IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (Tech Report) 6/9/2012

Next-gen NAND demoed in SandForce SSDs
Computex — Solid-state drives with next-generation NAND are on the way, and some of them will undoubtedly feature SandForce's SF-2000 controllers. While visiting SandForce's suite at Computex, we caught our first glimpse of SSDs equipped with the latest flash memory from Intel, Micron, and Toshiba.

Metro-flavored Chrome coming to Windows 8
Folks using the Windows 8 Release Preview will soon have another browser to try out: Chrome, the "dev channel" release of which is about to gain Metro support. Google's Carlos Pizano teased the upcoming pre-release rollout with an early screenshot:

Fractal Design's Node enclosures ripe for the living room
Computex — We first met with Fractal Design at last year's Computex trade show, so it was only fitting that we visited the company again this year. It's a good thing we did, because Fractal has a new line of Node cases that look very slick.

EVGA's hot-clocked GTX 680 features massive blower
Computex — Graphics cards based on Nvidia's GeForce GTX 680 are all over Computex. Every graphics card maker we've visited has had at least one on display, and the GPU supply picture is apparently improving. While visiting EVGA's suite this morning, we came across a rather unique offering designed for overclockers.

Intel's 4-inch Next Unit of Computing to cost $400
Computex — Intel's got next... The Next Unit of Computing, that is. While making our way through the madness at the Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan, we stopped by Intel's booth to check out the company's new small-form-factor PC. The 4" x 4" NUC is truly tiny, and it really needs to be seen to be appreciated. Here's the diminutive system and motherboard posed next to an iPhone for reference.

PC gaming was everywhere at E3 2012
While we were busy covering Computex over in Taiwan earlier this week, a whole other trade show was going on in Los Angeles: E3 2012. There, most of the big gaming studios and publishers gathered to show their new and upcoming titles—and naturally, console games got royal treatment.
According to Rock, Paper, Shotgun, though, PC gaming had a huge presence at the show ...
Read more...

Goodbye, Google+
I asked Google to delete my Google+ account the other day.
I did it without second thoughts, without regrets, after using the service for barely a year. Well, not really using the service. I was one of the first to join Google+ during the invite-only phase last ...
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Apple patent covers wedge-shaped laptops
PC makers have been shamelessly ripping off Apple for years, and ultrabooks are the latest and starkest example. Could Apple throw its weight around and force ultrabook makers to make machines less reminiscent of the MacBook Air? Maybe so, if the Mac maker's latest patent is any indication.
The Verge spotted the patent and offers some interesting analysis. It says the dashed lines in the patent's technical drawings are meant to be ignored, but the ...
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Rosewill illuminates mechanical keyboard lineup
Computex — Mechanical keyboards are all the rage these days, and Rosewill's RK-9000 series seems to be pretty popular. While at the Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan, we saw several new versions on display. The most intriguing is the RK-9100, which adds a couple of USB ports and LED backlighting to the mix. Although all the keys are backlit, users can choose to have only the WASD and directional triangles illuminated. The backlight brightness is adjustable, and the lighting can be turned off completely.

Antec prepping new versions of P280 chassis
Computex — You're probably familiar with Antec's P280 chassis. We gave the case a TR Recommended award when we reviewed it earlier this year. While visiting Antec at the Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan, we got a sneak peek at a couple of new versions of the case due out this fall. Although both cases were mockups, they gave us an idea of what to expect.

MSI's Win8 tablet hides slide-out keyboard
Computex — Windows 8 tablets are everywhere at the Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan, this week. We've had our hands on a few so far, and MSI's Slider S20 offered a surprise: a keyboard that slides out from behind the screen.

AMD: Windows tablets to hold 20% market share by 2017
Later this year, the first Windows 8-powered tablets will come out, and Microsoft will finally have a true alternative to the iPad and Android-powered devices. Judging by what AMD CEO Rory Read told Fox Business in a recent interview, though, it may take a while for Windows 8 tablets to put a dent in Google's and Apple's market shares. Read said he expects Windows-powered devices to have "a 20% share of the global tablet market" in five years.
That would be up from 2-3% today, Read says. Of course, today's Windows tablets run Windows ...
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IHS iSuppli: Hard drive prices won't return to normal till 2014
Global supply of mechanical hard drives will recover from last year's Thai flooding in the third quarter, but prices aren't expected to return to their former levels until 2014, according to the latest report by IHS iSuppli. The market research firm says consolidation in the industry, not shortages, will be to blame for keeping prices high:
Because of the floods in Thailand and ensuing component shortages, IHS iSuppli says average hard drive prices soared from $51 in the third quarter ...
Read more...

Thursday Shortbread
Eight is Enough

AppleInsider: New part numbers reveal Apple to refresh most of Mac lineup at WWDC
SemiAccurate: AMD delays desktop Trinity one quarter
X-bit labs: G.Skill demonstrates "largest and fastest" memory solutions
Engadget's ViewSonic VP3280-LED 31.5" 4K monitor prototype hands-on (video)
Joystiq: Skyrim's Dawnguard DLC 'tentatively' scheduled for June 26
The Elder Scrolls Online teaser trailer and gameplay video from E3 2012
Max Payne 3 PC: New patch for commonly reported issues
Geek.com: Steam for Linux will launch in 2012

Available Tags:Windows 8 , Chrome , Windows , GTX , gaming , Google+ , Apple , keyboard , tablet , Market Share ,

Saturday, June 9, 2012

IT News Head Lines (Tech Report) 6/9/2012

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