I'm not happy at all with the speed of the wireless networks in my area. All of the major wireless carriers in the country offer 3G here in my city, but the connections are all very slow. The 3G connections here are patchy at best and offer speeds more like dial up than the blazing fast broadband connections some parts of the country have. While I still wait for better 3G coverage, many places are already getting 4G coverage.
Clear has announced today that the latest area to get 4G WiMax coverage with its new 4G network is Los Angeles. The faster network launches in the LA area just in time for Cyber Monday and the fast speed will make for blazing fast online shopping and will be a great gift that any geek would be happy to get on Christmas Day.
Clear's 4G network is about 3x as fast as your typical 3G connection. Clear now covers about 11 million people in LA and Orange County. Clear is also offering a big sale on the Clear Spot 4G connection device. Shoppers can pick one up today for $20 with that price good online only until midnight today. Buyers will also get 50% off their first two months of service.
"It is only fitting that on Cyber Monday, the busiest online shopping day of the year, consumers can now access their favorite retail websites while on-the-go," said Allan Lamb, regional general manager for CLEAR. "Today consumers can get a jump on their holiday shopping while out and about the city, whether at a park or commuting on the bus. We're excited to offer mobile internet that's both affordable and without data limits."
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Asus Eee note EA-800 set to launch this week in Taiwan
Asus has more products on the market today that you can shake a stick at. The company got its start long ago but for most of us here in the US the Asus brand only became familiar when the netbook craze took off. Asus is always adding new gear to its line of offerings and has a new Eee Note EA-800 device that will land in Taiwan this week. The device is designed to let users take notes using a tablet style device.
The tablet has a price that works out to $230. It has some very nice features as well with an integrated camera and mic that will let you record notes and take pics. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can listen privately to things you record or music. The screen of the tablet is 8-inches, it has a resolution of 1024 x 768, and the battery promises 13.5 hours of continuous use.
The only downside to the device for folks looking for a cheap tablet alternative is that its screen is monochrome. The operating system for the device is Linux. The same Eee Note tablet will hit other countries ultimately winding up in the US in Q1 2011. I'm not sure about this deice, it's not far off in price from other tablets on the market right now with more capability.
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Download of the Day: UltraVNC 1.0.9.4
Our Download of the Day today is UltraVNC 1.0.9.4.
UltraVNC is a powerful, easy to use and free software that can display the screen of another computer (via internet or network) on your own screen. The program allows you to use your mouse and keyboard to control the other PC remotely. It means that you can work on a remote computer, as if you were sitting in front of it, right from your current location. If you provide computer support, you can quickly access your customer's computers from anywhere in the world and resolve helpdesk issues remotely! With addons like SingleClick your customers don't even have to pre-install software or execute complex procedures to get remote helpdesk support.
Key features: File transfer, Video driver, Optional Encryption Plugins, MS Logon, Text chat, Viewer Toolbar, Java Viewer with File Transfer , as well as Auto scaling and Server Side Scaling, Multiple-Monitors-support,Repeater/Proxy-support, Auto reconnection, good performances and tons of other functionalities.
The latest version includes the following changes:
Changes in Version 1.0.9.4
- Server optimized, faster.
- bug fix rfb3.7 server and noauth
- move to zlib 125 with asm
- cad now use sas.dll from ms instead of cad.exe ( Vista)
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Deal of the Day: 55" Westinghouse VR-5585DFZ 1080p 120hz LCD HDTV for $799.99!
Our Deal of the Day today is the Best Buy - 55" Westinghouse VR-5585DFZ 1080p 120hz LCD HDTV for $799.99!.
Offer: $799.99 with FREE shipping gets you this 55" Westinghouse 120hz LCD HDTV with 1080p resolution, 1400:1 contrast, 5ms response, a 1 year warranty, and a piano black bezel.
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Sony goes for a bunch of touchscreen patents - one of them hints at the new PSP
Sony have gone for a bunch of patent applications this week - all of them describing a single device with an interesting touchscreen interface. Obviously from the picture provided and no further detailed information, only guess work is at play.
The applications suggest sliders, clamshells and slates. The inventors of these devices have a touchpad that is separate from the main screen - possibly on the back of the device as it's rumored on the PSP2.
The patent seems to point to the screen trying to manipulate multiple objects on screen, there's also talk of being able to enhance or transform the UI to respond differently to various forms of input with all signs pointing toward a pinch-to-zoom style of use.
Lastly, Sony is looking to close off a section of the screen dedicated to certain commands such as 'paste' and there's also a patent for a 'prediction engine' that would would seem to change the onscreen layout based on your past behavior.
Looks like there's something to be excited about from Sony!
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A peak at Acer's dual 14-inch touchscreen notebook
Ever felt like the need for a dual-screen laptop? Well, Engadget have had a sneak peak at some new Acer hardware - as they announced a range of new devices at a New York press conference last week, the message they were putting across? Keyboards are out, Kenny Powers is in (and by Kenny Powers, I mean touchscreen keyboards instead of the physical keys).
Acer announced a range of tablets, with most of them Android-powered. Sizes of the tablets ranged from five to ten-inches each. Acer's Iconia laptop is the gem here - ditching the usual keyboard on a laptop for a 14-inch touchscreen which matches the main display. This is not something Acer are releasing and forgetting about, Acer has hinted this might be a change for them and it will be a first in a series of products that will unravel over the next few years.
Obviously this has been tried before but with the iPad and various other tablets and smartphones upgrading over themselves every few months, it's only a sign of things to come. A full touchscreen keyboard sounds weird, but people who had used it said that after a few minutes of changing the orientation of where their fingers pressed on the touchscreen, that it started to feel normal.
A stack more to read at the source - unfortunately Kenny Powers is not there.
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RumorTT: New Skype video chat for Facebook rumors
The rumors for Skype & Facebook are happening again with a snippet of Facebook code as pictured below:
Tal Alter, who develops Facebook apps discovered the code dubbed VideoChat while digging around during development of his own app. He said that the code "appears to have everything needed to introduce video chatting functionality”.
Need more proof? There's portions that mention Skype directly, which Tal believes indicates future integration with Skype's address books or going a bit further and using your Skype ID to chat with Facebook users.
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AMOLED shortage will turn into surplus in 2011
Samsung's Super AMOLED panels are being placed in countless smart phones right now, but a shortage of them is stopping them from being thrown in even more phones, this will soon change.
Samsung Mobile Display factories are planning to bring another production facility online, while competitors in Korea, Taiwan and Singapore are increasing their production on AMOLED facilities also. China in the meantime is working on it's own OLED supply chain too.
2011 is set to become a big year for the AMOLED displays - this is only a good thing for consumers and enthusiasts alike.
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Apple MacBook Pro refresh to be a complete redesign?
Itching for a new laptop? Well, Apple are looking to refresh the MacBook Pro line early next year and instead of a simple upgrade in specs we could see a complete redesign like the latest MacBook Air received.
The new MacBook Pro is poised to move into SSD territory by offering up to 512GB of Solid State storage, the removal of the optical drive and it might include Light-Peak which will make it a first-ever debut into the market giving Apple the exclusive.
The last few upgrades of the MacBook Pro line have just been slight tweaks - nothing the really push the line to the top of the market. But these changes could see a very big change in the way the MBP is perceived. The removal of the optical drive is a bold move, but with the age of Network Attached Storage and large HDD's or external storage - there's not much to worry about, if you still use an optical drive, I'm sure an external device will be optional.
Intel's LightPeak technology is one of the most exciting rumors for the new Apple MBP. It can transfer at speeds up to 10Gbps up and down - this is a massive leap on top of what we currently have in the market. Apple and Intel have reportedly been working together to develop the technology - which is why it's rumored to be an exclusive to Apple at first.
Intel has been saying that Light Peak could be transferring at speeds of up to 100GB/sec within the next 10 years - can you wait, because I can't!
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NVIDIA caught with their pants down in IQ tests?
It's getting to be quite a kerfuffle lately... these IQ stories, it was only days ago people were accusing AMD of IQ tampering and now it seems NVIDIA has been messing with their own IQ, but it seems a bit sneakier.
KitGuru has a lengthy article based on it - where HAWX is tested and when AA is used the IQ is lowered - giving an improvement in performance by 8%.
With the GTX460 doing so well and the 580 being a great GPU - it would be disappointing for NVIDIA to finally get back on their foot (not feet, they're not out of the woods yet) to have this stop them.
Check the source for the long read - it's quite interesting.
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GIGABYTE P67A-UD7 (Intel P67 Express) Motherboard Preview
Introduction
Intel and AMD have been on the opposite sides of the CPU world for more than 20 years. Going all the way back to the days of the 2x86 when AMD had a license to make the Intel based CPU, we have seen these two companies play a game of cat and mouse in terms of CPU technology (if not performance).
Lately the challenge has been to find an efficient way to mate a powerful CPU with a powerful GPU. AMD calls this Fusion while Intel calls this Sandy Bridge. Sandy Bridge represents an evolutionary change to Intel’s CPUs. With it we find even higher-end CPUs with a built in GPU. The new silicon requires a new socket and of course a new chipset. This is the P/H/Q 67(5) Chipset. As the date nears for the release of Intel’s new CPU, we are starting to see the influx of motherboards built around the new P6x chipset. Interestingly, GIGABYTE was the first out of the gate with early “preview” samples. We have had a few days to take a deep look at the new P67A-UD7 and to see how it is put together.
Unfortunately, we cannot give you any performance numbers, but we can tell you about how it is built and also what you will get with it when you pick it up.
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Intel Core i7 CPU Scaling with HD 6850 in Crossfire
Introduction
In our video card benchmarks we run a $1,000 980X at 4.2GHz and while we understand that itÂ’s not a CPU most people use, thereÂ’s a logical reason behind it. When we benchmark cards we want to make sure that we donÂ’t hit a CPU limitation and limit the maximum performance of a possible setup.
So, to make sure that doesnÂ’t happen, we overclock our CPU as much as possible. Today, though, weÂ’re going to mix it up a bit. Instead of testing different video cards, weÂ’ll be looking at our 980X at a number of different speeds.
WeÂ’ve recently tested the HD 6850 in Crossfire and loved the performance it offers. What we love more, though, is the price. If youÂ’re paying out $400 for a video card setup the chances are youÂ’re not putting over double that on the CPU, which is something we completely understand.
So what weÂ’ve done today is grabbed our 980X, disabled a couple of cores and started testing performance at a number of different speeds. Sure, more CPU is better; but how much better? - What kind of CPU should you be buying for a setup like the HD 6850 in Crossfire?
These are questions weÂ’re going to answer today. LetÂ’s have a closer look at our testbed and what exactly weÂ’ve done before we get into the actual performance and see the CPU scaling effect on our video cards today.
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Lian Li PC-V352 B HTPC Chassis
Introduction
I am a huge fan of leaving my case on my desktop for easy access to all the innards, but every once in a while I really ponder moving to a much smaller rig for my day to day use. With the advances in m-ITX motherboards for low power HTPC usage alongside the advances in m-ATX and the ability to overclock even on a tiny motherboard, something like one of these paired with letÂ’s say a GTX 460, and I could have the best of everything and still be able to game pretty well. Now the question comes to mind, what case do I house it all in?
Lian Li has stepped up to the plate and offers a HTPC chassis that keeps in tune with much of what we expect to see from them. All Aluminum construction, choices of red, silver, or the black you are about to see, along with some really cool innovations, this chassis design packs quite a bit into a really small footprint. Inside you will still find all the typical features of a Lian Li built chassis; it is the outside that is where most of the magic happens.
I am speaking of the Lian Li PC-V352 chassis. This cube, SFF, HTPC, or whatever you want to refer to it as, offers innovative design twists and optional features such as which side of the chassis to use for the optical bays and I/O connectivity. No matter if the chassis sits to the right or left of you, the chassis can be adjusted to fit your needs. The chassis is listed as an HTPC chassis, but the lack of front access to the drives makes it better used on the desktop.
Enough with my preconceptions of the chassis and more on what you should expect to see! - LetÂ’s get a look at the specifications and you can see for yourself what Lian Li has in store for you with the PC-V352.
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Back to the Future Part III (1989) Blu-ray Movie Review
After the 4 year break between the first and second Back to the Future films, the 7 month long wait for the last must have seemed like a breeze.
With the McFly family timeline safe and Hill Valley returned to its original serenity, all is still not well, with Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) trapped in the year 1885. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) must one more time make a trip to a time long since past.
My personal favourite of the trilogy, Back to the Future Part III is a much lighter entry in the series (especially compared to Back to the Future Part II and much closer in tone to the first film. Part III tackles the Wild West setting with far more whimsy than other more cinematic takes, but underlines the series sense of fun, and ends on a high note.
And itÂ’s a good thing that it did, with a story arc that made sense and knew when it was time to finish. Long after the time frame of Back to the Future Part II becomes an eventuation, the quality of the film artistically and technically will hold it in good stead, and will always be a classic of the science fiction genre. IÂ’m glad that the series has been immortalised well on Blu-ray disc.
Video
Back to the Future Part III is presented in a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with AVC MPEG-4 compression (unlike the other two films which use VC-1).
Back to the Future Part III features arguably the best transfer of the three films, despite it also having a few flaws. The main problem again is digital noise reduction (DNR) which at a few times during the course of the film becomes a little obvious. ItÂ’s a bit of a shame because otherwise this is a pretty good transfer.
ItÂ’s reasonably sharp most of the time, with good colour balance and tonal qualities. Occasionally skin tones seem a bit overly saturated, but this could be a bit of an artistic decision. I strongly suspect that for the most part, this is the best job that could be done with the films other than giving them the full Lowry digital scrub.
Overall, a pretty fine transfer despite some minor flaws.
Audio
The main audio track is encoded in lossless DTS HD Master Audio 5.1, at 24 bits.
It seems that once more UniversalÂ’s mixers have gone back to the drawing board and fleshed out the previous audio restoration with an even more involving track. As all three films feature a divergent setting, audio mixers have different arenas and different effects to use, and these scrub up pretty well.
The films climax features a pretty stunning audio accompaniment which utilises the surround channels extensively. As with the other films, issues are few and far between, and the only qualms I would have are with some slightly dated fidelity which cannot be helped, save for re-recording all the audio.
Bass usage is generally rather high, and is used to support many of the more dramatic sequences and music, including the climactic train sequence.
For the last time, the score is provided again by Alan Silvestri and is flourished with the memorable audio cues and theme song that we all know and love.
Again, I highly doubt the work done here will ever be bettered. Realistically I think weÂ’ll see the whole series remade before that happens.
Extras
The Blu-ray debut of Back to the Future Part III rounds up the vast majority of extra features from previous DVD releases, and includes a few new ones. Many of the extra features follow the same format as established by the first and second Blu-ray, so letÂ’s jump in.
First up is the final filmmakerÂ’s commentary provided by producer Bob Gale and co-producer Neil Canton. The comments here are just as good as for the previous two films, even if there is still quite a bit of overlap between the featurettes weÂ’ll discuss later. The last Q and A commentary provided by Director Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale was recorded live after a showing of the movie with film students from USC. Due to editing, these donÂ’t quite extend the full length of the feature film, but impart a lot of useful detail.
Next up are the requisite Universal U-control features, in exactly the same manner as for the previous two discs. Three tracks are provided for all three movies; one Picture in Picture storyboard track which compares the storyboards to the finished film, a Set-ups and Pay-offs which alerts less eagle eyed viewers into some of the subtle and not so subtle moments in the film which may be important later on, and finally a Trivia Track; I always enjoy text based trivia tracks and this was no exception, although I did have issue with the rather small font even on a large display.
The newly produced Tales from the Future documentary equates to around two hours of content, but itÂ’s cut up into small sections and divided over the three discs. The thirdBack to the Future disc features the final sections Third Times the Charm which looks at the story arc of the final film and The Test of Time which discusses how 25 years on the trilogy holds an important social and historic standing. Back to the Future: The Ride features the entirety of footage that was part of the now defunct theme park attraction at Universal Studios in Orlando, California and is a nice bit of history.
Only one Deleted Scene is featured, but its deletion is particularly apt since it would have brought the whole tone of the film down.
Next up are a few smaller featurettes which are hangovers from previous DVD releases; Making the Trilogy: Chapter Three covers similar ground to the new documentary and is now fairly superfluous. The Making of Back to the Future Part III is the original electronic press kit and fairly quaint by todays marketing standards. The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy is a Kirk Cameron (remember him?) hosted TV special which aired at the same time Back to the Future Part III was released to cinemas.
A few odds and ends are rounded up in the final section, including the debatable quality of the ZZ Top Double Back Music video, some mildly comical outtakes, two smaller featurettes on Designing the town of Hill Valley and Designing the Campaign which takes a closer look at the marketing of the film, and a random collection of Storyboards, Behind the scenes photos and Marketing materials.
Finally, we have the original Theatrical Teaser Trailer in very basic, standard definition quality.
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AssassinÂ’s Creed Brotherhood Xbox 360 Review
A little over twelve months ago Ubisoft did the almost impossible. With Modern Warfare 2 breathing down everyoneÂ’s necks, many decided to delay their games into 2010. Ubisoft decided to take Modern Warfare 2 head on with Assassins Creed 2 and it paid off. In terms of quality, AC2 was up there with the best and in many ways had taught Rockstar a thing or two about building open world gameplay. The most amazing thing about this game is that it is twelve months later and is just as good, if not better than Assassins Creed 2.
Brotherhood puts you into the shoes of Ezio once again. Picking up at the exact moment last years game ended, Ezio returns to his Villa to celebrate his victory and enjoy peace in the nation of Italy. However, Ezio is soon confronted by the Borgia, an Italian family who is taking over every city in Italy with violence, especially Rome. Ezio returns to Rome and has to establish an empire to rid Italy of Borgia and return peace to the region.
Although you play again as Ezio, a lot less of a focus is put on that character this time around. Instead, at some point in the game you are asked to recruit and train a team of assassins who will assist Ezio in his tasks. This gives you a lot of flexibility in the way that you approach missions. You can choose to perform a task and kill an enemy yourself, or call in a friend to help you out. Over time your assassin crew levels up and becomes better and more proficient at what they do. There are still times where Ezio has to do it all himself so they do not dramatically make the game easier.
The mission structure and flow of gameplay is very much that of AC2, which is not a surprise. The open world gameplay returns and you can choose to take the missions on in any order that you wish when they are available. Ezio can also upgrade his weaponry throughout the various shops in the city. Those who have played AC2 will feel right at home and we will strongly argue that if you have not finished AC2, that you should not play this game yet. Some, if not all of it won't make sense to those gamers.
While AC2 took place in a number of cities, the main focus of Brotherhood is Rome. This is not a bad thing as the city is in a word, epic. It is quite possibly the biggest city in an open world game in history. To run from one side of the city to the other takes around ten minutes of real time and thankfully the developers have realised that this would get old fast. Throughout the game you will unlock tunnels to allow for fast travel between areas of Rome, but until those are unlocked it can be a hard slog.
The other interesting fact about Rome is that the entire city is unlocked from Ezio's arrival. No silly reasons for bridges being down or blocked off areas. That said, certain areas of the city really are a no go zone for Ezio unless you want to take on some very tough Borgia guards. If you defeat a Borgia captain and burn down a Borgia tower close by, the Borgia influence on that area of the city is removed and Ezio can move freely through that part of town. You take out many of these as part of the storyline, but there are more and this is just one of the additions to the game mechanics.
You can also have another influence on Rome and that is to renovate buildings. Throughout the story you will be asked to renovate buildings in the city, much like what you did in the Villa during the previous game.
This increases your income over time and allows you to gain currency while doing other missions. The architecture changes are also reflected in the city and over time you will notice a much bigger and better looking Rome.
However, the biggest addition for Brotherhood is most definitely the multiplayer. In many ways gamers have been skeptics about being able to build a challenging, useful multiplayer for such a single player dominated game. However, somehow Ubisoft has pulled it off. You get dropped in the world that the single player game takes place in and are tasked with taking out targets. Like in the main game, you track down your target and try to eliminate them without arousing suspicion. This really is one of the more refreshing multiplayer takes in a long time and is almost enough to justify the purchase of the game alone.
Visually the game has not changed much, but considering how stunning it was last year, this is not a problem. The character models are still very authentic to the time period in which the game is set, and it is one of the most pretty open world games around. As mentioned before, Rome looks spectacular and over time you put your own touch to it. The voice acting is still extremely well done as is the soundtrack, and for those who value authenticity you can still set all voices to be spoken in Italian with English subtitles.
When Brotherhood was announced we were some of the people saying that it sounds like a cash-in and probably won't do much for the series. We are very happy to admit we are wrong and are surprised just how well this game has been put together so quickly. If you enjoyed Ezio's adventures last year then there is no reason why you shouldn't pick up Brotherhood. The changes that Ubisoft has made to the game are enough to not call it an expansion pack, and the multiplayer adds an important factor to a now massive franchise.
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EA Sports Active 2 Xbox 360 Kinect Review
As I sit here in a pile of sweat after doing a 27 minute workout in EAs new Active 2, I find myself trying to find any excuse not to get up and shower for the simple reason that itÂ’s just too difficult at the moment. So what IÂ’ve instead chosen to do is write this review on it.
Active 2 was the game that had my attention from the second I saw it. Wii Fit as a fitness game was stupid. I would’ve been better off dancing to Olivia Newton Johns ‘Let’s Get Physical’. Active 2, though, gave me the impression of what Kinect could really be suited to. Sure, it’s great having exercise machines you can buy off the TV for $99.99 that can fold under your bed, but what motivates you to pull it out from under your bed the next day?
Wii Fit was the same kind of thing. With no real goal being set, what was the motivation to get up and try and do something? Self-motivation you say? Yeah, well, thatÂ’s not enough for most people; plus you didnÂ’t come off Wii Fit feeling like youÂ’d really done any exercise.
Active 2 brings everything you want together; the ease of working out in your own home, the benefit of doing it when youÂ’re able to, and the social networking experience of the Active 2 website to help keep you motivated.
Firing up Active 2, you get a bit of an introduction on what itÂ’s about and then youÂ’re told how to set up the included heart rate monitor. On the topic of the heart rate monitor which comes bundled inside, weÂ’ve also got a resistance band which is to be used with certain exercises.
This is the first feeling you get that Active 2 is a bit more serious than the competition. With the heart rate monitor setup and your account logged and character designed in, itÂ’s here you now select the kind of workout you want. Realistically, weÂ’ve got six options broken down into two sections; one a three week program and the other a nine week. Both have three options inside, consisting of easy, medium or hard.
IÂ’ve opted for the 3 week 20 days Cardio workout on Hard, which offered more reps and more intensive exercises. IÂ’m not sure why I picked Hard over Easy or Medium; IÂ’m hardly going to run a marathon and to be honest, walking to the fridge is hard enough. IÂ’m a man, though, and thatÂ’s what men do I suppose. I also chose the male trainer because he sounded tougher; the female one sounded a bit airy fairy with her yoga and I wanted to feel the burn.
With your workout program selected you then select the days you want to work out. For the program weÂ’re prompted with four workout days and three rest ones. I tried to select more, but it was a no go. Originally it was set up as Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday being my rest days, but since it was Wednesday when I started playing it, I made Monday my third rest day instead.
Once all thatÂ’s done itÂ’s finally time to get into the first workout and while I initially found myself frustrated with the amount of time it took to setup, when I began to complete the exercises I started wishing the setup time took longer.
Initially we start off with some stretches to loosen the body up. I just came off playing some Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, though, and thought I didnÂ’t really need this; my thumbs are in perfect working order! That aside, I proceeded to wave my arms around and gyrate my hips so that I was ready for my work out session.
Across the 26 activities youÂ’re doing everything from squats to jumps to kicks, and more. At the beginning of each exercise thereÂ’s a quick tutorial video; most of the time itÂ’s not really needed as the exercise is fairly easy to grasp. I donÂ’t need someone to tell me how to squat, but as the exercises went on, these made for great breaks!
With your heart rate monitor on and your warm ups completed, you begin to really get into some exercises. I once watched a movie called White Men CanÂ’t Jump;. I think I have to send a copy to EA, because jumping back and forth 30 odd times is killer on the body and while I can jump, IÂ’m pretty sure my body wasnÂ’t designed to.
The thing is, as I start to do these exercises, I start to feel the workout in my body, be it my thighs from squats or my whole body from running around the circuit with my trainer. The sweat starts to run down your face and you see your heart rate go up as the intensity is lifted. Initially I found myself a little sceptical of the heart rate monitor, probably a bit like the Wii Fit board, but as my heart rate rose from 95 BPM (Zone 1 Smart Start Zone) to 155 BPM (Zone 4 Performance Plus) I knew it was working, because IÂ’m sure I was on the brink of death.
On the topic of Zones; thereÂ’s five, and the higher level zone youÂ’re in, the more of a workout youÂ’re getting, and of course the more calories youÂ’re burning. And while I only just jumped into Zone 5 here and there, youÂ’re never in it for long as the intensity at this level is so high that it can generally only be held for a few seconds.
Once youÂ’ve progressed through a majority of your exercises you come to the end and you begin to warm down. ThereÂ’s no tracking here and instead youÂ’re just following what the trainer is doing. You feel a real accomplishment after completing your first workout and those achievements show up.
As good as all this is, though, the thing that makes EA Active 2 something that will last is the EA Active website. EA has brought us this kind of social networking experience. What the EA Active website does is essentially open you up to thousands of Gym buddies that can help keep you get motivated via workout groups. Here you can also track calories burned, time spent working out, check when youÂ’re supposed to be working out next and more.
EA Actives website is the Gym without the intimidation, without the guys lifting 200lbs weights and women with bikini bodies. You donÂ’t have to show your face, weight, size and height. You can just show your calories burnt and how much youÂ’re working out; the things that matter.
Active 2 isnÂ’t really a game, but it makes working out fun. Outside of typical stuff like doing squats, you can kick soccer balls which work your leg muscles or ride a mountain bike which consists of you holding squats, jumping and running on the spot. You can play your own music as loud as you want; you can sit down for five minutes and know that youÂ’re not being judged. EA Active 2 is all about you, and you getting healthy.
EA has set the benchmark for what a fitness game should be, and with Downloadable Content being shown in the main menu and the fact itÂ’s EA who tries to milk as much money out of DLC as anyone, thereÂ’s going to be more workouts that you can download, helping keep everything fresh.
Active 2 is fantastic and I think for anyone who is really interested in doing something about their weight or fitness, itÂ’s a must buy at $99.99. Available on Wii and PlayStation 3, with the PlayStation 3 version touted as being completely wireless, but not the Wii one, you have to wonder how well they will work.
For PS3 users it seems that along with the heart rate monitor two other sensors need to be used; one on the thigh and one on the other arm; and for Wii users, footage shows the same sensors and the Wiimote being used. ThereÂ’s no denying that for the most effective workout, the 360 version with Kinect is going to be your best option, because youÂ’re going to be up and running quicker.
Active 2 is not without its flaws. Like other Kinect games the detection of you can be a little stupid at times and for some reason I kept pausing mid-way through some exercises, but thereÂ’s no doubt weÂ’ll see these minor bugs sorted as time goes on.
Active 2 does what no console or computer has ever really done before, and that is make you feel the burn when “gaming”. This is a serious “game” that is going to have real benefits. If you want to pay $99.99 and try and cheat your way through workouts some way, that’s fine, but you’re only cheating yourself. If you really want to continue to live a healthy life or start to live one, Active 2 is a fantastic first step. Combined with some nutrition know how, you’ll be feeling fantastic in no time.
Keep an eye out in the coming months for another look at Active 2 to see just how itÂ’s looking as we work more with it and discover upcoming DLC.
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A-Data Also Announces S101 Compact and Afforable USB Flash Drive
A-Data Also Announces S101 Compact and Afforable USB Flash Drive
ADATA Technology, after listening attentively to the voice of the market, ADATA has launched a new product in its Superior series of flash drives, the S101. Produced under advanced COB (Chip On Board) manufacturing processes, the S101 is a compact and delicate technological jewel. High quality black leather exterior with a unique and comfortable toothed texture allows you to manifest your personal sense of elegance, at a price the stays true to your sense of moderation.
Advanced Manufacturing Process
This new addition to the superior series has a smaller profile due to the COB manufacturing used. With a length of only 3.3 cm, and width of 1.6 cm, the S101 is more compact than traditional USB flash drives, and as small and exquisite as a Bluetooth headset.
Minimum Size, Total Satisfaction
The design of the S101 eliminates unnecessary design elements, resulting in a simple look with a sleek, curved exterior that matches the handy sliding connector function. The one piece strap hole provides easy portability, significantly reducing the risk of loss.
Economical Choice in Elegant Technology
The S101 flash drive has a fine-grade black leather surface, with a bright ADATA logo emblazoned on the glossy side plate. It showcases your desire for quality tech paraphernalia, at a price that is lower than the industry standard.
ADATA pays attention to the voice of consumers, providing subtly elegant design and quality at an affordable price. Now everyone can enjoy trendiness and a touch of extravagance without breaking the bank.
Users can also take full advantage of ADATAÂ’s free-download value-add software, including UFDtoGO, OStoGO and the latest Norton Internet Security 2010 (60-day trial) to enhance both mobility and security of their ADATA USB flash drives with just few easy mouse clicks away. S101 is backed by lifetime product warranty.
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ADATA Releases Ultra-Compact Micro Memory Card Reader
ADATA Releases Ultra-Compact Micro Memory Card Reader
ADATA Technology, the worldwide leader in DRAM modules and flash memory products, today released its latest Micro Memory Card Reader, the microReader version III, an ultra-compact and stylish solution for easy and convenient data transfers between mobile phones and PCs via High-Speed USB 2.0 interface.
For users of digital devices who are constantly on the go, moving and sharing personal files from memory-enabled phones to other devices can be a hassle when there is no USB cable on hand. Weighing just 3 grams, and the size of a small coin, the new ADATA microReader is one of the smallest card readers available on the market, with incredible portability that provides the freedom of data transfers any time, any place. Due to its ultra-compact size, the microReader can be plugged into the USB slot of a notebook PC at all times, without blocking the neighboring slots or getting in the way when the computer is stowed in a bag.
Unlike most conventional memory card readers, which have unfriendly card retrieval designs, the microReader features a patented one-push card-ejector that makes any data transfer a fast and pleasant experience. Available in elegant black and passionate red colors, the microReader features a stylish LED indicator that shines brightly when the device is in use.
To further facilitate a better user experience, the microReader is also available in a kit bundling with corresponding ADATA microSD/microSDHC memory cards. By combining the two together, the versatile microReader instantly converts itself into an ultra-compact USB drive that allows users to share their music, video, photos and more with great ease.
Users can also take full advantage of ADATAÂ’s free-download value-added software, including UFDtoGO, OStoGO and the latest Norton Internet Security 2011 (60-day trial) to enhance both mobility and security of their ADATA products with just few easy mouse clicks.
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Cyber Monday Marks Launch of CLEAR 4G in Los Angeles
Cyber Monday Marks Launch of CLEAR 4G in Los Angeles
Consumers and Businesses Now Have Access to Unlimited Mobile Internet Service - Four Times Faster than 3G
• 4G Network Covers More than 11 Million People in Los Angeles
• San Francisco Bay Area Confirmed to Launch CLEAR 4G on December 28
• Dual-mode 4G/3G Modems Keep Customers Connected Throughout the Region
LOS ANGELES, Nov 29, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR), a leading provider of wireless broadband services and operator of the first 4G network in the country, today announced the availability of CLEAR(R) 4G, take-it-with-you internet service for businesses and consumers in Los Angeles. With CLEAR, anyone can now use the internet at speeds four times faster than 3G* - whether at home, in the office, or on-the-go within CLEAR coverage.
In Los Angeles and Orange County, CLEAR covers more than 11 million people. Regionally, service extends from West Hills (east of Burbank) to Irvine and back up to Ontario, including most of the LA metro area. A detailed coverage map of CLEAR 4G service is available at www.clear.com/coverage.
"It is only fitting that on Cyber Monday, the busiest online shopping day of the year, consumers can now access their favorite retail websites while on-the-go," said Allan Lamb, regional general manager for CLEAR. "Today consumers can get a jump on their holiday shopping while out and about the city, whether at a park or commuting on the bus. We're excited to offer mobile internet that's both affordable and without data limits."
As part of Cyber Monday, customers signing up for a new two year contract (or existing customers that renew a two year contract) by Midnight EST on November 29 can purchase a Clear Spot 4G for $20 (an 80% discount from the standard purchase price). Also for a limited time, new customers can take advantage of CLEAR's online-only mobile internet promotion to receive a 50% discount on their service plan for the first two months, with overnight shipping included and no activation fee. These promotions are available at www.clear.com/los-angeles.
A CLEAR Difference
The CLEAR experience is similar to Wi-Fi but without the short-range limitations. CLEAR uses wireless 4G technology that differs from Wi-Fi because it provides service areas measured in miles, not feet. CLEAR also offers average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 mbps with bursts over 10 mbps.* Outside the CLEAR 4G service area, dual-mode 4G/3G modems keep users continually connected by leveraging Sprint's 3G data network.
With CLEAR, people stay better connected and more productive. For example:
• A travelling business executive no longer needs to seek out Wi-Fi hotspots or be constrained by the speeds and limitations of 3G modem cards;
• A college student can now have affordable internet service whether at home, on campus or on-the-go;
• A commuter can now work on large files or stream their favorite shows while riding the bus or train;
• A busy parent can now keep kids occupied studying or playing games in the back of the family minivan.
Unlike service plans from traditional wireless carriers which cap data usage, CLEAR offers unlimited 4G usage plans that do not require long-term service contracts. In most markets unlimited 4G coverage from CLEAR starts at $35 for the home while unlimited mobile plans start as low as $45. Bundled service plans such as Home and Voice start at $50 per month.
Simply Plug-In and Go
Clearwire offers several ways to connect to CLEAR 4G service - via a modem, mobile device, or a 4G-embedded laptop or netbook.
Clear Spots(R): Clear Spots are personal mobile hotspots that allow users to easily and securely share unlimited internet access anywhere CLEAR has coverage simultaneously with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The Clear Spot 4G brings 4G to Wi-Fi devices such as laptops, smartphones, and portable gaming devices. The Clear Spot 4G+ allows power users and road warriors to stay connected across the U.S. by automatically switching from 4G and connecting to Sprint's 3G nationwide network outside the 4G coverage area. The iSpotTM is made exclusively for Apple mobile devices** including the iPadTM, iPod touch(R) and iPhone(R). The Clear Spot 4G and iSpot each cost $99 or the Clear Spot 4G can be leased for $5 a month. The Clear Spot 4G+ costs $225 or can be leased for $9 per month. Clear Spots can be purchased at www.clear.com/spot.
Clear 4G+ Mobile USB: Mobile users simply plug-in the compact Clear 4G+ Mobile USB into their laptop to get online. This dual-mode 4G/3G modem gives users access to the 4G network in the CLEAR coverage area and to 3G coverage nationwide. The Clear 4G+ Mobile USB costs $115 or can be leased monthly for $6.
Home Modems: For residential service, CLEAR offers a wireless high-speed modem. Customers simply plug the modem into a power outlet anywhere in their home or office and connect the modem to their PC or wireless router. This enables consumers and businesses to easily install high-speed internet service without scheduling an appointment, drilling holes in their walls, or otherwise disrupting their day. The Clear Home Modem can be purchased for $85 or leased for $5 monthly.
Embedded 4G WiMAX Laptops: Customers can also select from more than 45 different 4G WiMAX-ready laptops and netbooks with Intel(R) CoreTM or AtomTM processors and the embedded Intel(R) wireless module Advanced-N + WiMAX from leading manufacturers including Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba, Samsung, Gateway, and Asus. All of these operate on CLEAR, and more than 20 of these 4G WiMAX-ready laptops are now available at Best Buy stores and at www.bestbuy.com.
CLEAR 4G products and services, as well as kiosk and dealer locations, are available by going online at www.clear.com/los-angeles or calling 1-877-499-6681. CLEAR service is also available from Best Buy, RadioShack, Micro Center and Fry's Electronics.
Clearwire's 4G Network in 2010
CLEAR 4G service is currently available in 68 markets across the United States, including: Sacramento, Merced, Visalia, Los Angeles, Modesto and Stockton, Calif.; New Haven and Hartford, Conn.; central Washington, D.C.; Wilmington, Del.; Miami, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Fla.; Atlanta and Milledgeville, Ga.; Honolulu and Maui, Hawaii; Boise, Idaho; Chicago, Ill.; Boston, Mass.; Baltimore, Md.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo.; Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, N.C.; Trenton and New Brunswick, N.J.; New York, Syracuse and Rochester, N.Y.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, Ohio; Salem, Portland and Eugene, Ore.; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Reading, Lancaster and York, Pa.; Providence, R.I.; Nashville, Tenn.; Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Waco and Wichita Falls, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Richmond, Va.; Seattle, Tri-Cities, Yakima and Bellingham, Wash. By the end of 2010, CLEAR 4G will also be available in other major metropolitan areas such as Denver and the San Francisco Bay Area.
For more information about CLEAR, visit www.clear.com/los-angeles or The CLEAR Blog www.theclearblog.com. You can also follow CLEAR information on Twitter at @Clear. Information about Clearwire is available at http://www.clearwire.com. For press and broadcast: images, video and company logos are available from the Clearwire Newsroom at www.clearwire.com/newsroom. To subscribe to Clearwire's RSS news feed, click here.
About Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of wireless broadband services. Clearwire's 4G network currently provides coverage in areas of the U.S. where approximately 103 million people live, and the company plans to continue to expand its 4G coverage. Clearwire's open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility to deliver next generation broadband access. The company markets its 4G service through its own brand called CLEAR(R) as well as through its wholesale relationships with Sprint, Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire is headquartered in Kirkland, Wash. Additional information is available at http://www.clearwire.com.
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Elpida Begins Sample Shipments of Industry's Smallest 2-Gigabit DDR3 SDRAM
Elpida Begins Sample Shipments of Industry's Smallest 2-Gigabit DDR3 SDRAM
Elpida Memory, Inc., Japan's leading global supplier of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), today announced that it had begun sample shipments of its new 2-gigabit DDR3 SDRAM (product names: EDJ2116DEBG and EDJ2108DEBG) geared for use in consumer electrical appliances. The new SDRAM is the industry's smallest 2-gigabit DDR3 that supports an x16-bit I/O interface.
The new 2-gigabit DDR3 SDRAM is well suited to consumer electrical appliances. It meets the high-speed DDR3-1600 (1600Mbps) standard likely to become the mainstream memory speed standard in 2011, uses energy-efficient 1.35V for the DDR3L-1333 memory speed and is compliant with DDR3-Plus (seamless BL4 access) for upgrading the performance of consumer electrical appliances.
Compared with Elpida's existing x16-bit I/O products for use in consumer electrical appliances the new SDRAM uses 30% less current and its low 1.35V operating voltage increases its attractiveness as an eco-friendly DRAM.
Product Features:
• x16-bit/x8-bit I/O
• DDR3-1600 high-speed access
• 1.35V operation for DDR3L specification
• DDR3-Plus (seamless BL4 access)
• Data output buffer can be set to low output (RZQ/5)
Target applications:
• Digital TV, BD players, BD recorders, set top boxes and other consumer electrical appliances
• Tablet PCs
Following sample shipments mass production is expected to get underway in the first quarter of CY 2011.
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