Toshiba Adds WiMAX-ready Laptops
In addition to the powerful new Qosmio X500 Laptop with GeForce GTX 460M Graphics, Toshiba announced a handful of 4G WiMAX-ready laptops. With select WiMAX equipped Satellite and Portégé laptops from Toshiba, you'll have wireless coverage all over town and won't be limited to connecting to the Internet when a wireless hotspot is available. Currently, WiMAX is available in 54 cities throughout the country. You'll find WiMAX on the following Toshiba laptops: Satellite A665 The Satellite® A665
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BenQ Gets Serious about Gaming, Launches LX2410 120Hz Monitor
It appears an epiphany went and hit BenQ upside its head, and that is if it wants to "lead and become a true and professional gaming monitor provider," BenQ has to "understand the mindset and needs of gamers." Those are BenQ's words, not ours, though we fully agree -- the way it works in business, it typically helps to understand the consumers you're trying to sell product to. BenQ has a bigger point there than just a Business 101 message. They've gone and released their newest display, the 23.6-inch LED Gaming
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Suppliers Prep to Build 3M CDMA iPhones in Dec.
The latest rumors in terms of a possible Verizon iPhone have been pointing to Q1 in 2011, and today reports were released of Apple suppliers confirming that information. Analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro with Susquehanna Financial Group said that in a note to investors on Wednesday. Fidacaro's research note said that information coming from overseas suppliers indicated Apple will begin manufacturing CDMA iPhones in December, and that the Cupertino, CA company is ready to build 3 million of them that month. Verizon and
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Toshiba Introduces Qosmio X500 Laptop with GeForce GTX 460M Graphics
Once you've put your twenties in your rear-view mirror, you begin to realize that outer beauty only takes things so far, and it's what's on the inside that really matters. Or so that's what ugly people tell us. In any event, Toshiba's revamped Qosmio X500 brings both to the relationship -- a gorgeous frame and upgraded hardware to match. The big announcement here is that the Qosmio X500 now comes loaded with Nvidia's GeForce GTX 460M graphics, giving gamers some decent hardware for DirectX 11 gaming and movie
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Michael Dell Teases 7" Tablet at Oracle Event
Dell on Wednesday teased its second Android-powered tablet, and when we say tease we mean it. Aside from CEO Michael Dell announcing the 7" Android-powered tablet during his keynote address at Oracle Open World in San Francisco, there was nothing else detailed about the tablet. It's unclear, for example, which version of Android the device will get. There were no dates, pricing, or even specs or a name for the device noted. On the other hand, Dell added that the company's first tablet, the 5" Streak (shown)
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Leica Introduces 10MP D-Lux 5 Compact Camera
It's camera week in Germany with the Photokina trade show ongoing, and Leica is obviously a big player in the scheme of things. The company is best known for their professional models and their rangefinders, but the new D-Lux 5 is a new entrant into the compact market. It's modeled after Panasonic's LX5, but thanks to the Leica heritage, it will obviously be far more expensive. It's a small, sleek, compact little guy, totally black and super elite. It includes a 10MP sensor, 3" LCD and support for 720p movie
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VIZIO Goes Small With 7" Edge Lit Razor LED Portable TV
When you think VIZIO, you probably think of low-cost televisions at big box retailers. And that is exactly what has made VIZIO one of the fastest growing company's in America. But the newest TV from the company is pretty far from being a "big screen TV." In fact, it's a tiny screen TV. The company's new 7" Edge Lit Razor LED Portable TV is the company's first mini TV, offering an 800x480 resolution. The company says it's perfect for tailgating or hanging on the beach, anywhere that it's difficult to take a full-size
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Sony Optiarc Introduces 6x Portable External Blu-ray Burner
The world keeps spinning, PCs keep getting quicker, and optical disc drives keep getting faster. It's just how the planet works. Not too long ago, simply having a Blu-ray burner at all was a luxury. Today, Blu-ray burners need speed to be special, and Sony Optiarc America's latest drive is Mr. Speedy indeed. It's a portable, external unit that's designed to compliment notebooks, netbooks or desktop PCs, and it's the perfect add-on to any HD-capable netbook when you want to watch a film and your machine has no
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Dell Introduces Inspiron One 23" All-In-One PC And Zino HD Media PC
It's not too early to realize that the holidays are upon us, and Dell is preparing for them by introducing two new PCs under $800 today that look to be great candidates for replacing your aging bedroom or apartment rig. The Inspiron One is a new 23" touch panel-based all-in-one PC, while the revised Zino HD makes a good nettop even better. Starting with the One, this one is equipped with a 23" LED-backlit LCD touch screen, an optional quad-core CPU (Athlon II X4) and options for a Mobility Radeon HD 5450 GPU,
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Brite-View Streams 1080p HD Content With Air SyncHD
It's a trend that has been slowing gaining steam over the past few years, but now that slowness has turned into a rapid sprint to the finish line. Wireless HD streaming was once a luxury reserved for those who invested a great deal of funds into their home cinema system; now, the technologies have multiplied and the prices have sank, making it easier than ever for average consumers to cut the cords to their HD video/audio systems. Brite-View is no stranger to this sector, and the new Air SyncHD is able to stream
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NVIDIA Announces CUDA x86 But Omits Launch Date
At the GPU Technology Conference today, the CEO of NVIDIA, Jen-Hsun Huang, unveiled a new CUDA initiative, dubbed CUDA-x86. As the name implies, the new framework will allow developers to write CUDA code natively for x86. Don't confuse this announcement with the PhysX issues we discussed last month—when we spoke to NVIDIA back then we were told that certain legacy performance issues would be addressed in the next major version of the PhysX SDK. Porting CUDA to x86 is a smart move for NVIDIA given Intel's
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AT&T Starts Selling TerreStar Genus Satellite Smartphone
AT&T is now offering a combination satellite / 3G smartphone known as the TerreStar Genus. This phone can switch from AT&T's network to a satellite and will offer coverage all over the United States. Compared to many bulky satellite phones, the TerreStar Genus looks much more like a normal smartphone. As with other satellite smartphones however, Genus users will still have to pay a premium for calling. The phone will require regular AT&T voice and data service plans. In order to take advantage of
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Motorola Droid X Gets Froyo Update
The Samsung Captivate isn't the only phone that's getting an update. The highly anticipated Froyo (Android 2.2) update is now making its way on to Motorola Droid X smartphones. The latest update provides all of the features you've come to expect with Android 2.2 including Flash support, Bluetooth voice dialing, better screen rotation, and an updated 3G mobile hotspot application. You'll also get a handful of bug fixes and other small improvements that are said to improve the handset's performance. The update
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Samsung Announces Update For Samsung Captivate
A few weeks ago, we took a closer look at the Samsung Captivate from AT&T. We liked what we saw then, though we'll never complain about new features and functionality that are suppose to make things even better. A new update from AT&T and Samsung Mobile promises just that. Over the next few weeks, Samsung and AT&T will be rolling out an over-the-air update for all Captivate users. The update is said to improve the Captivate's GPS performance. It will also improve media scanning time and address Microsoft
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AMD: Customers Demand More Cores
Quick, which would you rather have, higher clockspeeds or more CPU cores? The correct answer, of course, is a both, which is what separates enthusiasts who roll their own rigs from the civilians who buy their PCs at Best Buy with a Geek Squad set-up plan. But as power users, we're not so blinded by technology that we fail to realize software development has a long way to go to catch up with today's multi-core hardware. Partly for this reason, when AMD launched its 12-core AMD Opteron (you may know it as "Magny
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Kinect Developer Declares PC FPS Gamers A Dying Breed
In a recent interview, Kinect creator Kudo Tsunoda shared his thoughts on Microsoft's new gaming platform and the future of gaming in general. when asked how Kinect would be integrated into future titles he described the rise of FPS shooters for consoles, then drops this bombshell. "Halo did an awesome job of building a first-person shooter exclusively for the console, and now hardly anyone plays first person shooters on the PC anymore. It’s all about the console." This is precisely the sort of statement
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NVIDIA Exposes GPU Roadmap: Kepler Arrives 2011, Maxwell in 2013
Thanks to yesterday's announcement, we know that NVIDIA will be pushing out Tegra chips annually, or at least that's the plan at this point, but what about GPUs? Like the title says, the next big thing coming down the pipeline according the NVIDIA's CEO Jen-Hsun Huang will come along sometime next year, and it's codenamed Kepler. Kepler will be manufactured using a 28nm process technology and provide users up to four times the double-precision floating point performance per watt of
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Mafia II: PhysX Tested, HotHardware Reviewed
Prior to its launch, Mafia II was portrayed as a deep, character-driven drama that would take full advantage of PhysX to add depth and realism to the game. With the game out and available, we sat down to investigate how PhysX enhances Mafia II and while we were at it we reviewed the game as well... Mafia II: PhysX Tested, HotHardware Reviewed
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IE9 Beta Scorches to 2 Million Downloads in 48 Hours
Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser still claims the lion's share of the browser market, but let's be honest here, it's been so long since IE led the pack in terms of features and performance that Microsoft has forgotten what it's like for users to be genuinely excited about a browser release that doesn't belong to Mozilla, Google, or any of the other competition. Hence the feeling of euphoria emanating from Redmond over the initial interest in Internet Explorer 9 Beta. "The initial reaction has been pretty
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Toshiba Keeps Backup Simple with Canvio Basics Portable Hard Drive
Toshiba says it's targeting the "everyday consumer" with its new Canvio Basics portable hard drive line, but really it's going after anyone who simply needs additional portable storage without added extras like backup software, encryption, and other features that add to the bottom line. Just plug it in and start transferring files. "With the Canvio Basics line, we wanted to bring an effortless digital storage solution to the masses," said Manuel Camarena, product manager for consumer storage at Toshiba Storage
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MetroPCS Launches First 4G LTE Network in the U.S.
We kind of feel like the headline says it all, but in case you thought it was a typo, we'll repeat: MetroPCS just launched the first ever 4G LTE network in the United States. MetroPCS chose Las Vegas as their launching off point, somewhat following in the footsteps of Sprint-Nextel and Clearwire, which also was drawn to Las Vegas early on with their fancy WiMax service. Squeezing into the press release is Samsung, which launched the world's first 4G LTE-enabled, multi-mode, CDMA handset, the Samsung Craft (SCH-r900).
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Mafia II: PhysX Tested, HotHardware Reviewed
Prior to its launch, Mafia II was portrayed as a deep, character-driven drama that would take full advantage of PhysX to add depth and realism to the game. With the game out and available, we sat down to investigate how PhysX enhances Mafia II; our review of the game is on page three. The term APEX is also used when discussing PhysX in Mafia II, often in ways that don't explain the difference between the two. NVIDIA describes the difference as follows: "Rather than providing a low-level API that requires a programmer
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Mafia II: PhysX Tested, HotHardware Reviewed
Prior to its launch, Mafia II was portrayed as a deep, character-driven drama that would take full advantage of PhysX to add depth and realism to the game. With the game out and available, we sat down to investigate how PhysX enhances Mafia II and while we were at it we reviewed the game as well...
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AMD: Customers Demand More Cores
Quick, which would you rather have, higher clockspeeds or more CPU cores? The correct answer, of course, is a both, which is what separates enthusiasts who roll their own rigs from the civilians who buy their PCs at Best Buy with a Geek Squad set-up plan. But as power users, we're not so blinded by technology that we fail to realize software development has a long way to go to catch up with today's multi-core hardware. Partly for this reason, when AMD launched its 12-core AMD Opteron (you may know it as "Magny Cours") there was some internal uncertainty as to how it would be received. Not anymore."In looking through sales data for the first half of 2010, 12-core processors clearly outsold their 8-core counterparts -- by a wide margin," AMD's John Fruehe said. "I was expecting that there would be a slight bias towards the 12-core, but I figured there were plenty of applications where the extra clockspeed of an 8-core might be popular. Apparently, I was wrong, customers are voting with their budgets, and cores matter."
AMD's 12-core chips consist of two of these 6-core Istanbul parts
The way Fruehe sees it, as much as AMD would like to take credit for this phenomenon, the trend towards 12-core chips is really "just an indicator that the business world is hungry for more cores." And forget about bragging rights, in the business world, having more cores comes in handy for more than posting on your favorite forum the highest synthetic score you can achieve.
"Many customers have told me that they have a rule of 'one VM per core,' so with 12-core processors, their consolidation can get even denser," Fruehe explains. "With 24 cores in a 2P server, there are plenty of resources to allow all of the VMs to have plenty of access to compute power whenever they need it."
Other areas Fruehe sees 12-core processors becoming a popular option is in large databases and high performance computing, like Switzerland's new Cray XE6 supercomputer. This awesome system uses AMD 8- and 12-core chips to crunch through 12.2 to 20.2 teraflops per system cabinent.
"So, when it comes to core counts, our customers are sending a pretty clear signal us: Cores Matter. That message is very good to hear because next year will see 16 total cores in our Bulldozer-based products," Fruehe said.
What do you think is the current core-count 'sweet spot'? Are you looking forward to having more cores on the desktop, or is the hardware getting too far ahead of the software?
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Michael Dell Teases 7" Tablet at Oracle Event
Dell on Wednesday teased its second Android-powered tablet, and when we say tease we mean it. Aside from CEO Michael Dell announcing the 7" Android-powered tablet during his keynote address at Oracle Open World in San Francisco, there was nothing else detailed about the tablet. Â It's unclear, for example, which version of Android the device will get.There were no dates, pricing, or even specs or a name for the device noted. On the other hand, Dell added that the company's first tablet, the 5" Streak (shown) will be available at Best Buy next month.
The Dell Streak runs Android 1.5, though it is expected to get Android 2.2 (Froyo) in the coming months. The device is also a phone, unlike the nearly twice-bigger iPad and the upcoming 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab, which will appear on all four major U.S. wireless carriers. The Streak costs $549.99 without a contract, or $299.99 on a two-year contract from AT&T.
Credit: Reuters
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How to improve your console skills.
I was searching the internet and i found this little device.
Not sure how many of you know about this device, max shooter, but for those who dont, it's a cable adapter for the xbox 360 so you can use your trusty keyboard and mouse. Some might think using this is considered cheating, but what the people you're pwning dont know..... keeps you from being kicked.
If you are willing to pay 70 bucks then you can become "good" at fps games.
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Dell Introduces Inspiron One 23" All-In-One PC And Zino HD Media PC
It's not too early to realize that the holidays are upon us, and Dell is preparing for them by introducing two new PCs under $800 today that look to be great candidates for replacing your aging bedroom or apartment rig. The Inspiron One is a new 23" touch panel-based all-in-one PC, while the revised Zino HD makes a good nettop even better.
Starting with the One, this one is equipped with a 23" LED-backlit LCD touch screen, an optional quad-core CPU (Athlon II X4) and options for a Mobility Radeon HD 5450 GPU, a Blu-ray drive, and up to 1TB of storage space. The standard model ships with Wi-Fi, a webcam, DVD drive and HDMI port, but the main highlight seems to be the Dell Stage user interface. This is a new piece of embedded software that helps users find their favorite applications via touch. Things like “Touch Instruments,†“You Paint,†“Sticky Notes†and “Touch Cam" are included. It tends to focus on media (sorting photos and videos, for example), but it has the potential to be upgraded over time with even more functionality.
The Zino HD is now more powerful and more HD friendly, with Dell calling the AMD-powered machine a "mini powerhouse entertainment PC." It has a quad-core Phenom II CPU, up to 1TB of HDD space, optional 7.1 THX audio, an optional Blu-ray Disc combo drive, VGA and HDMI outputs, optional 1GB discrete graphics card, integrated networking / media card reader and a wireless keyboard and IR remote if you'd like. It ships in either black or three optional lid colors, and it's available starting today for $299 and up.
Dell Redefines Home Entertainment with New Inspiron Family
•   Inspiron One all-in-one desktop takes center stage keeping families organized and in touch with expansive full HD display
•   Inspiron Zino HD delivers Dell’s best home theater capability in its smallest design Â
ROUND ROCK, Texas, Sept. 23, 2010 – Delivering on its promise to offer the best in next-generation entertainment, Dell has added to its award-winning Inspiron family a new Inspiron all-in-one desktop and a new Inspiron Zino HD offering the best home-theater capabilities in its class.
At the center of the new lineup is the Inspiron One, with features that set it apart from other all-in-one PCs including: a full HD 23-inch LED-backlit LCD; an optional quad-core processor that zips through web surfing, movie watching, family photo album creation, video chats and more. It has a host of audio/visual inputs that instantly transform the PC into a TV, perfect for student dorm rooms and family settings. And it also offers a new Dell-designed intuitive user interface called Stage, which delivers one-touch access to favorite content, like music, photos and videos, and applications.
Rounding out the refreshed Inspiron desktop family is the Inspiron Zino HD, the next-generation version of the award-winning system that sports a powerhouse entertainment experience in a compact design. The Inspiron Zino HD connects easily to big-screen high-definition TVs for an amazing family entertainment experience. With an optional remote control and wireless keyboard, viewers can surf the Internet from their living room couch, watch Blu-Ray DVDs or browse their music and photo libraries – all on the big screen. And its compact 8-inch-by-8-inch footprint fits unobtrusively anywhere.
Both the Inspiron One all-in-one and the Zino HD offer Dell’s hallmark fashion-forward, stylish designs and make perfect gifts for the upcoming holiday season.
Inspiron One: The All-In-One One-For-All
The Inspiron One is a sleek desktop featuring a full high-definition (1080p) widescreen color display, along with built-in Wi-Fi, webcam, DVD drive and HDMI interface for connecting to TV tuners, cable- and satellite boxes and gaming consoles. The available remote control makes it easy to stream video, watch high-definition TV or play video games on the computer’s big screen.
The space-saving design fits perfectly in tight places, whether it’s in a corner in the kitchen or on a desk in the home office, and even features a unique storage space under the display for the keyboard when not in use. The Energy Star 5-compliant Inspiron One is also environmentally friendly; its mercury–free WLED backlit display uses less power, while part of its external case is made from recycled plastics. Â
Dell Stage: The Perfect Keep-In-Touch Interface
To make using the Inspiron One even more fun and productive, Dell has created a special user interface called Stage, which lets families and students quickly access their favorite content as well as a collection of creative applications, including “Touch Instruments,†“You Paint,†“Sticky Notes†and “Touch Cam.â€
Dell Stage presents instant access to collections of music, photos, videos, games and other applications. For instance:
•   Touching the MusicStage tile reveals an individual’s personal music collection.
•   The VideoStage organizes personal videos and downloaded TV shows and movies and gives people the ability to purchase or rent content directly from partners like CinemaNow in the United States.
•   The PhotoStage includes integrated social networking capabilities through Facebook and Flickr so people can upload their latest photos or views pictures of their friends.
Inspiron Zino HD: Powerhouse Entertainment
The Inspiron Zino HD is a mini powerhouse entertainment PC, delivering awe-inspiring video and audio performance and is the perfect companion for High-Definition TV screens and home-theater setups. The Zino HD offers up to an AMD quad-core Phenom II processor that delivers an immersive high definition entertainment and gaming experience combined with optional 1GB discrete graphics; built-in networking and media card reader that provides instant access to digital images and videos; VGA and HDMI connections for displays and TVs; available THX 7.1 surround sound; optional Blu-ray Disc combo drive, and up to 1TB of hard disk storage.
With the available wireless keyboard and IR remote control, families can direct their TV viewing or Web surfing experience from across the room.
The Inspiron Zino HD looks great in standard black, but can be personalized with three optional lid colors. And like the Inspiron One, the Zino HD is simple and easy to set up.
Quote:
“The PC is at the hub of the family experience, and the new Inspiron One and Zino HD demonstrate how we are rapidly redefining the role of the desktop in the home,†said Michael Tatelman, Dell vice president and general manager, Dell consumer sales and marketing. “The innovative all-in-one and ultra small desktops fit anywhere in the home and deliver the unrivaled entertainment that families and students have told us they want.â€
Pricing & Availability Â
The Inspiron One is available this weekend exclusively in select retail outlets, starting at $799. Additional configurations will be available on Dell.com later this year. The Inspiron Zino HD is available immediately on www.dell.com starting at $299 and select configurations will be available in select retail outlets this weekend. For a complete list of technical features, please visit www.dell.com/inspiron.
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Video Cards for Sale: XFX 5670 512Mb x2 / Sapphire 4890 1Gb
XFX 5670 512Mb - $80 + shipping each - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150467
Sapphire 4890 1Gb - $175 + shipping - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830&cm_re=Sapphire_4890-_-14-102-830-_-Product
XFX 5670's were briefly tested and then uninstalled while the 4890 has been in use without incident for the last year.
Let me know if you're interested in any of the items before I resort to ebaying everything. Can provide pictures.
Thanks,
Peter Hanneman
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NVIDIA Announces CUDA x86 But Omits Launch Date
At the GPU Technology Conference today, the CEO of NVIDIA, Jen-Hsun Huang, unveiled a new CUDA initiative, dubbed CUDA-x86. As the name implies, the new framework will allow developers to write CUDA code natively for x86. Don't confuse this announcement with the PhysX issues we discussed last month—when we spoke to NVIDIA back then we were told that certain legacy performance issues would be addressed in the next major version of the PhysX SDK. Porting CUDA to x86 is a smart move for NVIDIA given Intel's own intentions towards the high performance computing (HPC) market. One of the core advantages of Intel's hardware will be the fact that it's based on the ubiquitous x86 standard—something NVIDIA can't claim with regard to CUDA. As huge as Intel is, NVIDIA is not without advantages of its own. CUDA is only 3.5 years old, but the GPU designer has been talking about flexible, programmable GPUs ever since the G80 launched five years ago. NVIDIA's advantage isn't just that it was first to market, but that it's spent years (and a great deal of money) developing CUDA and working with developers.
Coming soon, to a processor undoubtedly newer than this one.
Porting CUDA to x86 allows anyone whose curious about the framework to run and examine code whether they own an NVIDIA GPU or not. It also improves Team Green's ability to face off with Intel or even AMD. Both of these companies are touting OpenCL, but again, NVIDIA's OpenCL implementation is considered one of the best. Any high-performance part that Intel launches looks as though it'll have a tough upward fight on its hands. We've no word on when the tools will be available; the heavy lifting is being handled by the Portland Group, which is owned by STMicro.Â
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Kinect Developer Declares PC FPS Gamers A Dying Breed
In a recent interview, Kinect creator Kudo Tsunoda shared his thoughts on Microsoft's new gaming platform and the future of gaming in general. when asked how Kinect would be integrated into future titles he described the rise of FPS shooters for consoles, then drops this bombshell. "Halo did an awesome job of building a first-person shooter exclusively for the console, and now hardly anyone plays first person shooters on the PC anymore. It’s all about the console." This is precisely the sort of statement that normally causes PC gamers to rally round the flagpole, declare their undying devotion to PC/FPS gaming, and tell stories about how even the newest titles still control like a 500 lb porker in a mud wallow. As fans of PC gaming, we're sympathetic to such arguments, but the unfortunate truth is, Tsunoda has a point. PC game sales are tiny compared to console titles and the old argument that digital downloads represent an unmeasured quantity that puts PC gaming back on the map compared to the XBox 360, PS3, and even Wii has been proven inaccurate.
Up until now, analyst groups have avoided measuring digital downloads as a part of game sales, but NPD has just issued numbers for PC game sales (retail and digital) for the first six months of 2010. According to the group's report, 8.2 million PC games were sold retail from Jan - June 2010, while 11.2 million copies were sold online. Digital downloads really were masking PC game sales that should have been accounted for, but the news still isn't very good—revenue in the first half of the year is down 21 percent, while unit volume fell 14 percent after counting digital downloads.
Just because we don't like them doesn't mean they aren't true.
One major finding from this latest report is that the 'big got bigger' in the first half of 2010, with both Steam and Bigfish capturing a bigger share of full-game PC games digital download sales than they did last year," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group. "The overall decline of PC games when combining sales via both digital downloads and physical retail sales is impacted by the expansion of social network gaming as well as the continued expansion of free game options."
It's not time to sound the death knell of PC FPS games, but if you check sales numbers for 2010 releases like Battlefield: Bad Company 2 or Aliens vs Predator, the difference is stark. In BF:BC2, the XBox 360 and PS3 outsold the PC version by a ratio of 8:1 and 6:1 respectively. PC gaming may not die, but it's time to admit that the category has lost its position as industry leader. Even graphic engine updates have been delayed; the sources we've spoken with at ATI/NVIDIA and various gaming studios have all admitted that since consoles represent the bulk of sales and are only DX9 capable, the incentive to invest in DX10/DX11 support is very low.Â
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IE9 Beta Scorches to 2 Million Downloads in 48 Hours
Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser still claims the lion's share of the browser market, but let's be honest here, it's been so long since IE led the pack in terms of features and performance that Microsoft has forgotten what it's like for users to be genuinely excited about a browser release that doesn't belong to Mozilla, Google, or any of the other competition. Hence the feeling of euphoria emanating from Redmond over the initial interest in Internet Explorer 9 Beta."The initial reaction has been pretty overwhelming, and we are very humbled by the response our customers have had," Microsoft announced in a blog post. "In the first two days, over 2 million people worldwide downloaded IE9 Beta. By comparison, when Internet Explorer 8 Beta launched in August 2008, we had 1.3 million downloads over the first five days."
In case Microsoft is having trouble figuring out why exactly that is, we'll tell them. It's because unlike IE8 and versions before it, Internet Explorer for the first time in a very long time is breaking new ground rather than simply trying to catch up with the other guys' browsers. The big feature here is hardware acceleration, and if you want it, IE9 Beta
"All in all, we are encouraged about the very early response to the IE9 release this past week, namely because it signals that the emphasis on making websites shine through Windows is resonating," Microsoft added.
It also signals what can happen when you don't rest on your laurels -- as was the case with IE6, which wasn't replaced by IE7 until five years after its release -- and take the browser game seriously.
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New AMD Rig
Just built a new amd rig for my dad and felt like showing it off (Still geting hardware for it and need to improve cable management).
Specs:
Case: Thermaltake V9 Black Edition
Cpu : AMD Phenom II X6 1090T
Motherboard: ASUS M4A87TD EVO (Not sure why he bought this one)
PSU: OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W
Ram: Adata DDR3 1600g (4x2gb)
Videocard: Xfx 5750
HardDrive: 1tb western digital
Wonder what you guys think of it so for
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Motorola Droid X Gets Froyo Update
The Samsung Captivate isn't the only phone that's getting an update. The highly anticipated Froyo (Android 2.2) update is now making its way on to Motorola Droid X smartphones. The latest update provides all of the features you've come to expect with Android 2.2 including Flash support, Bluetooth voice dialing, better screen rotation, and an updated 3G mobile hotspot application. You'll also get a handful of bug fixes and other small improvements that are said to improve the handset's performance.The update will be delivered over the air and should arrive on your handset in the next few days. Once your phone has received the update, you'll see a notification that lets you know it's available. If you're too impatient to wait, you can manually force an update by pressing Menu and opening the Settings menu. From here, select About phone and then choose System Updates.
For users who installed the leaked Android 2.2 ROM, you'll need to roll the handset back to the stock Android 2.1 (Éclair) release in order to receive the official update.
- Improved Web browsing with pre-installed Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 for Android.™
- Easily switch between the eight most recent applications.
- Enhanced browser performance for faster loading of JavaScript heavy pages.
- A screen that works for you and your apps.
- With Android 2.2, you can rotate your screen 270 degrees—either to the left or to the right when moving from portrait to landscape mode—to work with apps in more directions.
- Automatic app updates.
- Always have the latest versions of the applications you’ve downloaded with automatically updated Android Market™ apps. And you can choose to store applications in your device’s memory or on a storage card for more capacity.
- Take advantage of the preloaded VZ Navigator® application.
- Get visual and audible directions to a destination, locate businesses and other places in an area, get a map of a location, bookmark favorites and recent searches, and even share locations with others.
- Overall improvements for Google Maps performance on the Droid X.
- Improved connectivity to Exchange server and Exchange ActiveSync® email notifications.
- Easily edit MMS messages after attaching video files.
- Manage message history from Contact application.
- Transition from Wi-Fi and 3G without losing data connection.
- Improved 3G Mobile Hotspot application.
- Visual Voice Mail updates include simplified setup, improved notifications, and updated display features.
- Easily listen to voice mail via Bluetooth® when using the Visual Voice Mail application.
- Manage contacts with updated Backup Assistant.
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Depressed? Technology Will Make You Happier, Researchers Find
British researchers say that access to technology, particularly devices that serve up the Internet, significantly improve a person's sense of well being. And if you are a woman, that goes double for you.What I love about this report is that it flies in the face of conventional wisdom. It debunks the stereotype of the lonely person surfing the Web, playing video games or chatting on social networks as a sad substitute for real human connection.
Researchers write, "Where IT is mentioned in relation to well-being it is often negative, with a stream of media reports suggesting it causes isolation, or even contributes to the problems of childhood obesity ... but is this really true?" Nope. Technology offers an "information dividend" that "helps to empower people and thus gives them a sense of freedom and being in control," they conclude.
Another myth-busting finding of the report was this: women got the biggest happiness boost from access to technology, particularly those in developing nations, although British women loved the Internet, too. As one woman said, the main benefit of IT is "being in touch with people. I am on my own quite a lot with two young children, it’s [an Apple iPhone] either in my jeans pocket or by the side of my bed. It’s an important part of my life."
For men, life satisfaction increased as usage increased. The more time a man spent with his technology, the happier he said he was.
Interestingly, folks said that access to technology most improved the satisfaction with their family life, but it least improved satisfaction with their jobs. Clearly e-mail, Facebook, Skype can help a modern far flung family feel connected. An e-mail string or video chat with your boss doesn't give people the same warm fuzzy feeling.
Since E-mail remains the task that most folks love, it's also the thing they would miss most if technology access was taken from them. but social network sites, chatting, shopping and online games would all be missed by a significant number of people. The newer you are to the Internet, the more likely you are to name social networking as important as e-mail
So there it is. A joystick really can make you happier.
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Leica Introduces 10MP D-Lux 5 Compact Camera
It's camera week in Germany with the Photokina trade show ongoing, and Leica is obviously a big player in the scheme of things. The company is best known for their professional models and their rangefinders, but the new D-Lux 5 is a new entrant into the compact market. It's modeled after Panasonic's LX5, but thanks to the Leica heritage, it will obviously be far more expensive.It's a small, sleek, compact little guy, totally black and super elite. It includes a 10MP sensor, 3" LCD and support for 720p movie recording. It supposedly has a super fast processing engine, and it ships with a LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON 5.1 - 19.2mm f/2 - 3.3 ASPH zoom lens. There's also plenty of manual controls, but the auto functions can control the optical image stabilization, contrast compensation and automatic scene mode.
It will go on sale next month for £630, which is far, far higher than the LX5. But it's a Leica, after all!
Leica announces the LEICA D-LUX 5: Versatile compact camera with full creative control for the discerning photographer
Photokina, Cologne, 21 September 2010: Leica Camera AG has announced the LEICA D-LUX 5 – a high-performance compact digital camera with full creative control.
Successor to the acclaimed D-LUX 4, the LEICA D-LUX 5 offers a faster LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON 5.1 - 19.2mm f/2 - 3.3 ASPH. lens with an extended range of focal lengths equivalent to 24 to 90mm in 35mm format. Together with its comprehensive range of features and manual settings, the versatile LEICA D-LUX 5 offers a broader spectrum of photographic options – from macro and wide-angle architecture and landscape photography to reportage and portrait photography. The camera's 1,280 x 720 pixel HD video function in memory-saving AVCHD-Lite format, and a full range of optional accessories, open up a world of photographic opportunities for the discerning photographer.
Peter Kruschewski, product manager for Digital Compact Cameras at Leica Camera AG, said, "Thanks to its ultra-fast image processing, simple handling and compact form, the LEICA D-LUX 5 is a truly unique compact camera with system character. It offers users endless opportunities for creative photography and allows photographers to capture the most spontaneous, fleeting moments as unforgettable pictures."
The LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON 5.1 - 19.2mm f/2 - 3.3 ASPH. zoom lens offers an extremely practical range of focal lengths. In addition, its exceptionally fast maximum aperture makes it an ideal camera for 'available light' photography. Whether in difficult lighting conditions, or for conscious manipulation of depth of field, the LEICA D-LUX 5 is the perfect camera for capturing truly distinctive images.
Featuring a particularly large CCD for a compact camera, the D-Lux 5's 1/1.63" sensor is finely tuned to produce the highest quality images from the LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON 5.1 - 19.2 mm f/2 - 3.3 ASPH. lens. Combined with the camera's electronics and firmware, it guarantees brilliant high-contrast images with natural colour rendition and superb sharpness. Also contributing to its exceptional image quality, the D-LUX 5's pixels are considerably larger than that of other compacts.
The D-LUX 5 delivers images in 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 formats as well as 1:1, a particularly interesting format for creative composition, in both capture and review mode. The camera's 3" LCD monitor has a wide viewing angle and a resolution of 460,000 pixels, displaying images in superb detail, and allowing photographers to assess images precisely both during composition and after capture.
The LEICA D-LUX 5 is characterised by clear lines and a stylish, uncomplicated design in an elegant black matt finish. Its formal simplicity, clear and intuitive controls, and a focus on essential features, are typical of all Leica cameras.
Users can enter manual settings quickly and easily using the D-LUX 5's innovative 'clickwheel' located at the back of the camera. It also offers numerous automatic functions for effortless photography that guarantee the user perfectly exposed and sharp images by simply pressing the shutter release. The camera's automatic functions control the O.I.S. image stabiliser, automatic ISO selection, face recognition, automatic contrast compensation and automatic scene mode. The 1280 x 720 pixel HD video function is started simply by pressing a button on the top of the camera.
Software and accessories
The LEICA D-LUX 5 is supplied with the Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 3, professional image processing software that allows photographers to 'develop' RAW image files from the CCD, to obtain the highest image quality and maintain complete control over the development process applied to their images.
A full range of optional accessories is available for the D-LUX 5, including a LEICA EVF1 electronic viewfinder, which is particularly useful when shooting under extreme lighting conditions. Mounted on the accessory shoe, it enables 'Live-View', allowing the photographer to view the subject through the lens and assess the precise composition of an image. The LEICA CF 22 flash unit provides photographers with additional options for flash exposure and fill-in flash, while a handgrip helps to ensure steady and safe handling of the camera. A choice of optional bags and cases is also available, ranging from an elegant leather case with shoulder strap, a stylish, soft leather pouch, and an ever-ready camera case with a grip and a viewfinder case attached to the carrying strap.
Pricing and availability
The LEICA D-LUX 5 will be available in the UK from October 2010 from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised UK Leica dealers is available at www.leica-camera.co.uk. The suggested retail price of the LEICA D-LUX 5 is £630 including VAT. Accessories are priced as follows (SRP including VAT):
Leica D-Lux 5 EVF1 electronic viewfinder - £270
Leica D-Lux 5 ever-ready case - £135
Leica D-Lux 5 brown leather case - £90
Leica D-Lux 5 soft leather pouch - £62
Leica D-Lux 5 handgrip - £62
Leica CF 22 flash unit - £225
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VIZIO Goes Small With 7" Edge Lit Razor LED Portable TV
When you think VIZIO, you probably think of low-cost televisions at big box retailers. And that is exactly what has made VIZIO one of the fastest growing company's in America. But the newest TV from the company is pretty far from being a "big screen TV." In fact, it's a tiny screen TV. The company's new 7" Edge Lit Razor LED Portable TV is the company's first mini TV, offering an 800x480 resolution.The company says it's perfect for tailgating or hanging on the beach, anywhere that it's difficult to take a full-size TV. It also ships with a portable tuner stick that catches free-to-air ATSC or NTSC broadcast signals without subscription required, and it's just 1" deep. The folding antenna clips down to travel, and the kickstand means that no one will get stuck holding it for the group. It also doubles as a photo frame when you aren't using it as a TV, and there's even an internal battery with a 3.5 hour battery life.
The VMB070 is only 8.2†x 5.75†x .75†(7†class size) and weighs just 1 lb., and it's available now in Walmart stores for $159.99. Not bad for a portable screen, but we definitely wish there was a USB port for laptop use.
VIZIO’s new 7†Edge Lit Razor LED™ Portable delivers digital picture quality to personal TV experience
-- Edge Lit Razor LED™ backlighting for brilliant color and contrast with an 800x480 widescreen high resolution panel - twice the picture quality of conventional analog portable TV’s -- ideal for tailgating, anywhere around the house and even away from home
- Receives free-to-air ATSC or NTSC broadcast signals without subscription required
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-- Edge Lit Razor LED TV is less than 1†deep, with integrated folding antenna and kickstand as well as a sleek design with touch sensitive TV controls
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-- Doubles as a digital photo frame for perfect bedside, desktop, side table companion
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IRVINE, CA - - September 21, 2010--- VIZIO, America’s HDTV and Consumer Electronics Company, announced today nationwide availability of their 7†Edge Lit Razor LED™ LCD Portable TV. By expanding VIZIO TVs to portable models it enables consumers to enjoy TV and entertainment from almost anywhere. With an 800x480 widescreen high resolution Razor LED panel, an integrated antenna, and a sleek design of less than 1†thick, consumers now have the perfect entertainment for tailgating, around the house, or away from home —anyplace you want to catch your favorite broadcast or pictures with a brilliant, LED high-resolution picture.
The Edge Lit Razor LED LCD Portable TV launch is the first terrestrial handheld sized TV to include an LED panel, delivering a brighter picture, more vibrant images, high resolution, better contrast, richer colors and a slimmer design. With a built-in fold-away antenna, touch sensitive TV controls, superior battery life of up to 3.5 hours, it doubles as a LED digital picture frame and provides the ultimate portable TV experience to enjoy TV on the go.
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“People want to take entertainment on the go, and there is no reason to sacrifice a quality picture in order to do so,†stated VIZIO Co-founder and V.P. Laynie Newsome. “We have been able to add back the fun in watching TV and given it a great picture too. I know how popular it is going to be first-hand - I had to fight my family for it again this morning.â€
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VIZIO VMB070 7†Edge Lit Razor LED™ LCD Portable TV
VIZIO’s 7†Edge Lit Razor LED™ LCD Portable TV packs a lot of technology into a sleek, 1†thin frame, including a built-in fold-away antenna and Dolby Digital sound. With up to 3.5 hours of battery life, it’s perfect for backyard barbeques, tailgating parties, or in the bleachers at the game—anyplace you need a brilliant, high-resolution picture. Watch your favorite cable programs in the kitchen, then hook up to a game console in the living room for some action! It also doubles as a digital photo frame—just connect a USB drive to share photos with family and friends.
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The VMB070 is only 8.2†x 5.75†x .75†(7†class size) and weighs just 1 lb. It is now available at select Walmart stores or at VIZIO.com with an MSRP of $159.99.Â
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NVIDIA Exposes GPU Roadmap: Kepler Arrives 2011, Maxwell in 2013
Thanks to yesterday's announcement, we know that NVIDIA will be pushing out Tegra chips annually, or at least that's the plan at this point, but what about GPUs? Like the title says, the next big thing coming down the pipeline according the NVIDIA's CEO Jen-Hsun Huang will come along sometime next year, and it's codenamed Kepler. Kepler will be manufactured using a 28nm process technology and provide users up to four times the double-precision floating point performance per watt of NVIDIA's current-generation Fermi GPU architecture, which is the foundation of the GeForce 400 series.
Stay tuned to HotHardware for more news from NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference as it breaks.
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