly want to encourage its users to utilize its cloud services and video rentals. However, ZDNet is also claiming that Amazon intends to position the device as one which is friendly for business and enterprises, as word has it that the company is currently meeting up with major Independent Software Vendors or ISVs to convince them to develop frontends for enterprise and business software.

In addition, both ZDNet and the Wall Street Journal are claiming that Amazon plans to attract consumers by putting an extremely competitive pricetag on it, with the Wall Street Journal citing an analyst who claims that it is entirely possible for Amazon to sell the tablet at a loss in the hopes of earning the money back via the sale of its digital content.

Last but definitely not least, it seems that Amazon is planning to ship no less than 1,000,000 to 1,200,000 units of its new tablet in the third quarter of this year, if the table compiled by Digitimes is of any indication.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amazon-to-release-its-own-tablet-inoctober-/12968.html July 15th, 2011

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The user needs to enter the transaction details and tap his or her phone against another phone that also has the same app installed. The phones will buzz together and recipient can then choose to accept the transaction by keying in the PIN number.

The PayPal new mobile payment service is currently slated to work only in the U.S. and with the Samsung Nexus S from Sprint and T-Mobile. However, the company said that it will also expand to other Android phones with NFC functionality in the near future.

PayPal announces NFC Android-to-Android payments

Singbox SV-606 portable media player/speaker now available in Korea Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/singbox-sv-606-portable-mediaplayerspeaker-now-available-in-korea/12966.html July 15th, 2011

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/paypal-announces-nfc-android-toandroid-payments/12967.html July 15th, 2011

Online payment gateway Paypal has announced a peer-topeer payment feature for Android users using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, Payments can be sent or received by entering transaction details and tapping the phone against another phone.

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology may have been incorporated into many smartphones these days such as the Samsung Nexus S and Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, but it has not taken off due to the varying competing standards and existing technologies, as well as the lack of usage such as contactless mobile payments. However, online payment gateway Paypal looks to be taking a step to push the mobile payment with their recent announcement of NFC Android phone-to-phone payment. According to sources, the transaction works through a PayPal widget which users can use to send or request money.

How would like to own a portable media player that can double up as a mini speaker system while on the move? Well, that is exactly what Singbox is offering Korean consumers with its new SV-606 portable media player / speaker hybrid device, which is reportedly capable of performing the aforementioned task, and then some. Read on to find out more.

With smartphones fast replacing portable media players as the device of choice for listening to one's favorite music while on the move, it would make sense that manufacturers of such devices need to find a way to keep up with the trends in order to ensure that they do not lose their entire market to smartphone OEMs. And apparently, Singbox thinks that one way to revolutionize the portable media player will be to give it both a cosmetic overhaul and its own built-in speaker, as can be seen in their new SV-606 device.

Resembling more of a glorified pepper shaker than a typical portable media player, the new SV-606 is reportedly capable of 16

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playing back MP3 and WMA files, although users will have to load up their favorite songs into microSD cards first due to the fact that the SV-606 does not come with any built-in memory, thus relying exclusively on the use of the aforementioned cards for its storage needs.

That being said, the real draw of the SV-606 has got to be its built-in 2W mono speaker, which potentially allows users to blast their music away to their hearts' content without having to deal with the cumbersome earphones, although Singbox has confirmed that the SV-606 will still come bundled with the traditional 3.5mm audio jack to cater to users who would prefer to use the device as a typical portable media player.

Lastly, the company also claims that the SV-606 also features an FM tuner and measure 85mm high and 35mm wide, while its built-in battery is capable of lasting up to 13 hours on a single charge.

No pricing for the SV-606 has been released at this point of time.

Europe to get the Meizu M9 soon?

Apparently, word has it that Meizu, the makers of the popular M-series of smartphones that bear more than just a passing semblance to the likes of Apple's iPhones, has been given the go-ahead to sell its M9 smartphone legally in Europe, and has even received the much-needed CE certificate to prove its legality on European soil. According to a report published by Shanzai.com, the M9 was able to clear the tests and meet all the requirements that the EU has imposed in order for such devices to be given the right to be imported and legally sold in Europe.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/europe-to-get-the-meizu-m9soon-/12964.html July 15th, 2011

The report also cited CiPhone, a leading French gadget blog, which claims to have confirmed the validity of the CE certificate for the Meizu M9, and that the company has already performed a translation of its user interface in order to make it more EU-friendly. This ties in with our earlier story published in December last year, where we pointed out that the company had successfully pushed out an English version of the M9's UI.

Remember Meizu's M9 smartphone? You know, the one that seemingly resembles an iPhone but brings along with it its own share of originality in the form of a customized UI for its Android-based operating system and its own unique tweaks to the hardware's design? Well, it turns out that Europe might have no problem with giving the phone the official green light to be sold on its shores, if a recent report is of any indication.

Last but definitely not least, Shanzai.com is also claiming that Meizu intends to release a new, updated firmware for the M9 which will allow it to "improve the display of European special characters by fixing the ID3 tag issues and enabling users to remove factory default apps".

It is often said that China is only place where manufacturers can produce knockoffs of popular consumer electronic devices without getting into trouble in the form of lawsuits and Cease and Desist orders, right? Well, not if Meizu and its M9 smartphone, which is reportedly extremely popular in China, has got anything to say about it.

Unfortunately, no mention about the M9's suggested retail price for the EU was made in either report, but we are guessing that Meizu will probably attempt to make it as affordable as possible for the average Joe. Still, it will be interesting to see how Apple will react to this, considering that the Cupertino giant had previously filed a lawsuit against the company over the latter's products' similarities to the iPhone.

Pentax announces limited edition 645D "Japan" medium format DSLR Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pentax-announces-limitededition-645d-japan-medium-format-dslr/12963.html July 15th, 2011

Everybody knows that medium-format DSLRs are one of the most expensive gadgets to own today, but if you are going to 17

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spend good money on such a camera, why not get yourself a limited edition model while you are at it? And if that thought has crossed your mind, perhaps you'd like to consider what Pentax has currently got up its sleeves for fans of mediumformat DSLRs; a limited edition "Japan" variant of its 645D camera, which will soon be made available for pre-ordering.

It is common knowledge that DSLRs are not cheap, and that more sophisticated DSLRs with medium-format sensors are definitely going to cost consumers and professionals alike an arm and a leg. However, if you have already made up your mind to break the piggy bank over a medium-format DSLR, why not make your most expensive acquisition more meaningful by springing for a limited edition model? Well, if that thought has crossed your mind, we've got some good news for you; Pentax has just announced its plans to release a limited edition variant of its 645D medium format DSLR, which it calls the 645D "Japan".

Published by: VR-Zone

Cooler Master's Cosmos II appear in candid pictures Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/cooler-master-s-cosmos-ii-appear-incandid-pictures/12962.html July 15th, 2011

Although we did get a brief look at Cooler Master's upcoming Cosmos II back at Computex, we weren't allowed to take any new picture of the new monster case, but a few, slightly blurry pictures have now made their way online. From what we can tell a few things have been tweaked since we last saw the case and it shouldn't be far from hitting retail now.

Although we did get a brief look at Cooler Master's upcoming Cosmos II back at Computex, we weren't allowed to take any new picture of the new monster case, but a few, slightly blurry pictures have now made their way online. From what we can tell a few things have been tweaked since we last saw the case and it shouldn't be far from hitting retail now.

According to the official press release, the Pentax 645D "Japan" will sport the same features in the standard 645D medium format DSLR that was released for sale some time in March last year. This means that the 645D "Japan" will utilize the same CCD sensor which boasts the capability to capture still images at the astronomical resolution of 40 megapixels, and will gain access to the same PRIME II imaging engine, DR II dust removal mechanism and dual SD / SDHC memory card slots that are already present in the original 645D. However, it being a limited edition of the original 645D means that the 645D "Japan" also comes bundled with certain bells and whistles that are not available in the former. For one, the 645D "Japan"'s body has been given a bit of a cosmetic overhaul in the form of a red, lacquer-finished body designed to give the camera an"elegant, exquisite appearance", and will be delivered to customers in a "specially designed paulowniawood packaging". In addition, the camera will also feature a gold-plated Pentax logo, a specially-designed mount cap, a white backlit-illuminated LCD screen, a DS-80 Centre-SpotMatte focusing screen and more importantly, access to the new v1.11 firmware which is not available on the standard models.

No information about pricing has been revealed by Pentax, although the company claims that it intends to start taking preorders for the 645D "Japan" from July 20 till September 20.

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So what are we looking at here? Well, a humongous XL-ATX chassis with 10+1 rear expansion slots. Around the front things are actually rather basic for such a large case with "only" three 5.25-inch drive bays and two 3.5-inch drive bays, all fitted behind a sliding front cover. That said, internally there's space for up to 11 drives split into three separate drive compartments that can hold five, three and three drives respectively. All of the internal drive bays have trays that can accommodate either 3.5 or 2.5-inch drives.

For a Cooler Master chassis the Cosmos II is rather unusual due to the split level design with the PSU and six of the hard drives in a separate compartment at the bottom. There's a fan bracket here that can be kitted out with two 120mm to help cool the hard drives. The space for the PSU is padded with vibration absorbing foam and there is of course plenty of cable routing holes, all fitted with rubber grommets.

The top of the chassis is home to four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an eSATA port and a pair of audio jacks. There's also a sliding cover for the touch sensitive controls and it seems like Cooler Master has included some kind of fan controller.

Another interesting feature is the hinged side panel that pops off the hinge, this makes it much easier to open and close what is a rather large chassis. We'll hopefully be able to bring you more details and more importantly a launch date and a price of this beast in the near future.

Hynix and Toshiba team up to develop MRAM Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hynix-and-toshiba-team-up-todevelop-mram/12961.html July 15th, 2011

The major computer memory technology today is SDRAM in various shapes or forms, but there have been talks about various solutions set to replace the aging memory type with faster and more power efficient options with vastly improved performance. Well, Hynix and Toshiba has announced that the two are teaming up to develop Spin-Transfer Torque Magnetoresistance Random Access Memory or simply put, MRAM.

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The major computer memory technology today is SDRAM in various shapes or forms, but there have been talks about various solutions set to replace the aging memory type with faster and more power efficient options with vastly improved performance. Well, Hynix and Toshiba has announced that the two are teaming up to develop Spin-Transfer Torque Magnetoresistance Random Access Memory or simply put, MRAM. The two companies aren't just going to develop the new memory type, but they're also going to cooperate in manufacturing it to. This should in theory help the two companies not only save money, but hopefully also reduce the research time and get products to market quicker. That said, we're still quite some time away from final products. The two companies are also extending their cross licensing and product supply agreements with regards to current products.

If successfully developed, MRAM has several benefits over SDRAM. For starters it's non-volatile, in other words it can act like flash memory which means that a computer will really be able to go down in proper standby mode in the future without the risk of losing data in case of a power loss. It's also more power efficient while still offering higher performance than SDRAM. Don't expect MRAM to replace flash memory any time soon though, as that's not the target market. That said, it might very well end up in some storage solutions as a highperformance cache for SSDs and hard drives, as long as the cost per GB isn't too high.

Published by: VR-Zone

PCI Express 3.0 switches for the x16 PCI Express slots has otherwise not changed at all from what we can tell. The same goes for the Z68 Extreme4 Gen3, which got the same treatment as the P67 Extreme4 Gen3.

The Z68 Etreme3 Gen3 is a brand new model though that slots in between the Z68 Pro3 and the Z68 Extreme4. Unlike the previous two models, this one has been given a set of new chipset heatsinks as well which look rather quite stylish. It's quite hard to see any details from the tiny picture though, but the specs give us an idea of what's on offer. The board has a pair of x16 PCI Express slots that operate in dual x8 mode when both are in use, two x1 PCI Express slots and two PCI slots.

Around the back the board has what we think is four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an eSATA port, Gigabit Ethernet, 7.1channel audio and a D-Sub, HDMI and DVI port. The board also features power, reset and clear CMOS buttons, but for everything else we're going to have to wait until it launches.

ASRock's PCI Express 3.0 motherboards unveiled Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asrock-s-pci-express-3.0motherboards-unveiled/12960.html July 15th, 2011

Details of several new motherboards with support for PCI Express 3.0 from ASRock have turned up, including specs of a couple of upcoming models. The most exciting model is the feature packed Z68 Extreme7 which has been given quite a makeover since Computex, not in terms of features, but in terms of looks.

Details of several new motherboards with support for PCI Express 3.0 from ASRock have turned up, including specs of a couple of upcoming models. The most exciting model is the feature packed Z68 Extreme7 which has been given quite a makeover since Computex, not in terms of features, but in terms of looks.

Finally we have ASRock's new flagship board, the Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 and although there was a version on display at Computex, the revised version doesn't look anything like it.

ASRock has gone for a design that has ended up somewhere between Gigabyte's UD7 and Asus' ROG series of boards, although there are a few things that could've been better in our opinion. The new heatsinks and gold capacitors look very modern and high-tech though, even though they are unlikely to offer any extra benefits over more regular looking components.

The slot-layout is far from ideal and ASRock has kitted out the board with an nForce 200 chip which enables 3-way SLI and according to the spec sheet the top slot is the only x16 PCI Express 3.0 slot, whereas the other four x16 slots are stuck at PCI Express 2.0. There's also a single PCI Express x1 and a single PCI slot on the board. A very strange setup, but at least it's something unique to this board.

Although four new models have shown up, only two are actually new, as all four models have the Gen3 moniker tacked on the end. The two boards that don't appear to have changed much is the P67 Extrem4 Gen3 which has been given an overhaul with regards to the choice of colours and of course 20

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ASRock has gone feature crazy on the Z68 Extreme7 with no less than four additional SATA 6Gbps ports, an eSATA controller, three USB 3.0 host controllers and a pair of Gigabit Ethernet controllers. Due to lack of PCI Express lanes from the chipset, ASRock has as such had to add a PLX bridge chip to handle all the peripheral controllers. The board also has headers for eight USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports and a FireWire port.

Around the back, unless ASRock has changed things around since Computex, there are two USB 2.0 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, two Ethernet ports, a FireWire port, an eSATA port, 7.1channel audio with optical S/PDIF and a full set of display connectivity options which consist of a DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and D-Sub connectors. Finally we have power, reset and clear CMOS buttons alongside a POST 80 debug LED. The real question is how much this board will cost, as we expect this to be the most expensive motherboard ASRock has ever launched to date.

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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.

Intel mulling PCI Express x2 interface Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-mulling-pci-express-x2interface/13030.html July 19th, 2011

Here's an interesting thing we came across earlier today, Intel is considering getting a new PCI Express interface implemented, namely a two lane solution. Why? Well, simply because PCI Express x1 doesn't offer enough bandwidth for a lot of bandwidth hungry devices, but PCI Express x4 is too wide for many peripheral chips, especially considering Intel's chipset limitations.

Here's an interesting thing we came across earlier today, Intel is considering getting a new PCI Express interface implemented, namely a two lane solution. Why? Well, simply because PCI Express x1 doesn't offer enough bandwidth for a lot of bandwidth hungry devices, but PCI Express x4 is too wide for many peripheral chips, especially considering Intel's chipset limitations.

Many devices PCI Express peripheral chipsets such as SATA controllers and USB 3.0 host controllers really requires more than one lane of PCI Express bandwidth, as each lane in a PCI Express 2.0/2.1 system is "limited" to a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 5GT/s (Giga Transfers) or about 500MB/s, not taking into account overheads. PCI Express alleviates some of these problems by lowering the overhead and increasing the bandwidth per lane to 8GT/s or close to a real throughput of 1GB/s, but it's not that simple.

bandwidth. Depending on the complexity and the design of the chip in question this might be a very simple task, or a very complex one. That said, for certain peripheral chips this is likely to make a lot of sense and we'd expect to see at least some implementations using this, well, that is if Intel actually goes ahead with its plan.

There's one other hurdle, the PCI-SIG which controls the PCI Express standard and as far as we're aware, there's currently no support for a x2 PCI Express interface. That doesn't meant that things couldn't change and it shouldn't be a very time consuming thing to do, as it's really just an addendum to the spec for a two lane interface. And if you were thinking that going x4 would make just as much sense, well, yes and no, as each PCI Express lane makes for a more complex IC and adding too many lanes would also increase the size of the chip.

It's never as easy as you'd hope it would be, but hopefully Intel will also start to add more lanes to its future chipset and provide a wider bus between the CPU and chipset.

ECS Motherboards now equipped with Solid Capacitors Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ecs-motherboards-now-equipped-withsolid-capacitors/13027.html July 19th, 2011

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), well-known for its motherboard products, has announced that all their motherboards will be using solid capacitors around the CPU region.

The problem is that Intel's upcoming Sugar Bay platform (Ivy Bridge + Panther Point) will only offer PCI Express 3.0 on the 16 lanes from the CPU, while the chipset will continue to offer eight lanes of PCI Express 2.0 bandwidth. In all fairness to Intel, the company has integrated USB 3.0 support in the chipset, but we're still only getting two SATA 6Gbps ports.

Even so, the motherboard makers are going to want to slap on a few extra chips on their high-end boards, as has always been the case.

This doesn't quite solve the problem though, as even though we might see wider PCI Express lanes, the peripheral chip makers need to re-design their chips to support the extra 1

July 19th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Let's hope that by the time A8-3870 releases in Q4 2011, there will be easy GPU overclocking available for the Llano APUs as well.

Western Digital introduces new My Book Studio external hard disk Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/western-digital-introduces-new-mybook-studio-external-hard-disk/13026.html July 19th, 2011

ECS stated that the CPU consumes the most power during heavy computation, therefore the CPU power regulation area requires much more durable components. Thus, ECS opted the option of using solid capacitors instead of traditional electrolytic capacitors in areas around the CPU for all their motherboards. Solid capacitors typically operate at 10% lower temperature, offer 1000 times more electrical conductivity, have better reliability and longer lifespan. ECS also guarantees that they are using authentic solid capacitors unlike some manufacturers which use traditional electrolytic capacitors but cover them up with a solid capacitor shell.

The new Western Digital My Book Studio external hard disk may look like the Apple Mac aesthetics (as it is designed for Mac machines), though it also boasts a huge 3TB capacity, fast transfer speeds and automated backup features that makes data backup extremely easy.

AMD preparing A8-3870 with Unlocked Multiplier Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amd-preparing-a8-3870-withunlocked-multiplier/13028.html July 19th, 2011

AMD is preparing to release a A8-3870 APU in Q4 2011, featuring an unlocked multiplier for easy overclocking. The A8-3870 will not directly replace the A8-3850, but co-exist with the A8-3850. The GPU part will remain unchanged - HD 6550D - and TDP will remain constant at 100W. AMD is preparing to release a A8-3870 APU in Q4 2011, featuring an unlocked multiplier for easy overclocking. The A8-3870 will not directly replace the A8-3850, but co-exist with the A8-3850. The GPU part will remain unchanged - HD 6550D - and TDP will remain constant at 100W. In addition to the unlocked multiplier, A8-3870 is expected to feature a boost in CPU clock speed compared to the A8-3850.

DonanimHaber expects the A8-3870 to be clocked at 3.1 GHz, but this could change.

The newest generation of Western Digital My Book Studio external hard drives are designed for use with Mac computers and Apple Time Machine. Available with a 3TB capacity, the external hard disk features a brushed aluminum casing to match the appearance of a Mac computer, which also serves to keep the drive cool. It also eliminates the need for an internal fan to reduce drive noise and extend the life of the drive. The My Book Studio external hard drives can also be reformatted for PCs. The My Book Studio external hard drive offers various features including fast FireWire 800/400 and USB 2.0 interfaces, usercontrolled automatic backup software and drive management, password protection and hardware encryption. Shipping in capacities of 1TB, 2TB and 3TB, the My Book Studio drive includes the WD Caviar Green series of internal hard drives with WD GreenPower Technology.

Pricing and Availability WDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s My Book Studio is available at select retailers and is distributed by Achieva Technology and SiS Technology in 2

July 19th, 2011

Singapore. Retail price for My Book Studio with 1TB is S$179; 2TB is S$229; and 3TB is S$299.

Published by: VR-Zone

able to boot into Windows operating system, but was not stable enough to run a proper Super PI 32M benchmark.

AMD Llano A8-3850 Overclocked to 4.9GHz Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amd-llano-a8-3850-overclockedto-4.9ghz/13022.html July 19th, 2011

One of the shops in Japan, Overclock Works, did a demonstration for overclockers using extreme cooling on AMD Llano A8-3850 CPU with GIGABYTE GA-A75-UD4H motherboard and achieved a CPU frequency of 4.9GHz. Read on.

The AMD Llano A8-3850 had to be downclocked from 4.9GHz to 4.761GHz before a Super PI 32M result could be generated (shown above). The demonstrator then moved on to carry out similar overclocking for the A6-3650 processor, but faced some problems after removing the nitrogen pot. The GIGABYTE GA-A75-UD4H motherboard was unable to work properly and had to be changed with an ASUS F1-A75-V PRO motherboard instead. However, difficulties were reported during the overclocking with the ASUS motherboard and could only achieve a 4.186GHz (base clock of 161MHz) for the A6-3650 processor with a core voltage of 1.428V.

Kouziro launches two new 10inch tablets in Japan Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/kouziro-launches-two-new-10-inchtablets-in-japan/13025.html July 19th, 2011

Kouziro, a Japanese computer OEM known for its Build-ToOrder line of desktop PCs, has announced the availability of two new 10-inch tablets for its domestic Japanese market, which both feature and external keyboard and a choice between Microsoft's Windows 7 and Google's Android operating systems. Read on to find out more about the new tablets from Kouziro...

The overclocking was done with AMD Llano A8-3850 processor which was rated at 2.9GHz and a GIGABYTE GAA75-UD4H motherboard. The core voltage was raised to 1.792V (seen from the CPU-Z screenshot above) resulting in a 169.2MHz base clock and a multiplier of 29. The CPU overclocked at this settings (169.2MHz x 29 = 4.906GHz) was

Offering a decent tablet to users is never an easy task for most OEMs. On one hand, most people will demand an Androidpowered tablet that comes with all the added bells and whistles they expect to find on such a device, while more productivityoriented users will want their tablets to be pre-loaded with Windows 7 on the grounds that it plays nice with one's existing infrastructure and is compatible with all of the major Windows-based applications that are heavily used today.

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That being said, what is an OEM like Kouziro to do in order to ensure that it can cater to both markets at once? The answer is simple: produce two similar tablets, with each device running off a different operating system. And this is exactly what Kouziro has done with its new FT102 series of tablets.

The Kouziro FT102 series of tablets are expected to be made available for sale in Japan come late July at the suggested retail prices of 30,000 yen and 50,000 yen (approx US$380 and US $633) for the FT102-16 and FT102-32 respectively.

According to a report published by Japanese website ITmedia, the FT102-series of tablets will consist of two variants, with each variant running a different operating system. The first variant, which is known as the FT102-16, will be preloaded with version 2.2 of the Android operating system (aka Froyo), and will be powered by Intel's Atom N455 processor clocked at 1.66GHz. In addition, the FT102-16 will also feature 1GB of DDR3 memory, a 16GB SSD for storage purposes, a 10inch capacitive touchscreen display that is capable of a native resolution of 1024 x 600, a battery pack which is reportedly capable of up to 3.5 hours of uptime on a single charge, and support for WiFi connectivity via the 802.11b/g/n standard.

Oh, and it apparently will not come bundled with the Android Market., as ITmedia claims that Kouziro intends to position the FT102-16 as a corporate device.

On the other hand, the other FT102 variant, the FT102-32, will sport slightly superior hardware in the form of having 2GB of DDR3 memory and a 32GB SSD for storage purposes, although ITmedia has confirmed that the FT102-32 will feature a display and the processor identical to the ones used in the FT102-16. Also, unlike the FT102-16, the FT102-32 will be preloaded with Windows 7 instead of the Android operating system.

Last but definitely not least, ITmedia claims that both tablets will come bundled with a wireless keyboard that connects via the use of a nano receiver, and will feature analogue RGB output connectors for use in displaying the contents on the tablets' screen onto an external display.

Gingerbread update for Optimus 3D to feature 2Dto-3D conversion for apps Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/gingerbread-update-for-optimus-3d-tofeature-2d-to-3d-conversion-for-apps/13024.html July 19th, 2011

Everybody knows that LG's 3D-capable smartphone, the Optimus 3D, sports an interesting ability which allows users to convert 2D images and videos into 3D on the fly with the help of some software. However, it seems that the Korean company is keen to take that functionality one step further to provide a more complete 3D experience for end-users, and it comes in the form of 2D-to-3D conversion support for downloaded apps as well. And the best part of it is that users will not have to wait too long to enjoy this additional support. Read on to find out more.

Do you remember LG's Optimus 3D smartphone? You know, the one which boasts a glasses-free 3D display, along with the interesting ability to convert images and video files from 2D to 3D with the help of some sophisticated software algorithm?

Well, if you happen to be the proud owner of an Optimus 3D handset, we have got some good news; you will soon be able to apply that same 2D-to-3D conversion ability to your downloaded apps in a few months time.

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Published by: VR-Zone

Monitors are power-guzzling devices which need their own dedicated connection to the power socket at all times, right?

Well, not in Samsung's dictionary they aren't: apparently, the Korean electronics giant has taken power consumption on its monitors to a new low by unveiling its new NC220 monitors, which comes with built-in support for Cisco's Universal Power Over Ethernet (UPOE) technology which allows them to power themselves from nothing more than a single Ethernet cable.

Wait, say what?

According to a report published by Ubergizmo, the upcoming Gingerbread update, which is slated to be made available for download come October this year, will update the 2Dto-3D conversion engine to grant users the ability to apply the 3D effect to apps, and for those who are wondering about the practicality of this enhanced feature, let's just say that catapulting an angry red bird into a structure populated with fat green pigs is sure to hold some form of appeal for most casual smartphone users.

That being said, it would seem that the updated 2D-to-3D conversion engine does have its own share of drawbacks and limitations. For one, The Inquirer is claiming that the feature will only work with applications and games that have been developed using the popular OpenGL application programming interface, so this means that it is possible for some apps to be incompatible with the 2D-to-3D converter.

In addition, it is claimed that the 3D app conversion feature will only work in landscape mode, and that "any applications or games that use only portrait mode won't be suitable for conversion". Oh well.

Samsung unveils world's first zero-client monitor powered

by UPOE technology Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-unveils-world-s-first-zeroclient-monitor-powered-by-upoe-technology/13023.html July 19th, 2011

According to the official press release issued by Samsung, the new NC220 monitors, in addition to their capability to draw both power and data over a single Ethernet cable, will also feature the Korean electronics giant's proprietary LED BLU technology, which is reportedly capable of delivering "bright and clear pictures on an ultra-slim, eco-friendly design:. a feat which Samsung claims is capable of significantly lower energy consumption when compared with conventional CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) monitors.

That being said, the biggest draw of the NC220 monitor is still the inclusion of support for Cisco's VPOE technology, which, unlike most conventional Power Over Ethernet solutions, allows devices to draw up to 60W of power over an Ethernet connection, as opposed to the 30W restriction which the latter suffers from. This suggests that Samsung's new monitor could have a power consumption rating which lies between 30W and 60W, although this really is speculation on our part. The press release also claims that the NC220's ability to draw both data and power from a single Ethernet cable allows businesses and enterprises to "leverage the power and speed of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centralized server, while reducing energy costs and creating a more beautiful, less cluttered environment".

No information about pricing or availability has for the NC220 has been released at this point of time, so do check back for updates.

Would you like to own a monitor that is reportedly capable of powering itself over an Ethernet line? Well, it seems that such a monitor does exist, albeit only for use by enterprises and business, and it comes in the form of Samsung's new NC220 monitor, which is touted to be capable of playing a role in helping businesses to conserve energy and reduce cost and complexity. Read on to find out more...

Toshiba Singapore Unveils 14inch USB Mobile LCD Monitor Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/toshiba-singapore-unveils-14-inch-usbmobile-lcd-monitor/13021.html

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Published by: VR-Zone

July 19th, 2011

Need an additional display to your notebook PC? You can consider getting this new Toshiba 14-inch USB Mobile LCD Monitor. The widescreen LCD monitor weighs just 1.27kg and measures about an inch thick and is available in stores now.

Baidu releases own web browser, looks a lot like a certain competitor Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/baidu-releases-own-web-browserlooks-a-lot-like-a-certain-competitor/13020.html July 19th, 2011

Toshiba Computer Systems Division (CSD), a division of Toshiba Singapore, has announced the availability of their new 14-inch USB-powered Mobile LCD Monitor, designed for users who want an additional screen to their laptop at work, school, home or anywhere one is at.

It sports a 14-inch widescreen display with a resolution of 1,366x768 pixels, and comes equipped with the same LCD panel as a notebook PC for crisp images. The Toshiba 14-inch USB Mobile Monitor weighs a mere 1.27kg, and measures than an inch thick, and which makes it easy to fit in most laptop bags. The monitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power and video are both transferred via a single USB connection to the notebook PC using video over USB technology from DisplayLink, thus eliminating the need to carry bulky AC adapter or video cable.

The Toshiba Mobile LCD Monitor comes bundled with a protective black vinyl carrying case, which can also folds into an adjustable stand for to set various viewing levels of your preference. The case also houses the monitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s USB cable.

While the monitor can be used without a power adaptor, an optional AC adapter (PA3743E-1AC3) allows users to turn up the brightness to 220 nits (cd/m2).

The Toshiba 14-inch USB Mobile LCD Monitor is now available in shops at Sim Lim Square and Funan DigitaLife Mall at S$259 (inclusive of GST).

Just when you though China's penchant for providing its own domestic alternatives to various popular products and online services could not get any more interesting, out comes Baidu to further consolidate its position as the country's version of Google, and the latest piece of news seems to confirm that claim. Apparently, it seems that Baidu has decided that it cannot be China's "Google" if it does not have its own web browser, a flaw which the company has moved to remedy with the release of its own beta browser that looks a lot a certain competitor's offering...

Are you adventurous enough to try out a beta web browser, especially if it is a product that is offered by a Chinese company? Well, if your answer to that question is "yes", then we are wagering that you might want to give a certain browser from the likes of Chinese search giant Baidu a little spin, for the company has just released version 1.2 of its own web browser for download, which reportedly claims to grant users access to "its own collection of 30,000" apps that can quickly connect users to online games, videos and other tools".

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Published by: VR-Zone

major goal for the developers over at Mozilla will be to bring multi-threaded support to the web browser. Now this should be interesting.

According to the information posted on Baidu's download page, the browser is touted to be designed with the goal of being simple and reliable to use, and offers what it calls a Secure Browsing mode to protect users from being infected by malware. In addition, the browser also boasts access to an app repository which consists of no less than 30,000 apps such as music players, cooking recipes and even comic book readers.

However, as PCWorld points out, the apps that Baidu has put up for users to make use of in the browser do not follow the traditional "downloadable apps" metaphor; rather, they act as frontends for online programs which are reportedly hosted by the search giant itself. In other words, the act of "downloading" an app from Baidu's "Treasure House" (yes, that is what Baidu's app repository is called) is nothing more than adding a bookmark to the browser so that users can easilly call up the app from their web browser. In addition, PCWorld claims that the URL bar in Baidu's web browser also doubles up as a search bar and a command launcher.

Sounds interesting? Well, you can always download Baidu's beta browser from http://liulanqi.baidu.com/ if you think you are adventurous enough to play around with the apps and services the Chinese search giant has to offer. Of course, with this being pre-release software, the same disclaimer about the browser potentially borking up your system applies (and even more so this time), so be sure to have your backups done.

Mozilla To Bring MultiThreading Support To Firefox?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/mozilla-to-bring-multi-threadingsupport-to-firefox-/13019.html July 19th, 2011

There is no denying that Firefox is one of the more popular browsers to exist today, but with the likes of competitors such as Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari snapping away at its heels, it should be of little surprise that Mozilla is keen to offer consumers a more compelling web browsing experience in order to maintain user satisfaction. And apparently, the next

Do you find yourself sometimes wishing that the good developers over at Mozilla would finally be able to deliver a web browser that is not only light on resources, but also fast enough to put itself on a par with some of the more established players in the web browser market, such as Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari? Well, the good news is that Mozilla has definitely got plans to unveil such a browser, as news has surfaced that the browser vendor is now aiming to bake in some form of multi-threaded support into a future version of Firefox.

Why is this so? Well, if you will remember, Mozilla first announced a couple of weeks ago that it has discovered how the act of running garbage collection more frequently on Firefox was reportedly capable of reducing the browser's memory bloat by as much as up to 80%. In fact, this discovery was significant enough for Mozilla to justify pushing the feature into the latest Aurora build for Firefox.

However, it turns out that the increased frequency of running the browser's garbage collector also serves as a double-edged sword, as Mozilla is claiming in its recent blog post that the cost of garbage collection is expected to go up as the heap size of the process increases. This essentially means that the browser's garbage collector has got more work to do, and the consequence is that it is expected to cause pauses in the browser's user interface. And that is precisely what Mozilla is trying its best to avoid in order to ensure that it can continue to deliver a proper web browser experience for the consumer, although the biggest obstacle lies in the fact that the document object model, which is also known as the DOM, is singlethreaded in nature.

And Mozilla's solution? Well, the browser vendor is claiming that the best way to deal with the issue "is to have each DOM assigned to its own processor, and the easiest way to do that is to have a few processes that can each be assigned to their own CPU". However, as The Inquirer has clearly pointed out, this is not an actual example of building in multi-threading support into the web browser, although it concedes that it is capable of producing similar results. Indeed, Mozilla has also confirmed in its blog post that its long-term goal will be to deliver a multithreaded DOM, although it also claims that the act of doing so is " far enough away and risky enough where we know that there will be lots of value in building a multi-process browser for quite a while".

So, it seems that a multi-threaded version of Firefox is still on the cards, except that Mozilla has got no plans to throw its hand on the table anytime soon, especially when the browser 7

July 19th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

vendor clearly sees the value of going with the multi-process route for the time being. However, be it multi-process or multithreaded, it does not change the fact that users can expect to see some improvements to the Firefox web browser, at least in the form of lower resource consumption.

the need to send multiple MMSes or emails with multiple attachments to their intended recipients. My Picturetown users can also perform various basic operations including moving photos and rotating photo display.

Nikon my Picturetown iPhone App now available for users in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia

Album Viewing Access all your photos and albums on my Picturetown with your mobile device. You can also view albums shared by your friends too.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nikon-my-picturetown-iphone-appnow-available-for-users-in-singapore-hong-kong-and-australia/13018.html July 19th, 2011

Main Features of my Picturetown for iPhone

Album Creation You can create and edit albums. Organising the photos taken with your iPhone into albums is also very easy.

Uploading You can upload photos from your phone and also add photos to existing albums, or create and save entirely new albums.

Downloading You can select the resolution of the photo and download it to your iPhone.

Nikon Asia has announced the availability of their my Picturetown iPhone App for users in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. You can download the app to your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad and create your album, view your photos and even upload or take a photo.

Camera Functions You can start the iPhone camera without exiting the application and the photos taken can be uploaded instantly.

Sign up from the app If you didn't create any my Picturetown account yet, you can sign up from the application itself.

The Nikon my Picturetown app can be downloaded from the iTunes App store: http://itunes.apple.com/app/mypicturetown/id299293367?mt=8 To learn more about my Picturetown app, please visit: HK http://info.mypicturetown.com/geninfo/en_HK/ iphoneApplication.html SG http://info.mypicturetown.com/geninfo/en_SG/ iphoneApplication.html AU http://info.mypicturetown.com/geninfo/en_AU/ iphoneApplication.html Types of accounts : Free (no charge, up to 2-GB storage) Gold (membership fee charged, up to 200-GB storage in units of 20 GB each)

Nikon Asia has recently announced that their proprietary my Picturetown application is now available for users in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. My Picturetown is Nikonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online photo storage and sharing service that was launched in Asia in 2008 and according to the company, it is currently used by more than a million users globally across Japan, Europe and USA. The app is free to download from the Apple iTunes App store, and users can access their my Picturetown accounts from their iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad (with iOS 3.1 or later).

The my Picturetown App allows users to make use of all the photo sharing functions with great flexibility and mobility even while on-the-go, as long as you have 3G or Wi-Fi Internet connectivity. Users can create their photo albums easily from their iPhones by uploading photos from the phone and sharing the album with just one click. This also helps to reduce

Acer announces new Aspire 5755 multimedia notebook in UK Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/acer-announces-new-aspire-5755multimedia-notebook-in-uk/13017.html July 19th, 2011

Do you enjoy playing with multimedia notebooks? Well, if your answer to that question is a resounding "yes", Acer has got just the device for you, and it comes in the form of a new notebook 8

July 19th, 2011

known as the Aspire 5755, which boasts some decent hardware and specifications to boot. Oh, and it comes equipped with a certain wireless technology from Intel which will probably attract neat freaks who cannot stomach the idea of dealing with cables. Read on to find out more.

Notebooks are supposed to be used only for work and casual entertainment, right? Well, not in today's context they aren't; apparently, the notebook today is expected to be an extremely versatile tool capable of some serious entertainment such as mid-range gaming and the playing back of full HD movies without any signs of slowdown or lagginess. And leave it to Acer to provide consumers with yet another choice in the multimedia notebook department with the announcement of its new Aspire 5755, which is apparently designed to cater to the needs of "multimedia lovers looking to get their entertainment fix on the go".

Published by: VR-Zone

your thing, there is always the trusty HDMI-out and Acer's own clear.fi to fall back on.

No mention about the Aspire 5755's global availability (if at all) has been made, although Tech Digest is claiming that the notebook will be retailing in the UK at the starting price of ÂŁ899 or approximately US$1,440.

HTC to buy back 20 million of its own shares Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/htc-to-buy-back-20-million-of-its-ownshares/13016.html July 19th, 2011

Amid a patent infringement ruling in favour of Apple by the ITC, HTC's share price has taken a tumble and the company is looking at buying back a not insignificant 20 million shares.

HTC is expected to give half of the shares to employees while the other half will be cancelled.

Amid a patent infringement ruling in favour of Apple by the ITC, HTC's share price has taken a tumble and the company is looking at buying back a not insignificant 20 million shares.

HTC is expected to give half of the shares to employees while the other half will be cancelled.

According to a report published by Tech Digest, the Acer Aspire 5755 multimedia notebook is powered by Intel's Sandy Bridge platform (as most would expect from notebooks that are released recently), and that Acer is reportedly offering a variety of processors for consumers to choose from in order to suit their personal needs and budget, with the top-end configuration utilizing the i7-2820QM processor. In addition, the notebook's graphics crunching capabilities will be provided by NVIDIA's Optimus-capable GeForce 540M graphics card, which is definitely powerful enough to handle just about anything a user would throw at it (except for graphics-intensive games, of course).

Backing up the notebook's processing power is 8GB of DDR3 memory and up to 1TB of storage capacity, so suffice to say users should not expect to run out of space on the Aspire 5755 anytime soon, even after transferring their entire collection of games and movies into the notebook. The display, unfortunately, will probably be a bit of a deal breaker, as Tech Digest has reported that the 15-inch screen is only capable of resolutions of up to 1366x768.

However, if you are the sort of user who often hooks up his or her notebook to a huge television set to enhance your multimedia experience, you will find that there is something extra which the Aspire 5755 is capable of offering, and it comes in the form of built-in support for Intel's Wireless Display or WiDi technology, which allows users to stream content directly from the notebook to an external display without the need to deal with those cumbersome wires. Of course, if WiDi is not

HTC's shares have dropped to a six month low of NT$870 (S $36/US$30) and the company is now springing into action to prevent a further drop in the share price. More than half of HTC's outstanding shares are owned by foreign investors and with a lot of negative feedback from various investment companies the share price has suffered.

However, the patent infringement dispute with Apple isn't the only reason why HTC's shares have been falling even though it's the most recent contributor, as overall HTC's share price has dropped by 20 percent since the 6th of July. HTC is of course appealing the ruling and even before that happens; the ITC still has to review the ruling by the judge and come to the same conclusion as the judge.

Worst case, Apple could demand a ban on HTC's devices into the US, although it's more likely that the two companies will settle outside court before it gets to this. Also remember that these kinds of things tend to take a lot of time and an import ban is highly unlikely. The scary thought is that if Apple would come out victorious, it would put precedence in Apple's favour against other Android handset makers who could also potentially be banned from selling their devices in the US. We have a feeling that a small company known as Google will interfere before it gets to this stage though, but it's a scary thought nonetheless.

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SATA revision 3.1 released by the SATA-IO Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sata-revision-3.1-released-by-the-sataio/13015.html July 19th, 2011

SATA 6Gbps is all but ubiquitous, but that doesn't stop the SATA-IO to add new features to the standard and revision 3.1 of the SATA spec adds support for a wide range of new features, of which very few are performance related. New features include support for USM, mSATA, several new power management features, improved Trim command support and a few new hardware control features.

SATA 6Gbps is all but ubiquitous, but that doesn't stop the SATA-IO to add new features to the standard and revision 3.1 of the SATA spec adds support for a wide range of new features, of which very few are performance related. New features include support for USM, mSATA, several new power management features, improved Trim command support and a few new hardware control features.

USM stands for Universal Storage Module and it's an addition to the SATA spec that Seagate has been pushing for. In a nutshell it's an external 2.5-inch or less likely a 3.5-inch hard drive fitted in an enclosure that easily slots into a wide range of devices such as TVs, consoles, set-top boxes, computers, docking stations, stereo systems, media players and just about anything else that would benefit from having a hard drive in it. It's meant to be a consumer friendly solution, as the only accessible part of the drive is the rear SATA data and power connectors.

In reality USM is pretty much a hard drive dock for hard for consumers, as the whole thing is a bit less intimidating with all the "techy" parts hidden away inside a plastic box. So far the industry uptake isn't exactly huge with of course Seagate backing it, plus a couple of case makers and some companies we've never heard of before. In a way we do hope that USM will take off, as it should allow for consumers to get the full speed advantage of plugging in a SATA hard drive into their device, rather than having to rely on slow USB 2.0 hard drives, at least until USB 3.0 takes over.

By now you're probably familiar with mSATA, it's a tiny connector that looks like mini PCI Express card connector and the two are physically identical. The new addition to revision 3.1 of the SATA spec allows for better auto detection which means that the mSATA slot can be shared with a standard SATA port, as the SATA port would be disabled automatically if an mSATA SSD was installed.

In terms of new power saving features we're looking at ZeroPower Optical Disc Drive which as the name suggest allows the optical drive to power down completely and as such eliminate any power drawn by it. Another power related feature is Required Link Power Management which adds additional power management features to the SATA spec.

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A new feature for SSDs is Queued Trim Command which allows the SSD to execute Trim commands without having an impact on the normal operation of the SSD, so in other words the SSD can handle data being written or read at the same time as it's dealing with garbage collection.

Finally the SATA-IO has added some new hardware control features which enabled host identification of "device capabilities" which is said to allow for more effective use of SATA devices by the host.

In as much as all this is good news, we're wondering how far the SATA-IO has gotten on the next major revision of the SATA spec, since as crazy as it is, the SATA 6Gbps specification is already reaching its limits. Get a pair of fast SSDs in RAID and you could at least in theory max out the SATA 6Gbps bus.

It's not likely that we'll see a new SATA standard for the next couple of years though, which isn't great news and it's possible we'll see a lot of custom solutions akin to what OCZ is working on until then.

Intel demos "cloud-in-a-box" server solution Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-demos-cloud-in-a-box-serversolution/13014.html July 19th, 2011

Intel is currently touring around the world promoting cloud computing and its rather unusual "cloud-in-a-box" demo system which can fit into a suitcase and this is in fact how Intel is taking the server with them. The "cloud-in-a-box" server actually consists of a pair of compact servers with a pair of Xeon CPUs in each server, although it's apparently not a retail product.

Intel is currently touring around the world promoting cloud computing and its rather unusual "cloud-in-a-box" demo system which can fit into a suitcase and this is in fact how Intel is taking the server with them. The "cloud-in-a-box" server actually consists of a pair of compact servers with a pair of Xeon CPUs in each server, although it's apparently not a retail product.

In as much as the "cloud-in-a-box" server is a fun demo (fun for a server demo at least), it also demonstrates how compact and powerful servers have become. Each of the Xeon CPUs features eight cores and 16 threads for a total of 32 threads across the two comparatively compact servers. In fact, Intel went as far as suggesting that one server like this could replace an entire rack of older servers. Intel was keen on pointing out that only two percent of the cost of a data centre is spent on the servers, while a massive 80 percent is spent on the building, electricity and cooling. Apparently this is a subject Intel is going to talk more about in a few weeks' time, but that was as much as the company was willing to reveal for now.

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Intel made some interesting arguments for cloud computing as well, as you'd expect them to do, as they are after all investing heavily into cloud computing. By 2015 Intel expects there to be over 1 Billion people on the internet and an insane 15 Billion connected devices that are shuffling an astounding 1 Zetabyte of data around. That's only four years from now not exactly what you'd call the distant future. Intel's cloud vision for 2015 is focusing on securely shared data between public and private clouds, client aware services and automated cloud servers.

One interesting example that Intel highlighted was that per about every 600 smartphones, one server is needed, but this number drops drastically when we're talking tablets, as each server can only support 122 tablets in comparison. We're talking about content delivery here and Intel claims that tablet users are accessing "richer media" content than smartphone users.

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Intel is expect its data centre processor growth to double between last year and 2015 with cloud computing accounting for some 20 percent share, up from 10 percent last year. The interesting thing here is that most other segments are expected to shrink percentage wise with the only exception being the networking segment.

Of course an Intel presentation wouldn't be an Intel presentation without some talk about manufacturing processes and Intel is quite boldly claiming that its competitors are falling further and further behind as they've stagnated on a 40-45nm technology while Intel is ready to start producing 22nm silicon later this year using its TriGate technology. Considering how much money Intel is reinvesting into manufacturing this is hardly surprising, but the competition is also likely to move forward a generation and a half shortly when a lot of the other foundries are moving to 28nm. Even so, Intel does have a technological lead over its competitors and it'll be interesting to see how Intel leverages that.

Report: Sandy Bridge-E to be branded Core i7 3000 Series Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/report-sandy-bridge-e-to-be-brandedcore-i7-3000-series/13013.html

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July 19th, 2011

We had previously covered the 3 CPUs Sandy Bridge E will release with. Now DonanimHaber is reporting that the branding for these three CPUs. The three CPUs will be branded Core i7 Extreme Edition 3960X, Core i7 3930 and Core i7 3820 respectively. The Sandy Bridge E CPUs will be compatible with the upcoming X79 chipset, which will finally replace Intel's last enthusiast chipset, X58, released way back in 2008 and serving the Core i7 900 Series.

Above: ETS-T40-VD CPU Cooler

The new flagship will be Core i7 3960X Extreme Edition. A 6core / 12-thread CPU, clocked at 3.3 GHz with Turbo upto 3.9 GHz, with 15MB L3 cache, as reported previously. The price is expected to be in the $999 range. The i7 3960X will feature an unlocked multiplier. Core i7 3930 will be another 6-core / 12-thread SKU, clocked at 3.2 GHz with Turbo upto 3.8 GHz. Unlike the 3960X, the 3930 will feature 12MB L3 cache.

The most affordable Sandy Bridge-E will be the Core i7 3820, a 4-core / 8-thread CPU cllocked at 3.6 GHz with Turbo up to 3.9 GHz. It is expected to cost roughly the same as the Core i7 2600K, but it features an locked multiplier and requires a more expensive X79 motherboard. The Core i7 3820 will surely be a popular choice for gamers. All 3 CPUs will feature a 130W TDP. There are no surprises with the specifications, as they are identical to our reports back in May.

Above: ETS-T40-TA CPU Cooler

Interestingly, Intel could also have branded it under the Core i7 2000 series, since currently it only goes up to 2600.

However, Intel has chosen the 3000 nomenclature, and it is now likely Ivy Bridge CPUs will be branded Core i3/i5/i7 3000 Series as well.

Intel is currently having problems with the platform, having delayed it to earliest end-2011.

ENERMAX introduces ETS-T40 Series CPU Coolers Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/enermax-introduces-ets-t40-seriescpu-coolers/13012.html July 19th, 2011

ENERMAX introduces the ETS-T40 series CPU coolers which include its very own LED fans. A down flow variant CPU cooler will soon be available as well.

Above: ETS-T40-TB CPU Cooler ENERMAX introduces the ETS-T40 series CPU coolers which include ENERMAX twister bearing fans. ETS-T40 series come in three models each having different types of fan. The ETST40-VD and ETS-T40-TA are equipped with LED fans while ETS-T40-TB is mounted with a non-LED fan.

ETS-T40 Fan Type (120mm) Fan Speed Air Flow Noise

VD VEGAS DUO (Red and Blue LED) 800 1800RPM 33.26 75.98CFM 16 - 26dBA

TA T.B APOLLISH (Blue LED) 800 1800RPM 33.26 75.98CFM 16 - 21dBA

TB T.B SILENCE (non LED) 800 1800RPM 37.57 86.70CFM 10 - 21dBA 12

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Intel LGA 775/1155/1156/1366, AMD AM2/ AM2+/AM3/ AM3+/FM1 Heat Pipe 4 x 6mm Copper Heat Pipes Material Aluminium Fins Overall 139(L) x Dimension 93(W) x 160(H)mm Weight 610g The ENERMAX ETS-T40-VD, ETS-T40-TA, ETS-T40-TB will be retailing for US$49.99 (S$61), US$49.99 (S$61) and US $39.99 (S$49) respectively.

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Socket

More images of Samsung's upcoming 4G slider for Verizon show up online Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/more-images-of-samsung-supcoming-4g-slider-for-verizon-show-up-online/13010.html July 19th, 2011

Sprint may have its epic Samsung smartphone which goes by the name of the Epic 4G, but it certainly seems that the telco was not epic enough to score the device as an exclusive product, for word has it that Verizon is well on its way to launching its own Samsung slider smartphone that bears more than just a passing semblence to the Epic 4G. And apparently, Verizon's version of Samsing's yet-unnamed slider smartphone will sport a few features that is not present on the original Epic 4G. Read on to find out more.

Do you remember Sprint's Epic 4G smartphone? You know, that epic smartphone which was released in the US way back in September last year and boasts a Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen and was preloaded with version 2.1 of the Android operating system? Well, it seems that Sprint's epic smartphone will now have to take a back seat where epic-ness is concerned, for images of what appears to be a successor to the Epic 4G has showed up online, and that it will be designed to work with Verizon's network.

According to the report published by AndroidCentral, the yetunnamed smartphone, while bearing a near-identical design to that of the Epic 4G, comes with a few tweaks and extra features that were not present in the latter. For one, the unnamed smartphone's keyboard has had the placement of its "Shift" and "Fn" keys switched, while an additional shortcut button to allow quick access to the device's web browser has been added. On top of that, Android Central has pointed out that the superfluous dedicated emoticon button is now no more, having been moved as a secondary input for the smartphone's spacebar.

In addition to the aforementioned differences, AndroidCentral is claiming that the unnamed Samsung slider phone will come preloaded with version 2.3.4 of the Android operating system, as opposed to the Epic 4G's 2.1, and is supposedly capable of connecting to a 4G LTE network.

Last but definitely not least, it would seem that Samsung's unnamed smartphone will also newer and better hardware than the aforementioned Epic 4G: AndroidCentral has claimed through a tipster that the unnamed device could potentially sport a Super AMOLED Plus display which is reportedly capable of "packing in more subpixels than a mere Super AMOLED screen", and that it boasts up to 2GB of internal flash memory. And if that was not enough, AndroidCentral is also claiming that the smartphone boasts performance levels 13

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superior to that of the Fascinate, and sports both front and rear-facing cameras.

Of course, don't expect this powerhouse of a smartphone to ever make its way down to our shores in some other form or variant any time soon (if at all), especially if the fact that the Epic 4G, which is also known as the Galaxy S Pro in other parts of the world, has yet to find itself on our local retail shelves, is of any indication.

Enjoy your favorite songs on the new Genius SP-i500 iPhone speaker dock Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/enjoy-your-favorite-songs-on-the-newgenius-sp-i500-iphone-speaker-dock/13008.html July 19th, 2011

The Genius SP-i500 iPhone speaker dock not only plays your favorite songs, but it also charges the phone battery when your phone is docked. It also supports iPod music players and you can download the Musical Alarm app to set up your alarm.

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New images of ZTE's WP7powered smartphone now available Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/new-images-of-zte-s-wp7-poweredsmartphone-now-available/13009.html July 19th, 2011

ZTE may not be all that well-known in certain parts of the world, but there is no denying that the company is one of the larger players when it comes to producing mobile phones for the Chinese market. And from the looks of it, it seems that one such ZTE-branded smartphone that will eventually make its way over to China is powered by none other than Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system, with a few extra changes made to ensure that it plays nice with the local populace there.

Windows Phone 7 may be an excellent operating system for smartphones, but the fact that Microsoft has done little to market devices running off its operating system, along with its very late entry into the market, means that it has to compete against the likes of powerhouses such as iOS and Android for a slice of the smartphone pie. Which, as we all know, is definitely no easy task.

However, it seems that Microsoft might have a chance in China, for it is known that ZTE is planning to release a smartphone that will be powered by the "Mango" version of the Windows Phone 7 operating system. And to top if off, new images of that alleged smartphone have reportedly been released online by none other than ZTE's very own Dr. Luo Zhongsheng, who is said to be the company's head of smartphone development.

Featuring a stylish black finish, the Genius SP-i500 iPhone speaker dock claims to be perfect for playing music from your iPhone. The dock can charge your iPhone or iPod while it plays your favorite songs from the 1.5-inch high quality audio driver with a total output of 2 watts. It also has a line-in jack to support other device input. On top of that, Genius also includes a Musical Alarm app that you can download to your iPhone for user to setup one's own alarm schedule; the SP-i500 also has a snooze key which you can combine with the apps.

According to a report published by Wpcentral.com, the yetunnamed smartphone will feature some cosmetic tweaks on the OS front, such as the use of custom wallpapers on the Start screen, as well as Chinese localization, as shown in the image below.

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Published by: VR-Zone

printers are designed for use mainly by small and medium businesses (SMBs).

That being said, Wpcentral.com claims that the copy of Windows Phone 7 that comes bundled with ZTE's smartphone will lack Twitter support, ostensibly due to the Chinese's government's decision to ban the use of the popular microblogging platform in its territories. However, Chinese users will probably have nothing to lose, as the report also claims that in place of the missing feature is a preloaded app for Sina Weibo, a very popular domestic microblogging platform that is reportedly like a hybrid of Facebook and Twitter combined.

No other details about ZTE's upcoming smartphone has been revealed at this point, so do check back for updates.

Samsung launches five new eco-friendly mono laser printers for Korea Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-launches-five-new-ecofriendly-mono-laser-printers-for-korea/13007.html July 19th, 2011

Remember the short story we published last week about Samsung releasing a bunch of new laser printers for sale in its domestic Korean market? Well, it turns out that the Korean electronics giant has got even more of such devices up its sleeves for its customers, and it comes in the form of five new monochrome laser printers, two of which boast multifunction capabilities. And yes, Samsung has confirmed that all five printers are economically-friendly models with the capability to reduce one's energy consumption.

Remember the little story we published exactly seven days ago about Samsung launching four new monochrome laser printers for personal and home office use? Well, it seems that the Korean electronics giant has more devices of such a nature up its sleeves, for the company has announced five new environmentally-friendly monochrome laser printers today.

However, unlike the more consumer-oriented products that were launched last week, this batch of monochrome laser

According to Samsung, the standalone models, which are also known as the ML-2951D, ML-2950ND and ML-2955DW, will boast prints speed of up to 28ppm and sport a 533MHz processor. The printers are also capable of achieving a maximum print resolution of 1200 x 1200, while the builtin paper tray is reportedly big enough to accommodate up to 250 sheets of paper. Samsung has also claimed that the aforementioned eco-friendly characteristics of its printers will come in the form of a low noise output of 50dBa and lower toner consumption, while sporting what it calls an "Eco Simulator" which reportedly allows users to see the cost of their prints based on the amount of energy, toner and paper consumed. In addition, the printers will come bundled with support for Mobile Print, which allows users to send print commands to the printer from their smartphones and tablets.

The other two models that were announced by Samsung today are the multifunction-capable SCX-4728FW and SCX-4728FD, which boast the added ability to provide scanning and fax support. Considering how there was little mention about both the SCX-4728FW and SCX-4728FD's specifications, we'd hazard a guess that they are largely identical to those of the aforementioned standalone models.

No details about product availability and pricing were revealed

by Samsung in its announcement.

iOS hack brings multi-user support to Apple's iPad Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ios-hack-brings-multi-user-support-toapple-s-ipad/13005.html July 19th, 2011

Everyone knows that the iPad is a fantastic consumer electronic device for users to create and consumer digital content on, but the fact that it is designed to be used only by a single user makes it difficult (and potentially costly) for an entire family to share content without mixing up each other's 15

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personal files and information. That is all set to change though, for word has it that a Brazillian hacker has somehow managed to bake support for multiple user accounts into the iPad, much like how one would set up a family PC with such accounts for each member.

Picture this scenario: you are busy playing Angry Birds on your iPad, and your parents request to borrow the device for a while so that they can use it to check their work emails since the home PC is busted up due to dead hardware. No problem; you terminate the game, log out of the iPad and create a new user account for your parents' work use. And once they are done, you log back to your own user account on the iPad to continue your game, while those work emails stay safe in your parents' own user account which no one can access without the correct password.

Sounds impossible? Well, not anymore, apparently, a Brazillian hacker has managed to craft an iOS hack that is reportedly capable of performing the aforementioned task.

The hack, which is dubed as the iUser, allows iPad users to create multiple user accounts on their device, but the real crux of the hack is that it is capable of segregating application data and system preferences between the various user accounts.

This potentially allows users to share their iPad much like the way one would share a family PC, with each user's account being given its own seperate profile which will not overlap or interfere with those set up by other users, and the short video below tells it all: Unprintable Content (Video, Flash, etc.)

Sounds great? Well, here's a little caveat; apparently, iUser will only be made available on Cydia, which means that only users of jailbroken iPads can engage in some multi-user goodness when it is officially released. However, if you are daring enough to fool around with code, you might be pleased to know that the hacker has released a pre-release version iUser's source code for public download.

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LG introduces Optimus Pro and Optimus Net Android Gingerbread smartphones Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lg-introduces-optimus-pro-andoptimus-net-android-gingerbread-smartphones/13004.html July 19th, 2011

LG Korea has unveiled their Optimus Pro (LG-C660) and Optimus Net (LG-P690) smartphones, which are running on Google's latest Android 2.3 Gingerbread mobile operating system. The Optimus Pro has both QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen display, while the Optimus Net is full touchscreen.

LG Korea has introduced two new additions to the Optimus smartphones portfolio - the LG Optimus Pro (LG-C660) and the LG Optimus Net (LG-P690) running on the latest Android 2.3 platform which claims to offer enhanced multimedia support, power management and gaming support.

LG Optimus Pro â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Simple Social Networking with Both QWERTY and Touch The LG Optimus Pro claims to be the company's first smartphone with a portrait QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate typing, and it also offers a 2.8-inch touchscreen display for quick navigation. The phone also comes with dedicated hotkeys for instant access to email and scheduler.

The LG Optimus Pro will be available in white, titan, as well as black.

LG Optimus Net â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Next Generation of Social Communication Featuring LG Social+, the Optimus Net places all the popular social networking portals in one convenient widget which you can access easily from the homescreen. Users can multitask between updating their status on Facebook and Twitter while 16

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reading their friendsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; social media feeds on the same screen.

The widget also provides one-click photo sharing with multiple social media accounts. The Optimus Net sports a 3.2-inch HVGA (320x480) display while the LG SmartShare function allows easy sharing of content with other DLNA devices.

According to the company, specifications for the Optimus Net will vary from market to market. Depending on the carrier, some of the phones in Europe will be Near Field Communication (NFC) capable for mobile payments. The North American version will include a QWERTY keyboard and in Brazil, China, Asia and the CIS region, the Optimus Net will be dual SIM-compatible. The phone will be available in white, as well as black.

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importantly, insecurity as the main reasons for doing so. And while the first two claims may have some degree of truth to it, it would seem that Microsoft has largely cleared up its act on the security front, especially if the latest study by NSS Labs is of any indication. Apparently, in an independent test, NSS Labs found that both Internet Explorer 9 and Internet Explorer 8 came through as clear winners in actively blocking malware from entering a user's PC, beating the likes of Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera by a huge margin.

Both the Optimus Pro and Optimus Net boast the largest 1500mAh battery in their class and an 800 MHz CPU, ensuring longer, better performance. Both smartphones will be available starting this summer, rolling out in 30 markets beginning in Europe.

Microsoft scores first place in malware blocking test with Internet Explorer 9 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/microsoft-scores-first-place-inmalware-blocking-test-with-internet-explorer-9/13003.html July 19th, 2011

Speak of Internet Explorer to most computer-savvy people and chances are you will be given icy glares and a profound lecture of how Microsoft always fails to make a good browser that is capable of safeguarding a user from nasty malware circulating the depths of cyberspace, right? Well, not anymore; apparently, a recent study conducted by NSS Labs have shown that Internet Explorer 9 and Internet Explorer 8 clinched both first and second spots respectively where browser security is concerned. And no, we are not making this up.

According to the report published by NSS Labs, Internet Explorer 9, with its dual-pronged approach of actively filtering out malware via a combination of URL and application-based reputation scans, produced the best results by far. NSS Labs claims that Microsoft's URL filtering system was capable of nabbing as much as 92% of live threats, while the added protection offered by Application Reputation bumped the filter's success rate up to a perfect 100%, thus easily earning it the top spot in the test. And if that was not good enough, NSS Labs has also discovered that the older Internet Explorer 8 web browser did reasonably well in the test too, being able to stop as much as 90% of live threats from reaching a user.

In contrast, Safari 5, Chrome 10 and Firefox 4 were all tied for the third spot, with each browser reporting a significantly lower protection rate of only 13%; however, NSS Labs claims that this is due to all three browsers utilizing Google's Safe Browser system. Opera, on the other hand, was last with only a 5% block rate, a score which NSS Labs attributes to the browser's use of an AVG-based protection system, although the test credits Opera for making a significant improvement in security, as the previous version of the Opera web browser reportedly scored a 0 in an older test.

Last but definitely not least, NSS Labs claims that Internet Explorer 9 also holds the top spot in the amount of time needed to block websites that are known to host malware, although this is brought about by the browser's implementation of Application Reputation scanning, a feature which is not found in any of the other browsers used in the test.

When it comes to web browsers, most people tend to avoid Microsoft's Internet Explorer like the plague, often citing various "issues" such as its slow performance, non-conformance to popular online standards and more 17

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With results as definitive as this, it is going to be very difficult for the "Internet Explorer is not secure" claim to hold any more water in today's context. So, if you are running a recent version of Windows on your computer and are looking for a good and secure web browser to safeguard your online web experience...well, let's just say that a trip down to Microsoft's download pages is in good order.

The full report can be downloaded off NSS Labs' website here.

Sony announces wallmountable Hi-Fi system for the iPhone Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-announces-wall-mountable-hi-fisystem-for-the-iphone/13002.html July 19th, 2011

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The wall-mountable part, according to Sony, will come in the form of "key holes on the back panel" that is reportedly capable of giving users the "freedom to either mount the system on the wall, or display via shelf set-up". In addition, the CMTCX5BiP will feature Sony's Dynamic Sound Generator X-tra technology, which "delivers a clear, crisp sound that can be enjoyed via a number of audio inputs". Last but definitely not least, the CMT-CX5BiP will come bundled with built-in support for a variety of audio input sources such as media players, CD and even FM tuners through USB or a 3.5mm audio-in jack, as well as by connecting oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iPod or iPhone onto the dock.

Unfortunately, Sony Europe has not announced any details pertaining to pricing for the CMT-CX5BiP wall-mountable HiFi system, although it has revealed that the product is expected to be released for sale in the UK come August 2011.

Apple releases iOS 4.3.4 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-releases-ios-4.3.4/13000.html July 19th, 2011

Most people will not deny that the iPhone is every bit a fashion statement as much as it is a smartphone, and it seems that Sony is not about to go against such popular opinion, especially if its latest Hi-Fi system that was recently announced in Europe is of any indication. Apparently, the Japanese electronics giant is claiming that the new wallmountable Hi-Fi system for the iPhone, which is otherwise known as the CMT-CX5, is designed to allow users the luxury of "getting superior sound quality in a sleek, aesthetically pleasing, wall-mountable hi-fi" .

To say that our professional and social lives are slowly but surely starting to revolve our smartphones may sound a bit like an overstatement, but there is no denying that there is some truth in such a claim, considering how addicted we are to our smartphones for access to email, along with Facebook and Twitter updates while on the move. And since we are already so reliant on our smartphones for work and play, Sony apparently thought that it would be a good idea to enhance the "play" part of the equation with the introduction of its new, wallmountable iPhone Hi-Fi system, the CMT-CX5BiP.

According to the official press release issued by Sony Europe, the CMT-CX5BiP is a Hi-Fi system designed to allow users the luxury of "getting superior sound quality in a sleek, aesthetically pleasing, wall-mountable hi-fi" without making it stand out from one's home decor like a sore thumb, and it shows. Sony claims that the Hi-Fi system will consist of three units (main unit and two speakers), "which can be grouped for efficiency and aesthetic purposes or separated depending upon the stylistic preferences".

Apple's iOS 4.3.4 is simply a minor security update which fixes a vulnerability associated with software's PDF viewing. The vulnerability is reported to allow hackers to gain full control of Apple's device hence users are encouraged to download the new iOS 4.3.4, unless of course, you are using applications such as Jailbreakme.

GScreen's dual-screen Laptop Finally Available Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/gscreen-s-dual-screen-laptop-finallyavailable/12999.html July 19th, 2011

GScreen first introduced the SpaceBook laptop in 2009 which sports two pieces of 15.4-inch screen. However, the product was delayed as they decided to go for two pieces of 17.3-inch screens. Read on.

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Plans to push them out in May 2010 did not surface.

Finally, consumers can now preorder them at their website.

Unfortunately, other than the dual 17.3-inch screens, rest of the specifications did not impress. The SpaceBook comes in two models. The high-end version consists of a dual 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 LED backlit screens, Intel i7-740QM 1.73GHz processor, 8GB of memory, 500GB of hard disk space, Nvidia GeForce GTS 250M graphics card and a DVD drive. The lowend model will feature Intel i5-560M processor and 4GB of memory instead. The SpaceBook 17 i7 8G is retailing for US $2,795 (S$3,408) while the SpaceBook 17 i5 4G is going for US $2,395 S$2,920).

AREA introduces Micron2 USB Microscope Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/area-introduces-micron2-usbmicroscope/12998.html July 19th, 2011

AREA releases the USB powered microscope which will make a very interesting product. The Micron2 has an optical magnification of 20x and electronic magnification of 200x, allowing users to view the finer points of his/her hair as shown above. It also enables user to capture up to 2.6megapixel image and video recording at 640 x 480 resolution.

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The AREA Micron2 USB microscope weighs about 60g and comes with a dedicated tripod, software CD and manual. It has a total warranty period of 6 months and is already retailing in Japan for 4980 Yen (S$77).

Published by: VR-Zone

4th Floor

See more specifications at AREA website.

COMEX 2011 Show Dates, Venue, Lucky Draw and Floor Plans!

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/comex-2011-show-dates-venue-luckydraw-and-floor-plans-/12997.html July 19th, 2011

It's never too early to prepare your budgets! This year's iteration of COMEX will feature over 830 exhibitors and a record of 345,000 square feet of exhibition grounds at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1st to 4th September 2011. Read more for our sneak preview of the show, including details of a whopping S$20,000 lucky draw and exclusive floor plans reveal to start strategic planning for your COMEX 2011 assault today!

6th Floor

Dates: 1st - 4th September 2011 (Thursday to Sunday) Venue: Suntec Singapore - Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6 Lucky Draw: For every $100 spent during the show, you will get a chance to win

Notable Exhibitors:

1st Prize: S$ 20,000 Cash 2nd Prize: S$ 3,000 Cash

Acer Computer (Singapore) Pte Ltd Altec Lansing

3rd Prize: S$ 2,000 Cash

Apple

4th Prize: S$ 1,000 cash

Asus Technology Pte Ltd

5th Prize: S$ 900 cash

Audio-Technica (S.E.A) Pte Ltd

6th Prize: S$ 800 cash

Belkin

7th Prize: S$ 700 cash

Brother International Singapore Pte Ltd

8th Prize: S$ 600 cash

Canon Singapore Pte Ltd

9th Prize: S$ 500 cash

Casio Singapore Pte Ltd

10th Prize: S$ 400 cash

Compaq Singapore

11th Prize: S$ 300 cash

Creative Technology Ltd

12th Prize: S$ 200 cash

D-link International Pte Ltd

The COMEX 2011 Show Lucky Draw Results will be published in the New Paper on 12th September 2011.

Dell Singapore Pte Ltd

Floor Plans:

Epson Singapore Pte Ltd 20

July 19th, 2011

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Western Digital (S.E.Asia) Pte Ltd Fuji Xerox Printers Pte Ltd

and many more!

Fujitsu PC - AsiaPac Distribution Pte Ltd

VR-Zone's coverage of the show will be at http://vr-zone.com/ comex. It's never too early for you to start planning!

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Asus Xtion Pro Live launching soon Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-xtion-pro-live-launchingsoon/12996.html July 19th, 2011

Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd Lexmark LG Electronics (Singapore) Pte Ltd Logitech Microsoft Singapore Pte Ltd M1 Ltd

If you head over to the Asus website you'll notice that the company is currently running a competition where you can vote for the best software developed by a wide range of competitors for its Xtion Pro motion sensor (similar to Kinect for Xbox 360). However, the Xtion Pro is a very basic device, especially compared to Kinect, but it seems like Asus is getting ready to launch a more advanced model shortly, the Xtion Pro Live.

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If you head over to the Asus website you'll notice that the company is currently running a competition where you can vote for the best software developed by a wide range of competitors for its Xtion Pro motion sensor (similar to Kinect for Xbox 360). However, the Xtion Pro is a very basic device, especially compared to Kinect, but it seems like Asus is getting ready to launch a more advanced model shortly, the Xtion Pro Live.

There are a couple of major differences between the Xtion Pro and the Xtion Pro Live. Although the Xtion Pro works just fine as a motion sensor it only has IR and depth of view sensors while the Xtion Pro Live gains a webcam, much like Microsoft's Kinect. The webcam is hardly going to blow your mind, as just like Kinect, it tops out at 640x480 resolution. Surprisingly Asus has managed to keep the size of the unit the same, despite the additional sensor.

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Another addition to the Xtion Pro Live is a pair of microphones, which could be handy for voice commands or web cam usage, one again following in the footsteps of Kinect.

Asus is also opening up an app store for the Xtion where developers are going to be allowed to offer their goods for sale. It's somewhat amusing that Asus is claiming a world first and exclusive still, especially as a Kinect unit offers exactly 21

July 19th, 2011

the same features, well, not quite as the Kinect unit has auto tilting, a feature that Asus doesn't seem to have implemented.

Published by: VR-Zone

a better dissipitation of heat. iPhone 5 will probably be using the A6 processor instead. iPhone 4S is rumoured to be released first to allow time for the issue to be resolved and will be equipped with a less powerful A5 processor in order to avoid overheating.

Silverstone introduces Temjin TJ08-E Casing We managed to find some pricing as well and this is where things aren't looking so good for Asus, as according to Asusworld Italy, we're looking at a retail price of €175 (S$300) which compares badly against buying a standalone Kinect unit for €95 (S$165). Even the Xtion Pro is quite a lot more expensive at €155 (S$270), so unless you specifically want to use the software from Asus' app store, a Kinect unit will set you back a fair bit less and it'll work with an Xbox 360 as well.

We're not sure when the Xtion Pro Live will be available, but considering pricing is already out; we shouldn't have to wait too long.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/silverstone-introduces-temjin-tj08-ecasing/12994.html July 19th, 2011

Five years since the first official launch of TJ08, Silverstone now introduces the Temjin TJ08-E mATX chassis. More details inside.

Apple to release iPhone 5 or 4S? Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-to-release-iphone-5or-4s-/12995.html July 19th, 2011

Rumours are coming in regarding the launch of Apple's next generation iPhone. Most of the sources seem to agree on the timing for the release to be 3rd quarter of this year. More details inside.

As the date draws nearer to 3rd quarter (which is rumoured to be the period for the launch of Apple's next generation iPhone), reports are coming in saying it will not be the release of iPhone 5 but iPhone 4S. iPhone 5 is reported to be encountering heat issues with the implementation of the A5 processor. iPad 2 which are using the A5 processor faces no such problems probably due to its bigger surface area allowing 22

July 19th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

shift system allowing users to change the color and speed of the fans.

Don't worry, the first image shown above is not distorted.

The Temjin TJ08-E mATX tower chassis is supposed to look stocky. Compared to the TJ08, TJ08-E does look much better overall probably due to the fully painted interior. The front panel looks much neater as well. TJ-08-E features a 180mm Silverstone Air Penetrator fan, removable motherboard tray, dust filter, holes for cable management, space for 4 x 3.5" hard disks and 2 x 5.25" devices. Weighing at 5.3kg and measuring 210 x 374 x 385mm (W x H x D), the TJ08-E is the solution for users who are looking to save space and yet still wishes to have a powerful build. The TJ08-E is reported to be retailing soon at around US$100 (S$121).

See more specifications of the Temjin TJ08-E at the Silverstone website.

Thermaltake launches Level 10 GT LCS Chassis

ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional launches Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asrock-fatal1ty-990fx-professionallaunches/12992.html July 19th, 2011

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/thermaltake-launches-level-10-gt-lcschassis/12993.html July 19th, 2011

Thermaltake Level 10 chassis had surprised us all with the unique design and features. The Level 10 series expanded from then on to include a GT version and GT snow edition. Now, we have the Level 10 GT LCS model to look out for.

We're not sure how much the Fatal1ty branding is really adding to ASRock's brand image, but at least the Fatal1ty series of motherboards stand out from the company's other products.

The latest addition is the Fatal1ty 990FX Professional and as the name gives away, this board is based on the AMD 990FX chipset for AMD's FX-series of, ah yes, that's right, the new CPUs haven't launched yet, but anyhow, onwards to the motherboard.

Thermaltake continues to expand its Level 10 series casing by launching a Level 10 GT LCS case which includes a watercooling system for the CPU. The watercooling system consists of a copper CPU waterblock, 330cc reservoir, P500 pump and a 240mm motorsports radiator with 2 x 120mm fans. The casing is pre-installed with addtional 2 x 200mm and 1 x 140mm fans for better ventilation and features a color

We're not sure how much the Fatal1ty branding is really adding to ASRock's brand image, but at least the Fatal1ty series of motherboards stand out from the company's other products.

The latest addition is the Fatal1ty 990FX Professional and as the name gives away, this board is based on the AMD 990FX chipset for AMD's FX-series of, ah yes, that's right, the

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new CPUs haven't launched yet, but anyhow, onwards to the motherboard.

As with all of ASRock's other Fatal1ty branded boards, this one too sports the black and red colour scheme. Nothing much stands out at first glance, possibly because of the colour scheme that hides much of what's going on. It's still surprising how much better AMD's chipsets are compared to what Intel offers for the general consumer market, even though the 990FX is a high-end chipset. The Fatal1ty 990FX Professional board sports two full x16 PCI Express slots as well as another one with four lanes worth of bandwidth and of course a pair of x1 PCI Express slots and two PCI slots.

Around the back there are two PS/2 ports, five USB 2.0 ports, one "Fatal1ty mouse port", two USB 3.0 ports, a FireWire port, two eSATA ports, a pair of Gigabit Ethernet ports, 7.1channel audio with optical and coaxial S/PDIF out and a clear CMOS button. ASRock has used a pair of Broadcom Ethernet controllers and the eSATA ports are via a Marvell SATA 6Gbps controller.

That still leaves a total of six PCI Express lanes for peripherals, although ASRock hasn't gone for the ideal mix of extras in our opinion. The SB950 southbridge offers a set of six SATA 6Gbps ports and ASRock has decided that this is more than enough, something of a shortcoming on a high-end board like this in our mind. There are no less than three Etron USB 3.0 host controllers though; two are connected to pin-headers for four front USB 3.0 ports while the third controller connects to the rear ports. Other additions include a pin-header for a FireWire port and a serial port, as well as two pin-headers for an additional four USB 2.0 ports, power and reset buttons and a POST80 debut LED.

The VRM is a 12+2 phase design and it's said to be using a Digital PWM. One thing we'd like to point out is the three fan headers by the CPU socket which is great for anyone intending to use watercooling, as sometimes there just aren't enough fan headers conveniently located. There are an additional three fan headers as well, although these aren't quite as ideally located. One thing that struck us as odd is the location for the front panel pins, as they're located below the bottom x16 slot and a bit awkward to get to. Overall this is a pretty decent board, but the main question is how much it'll retail for and when there'll be a new FX-series CPU to go in that socketâ&#x20AC;Ś

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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.

More upcoming Intel CPUs priced, Pentium and Core i this time Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/more-upcoming-intel-cpus-pricedpentium-and-core-i-this-time/13063.html July 22nd, 2011

Intel is going to be a busy company between now and the end of September, as beyond the entry level CPUs that we revealed the pricing of yesterday, Intel has a total of eight new desktop Pentiums and Core i processors launching. Three of the new models are low-power 35W models, with the remaining models being standard desktop parts.

Intel is going to be a busy company between now and the end of September, as beyond the entry level CPUs that we revealed the pricing of yesterday, Intel has a total of eight new desktop Pentiums and Core i processors launching. Three of the new models are low-power 35W models, with the remaining models being standard desktop parts.

Let's start with the T models which in Intel language mean that they're intended for small form factor systems and have a TDP of 35W. First up we have a new budget model at a mere US$47, the Pentium G530T which is a dual core 2GHz part with 2MB L3 cache. This is followed by the pricier US$70 G630T which has a faster clock speed at 2.3GHz and 3MB of L3 cache. The third and final new model in the T-series is the Core i3-2120T which is a US$127 part clocked at 2.6GHz, 3MB of L3 cache and Hyper Threading support. Sadly we don't have the spec for the graphics core clock for any of these models.

Moving on to the full-fat CPUs we start with the Pentium G630 which has the same US$64 pricing as the current G620, but it's 100MHz faster at 2.7GHz and that's the only difference between the two as the G630 retains the same graphics clock.

The final Pentium model is the G860 which is also a simple speed bump to an even 3GHz and it'll be priced at US$86, the same price point as the current G850. That said the G850 will receive a price cut in October to US$75, putting it at the same price point as the G840.

That brings us to the Core i models which consist of three new models. The first and maybe most interesting model is the US$134 Core i3-2125, Intel's second Core i3 with HD 3000 series graphics. The Core i3-2125 is clocked at 3.3GHz, that's 200MHz faster than the current Core i3-2105 (priced at US $134 as well), although the graphics clock remains the same.

This is followed by the Core i3-2130 which is a 3.4GHz model which comes in at US$138 and it's a 100MHz speed bump of the Core i3-2120, although once again we're looking at a price adjustment in October which will bring this model down to US $117.

The final new CPU is the Core i5-2320 which is yet another model that's 100MHz than its predecessor, the Core i5-2310.

It even comes in at the same US$177 price point and there are no additional changes here either. Intel may yet have some surprises in store for us, but if the company does, then it's not in the roadmaps we've seen.

Intel Core i7 3960X vs Core i7 990X Benchmarks Leaked Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-core-i7-3960x-vs-core-i7-990xbenchmarks-leaked/13062.html July 22nd, 2011

DonanimHaber has leaked internal benchmarks of Intel's next-gen Sandy Bridge E flagship, revealed to be branded Core i7 3960X earlier this week, put to the test against current flagship Core i7 990X. Both are 6 Core / 12 Thread CPUs fabricated at 32nm. While the i7 3960X actually features a slighty lower clock speed, 0.16 GHz less than the i7 990X, it is based on the improved Sandy Bridge architecture, and boasts of 15MB L3 cache - 3MB more than the 990X. The X79 chipset also supports 4 memory channels - 1 more than X58. Finally, Core i7 3960X features a more aggressive Turbo, clocking all the way up to 3.9 GHz. Since these are internal benchmarks conducted by Intel, the leaked slides are quick to point out benchmarks influenced by memory bandwidth and AVX instructions (new to the Sandy Bridge architecture). In SPECint_rate the i7 3960X takes a 35% lead over the i7 990X, and a 65% advantage in SPECfp_rate. In Sandra 2011, the i7 3960X nearly doubles i7 990X's performance in Multimedia and Memory Bandwidth tests, once again thanks to 4 memory channels and AVX.

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sufficient demand left in the market for such devices for Panasonic to justify the releasing of yet another camera for this particular segment, and it comes in the form of the new LUMIX FZ47.

In more relevant real world benchmarks, the picture is less rosy, though not unexpected. In Cinebench 11.5, POV-Ray 3.7 and ProShow Gold 4.5, the Core i7 3960X leads the i7 990X by 12%-15%. The 3DMark 11 is "estimated" at 36%. Judging by these benchmarks, in most multi-threaded applications, we would expect the Core i7 3960X to be about 15% faster than the Core i7 990X. Of course, non-multithreaded applications, applications sensitive to AVX, memory bandwidth and cache will see greater improvements for the Core i7 3960X. Sandy Bridge-E, alongwith Core i7 3960X, 3930K and the quad-core 3820 are expected to release in late 2011 at the earliest, about one quarter after AMD's FX-Series.

Panasonic announces new LUMIX FZ47 superzoom camera Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/panasonic-announces-new-lumix-fz47superzoom-camera/13060.html July 22nd, 2011

Superzoom bridge cameras which allow a user to excercise full manual control over their photo-taking are being squeezed out on both ends of the digital camera market by cheap entrylevel DSLRs, high-end compact cameras and and new breed of mirrorless cameras which boast interchangeable lenses, right? Well, not if Panasonic has got anything to say about it; apparently, the market for such superzoom bridge cameras is still good enough for the Japanese electronics company to justify releasing a new model for this particular segment, and it comes in the form of its new LUMIX FZ47.

Superzoom bridge cameras. Who needs them, when you got entry-level DSLRs that are capable of capturing still images at significantly better image quality, or even the new breed of mirrorless cameras which sport interchangeable lenses and still feature the same large image sensor that one would typically find in a DSLR? Well, it seems that there is still

According to the official press release that was issued yesterday, the new LUMIX FZ47 superzoom bridge camera will sport a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens that is reportedly capable of achieving an optical zoom range of 24x that reaches from 25mm to 600mm in 35mm-equivalent terms. Panasonic has also confirmed that the lens has been treated with its proprietary "Nano Surface Coating technology to help minimize light reflection that causes ghosting and flare".

In addition to its decent zoom range, the FZ47 will also boast support for 1080i video recording in the AVCHD format, with Panasonic claiming that the camera's optical zoom mechanism has been specially optimized for use in shooting videos, as it now features technology which allows for lownoise autofocus and zooming while capturing movies. And if that was not enough, the FZ47 also boasts the ability to allow users to capture still images at a resolution of 3.5 megapixels in the midst of filiming a video, as well as the addition of a new Creative Video mode, which allows users to manually set the shutter speed and aperture when recorming videos, a feature which is not present on most digital cameras on the market today.

Last but defintiely not least, Panasonic has confirmed that the new LUMIX FZ47 will be powered by both a 1/2.33" "HiSpeed CCD sensor" that is capable of capturing still images at resolutions of up to 12.1-megapixel, and the Venus Engine FHD processor, which is reportedly capable of delivering superb image quality in both photo and video recording, while also powering the Intelligent Resolution technology to perform the optimum signal processing. In addition, the processor is also capable of allowing the camera to take "highresolution consecutive shots at 3.7 fps in 12.1-megapixel fullresolution and maximum 10 fps at 3-megapixel recording".

No news of the FZ47's global availability has been announced

by Panasonic yet, but the company claims that the camera

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Published by: VR-Zone

should be available for sale in the U.S come August this year at the price of US$399.99.

the PlayBook meets their computing policy requirements for protecting sensitive information.”

BlackBerry PlayBook wins FIPS certification needed for U.S government deployment

Sony A77 camera body finally revealed?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/blackberry-playbook-wins-fipscertification-needed-for-u.s-government-deployment/13059.html July 22nd, 2011

Think that Research In Motion (RIM) is swiftly losing ground to the likes of Apple's iOS and Google's Android, especially where government deployment is concerned? Well, think again; apparently, RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook, coupled with all the security features that people have come to associate with the company's BlackBerry operating system, has just scored a win in the form of securing the FIPS 140-2 certification needed for a company to pitch a device as one that is suitable for deployment by the U.S federal government.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-a77-camera-body-finallyrevealed-/13058.html July 22nd, 2011

You might have seen some leaked blurrycam photographs of what was supposedly the design for Sony's upcoming A77 DSLR some time back last month, but the latest news that the rumour mill has been churning out seem to suggest that images of the real deal has finally managed to find its way out onto the Internet for everybody to view. And apparently, the general consensus is that Sony's upcoming A77 is going to be one huge camera, if the newly leaked images are of any indication.

Research In Motion has announced that its recently-launched multimedia tablet device, the BlackBerry PlayBook, has scored a major boost in the form of securing the FIPS 140-2 certification for the device. According to the company, the BlackBerry PlayBook is the first tablet to score such a certification in the U.S; this makes it the only such device which can be pitched as one that is suitable for deployment by the U.S Federal Government at this point of time.

Remember those blurrycam pictures of a certain Sony camera that were circulating the Internet some time back? You know, the ones which were claimed to be those of Sony's upcoming A77 DSLR that will supposedly feature a translucent mirror that can potentially allow users to focus while shooting a video? Well, the good news is that more images of that aforementioned camera has been leaked onto the Internet once again, and that these images are reportedly the real deal this time, as claimed by SonyAlphaRumors.

“RIM is pleased to announce that the BlackBerry PlayBook is the first tablet approved under FIPS for use within the U.S. federal government,” said Scott Totzke, Senior Vice President, BlackBerry Security at Research In Motion. “This certification demonstrates our continued commitment to meeting the needs of security-conscious organizations and enables the U.S. federal government to buy with confidence knowing that

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PALIT GTX 560 OC and 2GB Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/palit-gtx-560-oc-and-2gbreview/13006.html July 22nd, 2011

NVIDIA's GTX 560 has been released for quite sometime and we had already done reviews on two different manufacturers of the card. Today, we get our hands on two more versions of the GTX 560, PALIT's GTX 560 OC Edition and PALIT's GTX 560 2GB version.

Dozens of manufacturers released interesting variants of the GTX 560 ever since NVIDIA officially launched it. (Do refer to our previous article for more information regarding Nvidia GeForce GTX 560.) PALIT has three models for the GTX 560 graphics card and we get to have our hands on two of them, PALIT GTX 560 OC Edition and PALIT GTX 560 2GB version.

As you can see from the table, the PALIT's GTX 560 cards use a shorter length PCB (printed circuit board). The PALIT GTX 560 OC Edition offers a slight overclock in the memory frequency from 2004MHz to 2010MHz while the PALIT GTX 560 2GB features 2GB of memory at default frequencies.

Unfortunately, it seems that serious photographers who desire more information about the upcoming A77 DSLR will have to make do with these images for now, as no official announcement pertaining to the camera's specifications have been released at this point of time. However, most reports are claiming that the A77 will feature an articulating LCD screen and a translucent mirror box, while the sensor will be reportedly boast a resolution of 24 megapixels and is capable of supporting a very wide range of ISO speeds. Oh, and it apparently shoots 1080p AVCHD videos as well.

Leaked image of Nikon's upcoming mirrorless camera sensor shows up online Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/leaked-image-of-nikon-s-upcomingmirrorless-camera-sensor-shows-up-online/13057.html July 22nd, 2011

When it comes to mirrorless cameras which boast the ability to allow for interchangeable lenses, the sensor of choice for 4

July 22nd, 2011

manufacturers is usually one which conforms to either than of an APS-C or a smaller Four Thirds form factor, right? Well, not for Nikon it it not; apparently a leaked image of what appears to be the sensor of an upcoming Nikon-branded mirrorless interchangeable lens camera has surfaced onto the Internet,

Published by: VR-Zone

However, if it is of any consolation, Nikon's proprietary sensor is still orders of magnitude larger than the 1.2/3-inch sensor that Pentax is using for its new Q-series of mirrorless cameras, so we do not think that image quality is expected to take too significant a hit.

Lastly, it has been claimed that this mirrorless prototype from Nikon reportedly goes by the name of "X810".

OS X Lion scores over a million downloads in first day Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/os-x-lion-scores-over-a-milliondownloads-in-first-day/13056.html July 22nd, 2011

With mirrorless cameras boasting large sensors and the ability to support interchangeable lenses now being one of the most popular segments in the digital camera market today, it should be of little surprise that major players such as Nikon are slowly but surely starting to make their entry into this particular segment in order to claim a share of the market for itself.

And while there is still no word (save for some rumours) on the kind of specifications Nikon's first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera is expected to have, it seems that a leaked image of what is supposedly a prototype of such a camera has surfaced online to shed some light on what users can expect from the sensor in the company's upcoming mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, as shown in the image below.

Details are scarce, but if the leaked image of the camera's sensor is of any indication, it would seem that Nikon might decide to ditch the traditional APS-C and Four Thirds sensor used in such mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras in favor of a proprietary form factor which is reportedly said to feature a crop factor of 2.6X. This will mean that Nikon's sensor will be somewhat smaller than the Four Thirds sensor used by Panasonic and Olympus, which might not appeal to certain consumers.

We all know that Apple is extremely popular with consumers when it comes to mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and portable media players, but have you ever wondered if the same could be said for its Mac OS X operating system for its line of desktop and notebook computers? Apparently, more than a million people seem to think so, if the latest news from Apple is of any indication.

Are you a Mac user? Well, if you are, this latest piece of news from Apple will probably be just the kind of information you need to brighten up your Friday and reinforce the perception that the Cupertino giant is well on its way to making major inroads into a market that was (and still is) dominated by Microsoft. Apparently, the latest version of the Mac OS X operating system, which is also known as Lion, has scored over a million digital downloads on the first day of its release, and that fact has clearly had Apple excited enough to issue an official announcement to boast about the successful adoption of what it calls is its "most advanced desktop operating system".

According to Engadget, this figure means a lot to Apple, and for good reason. After all, one million registered copies of an operating system being sold on the first day of its release is 5

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indeed a huge achievement, considering how Apple has never been able to boast of such numbers for any other OS X release in its history.

“Lion is off to a great start, user reviews and industry reaction have been fantastic,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Lion is a huge step forward, it’s not only packed with innovative features but it’s incredibly easy for users to update their Macs to the best OS we’ve ever made.”

Samsung Galaxy S II Review: A star to behold Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review-a-star-tobehold/13011.html July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Samsung Regional Forum in March this year, the phone looks promising with its 1.2GHz dual-core processor, new Super AMOLED Plus 4-inch screen and even slimmer than its older sibling.

Samsung Galaxy S II specifications:CPU Memory Screen Display Resolution Storage Camera Connectivity

Talk time

When the Samsung Galaxy S Android smartphone was launched last year, it impressed many users with its large and brilliant Super AMOLED display, slim form factor and good features and performance. And a year later, the company came up with the Galaxy S II. Will the Galaxy S II live up to our expectations? Read on.

Standby time Battery Platform Dimensions Weight

Samsung Galaxy S II 1.2GHz Dual Core ROM: 1GB ; 2GB for apps 4.27-inch Super AMOLED Plus 480x800 (WVGA) 16GB flash + microSD card slot 8 MP w/LED flash + 2 MP front-facing 3.5mm audio, micro-USB, TV-out 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 Up to 18 hours (2G), 9 hours (3G) Up to 710 hours (2G), 620 hours (3G) 3.7V 1650mAh Google Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.49 mm 116g

Intel to launch a wide range of new budget CPUs between now and September Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-to-launch-a-wide-range-of-newbudget-cpus-between-now-and-september/13055.html July 22nd, 2011

When the Samsung Galaxy S was unveiled last year, it was undoubtedly one of the best Android smartphones on the market with its sleek and slim body, powerful 1GHz processor (at that time), and bright Super AMOLED display. While there were some flaws about the flagship phone such as the lack of built-in camera LED flash and a user interface that resembles the Apple product, the Galaxy S managed to impressed the world when the company reported over 10 million unit sales of the smartphone.

The Korean maker has recently launched the Galaxy S II and many held high expectations of the successor to the popular Galaxy S. When we hands on the new smartphone at the

We can look forward to several new budget CPUs from Intel over the next few months with the recently launched single core mobile Celeron 787 being the first of a raft of new mobile and desktop CPUs. We've already covered the specs on most of the models in past news, but we now have some pricing to share with you.

We can look forward to several new budget CPUs from Intel over the next few months with the recently launched single core mobile Celeron 787 being the first of a raft of new mobile and desktop CPUs. We've already covered the specs on most

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of the models in past news, but we now have some pricing to share with you.

As we suggested back in May, the new desktop Celerons are indeed priced below the Pentium G620 (US$64), as the single core 1.6GHz Celeron G440 is priced at a mere US$37 making it by far the cheapest Sandy Bridge derived CPU to date. Moving up we have the dual core 2.4GHz Celeron G530 at US$42 and the slightly faster 2.5GHz G540 at US$52, a pretty big price gap for an extra US$10.

We can also expect a pair of new desktop Atom processors, although we have a feeling that Intel will be holding on to them until IDF. Here we have the dual core D2500 which is a 1.86GHz with 1MB of cache at US$42, whereas its faster 2.13GHz sibling the D2700 gets Hyper Threading support and a price tag of US$52. Both models will of course have PowerVR graphics as we reported in early May and the desktop Atom's should have the graphics core clocked at 640MHz. On the mobile side we also have another three Celeron models with the most basic one being the single core 1.6GHz Celeron B710 at US$70 which launched this week, followed by the dual core 1.5GHz Celeron B800 which slots in below the current 1.6GHz Celeron B810 at the same US$86 price point. Finally we have the 1.9GHz Celeron B840 which will also cost US$86.

All three models have a base graphics clock of 650MHz, but the graphics will automatically overclock up to 1GHz. There is of course a pair of new mobile Atom processors as well and the lower-end model is the N2600 at 1.6GHz with a 400MHz graphics core, a 3.5W TDP and support for DDR3-800MHz memory and a US$42 price tag. The faster model is the N2800 at 1.86GHz and it should have the same 640MHz graphics clock as the desktop counterparts which brings the TDP up to 6.5W and it will also support faster DDR3-1067MHz memory, all for US$47. Both models support Hyper Threading and come with 1MB of cache.

It's interesting to note that Intel has reduced the pricing of its new mobile Atom CPUs quite heavily; in fact comparing list prices makes the new models seem like a bargain as Intel doesn't have a single mobile Atom CPU today that comes near the new models in terms of cost. So not only can we look forward to vastly improved graphics, but also much more affordable dual core netbooks in the future, that is if anyone will still want a netbook by Christmas this year. The desktop models aren't quite as competitive in terms of price, but at least we're looking at a significant performance bump while still paying less, that can't be bad. These are of course not the only processors Intel are planning to launch in the near future, but we'll leave the new mid-range models for another day.

Pioneer Slim AV Micro System X-SMC1 lets enthusiasts enjoy portable music and video easily

Published by: VR-Zone July 22nd, 2011

Pioneer has unveiled their latest Slim AV Micro System X-SMC1, a "Made for iPod and iPhone" certified speaker system that is designed with increased functionality and flexibility to satisfy both the audio and video enthusiasts. The X-SMC1 supports CD and DVD playback, features bulit-in FM radio and USB connectivity, as well as alarm clock functions.

Pioneer Electronics AsiaCentre has announced the Slim AV Micro System X-SMC1, a versatile and convenient system that claims to offer a multitude of media playback options. The sleek Pioneer X-SMC1 comes packed with features including iPod and iPhone compatibility, CD/DVD playback, integrated FM radio, USB connectivity as well as clock and alarm functions. The X-SMC1 can charge an iPod or iPhone via the push open dock while the music is playing. On top of that, the Slim AV Micro System can play video content from a compatible iPod or iPhone on a TV screen. It can function as a DVD player equipped with HDMI port and 1080-pixels upscaler for an immersive movie experience.

The free Pioneer Air Jam application, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, allows iPod and iPhone users to discover new songs on other usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; iPod touch or iPhone. Through Bluetooth connection, users can then stream music from up to four iPod touch and iPhone devices. The Air Jam can also transmit metadata such as song title, artist, and album name by referring to Air Jamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playback history.

Price and Availability The X-SMC1 will be available in silver (X-SM1-S) at a suggested retail price of S$399 at Pioneer authorized retail outlets from August 2011.

NVIDIA Tesla Success Stories Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nvidia-tesla-successstories/13053.html

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pioneer-slim-av-micro-system-x-smc1lets-enthusiasts-enjoy-portable-music-and-video-easily/13052.html

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July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

July 22nd, 2011

simulations on workstations in individual labs and desktops, projects are no longer competing with one another for scarce computing resources and the researchers are getting the results when they need them, as opposed to when they can be scheduled.

Based on the CUDA™ architecture codenamed “Fermi”, the Tesla™ M-class GPU Computing Modules are the world’s fastest parallel computing processors for high performance computing (HPC). Tesla GPU’s high performance makes them ideal for seismic processing, biochemistry simulations, weather and climate modeling, signal processing, computational finance, CAE, CFD, and data analystics. The Tesla 20-series GPU computing processors are the first to deliver greater than 10X the double precision horsepower of a quad-core x86 CPU and the first GPUs to deliver ECC memory. Based on the Fermi architecture, these GPUs feature up to 665 gigaflops of double precision performance, 1 teraflops of single precision performance, ECC memory error protection, and L1 and L2 caches. Here are some success stories of the NVIDIA Tesla to share.

Furthermore, with GPUs in large-scale server clusters, new classes of problems can be addressed for which the necessary computing power was only a dream a year ago.

Challenge

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s (UIUC) Nanoscale Molecular Dynamics (NAMD) and Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) are powerful and widely used tools for simulating and visualizing biomolecular processes.

Simulating complex molecular systems is time consuming and requires large, sophisticated clusters of computers.

The combination of NAMD and NVIDIA computing solutions is a marriage of cuttingedge research and software development, aimed at harnessing the nation’s fastest supercomputers to decipher the tiniest components of living cells. These new computing tools are quickening the pace of drug discovery and other vital research in unraveling biological processes.

For more information, visit: http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/ For more information about NVIDIA GPU computing solutions, visit www.nvidia.com/tesla

Apple's new version of Safari for Windows fixes several vulnerabilities Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-s-new-version-of-safari-forwindows-fixes-several-vulnerabilities/13051.html July 22nd, 2011

Solution

To boost performance, the UIUC researchers ported the “cionize” ion placement tool to an NVIDIA GPU computing solution. The goal was to accelerate the computationally intensive kernels for calculating the interaction of biological molecules and ions. In doing so, UIUC researchers achieved speedups on ion simulations over 100 times that of an 18-CPU cluster (based on total CPU time vs total GPU time).

With a three-GPU workstation, a similar calculation for timeaveraged electrostatics in the VMD tool reaches 705 gigaflops of realized performance. This remarkable performance allows any bioscience researcher to have the equivalent of a computing cluster on their workstation.

Do you use Apple's Safari as your web browser of choice on your copy of Windows? Well, if you do, you might want to fire up Apple's Software Update tool, or head down directly to the Safari download page on Apple's website and get yourself a copy of the latest version of the Safari web browser for Windows, for word has it that the updated web browser comes with fixes for a variety of security flaws that could potentially allow other people to excecute various attacks on your PC.

Impact

With GPU computing, these molecular simulations are no longer restricted to clusters in server rooms. By running the 8

July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

you are still on an older version of Safari, it would seem that a much-needed upgrade to your web browser is in order.

Sony introduces BDV-3985WH 5.1 3D Blu-ray Home Theatre System Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-introduces-bdv-3985wh-5.1-3dblu-ray-home-theatre-system/13049.html July 22nd, 2011

Are you currently using Apple's Safari as your web browser of choice in your Windows-powered PC? If so, you might want to start firing up the Apple Software Update tool that may already be present on your system, or head down directly to the Safari home page on Apple's web site and download for yourself a copy of the latest version of the Safari web browser that is currently available for Windows, which is that of Safari 5.1.

And why, you may ask. Well, word has it that the new version of Safari has been designed to fix certain security vulnerabilities that were present in the both the older version of the web browser and its open-source WebKit rendering engine. Furthermore, Apple has reportedly claimed that the vulnerabilities could potentially result in "drive-by download attacks, full system compromise, denial-of-service conditions of cross-site scripting attacks" if left unfixed on a Windowspowered PC. We will not go into too much detail about the vulnerabilities that Apple is planning to patch with the release of Safari 5.1, although ZDNet has claimed in its own report that many of the flaws that were present in the previous release of Safari could result in arbitrary code execution on a compromised PC. The report also goes on to list several aspects of the Safari web browser which has been flagged as being some of the more serious vulnerabilities, which runs the gamut from the browser's ColourSync profile to its CoreFoundation framework and XML library, among many others.

If you are looking to get a new home theatre system, you might want to check out Sony's latest offering.

The Sony BDV-3985WH 5.1 3D Blu-ray Home Theatre System features a stylish design and claims to offer superb entertainment in the comfort of your own home.

Sony has introduced their latest BDV-3985WH 5.1 3D Bluray Home Theatre System which offers immersive experience with sleek and attractive aesthetic stylings. You can enjoy your favorite movies in 3D, while its Surround Sound mode provides great audio from the Full-tallboy system.

The BDV-3985H is designed for users who want high-quality entertainment in the comfort of their homes. It also comes with a wide variety of music and video contents which are made available right out-of-the-box, and with more than 15 channels of BRAVIA Internet Videos, and much more with the built-in web browser. The BDV-3985H also features a newly developed Omni-Direction sound mode, wider directional speakers and Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (D.C.A.C) for superb audio experience.

Last but definitely not least, ZDNet has also claimed that the new Safari 5.1 web browser will fix a vulnerability in the opensource WebKit rendering engine which that "expose users to denial-service conditions or arbitrary code execution". So, if

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July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Hitachi announces new highresolution, glasses-free 3D IPS LCD screen for mobile devices Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hitachi-announces-new-highresolution-glasses-free-3d-ips-lcd-screen-for-mobile-devices/13050.html July 22nd, 2011

Remember what we said about 3D displays being well on their way to becoming the next mainstream display of choice for the average consumer? Well it seems that 3D technology's slow but gradual invasion into consumer-grade electronic devices has just been given a huge boost recently, especially if Hitachi's announcement of its success in the creation of a 4.5-inch display that is reportedly capable of high-definition resolutions is of any indication.

With all the signs pointing towards what seems to be a slow but steady push by various OEMs and manufacturers to make 3D displays the new mainstream in digital entertainment, it should be of little surprise that what was once considered a "novel" technology is starting to make inroads into the consumer electronic devices which we make use of on an everyday basis. And apparently, it seems that Hitachi is all set to "Inspire the Next", at least where 3D technology is concerned, and the latest announcement of its new 3D display is probably the best proof of that.

According to Hitachi, the new 3D display makes use of a certain "liquid crystal lens system", which is also known as the lenticular lens approach, to produce its 3D effects. This is different from the technology used by Hitachi's older 3D mobile display, which utilizes the "parallax barrier method".

Hitachi claims that the new approach is capable of bringing about improved display quality..

In addition, Hitachi has also claimed that its new 4.5-inch, glasses-free 3D display will be capable of displaying digital content at a high-definition resolution of 1280 x 720, and that it will also boast a brightness of 400cd/m2 in 2D mode, and up to 470cd/m2 when set to 3D mode, as show in the specifications list below.

Hitachi has not announced any major plans for its new display, although the company has claimed that it expects to see the display being used in a variety of mobile devices such as mobile phones, portable television sets and handheld gaming consoles.

Western Digital releases standard-height, 1TB Scorpio Blue hard disk for notebooks Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/western-digital-releases-standardheight-1tb-scorpio-blue-hard-disk-for-notebooks/13048.html July 22nd, 2011

Have you ever tried to upgrade your notebook's storage capacity by splurging on the latest 2.5-inch 1TB hard disk back then, only to realize that the upgrade was doomed to fail from the get-go simply because it was too thick to fit into the tight confines of your mobile PC? Well, we've got good news for you: a 1TB notebook hard disk that conforms to the 9.5mm thickness required by most mainstream notebooks has just been released, and it comes in the form of Western Digital's new Scorpio Blue hard disk.

Sure, 1TB hard disks in the 2.5-inch form factor may have existed for a while now, but it does not change the fact that such high-capacityhard disks came with a single design flaw, which is that it was designed for notebooks which had the real estate needed to support hard disks that boasts heights greater than the standard 9.5mm that is found on most mobile hard disks designed to be used by mainstream notebooks.

However, the good news is that this is about to change very soon, for Western Digital has just announced the availability of a new standard-height 2.5-inch hard disk which sports the same hulking 1TB that just about every notebook user has been lusting for all this while.

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July 22nd, 2011

According to the press release issued by Western Digital, the new hard disk, which has been designed specially for mainstream notebooks, "utilizes 500 GB-per-platter areal density and is now available in the highest capacity for 2.5inch hard drives in the industry-standard 9.5 mm, two-platter (2-disk) form factor". That being said, the new hard disk also sports the Scorpio Blue branding, which means that users can expect to receive a standard-performance hard disk that boasts a platter speed of 5400rpm, as well as access to the wide range of features that many have come to associate the Scorpio Blue line of hard disks with, such as 8MB of cache, low power consumption, shock tolerance and head packing, among many others.

Unfortunately, Western Digital has not provided any information as to when the new 1TB, standard-height mobile hard disk will be available for sale globally. However, if it is of any consolation, the hard disk is reportedly already on the retail shleves in the US right now at the recommended retail price of US$139.

Samsung releases new Ultraspeed Class10 SDHC cards

Published by: VR-Zone

According to the press release issued by Samsung, the new SD cards will be available in two different versions, namely the Plus and the Essential. The Plus line of SDHC cards will be available in both 8GB and 16GB variants, while the Essential will reportedly sport a wider variety of capacities ranging from 4GB to 32GB. Regardless of the version, both the Plus and the Essential line of ultra-speed SDHC cards will be capable of read/write speeds of up to 24Mbps.

No mention about global availability has been made by Samsung, although the company has revealed that the Plus line of SDHC cards will be retailing in Korea for the price of 19,000 won and 36,000 won for the 8GB and 16GB variants respectively, while the Essential lineup will be priced at between 10,000 won and 28,000 won for the 4GB, 8GB and 16GB variants. Last but definitely not least, the 32GB variant of the Essential will retail for 76,000 won.

Lenovo launches IdeaPad K1, IdeaPad P1 and ThinkPad Tablets Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lenovo-launches-ideapad-k1-ideapadp1-and-thinkpad-tablets/13045.html July 22nd, 2011

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-releases-new-ultra-speedclass10-sdhc-cards/13047.html July 22nd, 2011

Remember the news we posted some time back about Samsung planning to release a slew of new Class10 SDHC cards for consumers, except that no official release date was given for the launch? Well, it seemed that the Korean electronics giant has gone ahead and released the aforementioned cards quietly into the market, for word has it that these ultra-speed SDHC cards are now already available.

Lenovo has recently announced the launch of their new tablet devices which come in the form of the IdeaPad K1, IdeaPad P1 and ThinkPad Tablet. The IdeaPad K1 and ThinkPad Tablet are powered by Google Android 3.1 Honeycomb operating system, while the IdeaPad P1 runs Microsoft Windows 7.

Remember the news we posted about a month back, where we spoke about Samsung reportedly planning to launch a new line of Class10, ultra-speed SDHC cards for use in a variety of devices? Well, it seems that consumers can finally stop waiting and guessing as to when they can get their hands on the aforementioned cards, as the company has recently issued a statement claiming that its new storage cards have already been released for sale onto retail shelves.

Lenovo IdeaPad K1 11

July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Lenovo has announced the launch of their first tablet devices - the IdeaPad K1 (or LePad K1 in China) designed for consumers, ThinkPad tablet for the business professionals, and the Windows-based IdeaPad P1 for homes and offices.

Both the new IdeaPad K1 and ThinkPad tablet run Google Android 3.1 Honeycomb and the K1 claims to be the first Android tablet device to incorporate Netflix video streaming.

The 10.1-inch 32GB IdeaPad K1 is powered by an Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor and preloaded with over 40 applications including SocialTouch. It is scheduled to be available in selected retail stores in USA from 20 July, early August in China and Q3 worldwide. The 16GB Wi-Fi version of the ThinkPad Tablet can be preordered in USA from 2 August or through online via Lenovo website, will be available in China by end August, and worldwide in Q3. The IdeaPad P1 is schedule to ship worldwide in Q4.

Lenovo IdeaPad K1 Tablet The IdeaPad K1 weighs less than 0.74 kg and features integrated Bluetooth and 802.11 Wi-Fi connectivity, 1280x800 high definition (HD) display and mini HDMI interface to output 1080p full HD videos to TV or monitor. It is also preloaded with more than 40 apps including Netflix, Amazon, Adobe, Electronic Arts, Rovio, Zinio and Dataviz, as well as popular applications including Need for Speed ??

Shift, Angry Birds and Kindle e-book reader. With Flash 10.3, you can enjoy watching online videos and also purchase or rent movies via digital rights management (DRM). Lenovo has included their unique Social Touch app for users to access their friends and social networking sites all in one place.

The IdeaPad K1 also comes with 2-megapixel front and 5megapixel rear cameras.

Lenovo IdeaPad P1 Running Microsoft Windows 7 operating system, the 10.1inch IdeaPad P1 is powered by 1.5GHz Intel processor and is designed to handle office documents or for users to browse and edit photos easily. The IdeaPad P1 supports Flash and with Microsoft Security Essentials, it offers superb protection against malware and viruses. The Lenovo tablet measure 14.5mm thick and weighs about 0.9kg which makes it good enough for use in home, office or on-the-move.

Pantech announces new MIRACH IS11PT smartphone for Japan Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pantech-announces-new-mirachis11pt-smartphone-for-japan/13046.html July 22nd, 2011

Smartphones may be the mobile phones of choice for most people today, but it does not change the fact that most mobile phones are known for being fragile electronic devices that are not meant to be exposed to elemental hazzards such as dust and water, right? Well, leave it to Pantech to deliver a smartphone that is reportedly designed to be both dustproof and waterproof, and it comes in the form of its new MIRACH IS11PT smartphone.

Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet The ThinkPad Tablet combines the superior media and entertainment features of the IdeaPad K1 with ThinkPad's renowned security and reliability. It has a precision pressure pen, USB connector, SD card slot and HDMI port for video output. Weighing approximately 0.75kg, the ThinkPad Tablet sports a 10.1-inch WXGA (1280x800) IPS touchscreen display and is preloaded with DataViz's Documents to Go for opening Microsoft Office documents.

Having to throw away a perfectly good smartphone because of dust or water damage is definitely something most people will actively avoid having to go through, but it does not change the fact that smartphones, for all their merits, are still extremely susceptible to environmental hazards such as dust and liquids, as is the case with just about every single electronic device out there. However, if it is a waterproof and dustproof smartphone which you are looking for to meet your daily mobile needs, Pantech might have just the solution you need, and it comes in the form of its new MIRACH IS11PT mobile phone.

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July 22nd, 2011

According to various online reports, the MIRACH 1S11PT is an Android-powered smartphone that is reportedly designed to be both waterproof and dustproof at the same time, which means that the smartphone has a much higher chance of enjoying a longer service life under the hands of its owners, regardless of the environmental conditions a user may subject it to. Backing up the smartphone's processing power is reportedly a second-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655 system-on-a-chip which boasts a 1GHz CPU core, while its display is provided by a 3.7 inch WVGA screen which is capable of a 480 x 800 resolution.

In addition, it is claimed that the MIRACH IS11PT will make use of a 1320mAh battery pack which is reportedly capable of an uptime of up to 180 hours on standby, or 250 minutes of talktime, and that the device will be preloaded with version 2.3 of the Android operating system.

Furthermore, a report from ITmedia has claimed that the MIRACH IS11PT also sports a "Simple Mode" user interface, which reportedly 'fixes' the Android home screen onto a single page, while providing shortcuts and icons to a variety of functions from that single screen, thus apparently making it easier for newbies to navigate their way through the Android operating system.

Published by: VR-Zone

JABRA announces SPEAK410 USB speakerphone for instant Skype conferencing-on-the-go Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/jabra-announces-speak410-usbspeakerphone-for-instant-skype-conferencing-on-the-go/13044.html July 22nd, 2011

Are you a heavy Skype user? Well, if you are, Jabra might have just the thing you need to help facilitate the setting up of an instant, hands-free VoIP call for all your mobile Internet telephony needs, and it comes in the form of its new Skype-certified SPEAK410 USB speakerphone. Which, the company claims, is designed to allow users the luxury of making "instant Skype conference calls or virtual meetings anywhere, anytime", and then some.

Are you a road warrior whose job involves a large chunk of computing time while on the move, of which making online phone calls to clients takes up a significant portion of that computing time? Well, if that sounds a lot like what you do on a regular basis, you might just be interested in what JABRA has got to offer, for the company has just announced the availability of its new SPEAK410 USB speakerphone, which is designed to grant mobile professionals the ability to engage in instant, hands-free "Skype conference calls or virtual meetings anywhere, anytime".

No information about pricing for the MIRACH IS11PT has been revealed at this point of time, although it would seem that the smartphone is slated to be released for sale in Japan come late September this year.

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July 22nd, 2011

According to the press released that was issued by JABRA, the SPEAK410 is a "small, portable, and a powerful must-have device with High Definition Voice" that has been rigorously tested and certified by Skype. In fact, all users have to do is to simply "plug the integrated USB cable to your laptop or PC" that is connected to a broadband network "at home, office or anywhere wirelessly" and they will be ready to "easily set up 1-on-1 or small group conference calls over Skype or any VoIP client to talk with co-workers, family or friends".

In addition, JABRA has claimed that the audiophiles will not have to worry about dealing with "unproductive VoIP calls affected by echo and clarity issues", as the SPEAK410â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for HD Voice sound is capable of ensuring that one's online conversation will remain extremely clear at all times. Furthermore, the device's built-in echo-cancellation technology will further enhance the user experience by finessing one's enunciation, thus allow users to hear the different tones without distortions.

Published by: VR-Zone

Sounds good? Well, we have got even better news for you, especially if you are itching to get your hands on one: JABRA has confirmed that the SPEAK410 USB speakerphone is already available for sale at the recommended retail price for S$218 and can be purchased at Challenger, EpiCentre, NuBox stores and other authorized resellers in Singapore.

Exclusive hands on pictures of ASRock's new Gen3 motherboards Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/exclusive-hands-on-pictures-of-asrocks-new-gen3-motherboards/13043.html July 22nd, 2011

Last week details of ASRock's new PCI Express 3.0 motherboards appeared on the web and today we bring you exclusive hands on pictures of the Z68 Extreme3 and Z68 Extreme7. ASRock will be using the new styling for all of its upcoming motherboards, so expect a lot more black and gold in the future, the only exception being the Fatal1ty boards of course.

Last week details of ASRock's new PCI Express 3.0 motherboards appeared on the web and today we bring you exclusive hands on pictures of the Z68 Extreme3 and Z68 Extreme7. ASRock will be using the new styling for all of its upcoming motherboards, so expect a lot more black and gold in the future, the only exception being the Fatal1ty boards of course.

For those who are wondering about the SPEAK410's technical specifications, we have attached the device's spec sheet here for you to take a look at:

Neither board holds any real secrets beyond the specs that were posted last week, but this is the first high-resolution, detailed picture of the Z68 Extreme3. A couple of things with missed with regards to the rear I/O of the Z68 Extrem3 includes a PS/2 port and optical S/PDIF out. The board also sports a POST80 debug LED which is an unusual feature for a board this far down in the pecking order. The Z68 Extreme3 is in our opinion looking like the Z68 board to get from ASRock if you're looking for something that won't be horrendously expensive, yet offering a well-balanced feature set.

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July 22nd, 2011

Moving on we have the Z68 Extreme7 and we're still quite flabbergasted that ASRock has made a board like this. All of the heatsinks are screwed on and the attention to detail is very high. Some interesting things that we thought we should point out is that ASRock is using two SATA 6Gbps controllers from ASMedia for this board, but more interestingly it also has a pair of Broadcom Ethernet controllers. A peculiar addition we also noticed is a pin-header for a PS/2 port, although no actual port is supplied as far as we're aware.

Published by: VR-Zone

As it happens, a UK online retailer has listed a price for the Z68 Extreme7 and as we mentioned last week, it's going to be expensive. The board is listed at ÂŁ250 (S$490) which makes it one of the most expensive Z68 boards out there pretty much only beaten by Asus' Maximus IV Extreme-Z so far.

We'd like to pick up on something here, namely PCI Express 3.0. According to ASRock, any current 6-series motherboard should at least in theory work with PCI Express 3.0, but as soon as you involve lane switches you run into problems unless the switches are PCI Express 3.0 compliant. Sandy Bridge does not have hidden support for PCI Express 3.0 and you won't be seeing any performance advantage until Ivy Bridge comes out, or at least this is not something that ASRock has seen in their testing.

We've put a few more pictures of the boards on the next page, alongside with a few pictures of the Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3. Do note that the boards we looked at were preproduction boards and the heatsink finish isn't that of final products. ASRock is also running a competition at the moment where you can win one of its new Gen3 boards, so if you're keen on getting one, head over to the competition website.

Apple MacBook Air and Mac mini refreshed, MacBook (White Plastic) dropped Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-macbook-air-and-mac-minirefreshed-macbook-white-plastic-dropped/13042.html July 22nd, 2011

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July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Hot on the heels of the Mac OSX 10.7 Lion release on the App Store, the Cuppertino based fruit themed manufacturer have updated their MacBook Air ultraportable and Mac mini to (finally) feature the latest Core i5/i7 Sandy Bridge processors from Intel, Thunderbolt (aka Light Peak) I/O ports and battery sapping backlighted keyboards. Eagle-eyed Apple cultists have also noticed the disappearance of the (Plastic) MacBook.

Hot on the heels of the Mac OSX 10.7 Lion release on the App Store, the Cuppertino based fruit themed manufacturer have updated their MacBook Air ultraportable and Mac mini to (finally) feature the latest Core i5/i7 Sandy Bridge processors from Intel, Thunderbolt (aka Light Peak) I/O ports and battery sapping backlighted keyboards. Eagle-eyed Apple cultists have also noticed the disappearance of the (Plastic) MacBook.

Just in time for the back to school period, the new refreshed MacBook Air starts at S$1288 (1.6ghz dual core i5, 2GB memory, 64GB SSD) and can be speced up to a (dual core) 1.8ghz i7, 4GB Memory and 256GB of flash storage. The 11inch has a 1366x768 screen and is rated up to 5 hours of battery life, while the 13-inch SKU has a 1440x900 panel and is leaning closer to a more productive 7 hours of battery life.

We suspect the positioning and attractive pricing of these new aluminium surfboards have made the old and unfashionable plastic MacBook decadent.

Meanwhile, the Mac mini starts at S$788 (2.3ghz dual core i5, 2GB memory, 500GB 7200rpm) but can be configured to a more interesting 2ghz Quad Core i7 and Dual 500GB Hard Drives (both only on the server variant), solid state drives and discreet AMD Radeon 6630M graphics.

Another new item on the store is a S$1348 27-inch Thunderbolt display. This 2560x1440 IPS LED panel is a daisy chain warrior with a HD camera for FaceTime, 49 watt speakers, 3 USB 2.0 ports (still no USB 3.0), a (increasingly less used) FireWire 800 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port (a must have for serious MacBook Air users) and another Thunderbolt port for new fangled expansion options.

UK to get ZTE's Skate smartphone in September Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/uk-to-get-zte-s-skate-smartphone-inseptember/13039.html July 22nd, 2011

Yep, you are reading this right. Apparently, after having experienced the taste of success in the UK with the sale of its ZTE Blade smartphone that is being sold under the Orange San Francisco name, ZTE is now planning to compete against the major Android smartphone manufacturers by selling its new Skate smartphone under its very own brand this time. And from the looks of it, the Chinese company might just have what it needs to hold its own in an extremely competitive market.

Remember the news we posted some time back about Meizu reportedly securing the rights it needs to sell its M9 smartphone in Europe? Well, it turns out that Meizu is not going to be the only Chinese smartphone OEM to have made inroads into the European smartphone market, for a recent report made by Shanzai.com has revealed that ZTE is also going to start selling a new smartphone under its own 16

July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

branding in Europe this September, and that it comes in the form of the ZTE Skate.

According to the report published by Shanzai.com, the Skate will not be the Chinese company's first smartphone to make its way into Europe for sale this year. Apparently, prior to the introduction of the Skate, ZTE was already selling its Blade smartphone in the UK, where it was known as the Orange San Francisco. That being said, little has been revealed about ZTE's new Skate smartphone, although Shanzai.com claims that the device will be ZTE's first product to be designed for the "midtier bracket", and that it will feature a 4.3-inch touchscreen, while its processing power will be supplied by a yet-unnamed 800MHz CPU. In addition, the ZTE Skate will reportedly come bundled with version 2.3 of the Android operating system and sport a 5 Megapixel camera.

Last but definitely not least, the report also claims that the ZTE Skate is expected to be available for sale on retail shelves in the UK come 19 September this year, and that the smartphone will reportedly cost a mere 249 euros, or approximately US$351.

Corsair releases 2400MHz Dominator GT Rams Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/corsair-releases-2400mhz-dominatorgt-rams/13041.html July 22nd, 2011

Corsair releases the 2 x 4GB Dominator GT rams which run at a rated frequency of 2400MHz and timings of 9-11-9-27. This 8GB Dominator GT memory kit will have limited quantities.

More details inside.

The Corsair 8GB Dominator GT Limited Edition memory kit (CMT8GX3M2A2133C9) consists of two sticks of ram, each having a memory capacity of 4GB which are rated to run at a frequency of 2400MHz with timings 9-11-9-27 and a rated voltage of 1.65V. At voltage of 1.5V, the Dominator GT can achieve a frequency of 2133MHz with timings 9-11-9-27. Other features include Corsair's DHX+ technology and AirFlow 2 GTL cooling fan which allow better cooling for the Dominator GT rams. Corsair 8GB Dominator GT memory kit will be retailing for US$499 (S$606) which can be purchased directly from Corsair website.

See more specifications at Corsair website.

Coolermaster joins the competition with the CM Storm Sirus Headset Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/coolermaster-joins-the-competitionwith-the-cm-storm-sirus-headset/13040.html

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July 22nd, 2011 July 22nd, 2011

This summer it seems that every manufacturer wants us to have a high quality gaming headset. Coolermaster joins the competition with the release of their first gaming headset, the CM Storm Sirus. Besides being a feature-packed 5.1 surround sound headset, the CM Storm Sirus also won...

Published by: VR-Zone

ASUS has announced the launch of their new Republic Of Gamers (ROG) Vulcan ANC which claims to be the world's first active-noise-cancelling pro gaming headset designed to immerse users into games with no distractions. Created from the needs of competitive professional gamers who want to remain focused during competitions, the ROG team forged the Vulcan ANC with both performance and comfort in mind. The Vulcan ANC features 85% active noise cancellation to filter out sounds like low frequency computer fan noise and 30dB passive noise cancellation to reduce a wide range of ambient noises, including background voices.

Long lasting comfort with lightweight, ergonomic design

This summer it seems that every manufacturer wants us to have a high quality gaming headset. Coolermaster joins the competition with the release of their first gaming headset, the CM Storm Sirus. Besides being a feature-packed 5.1 surround sound headset, the CM Storm Sirus also won the Red Dot Design Award 2011 and Computex Design & Innovation Award 2011, both praising its aesthetics.

The Vulcan ANC sports a lightweight design, weighing just 320g which is lighter than other headsets of similar size.

Soft memory foam encased in breathable Japanese protein leather ensures user comfort even after long hours of gaming.

It is also portable with a foldable design that easily fits into a durable touring case to take between competitions or LAN parties.

The Coolermaster CM Storm Sirus headset should be available in mid-August at an MSRP price of 119.99â&#x201A;Ź (about 170$ USD/ 207$ SGD).

Crystal clear audio with 40mm drivers and noise-filtering microphone

ASUS Launches ROG Vulcan ANC Pro Gaming Headset Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-launches-rog-vulcan-anc-progaming-headset/13038.html July 22nd, 2011

Gamers can now have full focus and concentration in their games with this latest ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Vulcan ANC gaming headset. It claims to be the world's first gaming headset with active-noise-cancelling technology which can filter up to 85% of noise.

The gaming headset is built with a large 40mm headphone drivers for crisp audio. The Vulcan ANC has been optimized for a wide sound stage such that audio is balanced with both deep bass and brilliant mids and highs. A stylish blade-shaped detachable boom microphone has built-in noise filtering technology so teammates hear clear conversations during games instead of ambient noise.

Specifications Driver Dimension Impedance Frequency Response ANC (noise-cancelling) Performance PNC (noise-isolation) Performance Battery Life Product Dimension Weight

Diameter 40mm 32 ohms 10~20k Hz Maximum > 15 dB ; Effective Bandwidth > 600Hz Maximum > 30 dB Up to 40 hours (with one AAA battery) 8.1"H x 7.7"W 325g

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July 22nd, 2011

Exclusive Preview of ASUS ET2410 series All-in-one PC Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/exclusive-preview-of-asus-et2410series-all-in-one-pc/13036.html July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

This is how the All-in-one PC after we took it out of the box. It features a large 23.6-inch touchscreen display, and for audio enjoyment, the ET2410 incorporates the company's proprietary Sonic Master audio technology and DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC.

The ASUS ET2410 All-in-one PC was showcased at the Computex Show 2011 in Taipei last month, and today, the maker sent us the new PC which is scheduled to be launch in September. We at VR-Zone manage to get an exclusive preview of the ASUS ET2410 All-in-one PC. The sticker label on the top right corner of the ASUS shows that the PC has SonicMaster audio technology, 23.6-inch LED touchscreen display, supports full high definition (HD) 1080p resolution, HDMI input and output and USB3.0 connectors.

The ASUS ET2410 All-in-one PC comes in a huge brown box, with the words "Inspiring", "Innovation", "Persistent" and "Perfection" written on the front and rear. Note that the unit is fairly heavy at approximately 11kg.

The bottom right holds the display mode button, audio controls, display setting controls, hard disk activity LED and also a shiny power button.

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July 22nd, 2011

Sharp unveils new 3D AQUOS smartphone for Japan Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sharp-unveils-new-3d-aquossmartphone-for-japan/13037.html July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

the company's line of AQUOS-branded television and audiovisual products.

No details about the 009SH's pricing has been revealed by Sharp yet, although the company has confirmed that the smartphone will be available for sale though carrier SoftBank come mid-August this year.

Google Search: now shipping with malware detection Sharp has announced the availability of its new 3D AQUOS smartphone, the 009SH, for Japan via its domestic telecommunications operator SoftBank. The new device, which sports up to four different colours for consumers to choose from, and a high-resolution 3D display, will be powered by the Android operating system and boasts support for a variety of features.

Think that the mere act of owning a smartphone is enough to win you bragging rights for being able to keep with the times where mobile technology is concerned? Well, not anymore; with 3D technology fast making its way into the lives of everyday consumers, it would seem that 3D capable smartphones are set to be the next big thing where mobile phones are concerned. And from the looks of it, Sharp has clearly got no intention of sitting out on this trend, especially if the recent announcement of its new 3D AQUOS smartphone for Japan is of any indication.

Little information about the new 009SH smartphone, which is also known as the AQUOS PHONE THE PREMIUM, has been revealed by Sharp in its official announcement. However, Sharp has confirmed that the 009SH will sport a fourinch, glasses-free 3D-capable display that is capable of QHD resolutions (960 x 540), and that it will come preloaded with various "3D-rich apps" which will allow users to enjoy their videos and games in full 3D glory.

In addition, Sharp has also claimed that the 009SH will be powered by version 2.3 of the Android operating system, and that the phone will sport the company's own proprietary TapFlowUI as the user interface of choice, along with a eightmegapixel rear camera. Last but definitely not least, the announcement also claims that the 009SH will feature builtin support for Japan's 'mobile wallet" and is compatible with

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/google-search-now-shipping-withmalware-detection/13035.html July 22nd, 2011

Wouldn't it be nice if users could be given real-time notifications as to whether their PC's have been infected by malware by simply having websites and search engines passively monitor for unconventional strains of network traffic? Well, the good news is that such a feature is now available on Google's search engine, where users whose PCs have been detected by the search giant to be sending out suspicious online traffic will be issued a notification message informing them as such.

Do you make use of Google's online services for your searching needs while on the Internet? If you do, you might be lucky enough to come across a certain prominent notification at the top of your Google Search results informing you that your PC might have been infected with malware. And if you do find yourself seeing such notifications every time you access Google's online search service, you might want to take heed of the warning and subject your computer to a proper malware scan, as this notification is Google's latest move to help protect users from the threat of malware via the monitoring of online traffic.

According to a post that was made on the official Google blog, the decision to add this new feature to Google Search came about after the company detected what it describes as "unusual search traffic while performing routine maintenance on one of our data centers". Apparently, after some investigations with security engineers, it was determined that the computers which were responsible for generating this unusual search traffic were in fact "infected with a particular strain of malware". Because of this, the search giant has updated its online service service to seek out traces of such unconventional network traffic being generated by a user's PC, and promptly notify users when such activity is detected.

That being said, it would seem that Google has conveniently neglected to address certain possible concerns in its blog post.

For one, the search giant has not revealed any information about the particular strain of malware that it is claiming to 20

July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

target with its new detection scheme; this means that users will have no idea as to what kind of malware they should be looking out for, and whether their malware scanners will have a database that is recent enough to detect the offending malware.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, is that with most Windows users being conditioned to ignore warnings generated by scam websites about a potential malware infection, just how effective Google's own legitimate warnings will be is really up for debate, although Electronista is claiming that the search giant might be hoping that its embedding of the notification directly into Google Search should be sufficient proof of its legitimacy for most users.

Kaleidescape unveils M700 Disc Vault for movie junkies Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/kaleidescape-unveils-m700-disc-vaultfor-movie-junkies/13034.html July 22nd, 2011

If you have amassed a significant collection of boxed movie VCDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs over the years and are now thinking of a way to clear out those disc racks and shelves without actually having to junk those precious movies of yours down the trash, you might just be interested with the new product Kaleidescape has to offer for such people. Known as the M700 Disc Vault, this gigantic contraption boasts the capability to house up to 320 discs for easy storage and viewing, along with certain other features.

Do you find yourselves in the possession of so many boxed movies that there is a pressing need for a solution which allows you to dump all those space-consuming boxes while still being able to keep those discs in a device which allows for easy playback, storage and organization all at once? Well, the good news is that such a device does exist, and it comes in the form of Kaleidescape's new M700 Disc Vault, which claims to be capable of fulfilling all the aforementioned needs and then some.

According to a report published by Ubergizmo, the M700 Disc Vault boasts a storage capacity of up to 320 discs "for easy keeping as well as watching", although its main draw probably stems from the fact that the contraption sports what is apparerently a sophisticated organization system to keep all of user's discs organized within the machine. In fact, this system is reportedly advanced enough to allow users to search for, locate and eject a paricular disc from within the onscreen menu, a feat which essentially eliminates any need for manual organization of one's movile collection.

In addition, Ubergizmo has claimed in its report that the M700 is capable of enhancing a user's movie playback experience by boasting quicker loading times and the ability to skip past those annoying copyright warnings and advertisements that usually make it into just about every boxed movie copy. This is due to the fact that the device "also copies the contents of the discs into the system", and that users can expect it to play nice with just about any optical disc format such as "CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs". However, the report also points out that, due to licensing issues, users will need to keep their Blu-ray disc present in the system "in order to play the digital content".

Sounds interesting? Well, this is the part where the "bad news" part of the equation comes in, for it seems that users will defintely have to break the piggy bank if they intend to get their hands on this device, for the M700 has been reported to cost as astronimical US$5,995.

Rumor: Microsoft to give up on Windows brand?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rumor-microsoft-to-give-up-onwindows-brand-/13032.html July 22nd, 2011

When one talks about Windows on the PC, everyone knows it as the operating system from software giant Microsoft.

Windows have been around for more than 25 years, and yet 21

July 22nd, 2011

it seems that Microsoft is rumored to be giving up on the Windows brand.

Published by: VR-Zone

correct version, especially if your current copy does not seem to work as advertised. This is due to the fact that Apple has somehow managed to publish the test version of Google+ onto the iTunes App Store instead of the stable version, which lacks the stability and functionality that the finalized build sports.

According to a Google+ posting made by Google+ Mobile's lead product manager Punit Soni, the search giant was alerted to the issue and has since pushed out an updated version of the app which reportedly fixes all the issues that users have been complaining about in the test version of the Google+ app.

This updated app sports the version number 1.0.1.1809, so you should be able to tell if your downloaded copy of the Google + app is that of the test version by simply comparing those version numbers.

Windows, in the technology world, is synonymous as Microsoft's popular operating system with the latest versions being Windows 7 for the personal computers, home and business, and also Windows Phone 7 for the smartphones. The operating system has been around for over 25 years and the brand is like a household name to the technology geeks. However, there were rumors citing that the company is intending to give up on the Windows brand.

According to newsinabox.net, Andy Lees, chief of Windows Phone division in Microsoft, said that the company plans to build a single system for computers, smartphones, tablets and TVs and that the new system is likely to be a common operating system that will work on all the devices. There were also other sources that cited Microsoft giving up the Windows brand for the new platform instead and that may come sooner than expected. If the rumors are true, this may mean that Windows 8 will not materialize, or perhaps it would come as a different name. And of course, no more Windows Phone 7 too.

Apple posts updated version of Google+ app onto iTunes App Store Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-posts-updated-version-ofgoogle-app-onto-itunes-app-store/13033.html July 22nd, 2011

Everybody makes mistakes from time to time, and it seems that even a huge company such as Apple is no exception to the rule as well. Apparently, in what has got to be a very rare slipup from the Cuptertino giant, Apple has somehow managed to publish the buggy and unstable test version of the Google + social networking app onto the iTunes App Store instead of the stable version that Google had originally submitted.

Have you downloaded Google's Google+ social networking app onto your iPhone yet? If so, you might want to head down to the iTunes App Store one more time to confirm if the copy of the app you have installed on your iPhone is the

Last but definitely not least, Soni has also confirmed that the Google+ app is currently incompatible with iOS 5, although he did mention that Google is working to implement iPad compatibility into the app, and that such a feature would reportedly be "coming soon".

RIM will not discontinue WiFionly version of PlayBook Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rim-will-not-discontinue-wifi-onlyversion-of-playbook/13031.html July 22nd, 2011

When Research In Motion (RIM) revealed in its earnings call that it was only able to ship 500,000 PlayBooks for its fiscal first quarter, rumours about the company probably having plans to discontinue the WiFi-only version of its new tablet in favor of focusing its efforts on the upcoming 4G versions and its other products started circulating on the Internet. And apparently, the rumours had built up enough traction for RIM to justify issuing an official response of sorts.

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July 22nd, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Remember Research In Motion's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet?

You know, the tablet that we reviewed recently, which RIM was reportedly only able to sell a disappointing 500,000 units of?

Well, it seems that news of the company's inability to report a more impressive sales figure for its new tablet device has resulted in the rumour mill churning out claims that RIM might just wind up cancelling the WiFi-only version of the PlayBook in order to focus its resources on the upcoming 4G versions, along with its other products.

And apparently, the rumours have managed to build up enough traction for RIM to justify issuing an official response of sorts, for the company has claimed in a Tweet addressed to Boy Genius Report (BGR) that RIM has got totally no plans to embark on such a course of action. In fact, the tweet from RIM also dismissed the rumour as nothing more than "pure fiction" that nobody should buy into, and the screenshot below tells it all:

With such official confirmation froom RIM, it would seem that things are looking good for users who have gotten, or are planning to get a WiFi-only version of the PlayBook soon, as they will not have to worry about their beloved tablet being given the pink slip from RIM any time soon.

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July 26th, 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.

Bulldozer launch expected to be 19th of September, additional specs out Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/bulldozer-launch-expected-to-be-19thof-september-additional-specs-out/13105.html July 26th, 2011

AMD's journey to bring Bulldozer to market has taken a lot longer than everyone hoped for, including AMD itself, but the word is that the launch will take place on the 19th of September now. AMD will only have four new Bulldozer CPUs at launch, all carrying the FX brand, although the initial four models should be followed by another four in early 2011.

AMD's journey to bring Bulldozer to market has taken a lot longer than everyone hoped for, including AMD itself, but the th

word is that the launch will take place on the 19 of September now. AMD will only have four new Bulldozer CPUs at launch, all carrying the FX brand, although the initial four models should be followed by another four in early 2011.

At launch we can expect two 8-core models, a 6-core and a 4-core model, namely the FX-8150, FX8100, FX-6100 and FX-4100, at least if the latest reports are accurate. The FX-8150 is said to have a base clock of 3.6GHz for all eight cores, but it can turbo to 4.2GHz when only some cores are in use. The FX-8100 has a base clock of 2.8GHz and can turbo to 3.7GHz, with the FX-6100 coming it at 3.3GHz with a turbo clock of 3.9GHz and finally the FX-4100 is said to be clocked at 3.6GHz with an unimpressive turbo clock of 3.8GHz. All four CPUs have 1MB of L2 cache per core and 8MB of shared cache.

The upcoming 2012 models are said to be the FX-8170, FX-8120, FX-6120 and FX-4120. The clock speeds aren't set in stone as yet, but the FX-8170 is expected to have a base clock of 3.9GHz with a turbo clock of 4.5GHz, the FX-8120 starts at 3.1GHz and turbo's to 4GHz, the FX-6120 goes from 3.6GHz to 4.2GHz and finally the FX-4120 from 3.9GHz to 4.1GHz. All models are unlocked Black Edition CPUs with native support for DDR3 1866MHz memory and a 95W TDP, although the FX-8150 and FX-8170 are expected to have a 125W TDP. We're still nearly two months away from the

launch and we can only hope that there will be some early leaks in terms of benchmark figures. In as much as we're sure that AMD has managed to create a competent range of multi-core CPUs with its new FX models, the big question that remains is how they'll stack up against Intel's Sandy Bridge processors.

The sad thing for AMD is that more cores doesn't automatically make for a better CPU, especially as we're still waiting for applications that can take advantage of all the cores in a modern CPU. Hopefully Windows 8 will help bring better support for the additional cores, but we're not going to hold our breath, as Microsoft has yet to prove that they acknowledge consumer CPUs with more than a pair of cores.

Corsair Force 3 120GB SSD drive review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/corsair-force-3-120gb-ssd-drivereview/13104.html July 26th, 2011

Corsair started off as one of the biggest manufacturers of computer RAM modules but nowadays they are also renowned for their power supplies, cooling solutions and SSD drives.

Not two weeks ago we reviewed the fastest SSD they currently produce, a Force GT series drive. Today we are having a look at the Force 3 SSD, a drive using the same controller as the premium Force GT SSD. We are going to examine the drive’s synthetic and real world performance in this review.

Corsair started off as one of the biggest manufacturers of computer RAM modules but nowadays they are also renowned for their power supplies, cooling solutions and SSD drives.

Not two weeks ago we reviewed the fastest SSD they currently produce, a Force GT series drive. Today we are having a look at the Force 3 SSD, a drive using the same controller as the premium Force GT SSD. We are going to examine the drive’s synthetic and real world performance in this review.

Manufacturer features and specifications

• Interface: SATA 3 6Gb/s • Storage technology: Asynchronous NAND • Operating temperature: 0° C to +70° C 1

July 26th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

• Storage temperature: -20° C to +85° C • Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% RH (0° to +40° C) • Maximum Operating Altitude: 3,048 m (up to 10,000 ft.)

• Maximum Non-Operative Altitude: 12,192 m (up to 40,000 ft.)

Unformatted Capacity Read Performance (max) Write Performance (max) Random Write 4k (max) Form Factor Interface Type Onboard cache Operating Temperature Storage Temperature Operating Humidity

120 GB 550 MB/s 510 MB/s 85,000 IOPS (4k aligned) 2.5” SATA 3 6Gb/s NA 0C to +70C -20C to +85C 10% to 90% RH (0° to +40° C) Storage Humidity 5% to 90% RH (-10° to +60° C) Maximum Operating Altitude 3,048 m (up to 10,000 ft.)

Maximum Non-Operating 12,192 m (up to 40,000 ft.)

Altitude

We don't quite understand what MSI has done here though, as the A75A-GD55 is very similar to the A75A-GD35, although the PCB is a lot wider while remaining nearly void of components past the memory slots. In fact, at first glance the only obvious difference between the two models is that the A75A-GD55 has gained two memory slots for a total of four. The power connector and Voltage regulation for the memory has been moved further out on the PCB alongside with a pin header and a fan header, but there's really nothing much else here and it seems like the extra PCB was simply added to allow for the screw holes.

MSI's upcoming A75A-GD55 motherboard pictured Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-s-upcoming-a75a-gd55motherboard-pictured/13103.html July 26th, 2011

So far MSI has only officially unveiled a pair of AMD A75 motherboards, the A75A-G35 and the A75MA-G55, but the company should have at least another four models coming.

VR-Zone has managed to get hold of some exclusive pictures of the upcoming A75A-GD55 model which will be MSI's high-end A75 motherboard and possibly also the most expensive model in the line-up.

So far MSI has only officially unveiled a pair of AMD A75 motherboards, the A75A-G35 and the A75MA-G55, but the company should have at least another four models coming.

VR-Zone has managed to get hold of some exclusive pictures of the upcoming A75A-GD55 model which will be MSI's high-end A75 motherboard and possibly also the most expensive model in the line-up.

MSI has changed the chokes for its SFC branded ones over the regular chokes found on the A75A-GD35 and there's a larger heatsink on the MOSFETs. The slot layout remains the same with a two x16 PCI Express slots of which the lower one has four lanes of bandwidth at its disposal, three x1 PCI Express slots and two PCI slots. The internal USB 3.0 pin-header is still in the same awkward position and MSI decided to keep the jumper blocks for switching between DVI and HDMI output, which is really disappointing and a feature we wouldn't expect to see on a board this far up in MSI's product range.

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July 26th, 2011

The rear I/O also remains unchanged with a pair of PS/2 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, 7.1-channel analogue audio jacks and a D-Sub, DVI and HDMI port. We can't but to feel that MSI could've done better, but at least the good news is that the price difference between the A75A-GD55 and the A75A-GD35 is very small as we found a couple of European online retailers listing the A75A-GD55 for around â&#x201A;Ź80 (S$140) whereas the A75A-GD35 is listed for around â&#x201A;Ź75 (S$131) and while the A75A-GD55 is a better choice in terms of future upgradeability of the memory, it has little else to offer to its advantage.

SanDisk launches affordable consumer SSD series Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sandisk-launches-affordableconsumer-ssd-series/13102.html July 26th, 2011

SanDisk has finally entered the consumer SSD market after having made a wide range of OEM solutions for the past couple of years in various form factors. Its new Ultra branded range of SSDs are unlikely to break any speed records, but then again, they're not likely to break the bank either.

SanDisk has finally entered the consumer SSD market after having made a wide range of OEM solutions for the past couple of years in various form factors. Its new Ultra branded range of SSDs are unlikely to break any speed records, but then again, they're not likely to break the bank either.

What we're looking at is a "last gen" drive with SATA 3Gbps interface and a maximum sequential read speed of 280MB/s and a write speed of 270MB/s. This is hardly earth shattering performance figures any more, but it should still be good enough for plenty of notebooks out there, especially compared to hard drive performance.

Published by: VR-Zone

SanDisk offers a three year warranty on the Ultra series SSDs and claim that the 60GB model can handle at least 40TB of data written to it over its lifespan, with the 120GB model capable of handling 80TB and the 240GB model 120TB. What isn't clear is what the actual life span of the Ultra SSDs is rated at, but we'd presume it's longer than the warranty period.

The MSRP is US$129.99 for the 60GB model, US$219.99 for the 120GB model and US$449.99 for the 240GB model, but SanDisk itself is listing the 120GB model for US$215 and the 240GB model for US$450, but a quick searched revealed that the 120GB model is available for as little as US$179.99 online which makes it one of the cheapest 120GB SSDs out there.

IDT announces its HyperGear VRM controller Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/idt-announces-its-hypergear-vrmcontroller/13101.html July 26th, 2011

We've already seen a wide range of various power saving VRM controllers, least not from Intersil on Gigabyte motherboards, as well as various custom solutions like Asus' EPU and now IDT has announced a solution it calls HyperGear that not only promises to save power, but also to boost the system performance. IDT doesn't many any wild claims in terms of power savings, but it's the first solution of this kind that we've heard of that also claims to boost the CPU performance.

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July 26th, 2011

We've already seen a wide range of various power saving VRM controllers, least not from Intersil on Gigabyte motherboards, as well as various custom solutions like Asus' EPU and now IDT has announced a solution it calls HyperGear that not only promises to save power, but also to boost the system performance. IDT doesn't many any wild claims in terms of power savings, but it's the first solution of this kind that we've heard of that also claims to boost the CPU performance.

IDT claims that its HyperGear technology can improve power efficiency by over 10 percent which is still a fairly reasonable number, especially compared to some claims we've seen in the past. However, this is only part of what the new solution offer; as it can also boost the CPU performance by automatically adjust the CPU frequency depending on CPU usage. IDT attributes this to "an innovative HyperGear algorithm" built into the power management ICs that can tell when processor intensive applications are running.

According to the press release, HyperGear can tap into various system buses and as such it can adjust the core Voltage and clock frequency of the CPU with the added bonus of not needing any additional components. When the CPU is idle HyperGear will clock down the CPU to reduce power draw, much like competing solutions. HyperGear is compatible with the "industry standard" VR12 specification and IDT claims that it's easy to integrate its solution on current and future platform. There isn't too much information to go on in the press release and there doesn't appear to be a product page as yet on IDT's website for its HyperGear products.

Published by: VR-Zone

HP launches webOS TouchPad tablet device in Singapore Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hp-launches-webos-touchpad-tabletdevice-in-singapore/13100.html July 26th, 2011

When HP acquired Palm earlier this year, it was a matter of time we would see webOS devices coming to market. And even though the company has launched the TouchPad tablet and smartphones in US, Canada and some countries in Europe, there had not been any news whether the webOS devices will come to Singapore. Well, the wait is over. This evening, HP announces the launch the webOS TouchPad in Singapore.

The HP TouchPad comes in 16GB and 32GB flavours, and going into the device information page shows that the tablet is running webOS 3.0.2 and user is required to register a HP webOS account for the TouchPad. The TouchPad sports a 9.7-inch flush capacitive multi-touch display, supports Adobe Flash, has virtual keyboard and access to thousands of webOS applications.

We'll see if there are any takers among the consumer motherboard makers, as most seem to be happy with their current solutions, although we can see the benefit for less technical users to get an extra performance boost and power saving beyond AMD and Intel's standard power saving and overclocking features that are built into the CPUs. That said, it's also a matter of how well HyperGear manages the CPU frequency and we can see some power users not being too keen on a solution like this.

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July 26th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

conjunction with National Day - the TouchPad with 16GB will come with a HP TouchPad Case, while the 32GB will come with the TouchPad Case and Wireless Keyboard. Preorders will start on 27 July, while the HP TouchPad will be availabile in Singapore from 12 August.

The HP Touchstone Charging Dock will be selling at S$109.90; the HP TouchPad Wireless Keyboard - S$79.90; the HP TouchPad Case has a price tag of S$49.90; the TouchPad International power adapter is selling at S$39.90; and the Beats Solo headphones is retailing at S$420.

In landscape orientation, the volume controls are at the top, while on the right is the power button and the 3.5mm audio port to connect to your headphones or earphones. HP is also selling the Beats Solo headphones for use with the TouchPad.

Serena Yong, general manager for HP Personal Systems Group, Singapore says that the HP TouchPad is a highly anticipated and first webOS tablet device that will mark the beginning of how HP is going to scale webOS across their devices.

Silverstone Releases Hard Drive Pad SD01 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/silverstone-releases-hard-drive-padsd01/13099.html July 26th, 2011

On the right of the display is the back button to bring you back to the main home screen, while the right edge holds the microUSB connector. The TouchPad also features HP Synergy that lets you sync your contacts, emails, messages, photos automatically from up to 16 sources such as Facebook, Google, Yahoo!, Skype and Microsoft Exchange. The tablet is also capable of multi-task and you can easily close the application by flicking your finger at the application upward.

Silverstone has released the hard drive pad SD01, which is stackable and compatible with SATA or SAS hard drives at up to 6Gbps speed.

The HP TouchPad will be available from retailers, resellers and direct from HP (www.hp.com.sg/touchpaddeals) at S$699 for the 16GB and S$799 for the 32GB models. According to HP, for the month of August, there will be a special promotion in 5

July 26th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Logitech Launches Keyboard for Apple iPad in Taiwan/ Singapore Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/logitech-launches-keyboard-for-appleipad-in-taiwansingapore/13092.html July 26th, 2011

Apple iPad and iPad 2 users in Taiwan will be glad to know that peripheral maker Logitech has recently launched two of its keyboard products, the Tablet Keyboard and Keyboard Case. *Update* Logitech has just updated us regarding the launch of the Logitech Tablet Keyboard and Logitech Keyboard Case in Singapore as well.

The hard drive pad, also known as the Stackable Drive series SD01, supports both 2.5" and 3.5" SATA/SAS hard drives.

The maximum data transfer speed via either interface (SAS uses SAS dual-lane interface, SATA uses eSATA interface) is 6Gbps. The SD01 can support drives of greater than 2TB capacity and runs on a 12V power cable (4-pin molex cable is provided). Silverstone SD01 comes in black, weighs about 180g and measures at 195 x 121.5 x 31.5mm. It is currently retailing in Amazon atUS$36.50 (S$44).

See more specifications at the Silverstone website.

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Logitech has recently launched the Tablet Keyboard and Keyboard Case for the Apple iPad tablet devices in Taiwan.

The Logitech Tablet Keyboard is compatible with Apple iPad and iPad 2, features a low profile keyboard with Bluetooth connectivity of up to 9ms and media controls that allow users to control the volume, playback or pause the media. The Logitech Tablet Keyboard also comes with a carrying case for protection and can serve as a stand for the iPad. On top of that, users can also place their iPad device in either landscape or portrait mode on the stand. Four AAA batteries are included to power the wireless keyboard.

Published by: VR-Zone

Above: Logitech Keyboard Case The Logitech Tablet Keyboard is retailing forTWD 1990 (S $83) while the Logitech Keyboard Case is selling for TWD 2990 (S$125). *Update* We just received confirmation that Logitech will also be launching the above two products in Singapore. The Logitech Tablet Keyboard and Logitech Keyboard Case are available at S$95 and S$139 respectively. Keyboards for Android devices are expected to be out in the near future.

See more specifications at Logitech website: Logitech Tablet Keyboard, Logitech Keyboard Case

Microsoft unveils Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 and Wireless Desktop 2000 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/microsoft-unveils-comfort-curvekeyboard-3000-and-wireless-desktop-2000/13098.html July 26th, 2011

Above: Logitech Tablet Keyboard The Logitech Keyboard Case is only compatible with Apple iPad 2 devices and the case by ZAGG not only functions as a protective case but also as a stand and keyboard for the tablet. Similar to the Logitech Tablet Keyboard, iPad 2 can be placed in both portrait and landscape modes. However, this wireless Bluetooth keyboard do not require any AAA batteries as a USB cable is provided to charge the internal batteries.

Other features include soft padding for the internal corners of the keyboard to help cushion impact and an aircraft-grade aluminium material used for the case.

Today, Microsoft Hardware in SIngapore has unveiled the Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 and Wireless Desktop 2000 that promise to offer a high level of comfort and performance, all at affordable prices. Both the Comfort Curve keyboard and Wireless Desktop are available in July.

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The new Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 features an ergonomist-approved contour shape and a slim, glossy design, which looks aesthetically pleasing and feels just right.

The company also claims that the Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 is the most affordable ergonomic keyboard for users.

The keyboard offers recognizable key size and placement on a natural, organic arc for superior comfort, while minimizing typing effort. And the media keys also offer quick access to music, videos and the calculator with the touch of a finger.

Key features of the Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 - Ergonomist-approved contour layout creates an organic arc to encourage natural wrist posture.

- Contour key bed has keys that are all the same size and in a familiar place.

Published by: VR-Zone

- Pillow-textured palm rest allows comfortable support while you type.

- Taskbar Favorites for Windows 7 lets people easily access open programs by mapping to the location of applications on the Windows Taskbar.

- BlueTrack Technology works on virtually any surface in your home, office or anywhere in between.

- Comfortable, ambidextrous design offers rubber side grips and full-size comfort for use in either hand.

- Snap-in transceiver offers the portability of a notebook mouse with the comfort of a full-size mouse.

- Slim and glossy design makes a modern statement while minimizing clutter on your desktop.

The Wireless Desktop 2000 is now available for a suggested retail price of S$56.

- Wired technology allows reliable connectivity without worrying about batteries.

Dell Streak 10 Pro may be launching this week in China

- Media keys give people one-touch access to popular media functions, such as play, pause and volume.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/dell-streak-10-pro-may-be-launchingthis-week-in-china/13097.html July 26th, 2011

- Three-year limited hardware warranty The Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 is available in July at S$27. The keyboard is also available in a desktop set, the Comfort Curve Desktop 3000 for S$35. The desktop set bundles in the Comfort Mouse 3000 with BlueTrack technology and ambidextrous design.

The Wireless Desktop 2000 claims to be Microsoftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first keyboard to feature Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 128-Bit Encryption - the same technology trusted by the U.S. government to secure their wireless connections. The security technology also protects all information for work and home by eliminating the transfer of code through the air with every keystroke. The keyboard is paired with the Wireless Mouse 2000 that features the acclaimed BlueTrack sensor for a working range of up to 9m, enhanced side grips and an ambidextrous design that suits either hand.

A new pillow-textured palm rest on the keyboard also adds additional comfort to the users.

Dell Streak 10 Pro was reported to be launched in summer and it looks like that day is near. An unamed source has told VR-Zone that the new, highly anticipated 10-inch Android tablet is expected to launch this week in the People's Republic of China.

Key Features of the Wireless Desktop 2000

An unnanmed source has told VR-Zone that the 10-inch Dell Android tablet (which is reported to be known as the Dell Streak 10 Pro) will soon be launched in the People's Republic of China and it will be the first in the world, ahead of USA (surprisingly). According to Dell, the launch was said to happen in summer, and from our reliable source, it looks like the tablet is expected to launch this week, just days before the August month. We are guessing the launch would most likely happen this Friday, 29 July and the exact location would be in Beijing, the capital of China (rather than Shanghai). Like most product launches, the Dell Streak 10 Pro may be available in the next few weeks after its official launch, and obviously that would only be in China and not the rest of the world.

- AES 128-bit encryption technology helps protect personal and business information by encrypting your keystrokes.

The Dell Streak 10 Pro is confirmed to run Google's latest Android 3.1 mobile operating system and from online 8

July 26th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

sources, the tablet will feature a display resolution of 1280x800, two cameras with one of them a 5-megapixel, an SD memory card slot, and 1080p high definition (HD) video playback capabilities. Even if the Dell Streak 10 Pro is launched this week, it will probably take longer to reach our shores here.

We can only guess that could be in Q4 (or earlier) this year rather than next year.

Europe to start selling budget Andy Pad tablet soon Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/europe-to-start-selling-budget-andypad-tablet-soon/13096.html July 26th, 2011

Have you heard of a tablet known as the Andy Pad? Well, it is reportedly an entry-level tablet computing device which is aimed at users who do not have any desire to break the piggy bank just to satisfy their mobile computing needs. And apparently, thhis entry-level tablet will soon start making its way onto retail shelves in Europe for sale, where it is expected to be sport an extremely competitive price tag.

Competitively priced tablets sporting entry-level specifications may be popular among users who are finding themselves limited by their spending power, but the act of choosing such a tablet that actually fits one's needs is usually much harder than what many make it out to be. However, if you are already the midst of looking for a such a tablet boasts the right mix of price and specifications, you might just want to take a look at the new Andy Pad line of tablets which will reportedly be released for sale in Europe soon.

That being said, the specifications for both the Andy Pad and the Andy Pad Pro are anything but identical. While little information about the hardware used to power the tablets have been released, we do know that the Andy Pad will feature 8GB of internal flash storage, while the 10-inch display will reportedly make use of resistive touchscreen technology and boasts a relatively low native resolution of 800 x 480 pixels only. In contrast, the Andy Pad Pro boasts 16GB of internal storage, while the touschreen display will sport a higher resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, as well as the addition of both front and rear cameras, along with Bluetooth connectivity.

Last but definitely not least, both the Andy Pad and the Andy Pad Pro will come bundled with version 2.3 of the Android operating system, a 1.2GHz A8-based processor, a "powerful 3D GPU", as well as support for WiFi connectivity and 1080p HDMI-output.

According to a report published by The Android Authority, the new Andy Pad tablets are available in two variants, namely the Andy Pad and Andy Pad Pro. It would seem that both the Andy Pad and the Andy Pad Pro are struck from the same mould, as The Android Authority has claimed that the tablets are essentially indistinguishable from each other.

New image of HTC's Bliss smartphone for ladies surface online Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/new-image-of-htc-s-bliss-smartphonefor-ladies-surface-online/13095.html

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Remember the news we posted some time back about HTC reportedly planning to release a smartphone that has been specially designed to appeal to ladies? Well, it turns out that such a phone will indeed be making its way out onto retail shelves eventually, for a leaked Blurrycam image which claims to be the first ever photograph of the actual device has started making its way around the depths of cyberspace.

Remember the short story we posted a couple of months back about HTC reportedly planning to release a new Androidpowered smartphone that would supposedly be designed exclusively for the ladies, and that it would most likely be known as the HTC Bliss? As it turns out, the source for our original story was right on the money with its claim, for it seesm that there will indeed be a HTC Bliss smartphone for the market in time. And there is no better way to confirm the existance of such a smartphone than to have what appears to be a leaked blurrycam image of the device circulating online, as shown below.

Published by: VR-Zone July 26th, 2011

When it comes to toying around with operating systems that are specially designed for use with mobile computing devices and gadgets such as smartphones and tablets, the only players out there on the market are Apple's iOS, Google's Android, Research In Motion's BlackBerry OS, HP's webOS and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 and Windows 7 operating systems, right? Well, not anymore; Mozilla, yes, Mozilla, has just announced its plans to introduce its own mobile OS into the fray. And the name of Mozilla's mobile OS project? Boot To Gecko, or B2G. Ask just about anybody on the street to name you some popular mobile operating systems that are currently in use and chances are you will get lots of answers about OSes such as iOS, Android, and BlackBerry OS, while some might even bring up more niche solutions such as HP's webOS and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 and Windows 7 operating systems. However, it seems that the mobile OS market is about to be shaken up with the introduction of what appears to be a new competitor, for Mozilla has just announced its plans to introduce its idea of a mobile operating system into the fray.

And the name of Mozilla's mobile OS project? Boot To Gecko, or B2G. That being said, the questions that are forming in your mind right now will probably be something along the lines of "What in the world is Boot To Gecko", or "Why is Mozilla even making an OS for mobile systems". Well, according to Mozilla's wiki page for the Boot To Gecko or B2G project, the project was started out of a need to "make open web technologies a better basis for future applications on mobile and desktop alike", and to "displace proprietary, single-vendor stacks for application development".

According to the report posted by PocketNow, the Bliss "is set to see a Verizon release", although it has offered no additional details as to when this release may take place.

However, what we do know is that the Bliss will come bundled with a number of colour-matched accessories, and that apparently includes the unique "companion cube" strap attachment which automatically lights up when the Bliss receives, or engages in a phone call.

Mozilla plans to release its own mobile OS, calls it Boot To Gecko Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/mozilla-plans-to-release-its-ownmobile-os-calls-it-boot-to-gecko/13094.html

At this point, B2G is still nothing more than a novel concept that has yet to be worked out completely on paper, so suffice to say Mozilla will definitely need at least a year or two's worth of planning and development efforts before anything concrete is ready to be released to the public for testing and modifications.

However, what we do know is that Mozilla will not be seeking to reinvent the wheel with its new operating system, especially if the project's discussion logs on Google Groups are of any indication.

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Apparently, the logs have suggested that it is likely Mozilla will be seeking to borrow heavily from Android's low level code, although the developers have made it known that they intend to use "as little of Android as possible". This is because the developers are only interested in the benefits Android could provide in the form of its hardware abstraction layer and driver support, as explained by one particular developer: We intend to use as little of Android as possible, in fact. Really, we want to use the kernel + drivers, plus libc and ancillary stuff. It's not likely that we'll use the Android Java-wrapped graphics APIs, for example.

It's nice to start from something that's known to boot and have access to all the devices we want to expose.

Maybe that's not the right direction, though, so if someone wants to explore another direction that'd be just fine.

While there is no denying that Mozilla's developers will definitely have their work cut out for them, it is interesting to see whether a completely open solution such as the one Mozilla is proposing will be capable of displacing the likes of single-vendor solutions currently being offered by Apple and Google. However, in what appears to be a mild stab at Google, Mozilla has also promised that all the source code for B2G will be released "in real-time", as opposed to the search giant's approach of withholding code until it deems it suitable for such purposes, like what it has done with Honeycomb.

Published by: VR-Zone

ease of use. The new range of Linksys switches are plugand-play, eliminating the need for configuration, and come with Quality of Service (QoS) auto-sensing ports and powersaving features. The power-saving modes include auto powerdown to disable unused ports, sleep mode when all ports are inactive and smart power for short cable runs.

Linksys SE1500 5-Port Fast Ethernet Switch - Connect up to five computers, printers, storage devices, gaming consoles and other wired devices - Plug-and-play – no configuration required - Get wired connection speed up to 100 Mbps - QoS traffic prioritisation technology – auto sensing ports automatically optimise speed for each connected device - Auto power-down features are designed to disable unused ports, sleep mode when all ports are inactive and smart power for short cable runs Linksys SE2500 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch and SE2800 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch - Connect up to five or eight computers, printers, storage devices, gaming consoles and other wired devices - Plug-and-play – no configuration required

Cisco Linksys introduces SE1500, SE2500, SE2800 switches and AE1000 wireless-N USB adapter

- Gigabit power – up to 1000 Mbps, 10 times faster than standard Ethernet – perfect for quick file and media sharing between Gigabit devices

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/cisco-linksys-introduces-se1500se2500-se2800-switches-and-ae1000-wireless-n-usb-adapter/13093.html July 26th, 2011

- Auto power-down features are designed to disable unused ports, sleep mode when all ports are inactive and smart power for short cable runs

- QoS traffic prioritisation technology – auto sensing ports automatically optimise speed for each connected device

Cisco Linksys has announced their new range of switches 5-Port SE1500 Fast Ethernet switch, SE2500 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch and SE2800 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch - and AE1000 high performance wireless-N USB adapter for home office and entertainment use.

Cisco has launched their new high performance and easy to setup Linksys switches designed for home office and entertainment. The new switches let you connect easily to wired devices including PCs, printers, games consoles, and Internet TVs, and offer a full range of options for speed and

In addition to the new Linksys switches, Cisco has also announced their Wireless-N High-Performance USB Adapter which enables users to update their laptops and desktops to the latest wireless-N technology.

Linksys AE1000 High-Performance Wireless-N USB Adapter 11

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- Provide Wireless-N capability to Windows desktop computers and laptops - Selectable dual-band wireless-N - connect to either a 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless network - Include USB extension cable and adapter base for improved wireless connectivity - ideal for hard-to-reach USB ports - Help avoid wireless freeloaders and Internet threats using customisable security settings, including WPA/WPA2 Personal and WPA/WPA2 Enterprise Pricing and Availability The Linksys switches and wireless-N USB adapter are commercially available at the Challenger Superstore, Harvey Norman, Best Denki, Courts, South Asia Computer, PK Computer, Inforcom Technologies, Fuwell, A Genuine Technology, Cybermind Computer House, Cyberactive Technology and Bizgram.

Linksys SE1500 5-Port Fast Ethernet Switch - S$39 Linksys SE2500 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch - S$69 Linksys SE2800 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch - S$99 Linksys AE1000 High-Performance Wireless-N USB Adapter - S$59

KDDI shows off working prototype of upgraded REGZA Phone IS11T smartphone Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/kddi-shows-off-working-prototype-ofupgraded-regza-phone-is11t-smartphone/13091.html July 26th, 2011

KDDI has unveiled a working prototype of its upgraded REGZA Phone IS11T smartphone, which is an Androidpowered mobile phone with a sliding QWERTY keyboard and is reportedly desgined to cater to "heavy users of social networking services and email, especially those who frequently text with Twitter and Facebook".

Would you like to own an Android-powered smartphone which utilizes a sliding QWERTY keyboard is reportedly designed to cater to heavy users of online social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter while on the move? If so, Toshiba has got just the solution for you, and it comes in the form of a working prototype of an upgraded version of its

Published by: VR-Zone

REGZA Phone IS11T Android smartphone that was launched last month.

According to a report published by Akihabara News, the upgraded REGZA Phone IS11T Android smartphone, when completed, will be preloaded with version 2.3.4 of the Android operating system and will feature a newer version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon system-on-a-chip that sports a CPU clocked at 1.4GHz, along with a four-inch WVGA display.

The phone is also expected to come bundled with a variety of standard features such as an eight-megapixel camera, an infrared sensor, wireless connectivity via WiFi and Bluetooth, as well as a battery pack which boasts an uptime of up to 260 hours on standby on a single charge, or 300 minutes of talktime.

In addition to the hardware specifications, Toshiba has claimed that the phone can be set in such a way that an application, such as Facebook, Twitter, or even an email client, is immediately activated upon sliding out the smartphone's QWERTY keyboard. And if that is not enough, the phone reportedly supports some form of multi-display multitasking, where the screen can be divided into different portions to run multiple applications simultaneously.

As the upgraded REGZA Phone IS11T Android-powered smartphone is still currently under development, no information about pricing has been released at this point of time, although Akihabara News has claimed that the phone is expected to be hit retail in Japan come September this year.

RIM to unveil a new BlackBerry phone today?

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rim-to-unveil-a-new-blackberryphone-today-/13090.html July 26th, 2011

Well, it seems that the good folks over at Research In Motion has got something interesting lined up for the world today.

And apparently, the excitement over at RIM is so great that the company cannot resist teasing its fans with a cryptic hint of they can expect to see unveiled in the later part of the day.

Which brings us back to the question: what could RIM possibly have up its sleeves that can be described as "shiny, new, and social all over"? Could it be...?

Now this has got to be interesting. Apparently, Research In Motion has posted an update on its Facebook page claiming that they have plans to introduce what appears to be a new product in the later part of the day. However, just like any good company out there, RIM is delibretely holding back information about this alleged new product, prefering instead to tease its fans with a cryptic hint of what apparently best describes its new release: "Shiny, new and social all over".

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Published by: VR-Zone

Western Digital refreshed the 150GB and 300GB VelociRaptor models with support for SATA 6Gbps and 32MB of cache. This addition makes up a total of six VelociRaptor models which are available in SATA 6Gbps interface and eight models having 32MB cache (refer to table below for more information). The 150GB VelociRaptor model is reported to be retailing for â&#x201A;Ź120 (S$208) while the 300GB version is going for â&#x201A;Ź144 (S$250).

See more specifications from the Western Digital website.

Of course, with a hint as broad as this, guessing the right answer is definitely not going to be easy, although Engadget has speculated that RIM might be planning to release a BlackBerry Torch 2, or even a Bold Touch, which has been touted to be a "phone of many flavors". Then again, it is also entirely possible that RIM might end up announcing some other unheard-of product that will apparently be optimized for use with popular online social networking services, considering how the company did mention that the new product will be 'social' in nature.

That being said, Engadget has also claimed that it would be great if BlackBerry's new product is "not just another phone with a Facebook button", a sentiment which we cannot help but share as well.

Western Digital VelociRaptor gets refreshed with SATA 6Gbps and 32MB Cache

Hardware hack can potentially cause Mac batteries to explode Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hardware-hack-can-potentially-causemac-batteries-to-explode/13088.html July 26th, 2011

Does the idea of a hacker being able to gain access to your Macbook's battery and cause it to spontaneously combust at the flick of a button sound frightening? Well, the bad news is that such a hack actually does exist, and it is none other than security researcher Charlie Miller who discovered the existence of such a vulnerability which could potentially allow hackers to exploit and completely destroy a Macbook's battery on a hardware level by exploiting the aforementioned vulnerability.

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/western-digital-velociraptor-getsrefreshed-with-sata-6gbps-and-32mb-cache/13089.html July 26th, 2011

Previously, only the 450GB and 600GB VelociRaptor models featured SATA 6Gbps support and 32MB of cache. Now, the 150GB and 300GB variants will also be available with the above features too.

Dealing with exploding batteries on notebooks can be a rather frightening affair, no? Well, if the thought of having a notebook battery pack suddenly go up in clouds of flames right before your face sounds like the thing which will give you nightmares for countless nights on end, this latest piece of news is definitely not going to be for the weak-hearted.

Apparently, a security researcher by the name of Charlie Miller has discovered a hardware vulnerability in Apple's notebook batteries which could potentially allow hackers to remotely gain access to the batteries and rig it to catch fire without any warning.

Sounds ridiculous? Well, not exactly, especially if Miller's explanation of how the hack works is of any indication.

Apparently, the problem lies in the fact that modern laptops 13

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utilize what are known as "smart batteries", which make use of controller chips to monitor its status and issue commands on when it should stop charging and turn itself off, among many other tasks. And unfortunately for Macbook owners, Apple "ships these chips with their passwords set to the default", an oversight which Miller claims can be exploited to allow an attacker to gain access to the Macbook on a hardware level.

Once inside, the attackers can potentially do enough damage to "ruin the computer at will", such as sabotaging the cells in such a way that they explode, or by leaving malware on the chip "to infect the computer over and over again".

However, it seems that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. While a report by Maximum PC has revealed that Miller still plans to demonstrate the hack at the upcoming Black Hat Security conference to highlight the issue, it also claims that Miller has got every intention to patch this issue by releasing a software tool known as Caulkgun to "change the firmware password on the chips to a random string of numbers".

Many thanks to bianco for this one.

Resident Evil 6 Announcement Date Leaked Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/resident-evil-6-announcement-dateleaked/13087.html July 26th, 2011

Resident Evil 5, first released in 2009, lacked the fear factor that was found in Resident Evil 4. The next installment, Resident Evil 6, is expected to meet the expectations of fans with more horror elements and is set to be announced during the upcoming TGS (Tokyo Game Show).

Published by: VR-Zone

Fans will also be delighted to know that Resident 6 is rumoured to be a complete overhaul and will feature more horror elements instead of the action-packed Resident Evil 5.

Club 3D CSP-S600 600W PSU review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/club-3d-csp-s600-600w-psureview/13086.html July 26th, 2011

Club 3D is a renowned graphics card manufacturer well known among enthusiasts, who recently diversified towards the power supply market. A few weeks ago we had a look on one of their most powerful power supplies, the CSPX1000CB, which is aimed towards hardcore enthusiasts and professionals with powerful systems. Today we are going to test and review the CSP-S600 power supply, a significantly simpler product aiming towards the mainstream market.

Club 3D is a renowned graphics card manufacturer well known among enthusiasts, who recently diversified towards the power supply market. A few weeks ago we had a look on one of their most powerful power supplies, the CSPX1000CB, which is aimed towards hardcore enthusiasts and professionals with powerful systems. Today we are going to test and review the CSP-S600 power supply, a significantly simpler product aiming towards the mainstream market.

Manufacturer features and specifications Model Product Name: CSP-S600 Product Series: Single VGA Configurations Item Code: CSP-S600CB EAN Code: 8717249408697 Technical Information Type: ATX Form Factor 12V V2.3 PFC: Active PFC (0.99) Input Voltage: 100-240V (Auto Range)

The image above was posted in HellDescent forum taken by user "akiraodasan". It is reported that the above slide was shown during one of the Capcom press conference at San Diego Comic-con and more details of the game will be released during the upcoming TGS (Tokyo Game Show) on 15 September this year.

Input FrequencyRange: 50 ~ 60Hz Fan: Ultra-silent 120mm temperature controlled fan Power Good Signal: 100 ~ 500ms Hold Up Time: > 17ms

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Published by: VR-Zone

Efficiency (Load): 85%

Native Cable

Dimensions (W / D / H): Standard ATX 150 x 140 x 86 (mm)

20 + 4 pin: 1x PCI Express 6+2 pin: 2x

Operation Temperature: 0-40째C (nominal Input Voltage)

ATX12V/EPS12V 4 +4 pin: 1x

Safety: CE

Floppy: 1x

80-PLUS Certification: 80PLUS Bronze

Peripheral: 5x

Protection: OCP (Over Current Protection), UVP (Under Voltage Protection), OVP (Over Voltage Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection), OPP (Over Power Protection)

SATA: 6x

Input Characteristics Voltage: 110V - 240V Frequency: 50 - 60Hz Input Current: 10A

ASRock launches Z68 mini-ITX board Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asrock-launches-z68-mini-itxboard/13085.html July 26th, 2011

Output Characteristics +3.3V: 24A / 150W +5V: 24A / 150W +12V1: 22A / 432W +12V2: 22A / 432W -12V2: 0.5A / 6W -5VSB: 3.0A / 12.5W Total Max. Output

If you've been waiting for an affordable Z68 mini-ITX motherboard, then your wait should be over, as ASRock has launched its Z68M-ITX/HT motherboard which should prove to be one of the more wallet friendly mini-ITX Z68 boards out there. That said, it's hardly a crowded market space at the moment with Zotac having the only other two models currently available.

600W ?? Total Combined Wattage +3.3V: 150W +5V: 150W +12V1: 581.5W +12V2: 581.5W

If you've been waiting for an affordable Z68 mini-ITX motherboard, then your wait should be over, as ASRock has launched its Z68M-ITX/HT motherboard which should prove to be one of the more wallet friendly mini-ITX Z68 boards out there. That said, it's hardly a crowded market space at the moment with Zotac having the only other two models currently available.

+12V3: 581.5W -12V2: 18.5W -5VSB: 18.5W Cable Ioom (mm) 20+4P Main: 550 ATX/EPS 4+4P: 550+150 PCI-E 6+2P: 550 SATA: 550+150 PATA+FLOPPY: 550+150 Modular Cable Management No 15

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Published by: VR-Zone July 26th, 2011

One so far unseen Z68 motherboard model and one upgraded – if you can call it that – model has emerged on the MSI website today, namely the Z68A-G43 (B3) and the Z68A-GD55 (G3). This brings MSI's total Z68 board count up to seven, as three models are identical bar PCI Express 3.0 support.

One so far unseen Z68 motherboard model and one upgraded – if you can call it that – model has emerged on the MSI website today, namely the Z68A-G43 (B3) and the Z68A-GD55 (G3). This brings MSI's total Z68 board count up to seven, as three models are identical bar PCI Express 3.0 support.

As this is a mini-ITX board, the Z68M-ITX/HT is fairly feature light with only a single x16 PCI Express slot and four SATA ports, as well as a pair of headers for two USB 2.0 ports. The real action happens around the back where we have a PS/2 port, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an eSATA port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, 7.1-channel audio with optical S/PDIF out and a DVI, D-Sub and HDMI port.

The Z68A-GD55 (G3) is one of the models that fit into the already launched category, but it was moved into the PCI Express 3.0 fold today with the help of some new lane switches.

As far as we can tell, nothing else has changed on this board, so there's not very much else to say about it.

The new addition to MSI's Z68 series is the Z68A-G43, which is MSI's entry level Z68 ATX motherboard. For a model in the gaming series it's a pretty feature stripped board, even compared to the Z68A-G45 and we have a hard time seeing a lot of consumers going for the Z68A-G43 over the Z68A-G45.

ASRock also supplies an infrared dongle and a Windows MCE compatible remote with the board which is a nice added extra considering that a fair few of these boards are likely to end up in HTPC type systems. You also get a copy of Lucid Logix Virtu graphics switching software in the box. No word on pricing as yet, but considering that ASRock's H67 version of this board is one of the more affordable H67 mini-ITX boards, we'd expect the Z68M-ITX/HT to end up being only slightly more expensive.

MSI unveils two new Z68 motherboards Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-unveils-two-new-z68motherboards/13084.html

For starters the power regulation appears to be a very simple 4+1 design suggesting that overclocking isn't what this board is about. At least MSI has fitted a pair of heatsinks to the MOSFETs, albeit tiny ones, but they're at least screwed in.

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Furthermore there doesn't appear to be support for a dual x8 setup, although the board has a pair of x16 slots, the secondary slot only offers four lanes. The board also has two x1 PCI Express slots and three PCI slots. Oddly enough four of the six SATA ports are angled at 90 degrees which is an improvement over the Z68A-G45.

Published by: VR-Zone

TV late in 2012 with the new TV set to be shown at the 2012 CES show in January".

In addition, LG has confirmed that the television sets will not be mass produced; rather, the company intends to roll out only a few tens of thousands of the devices as a way of gauging consumer reaction before making any further plans. This was confirmed by LG Display's CEo, Kwon Young-soo.

"We will make no more investment in the sector judging that the OLED businss is relatively less profitable than other products in the mobile sector," he said.

The TV is set to be around $3,000 in Australia, although it is not specified whether the cost is in Australian or US currency.

AMD 2012 Desktop Roadmap Leaked Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amd-2012-desktop-roadmapleaked/13081.html July 26th, 2011

The board has pin-headers for eight USB 2.0 ports as well as a serial and parallel port, but otherwise there's very little else of notice. Around the back there is a pair of PS/2 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, 7.1channel audio jacks and a DVI and D-Sub port. Price wise the Z68A-G43 is listed for around â&#x201A;Ź110 in Europe (S$190) which makes it a mere â&#x201A;Ź10 (S17) cheaper than Z68A-G45 and from our point of view, it's not worth the small saving. The Z68AGD55 (G3) has as yet not been listed for sale.

LG beats Sony in OLED race, announces large screen OLED TV for late 2012 Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lg-beats-sony-in-oled-race-announceslarge-screen-oled-tv-for-late-2012/13083.html July 26th, 2011

Zol.com.cn has leaked a confidential roadmap summarizing AMD's 2012 desktop platforms. While AMD's Scorpius 2011 platform is yet to release fully, it will be succeeded by the Corona platform in 2012. This features the Komodo CPU, featuring up to 10 Piledriver CPU cores and Turbo 3.0. Unfortunately, Komodo will fit into a new CPU socket, with FM2 succeeding AM3+. Hudson D4 FCH, contains an upgraded southbridge with native USB 3.0 support. The northbridge is likely to be integrated into the CPU. Zol.com.cn has leaked a confidential roadmap summarizing AMD's 2012 desktop platforms. While AMD's Scorpius 2011 platform is yet to release fully, it will be succeeded by the Corona platform in 2012. This features the Komodo CPU, featuring up to 10 Piledriver CPU cores and Turbo 3.0. Unfortunately, Komodo will fit into a new CPU socket, with FM2 succeeding AM3+. Hudson D4 FCH, contains an upgraded southbridge with native USB 3.0 support. The northbridge is likely to be integrated into the CPU.

18 months ago, Sony raised expectations of consumers all over the world when it announced that it had plans to introduce a large screen OLED TV. Fast forward to today, and the good news is that it seems that an OLED TV release is still on the cards, and that such a device will reportedly hit retail shelves some time in the later part of the 2012. But here's the catch: it will be LG that is rolling out the aforementioned OLED TV, and not Sony.

LG has announced that it plans to start shipping large screen television sets with OLED displays some time in the later half of 2012, beating Sony in the OLED game after the latter first claimed 18 months ago that it will be the first company to release a similar product.

According to a report published by technology website SmartHouse, LG's announcement was made over the weekend, where it was revealed that the Korean electronics company is planning to release "a limited range of 55" OLED 17

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Published by: VR-Zone

The Corona platform will be completed by next-gen AMD GPUs, rumoured to be branded Radeon HD 7000 series.

In the Fusion area, Lynx 2011 will be replaced by Virgo in 2012.

The Trinity APU will not feature Bulldozer cores, but Upto 4 next-gen Piledriver CPU cores and Turbo 3.0, improving Lynx's biggest weakness - CPU performance. The GPU part will continue to feature a DX11 GPU, though rumours state a VLIW-4 GPU will replace the current VLIW-5 GPU used in today's A-Series. Interestingly, Trinity will fit into an FM2 socket - same as Komodo - but the FCH will continue to be A75 or A55, same as Lynx. The compatibility between FM1 and FM2 remains to be seen.

Finally, Brazos will be replaced by Deccan, featuring Wichita APUs with upto 4 Bobcat cores and a FT2 infrastructure. The A45 FCH will be replaced by a FCH codenamed Yuba.

AMD's major focus with 2012 seems to be bringing parity to it's mainstream and enthusiast platforms. Currently, ASeries and FX-Series seem worlds apart, with different CPU architectures and different sockets. In 2012, both FX-Series and A-Series (their successors) will feature CPU cores based on the same architecture - Piledriver - and they will fit into the same infrastructure - FM2.

Of course, 2012 is still far away, and indeed "2012" is open to interpretation, and many things can change.

Plantronics unveils Calisto 800 multi-device speakerphones Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/plantronics-unveils-calisto-800-multidevice-speakerphones/13079.html July 26th, 2011

The new Plantronics speakerphones claim to provide intelligent streamline audio communication across PC-based phones, mobile phones, and even home landlines.

The hands-free Calisto 800 is designed for office professionals and is optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator and Lync.

The Plantronics Calisto 800 series claim to be the first speakerphones in its unified communications product portfolio that combine multi-device hands-free connectivity with intuitive visual call management. Optimized for use with Microsoft Office Communicator and Lync. They are designed for private and home office professionals who need multiple communication devices to collaborate effectively.

The Calisto 800 series can provide premium sound and unparalleled audio quality thanks to full duplex wideband audio and advanced noise cancellation. It also offers a range of hands-free options including wireless connectivity with Bluetooth headsets or corded connectivity with 3.5mm headsets/headphones when privacy is desired. The Calisto 800 series includes the Calisto 825, which manages calls between a PC and a mobile phone and features a unique wireless microphone, PA50, that provides unparalleled speakerphone audio quality and freedom of movement.

The Calisto 825 simplifies PC and mobile phone call management through its intuitive visual display and touch sensitive dial pad. Device setup is quick and easy - in less than five minutes, users are up and running and able to switch between mobile and PC calls, dial, and mute across devices at the touch of a button. In addition to the Calisto 825, the portfolio includes the Calisto 835 which can connect to mobile phones, softphones, analog landlines and includes a wireless microphone, PA50.

Pricing and Availability The Calisto 825 is a two-way speakerphone for the PC and mobile phone. It includes the PA50 wireless lapel microphone, and charging base. It is retailing at S$429, inclusive of GST. The Calisto 835 is a three-way speakerphone for PC, mobile phone and analog landlines. It includes the PA50 wireless lapel microphone, and charging base and is priced at S$529, inclusive of GST. The Calisto 800 Series is available at accessories@Newstead, Challenger at Funan and Evergreen stationery store at Parkway and Excentrique Products & Marketing Services (email: sales@excentrique-pms.com or tel: 6513 3306).

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Published by: VR-Zone

HTC announces Sina Weibo phone for China Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/htc-announces-sina-weibo-phone-forchina/13080.html July 26th, 2011

Having a phone specially designed to allow for making quick updates to Facebook sounds like the kind of device any Facebook junkie would love to have, but what is an OEM like HTC to do if it wants to market its Facebookoriented smartphone in China, where the popular online social networking service has been blocked? Simple: repurpose the phone so that it is now integrated with the popular Sina Weibo microblogging platform. Which is exactly what HTC has done with its remade HTC Salsa smartphone, now known as the HTC Weike.

HTC's Salsa and ChaCha smartphones may be great for users who simply need crave the tight integration of Facebook directly into a smartphone's operating system, but it does not change the fact that Chinese users will not be able to benefit from the features in such phones, simply because of the Chinese government's decision to block access to Facebook from within the country. However, it seems that such an obstacle is of no hindrance to HTC, for the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer has just announced a new social media-centric smartphone that has been specially designed to cater to the Chinese.

Little has been revealed about the HTC Weike's hardware specifications, although Shanzai.com claims that the smartphone will feature a 3.2-inch display that is capable of a native resolution of 320x480, and that it will be running off version 2.2 of the Android operating system (which is old by today's standards).

No details about the HTC Weike's availability or pricing in China have been announced at this point of time.

OS X Lion users to get iCloud integration in 10.7.2 update Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/os-x-lion-users-to-get-icloudintegration-in-10.7.2-update/13078.html July 26th, 2011

Apple is only due to activate iCloud with the launch of iOS 5, but it seems that the Cupertino giant is already hard at work in ensuring that all of its products, including the recently-released OS X Lion operating system, are ready to take advantage of the new cloud service right from the get go.

And the good news is that OS X Lion users may not have to wait very long to score iCloud support for their operating system, especially if the latest developer preview released by Apple is of any indication.

Enter the HTC Weike smartphone, which Shanzai.com claims is essentially a HTC Salsa that has been localized for use in China and boasts tight integration with the country's popular Sina Weibo microblogging platform instead of Facebook.

According to Shanzai's report, the HTC Weike will not only make use of the popular HTC Sense interface, but will also allow users to sync their Weibo account, thus allowing them to "chat with people they are following on Weibo, which then places them into contacts automatically".

Apple's iCloud is expected to be launched in conjunction with iOS 5, but the company is already hard at work in ensuring that its own OS X operating system is all set to play nice with the cloud service. Users can expect to see iCloud support Lion soon in the form of an upcoming software update for the recentlylaunched operating system, with leaked Lion update builds confirming that claim.

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Published by: VR-Zone

MSI WindPad Enjoy 10 tablet shows up at the FCC Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/msi-windpad-enjoy-10-tablet-showsup-at-the-fcc/13077.html July 26th, 2011

According to a report published by AppleInsider, iCloud support for Mac OS X Lion will be rolled out in the upcoming 10.7.2 update, whereby it will be integrated into Mail, Contacts and Calandars preference pane. Apparently, this will allow users to exercise some form of control in the kind of data they want synced to the cloud, as shown in the screenshot above.

Most people may not know it, but MSI has been a player in the tablet space for quite some time already, except that its tablets never really managed to take off in the same way as those of its competitors. However, if you though that MSI is all ready to give up its stake in the tablet business, you could not have been further from the truth, especially if the latest news about the company's budget WindPad Enjoy 10 tablet showing up at the FCC is of any indication.

AppleInsider has also claimed in its report that the iCloud section in Mail, Contacts & Calandars preference panel will come with sport tools and options which users can utilize for "managing storage, backups, and purchasing additional storage", although it has pointed out that the option to purchase additional online storage space is currently "nonfunctional at this time", which is something to be expected from pre-release software.

When it comes to tablets, the only prominent, non-Apple products available on the market are those that are produced by the likes of big-name players such as Acer, LG, Samsung, right? Well, most may not know it, but MSI has also been competing in the market for quite some time already with its WindPad line of tablets. And while their products are not as popular as the aforementioned OEMs, it seems that there is still enough demand for entry-level and mid-range tablets on the market for the company to justify the release of newer additions to the WindPad line, such as the new WindPad Enjoy 10, which has just been spotted having a date of sorts with the FCC.

Interestingly, AppleInsider has revealed that the Cupertino giant has yet to release any test builds of 10.7.1, even though testing for 10.7.2 has already commenced. This has led to speculation that the company has already finished its work with 10.7.1 and is planning to push it out to end-users in the coming days (or weeks), if Apple intends to have OS X Lion updated to 10.7.2 in time for iCloud's official launch come Fall this year.

According to a report published by Liliputing, MSI's new WindPad Enjoy 10 is being positioned as a "budget tablet" that could potentially be sold on the market for as low as US$299, or even lesser. And if you are wondering how a 10-inch tablet can be sold for such low price...well, as they say, the devil is in the details, and the WindPad Enjoy 10's hardware specifications are anything but impressive. While the tablet does sport a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor for use in its general-purpose computing needs, its 10-inch capacitive display is only capable of a not-so-impressive native resolution of 800 x 480. This differs from MSI's earlier announcements, where it claimed that the tablet will feature a 1.2GHz processor 20

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and a display which is capable of native resolution of 1024 x 768.

In addition, the WindPad Enjoy 10 comes bundled with only 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal flash memory, although Liliputing claims that the preloaded Android 2.3 operating system consumes enough space to reduce the internal storage capacity to approximately 1.2GB. Lastly, the report also claims that the MSI WindPad Enjoy 10 tablet will feature hardwareaccelerated playback support for 1080p videos "in a variety of formats including MP4, Xvid, DiVX, and H.264", front and rear cameras, an SD card slot, a USB port, WiFi connectivity and a battery which is reportedly capable of up to five hours of uptime.

No news of the WindPad Enjoy 10's availability has been released at this point of time.

Sony announces Cyber-shot TX55 and WX30 compact digital cameras

Published by: VR-Zone

Measuring 12.2mm slim, the Cyber-shot TX55 claims to be the world’s thinnest camera that can captures Full HD AVCHD video clips as well as 16.2 megapixel still images. It also shoots panoramas of 42.9-megapixel resolution, 3D Sweep Panorama and 3D Still Image to enjoy on your 3D TV. The camera’s back panel holds a 3.3-inch Xtra Fine OLED wide touchscreen which is great for showing off your photos and movies.

The TX55 is the first Cyber-shot camera to include a memory card slot that supports Memory Stick Micro (M2) and microSD/SDHC. The company has also offered a choice of ultra-compact, high quality media in capacities up to 16GB - the newly introduced Mark2 Memory Stick Micro which is ideal for AVCHD video shooting and microSDHC. All cards come with free File Rescue for quick, easy recovery of deleted or damaged photos and files (http://www.sony-asia.com/ support/download/50317), and x-Pict Story that simplifies creation of dazzling slideshows from your photos (http:// www.sony-asia.com/support/download/365561).

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-announces-cyber-shot-tx55-andwx30-compact-digital-cameras/13073.html July 26th, 2011

If you are looking for a new compact digital cameras that can shoot high quality pictures and high definition videos, you probably want to check out the latest Cyber-shot TX55 and WX30 from Sony. The cameras boast up to 10x Clear Image Zoom in maximum resolution and artistic Picture Effect mode.

Sony Cyber-shot WX30 The sleek and super-compact Sony Cyber-shot WX30 offers a wide range of imaging options for stills, Full HD video and 3D shooting. It also claims to be the first Cyber-shot WX series model to feature 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD wide touch screen for simple fingertip operation. It is compatible with the Partyshot IPT-DS2 docking base. Party-shot pans, tilts and zooms the camera as it searches for faces in the room, automatically shooting natural, beautifully-framed photos while you enjoy yourself.

The new compact and stylish Sony Cyber-shot TX55 and WX30 cameras, as well as the range of Memory Stick Micro (Mark2) and SR series MicroSD/SDHC media cards by Sony are available in Asia Pacific from September 2011.

Both the Cyber-shot TX55 and WX30 feature a 16.2-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor and new ‘By Pixel Super Resolution’ technology that boosts zoom range to 10x without losing image quality.

Rumour: Samsung Galaxy 3D smartphone spotted?

Sony Cyber-shot TX55

smartphone-spotted-/13076.html

Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rumour-samsung-galaxy-3d-

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Now that HTC has its EVO 3D and LG has its Optimus 3D, it would make sense that a major player such as Samsung will want to make its entry into the market for 3D-capable smartphones soon in order to grab a slice of the pie for itself.

And from the looks of it, users might not have to wait for long to get their hands on a 3D-capable smartphone from the likes of the Korean electronics giant, for rumour has it that a Galaxy 3D is currently under development over at Samsung's labs.

Are you a fan of 3D-capable smartphones such as HTC's EVO 3D and LG's Optimus 3D smartphones? Well, if you are, we've got news for you. Apparently, rumour has it that Samsung is also planning to release its own 3D-capable smartphone some time in the future, and that it will reportedly be called the Samsung Galaxy 3D.

As the picture shown above is little more than a mockup of what is believed to be the elusive Galaxy 3D smartphone, it goes without saying that the smartphone's appearance is far from being finalized, and that the final design of Samsung's alleged upcoming 3D-capable smartphone could potentially differ greatly from the mockup's design that is currently circulating on the Internet right now. However, various sources have claimed that the Galaxy 3D will most likely be preloaded with version 2.3 of the Android operating system (also known as Gingerbread), and that it will reportedly feature a 4.3-inch glasses-free 3D display, dual 8-megapixel cameras and a dual-core processor that is said to be clocked at 1.2GHz or higher.

Published by: VR-Zone

smartphone some time in Q4 this year, if only because that would be the period where HTC and LG are most likely to be actively working on their own successors to their respective 3D-capable smartphones. Well, we shall see.

Apple announces hard disk replacement program for iMacs Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-announces-hard-diskreplacement-program-for-imacs/13074.html July 26th, 2011

Have you purchased an iMac with a 1TB hard disk any time between May and July this year? If so, you might want to consult Apple's web site to see if you qualify for a free replacement of sorts; this is because the Cupertino giant has annouced a replacement program for a "very small number" of 1TB Seagate hard disks which are currently being used in the iMacs, claiming that the aforementioned hard disks sport an issue which could cause it to "fail under certain conditions".

Apple users, especially iMac owners who have bought their machines recently this year might want to take note of Apple's latest announcement. Apparently, the Cupertino giant has discovered that some of the 1TB Seagate hard disks that are currently being used in its 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs are currently affected by an issue which could cause it to "fail under certain conditions".

Last but definitely not least, an Android-centric blog known as Android Community is claiming that the Galaxy 3D will reportedly feature either a HDMI-out or HD TV output to allow users the ability to enjoy 3D videos on their 3D-capable television sets right out of the box. Oh, and it has also mentioned that Samsung might just release its 3D-capable 22

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Apple has not disclosed any details about the alleged issue which could cause the aforementioned hard disk to fail prematurely, although it did mention that the issue is currently isolated to only "a very small number" of hard disks, and only on iMacs which were sold between May and July this year. To resolve this issue, the company has announced the commencement of a "Hard Drive Replacement Program" for the aforementioned iMacs, and that it has already sent out emails to consumers who are currently in the possession of an affected machine to inform them about the program. In addition, users can also visit Apple's support page here to check if their machines are eligible for the free hard disk replacement program, although they will need to supply their iMac's serial number if they wish to perform the manual verification.

Lastly, Apple has announced on its support page that the hard disk replacement program will run until July 23 next year, so there is more than enough time to back up your work before making an appointment with Apple to have the faulty hard disk replaced.

Dell releases UltraSharp U2412M, costs only US$399 at launch Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/dell-releases-ultrasharp-u2412m-costsonly-us-399-at-launch/13075.html July 26th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

Back in May, we spoke of Dell releasing a couple of displays starting from Q3 this year. Generally, Dell leaves it till late in the expected quarter before their products are ready, but over this weekend, Dell has quietly pushed the new UltraSharp U2412M out of its factory doors, and is now up for grabs on their online stores.

The bezel has been slightly re-designed, with the UltraSharp U2412M now sporting cheaper (maybe?) physical buttons as opposed to capacitive touch ones on the U2410.

Specifications wise, the UltraSharp U2412M is equipped with an LED-backlit e-IPS display panel capable of 1920 x 1200 resolution and 16.7 million colors. The new monitor retains a 16:10 aspect ratio, color gamut has reverted to a standard 82% and horizontal and vertical viewing angles are both rated at 178째. Anti-glare and 3H hard coating are applied on the display's surface, meaning non-glossy screen in other words (I can hear many heaving a big sigh of relief).

Dell's PowerNap software power management allows the user to enable dimming of the panel when the computer enters screen saver mode, or to put the monitor to sleep altogether.

The U2412M's energy consumption figures are also readily available via the on-screen display (OSD) menu.

Connectivity options include DVI-D with HDCP, DisplayPort, VGA, 4-port USB 2.0 hub and DC power output for the Dell Soundbar.

And finally, the price? Just US$399, or an even more mouthwatering introductory S$439 here in Singapore. The monitor is backed with a standard 3-year warranty.

It is now Q3 and over the weekend, Dell has quietly pushed the new UltraSharp U2412M 24-inch LCD monitor out of its factory doors. Full specifications after the break.

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Published by: VR-Zone

ASUS U46SV Launches in Europe Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-u46sv-launches-ineurope/13072.html July 26th, 2011

ASUS U46SV comes with an Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3GHz processor, up to 6GB of memory RAM, an Nvidia GeForce GT 540M graphics card, 500GB harddisk drive, DVD writer, card reader and a USB 3.0 port. Other features include a LED backlit 1366 x 768 display, 0.3-megapixel webcam and Windows 7 Home Premium operating system. The U46SV laptop is currently retailing for â&#x201A;Ź799 ($1,387) in Europe.

AMD Bulldozer 8-Core Processors to Launch in September Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/amd-bulldozer-8-core-processors-tolaunch-in-september/13071.html

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Published by: VR-Zone

EVGA's LGA 2011 motherboard will feature Intel's upcoming X79 chipset and Sandy Bridge-E processors. From the image, we can see a shift in the position of the buttons which include, Power, Reset and Clear CMOS. There are reports which confirm that the motherboard will be using "100% POSCAP" capacitors. EVGA will also release a dual-socket LGA 2011 motherboard in the future to replace their current dual-socket LGA 1366 motherboard, SR-2. Other features of X79 based motherboard include 8-lane PCIe 2.0 hub, 10 SATA 6Gbps ports and 14 USB 2.0 ports.

Alienware M17x gaming notebook review - here comes the Alien mothership Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/alienware-m17x-gaming-notebookreview--here-comes-the-alien-mothership/13001.html July 26th, 2011

AMD FX-Series 8-Core processors are reported to begin mass production in August 2011 and will launch on 19th of September 2011. This information coincides with another piece of hint gathered from AMD's video posted on YouTube (link here) at the 15 seconds mark (found at the bottom left of the video). However, only four of the AMD FX-Series processors (FX-8150, FX-8100, FX-6100 and FX-4100) will be launched in September. Details of the various processors can be found in our previous article. The higher end models for the 125W and 95W TDP 8-Core processors (FX-8170 and FX-8120) will be released in Q1 2012.

Think that you have seen everything that Dell has got to offer to the mobile gamer with our review of the Alienware M14x gaming notebook?? Well, you haven't seen everything yet. This time, we have in our labs what is probably the mothership of Dell's Alienware line of gaming notebooks, and we'd dare say that this is the monster (or Alien) that changes everything you'll ever know about what a gaming notebook should be.

EVGA LGA 2011 Motherboard Teaser Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/evga-lga-2011-motherboardteaser/13068.html July 26th, 2011

"Bigger is better" may not be the words an average user would want to hear from a salesman when shopping for a new notebook, especially when most OEMs have switched their focus from providing a high-performance machine to that where aesthetic appeal takes precedence over quality. After all, the approach of merely having "just enough" power to ensure that the notebook remains versatile enough to take on a wide range of entry-level tasks has worked well for OEMs for the longest time. And users are seemingly moving to smaller, low-

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Published by: VR-Zone

powered devices today does not mean that time has run out for big notebooks with extremely powerful hardware.

Enter the Alienware M17x R3 gaming notebook, which, like its smaller sibling, the M14x, is aimed at pushing the buttons of users who still believe in the value of big notebooks with big performance (and big price tags to match). And of course, with the prestige of the Alienware label on the line, it is only fair that such users will expect the M17x R3 to give the M14x a solid thump on the latter's proverbial head where raw performance is concerned. And does it? We shall find out in due time.

Dell Alienware M17x R3 Gaming Notebook PC Specifications Processor

Chipset Graphics Card Operating System Display

Memory Hard Disk capacity Wireless Connectivity

Battery Weight

Thermaltake is a very well known company among enthusiasts. The company was founded in 1999 and started off as a cooling solutions manufacturer and later diversified into many other areas. Today Thermaltake offers a vast selection of technology-related products and also replenishes their product ranges very frequently. Today we will have a look at the first Thermaltake PSU entering our labs, the highly popular TR2 800W unit.

Manufacturer’s features and specifications Intel Core i7 2820QM 2.3GHz (3.4GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache) Intel Sandy Bridge HM67 Chipset 2GB AMD Radeon HD 6970M Windows 7 Ultimate (x64 version) 17.3" (43.94cm) Full HD (1920x1080) WLED LCD Panel 8GB DDR3 SDRAM (2 x 4GB SODIMM) 256GB SATA Samsung SSD Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 a/g/n, Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth module 9-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery Starting at 5.3kg

• ATX 12V V2.3 enables most reliable and robust power delivery.

• Stable 800W continuous output (peak power 960W) @ 50 ?operating environment.

• Robust and dedicated single +12V output provides superior performance under all types of system loading.

• 80 PLUS Bronze Certified: with 82-88% efficiency @ 20-100% load under real world load conditions.

• Double-forward switching circuitry offers low power loss and high reliability.

• Universal AC input 100V~240V automatically scans and detects the correct voltage.

• High quality 105 ? Japanese main capacitor provide uncompromised performance and reliability.

• 99% Active Power Factor Correction provides clean and reliable power to your system.

• Ultra-silent operation with intelligent 12cm cooling fan speed control.

• Intel & AMD CPU compliant.

• Nvidia & ATI/AMD graphic card compatible.

• Dimension: 150mm(W)x86mm(H)x140mm(L).

Thermaltake TR2 800W PSU review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/thermaltake-tr2-800w-psureview/13069.html July 26th, 2011

Thermaltake is a very well known company among enthusiasts. The company was founded in 1999 and started off as a cooling solutions manufacturer and later diversified into many other areas. Today Thermaltake offers a vast selection of technology-related products and also replenishes their product ranges very frequently. Today we will have a look at the first Thermaltake PSU entering our labs, the highly popular TR2 800W unit.

• High reliability: MTBF>100,000 hours.

• Built in industrial-grade protections: Over Current, Over Voltage, Over Power, Under Voltage and Short-Circuit protections.

• Safety / EMI : UL/ CUL, VDE, CE, FCC, CB, GOST and BSMI certified.

Deep Cool Ice Blade Pro Review Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/deep-cool-ice-blade-proreview/12939.html

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July 26th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

July 26th, 2011

Tower-style heatsinks are a pretty common sight among the vast array of aftermarket cooling solutions. Today, we'll be looking at another such contender, Deep Cool's Ice Blade Pro. While hardly the most well-known manufacturer, Deep Cool has slapped a very attractive price tag on the Ice Blade Pro. Does this heatsink live up to its promise of good cooling on the cheap?

Fan Dimension Net Weight Bearing Type Rated Voltage Operating Voltage Started Voltage Rated Current Power Input FAN Speed MAX.Air Flow Noise

120 X120 X 25mm 1053g Hydro Bearing 12VDC 10.8?13.2VDC 7VDC 0.25±10%A(MAX) 3.0W 900±150~1500±10%RPM 60.29CFM 21.4~32.1dB(A)

Deep Cool is a China-based manufacturer of cooling solutions.

While its main business is OEM manufacturing, Deep Cool has also launched a fairly extensive line of cooling solutions. The product we're looking at today is the Ice Blade Pro, a processor heatsink.

Accessories Other than the parts required for mounting the heatsink, Deep Cool has also bundled a small tube of thermal paste and a plastic thermal paste spreader.

Weighing in at over a kilogram and standing 157 millimeters tall, the Ice Blade Pro is one of the larger heatsinks we've seen.

It is composed of four copper heatpipes that directly contact the processor and an aluminium fin array. Up to two 120mm fans can be mounted on the Ice Blade Pro, though only one is included.

Specifications Overall Dimension

125.5 X 104 X 157mm

The included 120mm fan pushes a decent volume of air and runs fairly quietly even at full speed. If that's still not silent 27

July 26th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

enough for you, the fan speed can be brought down to 900RPM via motherboard control or a 7V adapter (not included). The fan has four blue LEDs.

An additional set of fan clips and anti-vibration rubber spacers is included, should you wish to mount an additional 120mm fan.

The full list of bundled items is shown below:

GIGABYTE's Portable Storage, A2 Tiny Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/gigabyte-s-portable-storage-a2tiny/13067.html July 26th, 2011

GIGABYTE has released an interesting storage solution known as A2 Tiny which uses a 160GB hard disk drive and USB 2.0 technology. More details inside.

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July 26th, 2011

Published by: VR-Zone

PNY launches GTX 580 XLR8 OC in Europe Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pny-launches-gtx-580-xlr8-oc-ineurope/13066.html July 26th, 2011

The PNY GTX 580 XLR8 OC graphics card uses a reference cooler which takes up only two PCIe slots. The core frequency is overclocked to 805MHz while the memory frequency is overclocked to 4200MHz. Other features include 2 x DVI outputs, 1 x mini HDMI output, 512 CUDA cores, 1536MB of memory and three years warranty. The XLR8 OC graphics card is set to retail at Europe at a hefty price of â&#x201A;Ź489 S$849.

GIGABYTE has released an interesting device known as the A2 Tiny which comes with a 160GB HDD and uses the USB 2.0 cable. The device has a dimension of 78 x 59 x 13mm and weighs about 80g. A2 Tiny has an anti-shock system and comes with a carrying pouch as well. Quantities will be limited for this model.

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