IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 7/3/2013

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 7/3/2013

TweakTown

Windows Store passes 100,000 apps, took just eight months compared to the App Store's 1.5 years
It was not even a week ago that we reported that Microsoft were reaching the edge of 100,000 apps on their Windows Store, but they've announced through Twitter that they've now broken through this milestone.

windows_store_passes_100_000_apps_took_just_eight_months_compared_to_the_app_store_s_1_5_years

Microsoft don't have the most apps, or the best apps, but they got there the quickest - in just 8 months. Comparing them to Apple, who saw 18 months go past before the App Store got there, and Google's Play Store took over two years. But, the Windows Store is here to stay and with Windows 8.1 coming soon, Microsoft are putting themselves in a better position with each day that passes.

Paramount Australia engage Warp Drive on Star Trek Into Darkness Blu-ray release
Paramount Pictures Australia have given retailers a heads up to expect this year's Star Trek prequel/sequel Into Darkness to hit Australian Blu-ray and DVD shelves on September 18th.

paramount_australia_engage_warp_drive_on_star_trek_into_darkness_blu_ray_release

Whilst the disc specifications have yet to be released, look for the film to be released in three different packages, a standard Blu-ray/DVD double pack, a 3D and 2D Blu-ray double pack, along with a standard DVD release. Ben previously took a look at Into Darkess, the review of which can be found here.

paramount_australia_engage_warp_drive_on_star_trek_into_darkness_blu_ray_release

2013 has been a great time for Star Trek Blu-ray fans, with seasons two and three of Star Trek: The Next Generation, along with season one of Star Trek Enterprise. As previously announced, Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Four, will hit Blu-ray on July 24th and Star Trek Enterprise Season Two on August 21. Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Five is aiming for a November release, with the final two seasons forthcoming by mid-2014.
Thanks to Paramount, we may even be giving away some copies of Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season Four on Blu-ray... but more on that at a later date!

Skype for Android reaches version 4.0, has been 'rebuilt from the ground up'
Skype for Android has been updated today, a major release by the looks of things as we're hitting version 4.0 with a major redesign. Skype has passed 100 million downloads on Android, and has now been totally redesigned to look like other platforms' versions.

Skype 4.0 for Android includes a cleaner "conversation-first" UI, which shows the instant messaging part of Skype in a brighter light. It's no longer thrown to the side like previous versions of the app. You can now tab through different parts of the app, and change tabs using swipe gestures. Skype have said that underneath, it has been "rebuilt from the ground up" in order to be more reliable, and most of all, faster.

skype_for_android_reaches_version_4_0_has_been_rebuilt_from_the_ground_up

Google Glass updated, sees improved voice controls and full website viewing
Google have pushed out an update to their wearable device, Glass, which improves the experience for most people. Voice controls have been improved, which now handle the incoming and outgoing text messages, answering calls and sharing directly with your friends with voice-only commands.

google_glass_updated_sees_improved_voice_controls_and_full_website_viewing

Glass can now interact with your entire Google Contacts list, compared to the previous firmware which could only handle the previous ten favorite friends list. Google have also included full web page viewing from Google Search results in Glass. This means that after you make a search, you can tap on a "View website" screen to be taken to a full view of the page.
From here, you'll be able to scroll up and down with two fingers on the touch pad to the side of your Glass, or hold two fingers and move their head to pan around the page.

Microsoft adds a "Search By License" feature to Bing that lets users filter images by usage rights
Today, Microsoft announced that it has added a "Search by Rights" filter to its Bing search engine. This new feature will allow users to search images by use rights so users do not have to worry about copyright infringement when using them in blog posts, presentations, and other non fair use work.

microsoft_adds_a_search_by_license_feature_to_bing_that_lets_users_filter_images_by_usage_rights

Before this feature was implemented, when searching for an image, users had to individually cycle through the details of each photo to verify if there was any license information provided. Now the process as simple as clicking a drop-down and sorting by the license type attached to the photos.
In the image above, you can see that there are multiple options: All, public domain, free to share and use, free to share and use commercially, free to modify/share/use, and free to modify/share/use commercially. Microsoft says these choices should cover bloggers, teachers, students, publishers, and small business owners.
[Editors note: Google has had this ability for a while now]

Ex Apple CEO tells BlackBerry to forget hardware and focus on software
There are not many companies in Silicon Valley that would take advice from former Apple CEO John Scully. After all, he was responsible for almost killing what is now one of the largest companies in the world. The lack of people listening is not stopping him from offering up advice.

ex_apple_ceo_tells_blackberry_to_forget_hardware_and_focus_on_software

In an interview with Bloomberg, the former CEO said that BlackBerry is at the point where it can still turn around, but it must stop building hardware. Sculley said that BlackBerry can "come back if they drop hardware and focus on secure messaging," although he also cautioned that "the clock is running out" on the company.
At this point, I'm not sure if anything can save BlackBerry. Instead of taking the proven road and developing a smartphone around Android and incorporating their corporate and messaging features, the decision to go it alone and create their own operating system most likely will be their downfall.

Russian ISP giant Mail.ru drops Google in favor of it's own search engine
Russia's massive internet service provider Mail.ru has announced today that it will be dropping Google in favor of using its own proprietary search engine for all queries searched through its service. We first heard rumors that this may take place back in November of last year when Mail.ru suggested it would be canceling are Google contract.

russian_isp_giant_mail_ru_drops_google_in_favor_of_it_s_own_search_engine

Mail.ru is essentially the Google of Russia and operates a range of online services including 2 social networks, instant messaging services, online gaming properties, its own proprietary browser, and of course it's very own search engine. That search engine for the most part has been powered by other search engines in the past including Google and most recently fellow Russian search engine Yandex.
"It's remarkable that there are fewer countries with their own search engines today than those with their own space program," says Dmitry Grishin, Co-Founder and CEO of Mail.Ru Group. Mail.ru says that in the past few years it is expanded its search engine team from just 15 people to well over 200 while its index volume has doubled in size from 5,000,000,000 to 10,000,000,000 documents.

Live radio streaming app, iHeartRadio, arrives on Windows Phone 8
Until today, the most popular live radio streaming app was only available on iOS and Android devices, fortunately that ends today. Microsoft announced today that iHeartRadio has finally landed on Windows Phone 8 and is available for immediate download through its app store.

live_radio_streaming_app_iheartradio_arrives_on_windows_phone_8

For those unfamiliar with the app, iHeartRadio allows users to tune in to more than 1500 live radio stations across the United States. Additionally users can create commercial free, custom stations from a pool of more than 15 million songs and 400,000 artists.
To celebrate the launch the folks over at iHeartRadio are giving away a bunch of Nokia Lumia 920 smartphones, so check out Source #2 to find out how to win one for yourself. The new Windows Phone 8 app brings forth several other unique features which I have listed below.

Recommend stations - Find the soundtrack for studying, driving-even cleaning house.
Sleep Timer - Doze off to your favorite station.
Lock screen album art - Displays album art on the lock screen
Bookmarking - Pin favorite stations to your Start screen.
Universal search - Now you can search across the app.

RumorTT: Next-generation iPhone to support LTE Advanced if carrier is correct
Recently, mobile carrier company SK Telecom told the Korea Times that the next generation iPhone widely rumored to be named the iPhone 5S will support LTE Advanced. SK Telecom says that they approached Apple with the idea and that they are "in the middle of negotiations" as we speak.

rumortt_next_generation_iphone_to_support_lte_advanced_if_carrier_is_correct

The Korean Times says that Apple will probably use a QUALCOMM chip to support the standard instead of their own "A" series SoC. LTE Advanced is the next generation of the 4G LTE standard which could potentially double the download speeds available to the iPhone in supported areas. The technology works by spreading a single download over multiple radio channels. At the moment, only South Korea has an extensive LTE Advanced network in place.

Facebook for Windows Phone gets complete makeover, now features high-resolution photos, post sharing and more
In what seemed like a landslide of app announcements, Microsoft has chimed up and announced a major update to Facebook for Windows Phone. This new release brings a plethora of new features and improvements that Microsoft claims its users have been asking for for months.

facebook_for_windows_phone_gets_complete_makeover_now_features_high_resolution_photos_post_sharing_and_more

The user interface has been completely overhauled and is now skinned in a more Windows Phone-esque skin that Microsoft says improves navigation. Also implemented is support for high-resolution photos, post sharing, as well as Facebook Timeline view. This app overhaul is the direct result of the beta program Facebook and Microsoft implemented a while back. To check out the new and improved Facebook for Windows Phone App, head over to Source #2. To join the beta program so your feedback can be heard, Source #3 is your destination.

RumorTT: Microsoft poised to shut down Technet August 31
Since 1998, Microsoft has offered the highly praised TechNet subscription service to IT professionals and developers. For a nominal fee, professionals were given access to the entire catalog of Microsoft software which greatly aided in development and system administration. Today, Microsoft announced in a letter to its subscribers that it will retire its TechNet subscription service effective August 31, 2013, the date in which all current subscribers' contracts end.

rumortt_microsoft_poised_to_shut_down_technet_august_31st

The service was also used by PC enthusiasts worldwide as it offered a cheap way to get access to Microsoft software that otherwise cost thousands of dollars. This led to enthusiasts activating enterprise-level software and consumer-level operating systems and software that were normally meant for "evaluation use only." Unfortunately, this also led to a rise in piracy of Windows software. Pirates figured out that they could subscribe to TechNet and sell the keys along with ISO files downloaded from the site at prices that were always too good to be true.
Microsoft has repeatedly tried to tighten the clamp on piracy by cutting the available keys to TechNet subscribers back in 2010 and then doing the same thing two years later. Fortunately, Microsoft is not leaving its subscribers out in the rain as it will offer current subscribers the option to renew their subscription for one additional year after the shutdown in August. Check out source #2 below for the full announcement from Microsoft.
In the statement Microsoft said:

New subscriptions won't be accepted after August 31, 2013. Newly purchased subscriptions must be activated by September 30, 2013.

Current subscribers will still receive subscription benefits until their current contract ends. For most retail customers, subscribers are limited to a single year.

Existing subscriptions that expire on or before September 30, 2013 may be renewed for one year. Renewals may be purchased until August 31, 2013.

Subscribers with active Microsoft Certified Trainer accounts may continue to access their program benefits until March 31, 2014.

MVPs will continue to receive the option for a free Visual Studio Premium with MSDN subscription.

Redbox app comes to Windows Phone 8, lets you browse titles at a kiosk near you
This morning, Redbox announced that it has finally released its mobile app into the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem. The app appears to be identical to the Android and iOS version and will allow users to find the nearest Redbox kiosk via Bing maps.

redbox_app_comes_to_windows_phone_8_lets_you_browse_titles_at_a_kiosk_near_you

Redbox says that with the app you will be able to browse and reserve movies as well as games at any Redbox kiosk you choose, which is very similar to how Redbox online works. Additionally, users will be able to sort their searches by release date, genre, rating, and title, as well as watch trailers straight on their mobile device. The app is available now for download at Source #1 below.

iOS 7 has already been jailbroken thanks to Evasi0n Jailbreak
Late last year, the Evad3rs team released the Evasi0n Jailbreak tool and successfully jailbroke iOS6, and now it appears the tool is still paving the way for jailbreaking iOS 7 devices. This morning, a screenshot was posted by developer Ryan Petrich that suggests jailbreaking iOS 7 may not be as hard as once thought.

ios_7_has_already_been_jailbroken_thanks_to_evasi0n_jailbreak

The screenshot, which was posted on Twitter, shows a jailbroken iOS 7 beta running on an iPod touch 5. While jailbreaking a beta release is kind of pointless as it will most certainly be coded out in the end-user official release, this still paves the way for a truly jailbroken iOS 7.
As of this posting, there's no information on how the jailbreak was accomplished and that's a good thing. With Apple releasing several more beta editions between now and the fall, any information leaked on the jailbreaks could lead to future releases being patched and harder to jailbreak.

Don Mattrick, the head of Xbox for Microsoft, is leaving head up Zynga
Weeks upon weeks of bad publicity may have just taken their toll on one of Microsoft's top officers. This afternoon, reports are beginning to emerge that the man in charge of all things Xbox for Microsoft, Don Mattrick, is apparently leaving the company. AllThingsD is reporting that Mattrick will be headed to a top leadership role at Zynga, the once king of mobile gaming.

don_mattrick_the_head_of_xbox_for_microsoft_is_leaving_head_up_zynga

This move is quite sudden and unexpected as we have seen Mattrick push the Xbox One console harder than he ever did for the Xbox 360. Some industry insiders expect Mattrick's resignation to be the result of weeks of negative sentiment and massive backlash generated by the Xbox One's previous DRM policies.
During his time at Microsoft, Mattrick molded the Xbox 360 from being just a gaming console into an entire home entertainment system. He jockeyed for the integration of Netflix as well as dozens of other streaming services. Mattrick also headed up the development of the groundbreaking Kinect sensor, but also had to deal with massive overheating issues and inherent console flaws that caused irreversible damage.

Newegg.com launches new members-only "flash sale" site to offer more daily deals
Newegg.com announced today that it has launched a new members-only sale site that features daily bargains in a variety of product categories including consumer electronics, home electronics, jewelry, fashion, and much more. The new site, NeweggFlash.com will focus around so-called "flash sales" which are much like the existing Deal-of-the-Day sales that existing Newegg customers have grown to love.

newegg_com_launches_new_members_only_flash_sale_site_to_offer_more_daily_deals

Newegg says that through this new site quick online shoppers can now snap up a very wide an exciting range of popular consumer products at extremely low prices. Customers will have to be ready to move fast as the offers are designed to sell out fast with discounts of up to 75 percent. While the new site is members only, membership is free and only requires a quick and simple sign up.
Soren Mills, chief marketing officer at Newegg:

We're thrilled to launch NeweggFlash and join in on the flash sale phenomenon. Newegg is proud of the deep relationships we've built with our vendor partners over the years. It's these relationships that allow us to offer very compelling deals on NeweggFlash and give us an edge over competing flash sale sites.

Google wins appeal, Second Circuit Court orders judge to rule on fair use
Google has been battling the Authors Guild in a class-action lawsuit that was filed by the Guild when they sued Google to stop scanning world libraries way back in 2005. The battle has been hard-fought with a judge in 2011 allowing every registered author in America to sue Google as a collective whole, a decision which Google quickly filed an appeal to.

google_wins_appeal_second_circuit_court_orders_judge_to_rule_on_fair_use

A new ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned that decision and ordered the presiding judge Denny Chin to directly rule on whether Google's book scanning activities are considered fair use under the law or in violation of copyright law.
The process to determine whether the activities are fair use consists of a four-part test that will look at issues like the purpose of the scanning and how it directly and indirectly affects market sales. Google has already scanned more than 20 million books and asserts that doing this helps bring forgotten and hard-to-find books to the general public.

Microsoft refreshes OneNote app for iOS and Android
Microsoft announced today that the OneNote app for iOS and Android is getting a complete ground-up reboot that will provide users a more feature-rich experience and will better integrate into the Windows 8 ecosystem. The company says that the most noticeable update is the better editing experience.

microsoft_refreshes_onenote_app_for_ios_and_android

Microsoft says that the new editing experience brings forth features like formatting text, tables, and layouts carrying over from platform to platform. The redesign also brings forward the ability to sync files across Sky Drive Pro and SharePoint and it removes the 500 note limit imposed by the previous iteration of the app. Additionally, users who download the updated app will receive access to the Office Ribbon UI.

The brand-new, fully featured OneNote app is available for iOS devices via the Apple App Store, as well as the Google play store for Android users. Microsoft says the app is currently available in the US and other "select" markets. Additional details and screenshots can be found by clicking Source #1 below.

HP exec says the company is building a new smartphone, and that it is "not too late" to enter the game
Things have been looking down for Hewlett Packard for years now. The company can not seem to find a foothold in any of the new emerging tech devices even after acquiring companies like Palm. They failed rather epically with WebOS, and their iPAQ branded phones are just horrible.

hp_exec_says_the_company_is_building_a_new_smartphone_and_that_it_is_not_to_late_to_enter_the_game

Yam Su Yin, HPs senior director for Consumer PCs and Tablets in the Asia Pacific region told reporters that HP was working on a new generation of smartphone, but could not give a timetable as to when information would be released. He said that "It would be silly" for HP to say no to a new smartphone and that "HP has to be in the game!"
Honestly, I feel that HP has delayed long enough; they never really had a firm foothold in the phone market, and even the sales from Palm dried up rather quickly. With companies like BlackBerry who do smartphones very well, struggling to keep afloat in the current market, HP has to hit a serious high-end home run for their new phone to even be able to post semi-respectable sales. My advice to them is to spare no expense and release something that blows all else out of the water.

RumorTT: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will release on September 4, just in time for some holiday season sales
Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 is one of the most anticipated phablets ever, and while the company is keeping tight lips on anything official about the device, the leaks and rumors just keep pouring in. This morning, AndroidGeeks is reporting that a source very close to the matter has confirmed that the Galaxy Note 3 will be releasing to the public on September 4.

rumortt_samsung_galaxy_note_3_will_release_on_september_4th_just_in_time_for_some_holiday_season_sales

The reveal is said to be taking place at a special Samsung Unpacked event being held in Berlin, Germany. The event will be held during the IFA 2013 conference and the date seems to fall into the "Media Preview" days of the show on the 4th and 5th. Samsung has a history of launching it's Galaxy Note devices during the IFA conference, so this whole rumor is sounding very plausible.
Recent rumors and leaks have listed the Galaxy Note 3 as having a 5.9-inch screen along side a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and possibly a high resolution camera in the 15-megapixel range. At 5.9-inches, the Note 3 has a smaller footprint than Sony's recently released Xperia X Ultra, which has a 6.44-inch screen and even smaller than Samsung's Galaxy Mega, which boasts a 6.3-inch display.

Intel CEO says that the company is interested in building a wearable computer
With all of the major tech giants such as Apple, Samsung, Sony and Google all working on wearable computers in one form or another, Intel has decided that it would like to join the party. During a recent interview with Reuters, Intel's CEO Brian Krzanich confirmed that the silicon giant is actively developing a wearable computer.

intel_ceo_says_that_the_company_is_interested_in_building_a_wearable_computer

Krzanich went on to say that the company is not only developing a wearable computer, but designing specific chipsets for wearable devices. He was careful not to hint at what type of wearable device we might see from Intel, but he did say that we can expect to see wearable technology featuring Intel hardware by the end of this year or early next year. It is still unclear if those chips will be repurposed Atoms or if the company has developed a whole new SoC line just for wearable computing.

Google unveils elevation artwork for new London headquarters
Google has just unveiled the plans for its new London headquarters which is poised to become the longest building in the city. The company says that if approved for construction the new headquarters will be 330 meters in length and 11 stories in height. While this is nowhere near the height of London's Shard, it will be Google's second largest complex with its Mountain View offices being first.

google_unveils_elevation_artwork_for_new_london_headquarters

The glassy, modern building was designed by architectural firm Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and carries an overall price tag of just a mere $998 million. Estimates value the headquarters at $1.52 billion once completed. The building will be constructed from a steel frame and cross laminated wood panels while the exterior will be skinned in glass.

google_unveils_elevation_artwork_for_new_london_headquarters

In true Google fashion, there will be climbing walls between floors as well as other employee friendly features such as a gym, and personal relaxation areas. The building will be located near the city's King's Cross railway station, in an effort to continue the massive regeneration push that has been ongoing there for several years now. The new headquarters is expected to be completed in 2016 if approved.

Intel CTO steps down, passes an age-related law of Intel - is too old to be a corporate officer
Intel has a strange age-related by-law, that requires all corporate officers to be aged 65 or under. This has forced Intel's Chief Technology Officer, Justin Rattner, out of his position as he is now 65 years old.

intel_cto_steps_down_passes_an_age_related_law_of_intel_is_too_old_to_be_a_corporate_officer

Rattner joined the company in 1973, becoming Intel's first Principal Engineer in 1979, the fourth Intel Fellow in 1988 and one of the first Intel Senior Fellows in 2001. He has participated in more Intel keynotes than any other Intel presenter, and has four important patents with his name stamped to them: a data processing system; a hardware scheduler/dispatcher for said data processing system; an interprocessor communication system, and a programmable I/O sequencer for use in an I/O processor.
Rattner will step down from his position with Intel Labs, and report to Intel's President, RenÃ©e James, in the meantime. It has worked out well, as his departure is straight away, with Intel stating that a "pressing family matter" has happened, and he needs to take an unspecified amount of personal leave from Intel. Upon his return, he will be an a non-officer role.

Samsung to invest $84 million in India in order to boost their mobile production
The Press Trust of India reports from industry sources that Samsung is set to invest more than $84 million in India in order to boost their mobile production capacity.

samsung_to_invest_84_million_in_india_in_order_to_boost_their_mobile_production

The Next Web talked to a Samsung spokesperson who said that the South Korean company are looking to strengthen their manufacturing presence in India in order "to fulfill growing needs in the market." Not only that, but it looks like the Indian government have been approached by Samsung who hope to use incentives that the Department of Electronics and IT have been dishing out.
India is a huge emerging market, and with Samsung sitting right there producing handsets, it can only be win-win for all involved.

Some 2013 13-inch MacBook Air models are having issues with Photoshop
The MacRumors and Adobe support forums are firing up with users reporting severe flickering when using some 2013 13-inch MacBook Air models in Photoshop, especially when larger brush tools are used.

Chris Cox, an Adobe representative, posted on the Adobe support forums, saying he believes it's a driver or GPU issue, going as far as stating that it could be a problem with the LCD driver circuits. He has said that Adobe haven't reproduced the issue, so it could just be a particular run of MBA models that are having these issues.

some_2013_13_inch_macbook_air_models_are_having_issues_with_photoshop

When we file a bug with Apple that we cannot reproduce ourselves: Apple ignores it.
Apple needs to hear from customers who experience the problem, and needs details on exactly which systems have the problem.
We will continue to research this, and if we find a system that reproduces it, then we can file a bug with Apple and have some hope that they might investigate.
Also, thanks for the video - that is definitely a driver or GPU issue, though with that kind of flickering I'd also suspect the LCD driver circuits.

Google wants you to go to hard to reach places, wants you to take their 'Trekker' camera backpack on an adventure
Google continue to impress, where they're offering applications to individuals who want to help out with their Google Maps coverage: "If you're a tourism board, non-profit, university, research organization, or other third party who can gain access and help collect imagery of hard to reach places, you can apply to borrow the Trekker and help map the world."

The Trekker sounds like a great idea, especially for those who love to travel and have special places around the world that are hard to access, so that they can personally share them with the world. The Trekker is quite the backpack, which weighs in at a back-breaking 42 pounds. Google have mapped it out in detail:

The Trekker is operated by an Android device and consists of 15 lenses angled in a different direction so the images can be stitched together into 360-degree panoramic views. As the operator walks, photos are taken roughly every 2.5 seconds. Our first collection using this camera technology was taken along the rough, rocky terrain of Arizona's Grand Canyon.

google_wants_you_to_go_to_hard_to_reach_places_wants_you_to_take_their_trekker_camera_backpack_on_an_adventure

All you have to do to apply for the Trekker is tell Google why you want to take the Trekker on an adventure, where you'd like to help, and if you can acquire the correct permissions to access the destination.

Lexar JumpDrive P10 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Shortly after CES 2013 concluded, I contacted Lexar in regards to sampling their latest flash drive, the P10. At that time they were still working a few kinks out of the mechanical design, but here today the drive is ready and we have the 64GB in for testing.
The P10 carries on from where the JumpDrive Triton left off. Where the Triton used an Innostor controller paired with SLC NAND flash, the JumpDrive P10 uses MLC NAND and a much faster controller that we will look at shortly. Marketing specifications for the P10 offer us 265MB/s read and 245MB/s write, if this comes to fruition then this could very well be the quickest flash drive we have tested to date.
Compatibility of the P10 follows the Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and Mac OS X standard. Of course being a top-tier product from Lexar, it does have a lifetime warranty.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

At first glance you may think you have seen this drive before. Of course then I would tell you have, because the P10 shares the same design as the Triton we reviewed previously.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The P10, like the Triton uses a sliding design. This along with its metal shell should keep the drive protected during travel.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Sliding the USB 3.0 connection out we find the blue coloring that is standard for drive compatible with the latest SuperSpeed USB 3.0 specification.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Here I have put the Triton we reviewed a few months back (32GB), next to the latest from Lexar; the P10 (64GB).

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Opening up the drive we found the NAND packaged in a 2 x 32GB configuration. Each of the modules are Micron MLC.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The controller used in the P10 comes from Etron Technology. Labelled EV266LH, we were unable to find any information on it, but it does appear to have more channels than the EV266H, which we found in the Corsair Survivor Stealth.
One of the lesser known features of running Microsoft's new operating system Windows 8 is the native capability of USB Attached SCSI or UASP. Benchmarking flash drives, we utilize ATTO Disk Benchmark followed by Crystal Disk Mark. Our last bench incorporates DiskBench and our custom set of real-world data, and is by far the most important comparison when looking for a flash drive for everyday use.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The Lexar JumpDrive P10 is factory formatted with the FAT32 file system, insuring compatibility between Windows and Macintosh computers. The usable capacity after formatting is 59.6GB.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Running the P10 through our ATTO Disk Benchmark, we found the drive to peak at 244MB/s read and 226MB/s write. This falls just short of marketing specifications of 265/245.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

In CDM, we found the P10 reaching 242MB/s in sequential read and 243MB/s in seq write.4K read with a QD of 32 was quite impressive as well.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Taking a look at the chart above, you will find the Lexar P10 has claimed the performance crown in our DiskBench testing. We were able to transfer our set of photos at 148MB/s, followed by video and ISO at 178MB/s and 215MB/s, respectively.

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

To compute the number seen above which I call the performance index, I take the average MB/s from our three DiskBench tests and divide it by the price per GB. All pricing information is taken from Newegg at the time of writing.
In terms of price vs. performance, you will find the JumpDrive P10 at the top of the list here as well, trailing the Supersonic Magnum from Patriot and Extreme from SanDisk.
Lexar has done quite well with the JumpDrive P10, successfully carrying on where the Triton left off. Looking back the only thing we were missing when we reviewed the Triton was performance and the P10 really excels in this area. So then, is this the perfect flash drive?
Aesthetically I thought Lexar could have changed the design, even changing the plastics would help differ this drive from the Triton, but as it sits, I could see where there will be some confusion. I do, however, enjoy the design - the aluminium cradle that holds all the plastics is quite thick and durable, the plastics feel strong and the slide mechanism has very little play, if any at all.
Performance, as we have spoken of many times, is excellent. Honestly, 245MB/s for a flash drive is superb, when only a handful of drives are truly capable of such speeds.
Pricing at this time for the 64GB capacity is set at $159.99 putting this drive in the $2 per GB arena, but as you saw in our chart above, the performance is enough to make this drive a must have in my book.

What do TweakTown awards and ratings mean? Click!

lexar_jumpdrive_p10_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

... Read the rest in your browser!

Transcend JetFlash 760 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Over the past few months here at TweakTown, we have had a number of flash drives come through our lab. In the past, we ran a few benchmarks, charted the performance and spoke about the aesthetics and build quality. Today, I'm poised to introduce to you another metric from which you can base your purchasing decision, a metric in the form of our new price vs. performance charts. To introduce you to this chart I have chosen one of the latest flash drives from Transcend, the JetFlash 760.
Transcend is a global leader in flash memory solutions. Their product portfolio is so vast it encompasses products ranging from SSDs and memory cards to digital music players and who can forget aXeRam. Today, we will be looking over and sharing our thoughts on the JetFlash 760 in the 64GB capacity. Compatibility of the JetFlash extends as far as Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and Mac OS X 10.4 with a limited lifetime warranty.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Our sample of the JetFlash 760 was delivered with a gloss black and purple design, the 64GB capacity listed on the end of the drive and the Transcend branding in front of the slide mechanism.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The JetFlash 760 uses a locking slide mechanism. This keeps the drives connection safely tucked away when it's not in use and just a slide away when you're ready to use it.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The connector for the JetFlash, appropriately colored blue denoting its USB 3.0 compatibility.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Pulling apart our sample, we found Transcend used 21nm Samsung TLC NAND in the JetFlash 760.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The controller found in the 760 is manufactured by Innostor. This is the first drive we have seen that uses the IS916.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Included with the JetFlash 760 was access to Transcend's Elite Data Management software. Within the software you gain the ability to schedule backups to the flash drive and even encrypt the drive with 256-bit AES if you so choose.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Another feature of the data management software is Bookmark Sync. This allows you to export your favourite sites from IE, Firefox and Chrome to your flash drive.
One of the lesser known features of running Microsoft's new operating system Windows 8 is the native capability of USB Attached SCSI or UASP. Benchmarking flash drives, we utilize ATTO Disk Benchmark followed by Crystal Disk Mark. Our last bench incorporates DiskBench and our custom set of real-world data, and is by far the most important comparison when looking for a flash drive for everyday use.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The Transcend JetFlash 760 is shipped from the factory with the FAT32 file system. This allows for wide compatibility across Windows and Macintosh based computers. The usable capacity from the factory is 58.8GB.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Marketing for the JetFlash 760 is set at 80MB/s read and 25MB/s write. As you can see, we did manage to surpass those numbers during our ATTO testing, with our sample hitting 90MB/s read and 41MB/s write.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

CrystalDiskMark came in closer to marketing specifications, with the 760 touching 88MB/s read and 28MB/s write.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

In our real-world testing we found the JetFlash 760 to land in at the bottom of our charts, with the large file transfer of AVCHD video being its strongest file set at 46MB/s.

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

To compute the number seen above which I call the performance index, I take the average MB/s from our three DiskBench tests and divide it by the price per GB. All pricing information is taken from Newegg at the time of writing.
If we take a look at our new price vs. performance charts, there is another chapter for the JetFlash 760. Here we find the JetFlash 760 sitting right in the middle of the pack.
To gather our opinion on the JetFlash 760, we first have to look at the market for which it's intended. Here you will find that Transcend has done an amazing job keeping the price of the 760 as low as possible, while giving the drive enough performance for the average consumer.
The build quality of the JetFlash 760 is commendable, but I did find the plastics a bit flimsy in spots, otherwise the inclusion of the slide mechanism is a welcomed addition. In terms of aesthetics, the 760 carries a simple design for someone that doesn't want all the bling of, let's say the V95 from Transcend.
Pricing of the 64GB JetFlash 760 we tested here today is set at an incredibly low $35.99 at the time of writing. Transcend takes this a bit further offering a limited lifetime warranty as well.

What do TweakTown awards and ratings mean? Click!

transcend_jetflash_760_64gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

... Read the rest in your browser!

Top 10 TweakTown Content from the past week [01 July 2013]
Here are our top 10 articles, reviews and guides from the past week!

Top 10 TweakTown Press Releases from the past week [01 July 2013]
Here are our top 10 posted press releases from the past week!

Available Tags:Windows , Blu-ray , Skype , Android , Google , Microsoft , Bing , Apple , CEO , BlackBerry , hardware , Windows Phone , Windows Phone 8 , iPhone , Windows Phone , Facebook , Windows Phone , Windows Phone 8 , iOS , Xbox , iOS , HP , Samsung , Galaxy , Intel , Intel , Intel , Samsung , India , MacBook , USB 3.0 , USB , USB 3.0 , USB , TweakTown , TweakTown ,

No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)