IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 9/27/2013

Thursday, September 26, 2013

IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 9/27/2013

TweakTown

ASUS slides unknown tablet through the FCC, what could it be?
ASUS has been quite busy on the tablet front this year, especially in the last couple of months, but now the Taiwanese giant has just sent the FCC yet another tablet.

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We don't know what it is, but we have the TF502T model, which gives credit to it being another Transformer tablet. It could be the upcoming Transformer Pad, but we don't know much yet. We do know that it features 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC, but so do virtually all mobile devices these days. We'll have more information on this mystery ASUS slate soon enough.

Amazon unveils next-gen Kindle Fire HDX slates, and more
Amazon has announced its third generation Kindle Fire slates, which bring the Kindle Fire HDX branding with it. The US retail giant has also unveiled a refreshed version of its Kindle Fire HD tablets, which have seen a drop in price.

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The Kindle Fire HDX arrives in two sizes: 7-inch and 8.9 inches, with both slates seeing some nice increases in horsepower and specs. Both HDX models feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 SoC (2.2GHz quad-core processor), 2GB of RAM, 16/32/64GB of on-board flash storage, and high resolution displays. The 7-inch model sees a 1920x1200-pixel display (323PPI) but the 8.9-inch features a gorgeous 2560x1600-pixel panel which provides 339PPI.
The 8.9-inch HDX also features an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, too. Better yet, the 8.9-inch HDX is 34% lighter than its predecessor. Moving onto the software side of things, the new HDX slates are running Fire OS 3.0 "Mojito" which provides a bunch of new features such as X-Ray for Music, Prime Instant Video downloads and updates to all of the pre-installed apps.
The Kindle Fire HDX 7-inch pricing starts at $229 for the 16GB version, but for $40 more you can nab yourself the 32GB variant. The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9-inch model starts at $379 for the 16GB version, with the 32GB version costing $50 more.

Samsung wants to shower you with its golden Galaxy S4, LOLs at Apple
Some people were paying upwards of $10,000 for a golden iPhone 5S, so it seems like perfect timing for Apple's biggest competitor to unveil its own gold-colored smartphone.

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Samsung has announced a couple of golden colored Galaxy S4 models, with the new Gold Edition Galaxy S4. The two options are: Gold Pink or Gold Brown, which Samsung is currently showing off on its United Arab Emirates social media outlets. We shouldn't see these phones go mainstream, but the thing to take away from this is that Samsung can also play ball, and go for gold.
I think the addition of the second version, Gold Pink, is a huge deal here. If this Gold Pink Galaxy S4 was unleashed to the rest of the world, it could be a really hot seller.

VideoTT: AMD GPU14 - Battlefield 4 Angry Sea level demo
AMD GPU14 - As AMD was closing out its opening day keynote at its GPU14 event in Hawaii, EA took the opportunity to show off a never before seen demo of the single player level Angry Sea in the upcoming Battlefield 4 game. The level is split between a battle on a sinking aircraft carrier and then, as the ship sinks, combat is switched to the sea and attack boats.

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No, iOS 7 does not make your iPhone waterproof.. really, human race?
Oh gosh - I don't believe I'm actually reporting on this, but here we go: a fake Apple ad has been making its way around on social networks, pushing people to "update to iOS 7 to become waterproof."

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The ad tries to 'sell' iOS 7 to you, in a salesman type of way, by stating: "In an emergency, a smart-switch will shut off the phone's power supply and corresponding components to prevent any damage to your iPhone's delicate circuitry." Countless people fell for it, destroying their iPhones in the process. I can't help but laugh (please don't take offense if you're on of these people), but one angry person who thought a software update would make their iPhone waterproof said: "Ok whoever said IOS7 is waterproof GO F*** YOURSELF."

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I do have a question for these iDiots: if you thought a software update would magically make your iPhone waterproof, can I have the same update for my car? Maybe I can firmware flash my car and have it 10x better on mileage. Maybe I could firmware flash myself and have the ability to fly? Apple fans, officially reaching a new low.

AMD's TrueAudio tech will do all the audio work on the GPU
The AMD event is well and truly underway in Hawaii, but one of the more interesting things to arrive from the event is AMD's new TrueAudio technology. There's not many technical details on TrueAudio at the moment, but the way AMD describes it, TrueAudio would be an audio DSP built into its coming GPUs.

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For as long as I can remember, PC game audio has shifted to software away from hardware, but now we're seeing a change in the opposite direction. It comes at a great time, since Windows Vista ushered in the big changes to Windows' audio stack, but moving to software isn't the best solution. We saw the hardware audio scene mostly die, with DirectSound 3D all but disappear.
New consoles (with AMD APUs) and Windows 8 is thankfully changing this, and AMD hopes to capatilize on this. AMD wants to offload audio processing to its DSP in order to take advantage of the better capabilities of task-dedicated hardware. This isn't something that is new, but it is something we haven't seen much investment in over the last decade.

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AMD is wanting a big improvement in audio to PC gaming, with the advantages of a DSP pretty large if AMD can do it right - which they should be quite capable of doing. Audio effects like real-time reflections, reverb and 3D transformations are 'expensive' to software, but on hardware, these audio effects aren't much at all. Things like 3D audio over headphones and 2.1 speakers, or above/below audio positioning in 5.1-channel setups is also expensive.
The chipmaker is working with PC gaming audio giants like GenAudio who worked on AstoundSound, who has helped audio engines utilizing TrueAudio DSP. GenAudio will be releasing plugins for the most common PC audio middleware in order to help push the process along.
Because AMD's audio DSP isn't a standalone device, and is part of a GPU, developers can take advantage of this hardware to process their audio. This means that you won't need a specific output, as it'll work over headphones, speakers, HDMI, TV via HDMI, and more.

MSI launches two new mobile workstations featuring NVIDIA Quadro tech
This week, MSI launched two new mobile workstations, the GT70 20K and the GT60 20J. Both workstations feature NVIDIA Quadro graphics processors and Intel Core i7 processors for adequate power even when on the go. MSI says that the GT70 and GT60 have both been certified by Adobe, Autodesk, and Solidworks.

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The GT70 features an NVIDIA Quadro K3100M graphics processor and the GT60 sports a K2100M GPU, which have both been designed to tackle the most intensive software out there, including AutoCad Design Suite, Avid Media Composer, Pinnacle Studio 16, AutoDesk Smoke, Siemens NX, PTC Creo Parametric 2.0, and more. Both units possess NVIDIA Maximus technology, which enables designers and engineers to perform simultaneous rendering or structural/fluid analysis on the same system.
"MSI has long been praised for the performance of our gaming laptops, and the new workstations leverage that expertise to deliver the same quality and effectiveness for professionals," said Andy Tung, Vice President of Sales for MSI Pan America Region. "We've successfully combined the power and design of our acclaimed GT70 and GT60 laptops with the performance needed to tackle professional applications.
The GT70 2OK and GT60 2OJ are currently available for $2,599.99 and $2,009.99, respectively, at Newegg, Amazon, Tiger Direct, BestBuy.com, B&H Photo, and Adorama. MSI plans to expand their line of mobile workstations in the following months with a 17-inch K4100M model and a 15.6-inch K3100M model.

YouTube continues improvements, adds new background music library
YouTube has just announced the launch of a new audio library that will allow content creators to use more than 150 royalty-free instrumental tracks as the background music to their videos. This new library is available in the video manager and allows users to select background music based on mood, genre, instrument, and duration.

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The tracks are downloadable at a quality of 320kbps in MP3 format so that they can then be added to your video in post processing. Additionally, the tracks can be used for any creative purpose you desire as they are 100 percent royalty-free and not limited to use on YouTube.
"We searched far and wide for musicians to create tracks for us and ended up finding co-conspirators in multiple places: an acquaintance down in L.A., music houses across the country and a well-known music producer in Brooklyn," YouTube wrote on its official blog. "And it turns out the latter produced albums for Phish and Sean Lennon."

Samsung's new "Solutions Exchange" will better Android for business
Today, Samsung announced that it has created the all new Samsung Solutions Exchange, a new portal that helps developers usher in a new era of Android for the enterprise. Samsung says that the Exchange will feature an all-new App Store specifically designed for business related apps and will also feature a device software development kit that includes more than 1000 "enterprise APIs."

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Samsung hopes that this new initiative will help build a strong Android presence in the business and enterprise market, which at the moment is still dominated by Apple and BlackBerry. Samsung says that the new Solutions Exchange will provide a place for developers to connect with businesses who need cutting edge enterprise-grade applications for Samsung's line of smartphones.
"This engagement model is truly an industry first, aimed at achieving shared value across our rapidly growing ecosystem of enterprise customers, sales channels and alliances," Samsung VP Timothy Wagner said in a statement. "We are launching the Samsung Solutions Exchange as a way to help our end customers accelerate their business success."

AMD develops a new VESA for 4K Ultra HD TVs and monitors
AMD GPU14 - Today during the keynote at the GPU14 conference, AMD's Matt Skinner announced that the company has developed a new VESA standard that will automatically stitch 4K monitors together for a more high-end multiple monitor experience.

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Skinner said that the new standard was proposed to VESA and was adopted and that it is now supported in AMD Catalyst. Panasonic has already released a display, the Viera, that features the new standard. AMD said that this standard would widely be adopted as the move to 4K progresses.

AMD announces R7 and R9 series GPUs, claim most powerful & afforfable
AMD kicked off its GPU14 Conference in Hawaii by announcing five new video cards that span the gamut of pricing and performance. AMD's Matt Skinner took the stage to announce the new AMD R9 and R7 series of enthusiast level graphics cards and lead off by saying that AMD's new GPUs are built using the same technology that is featured in all the upcoming next-gen consoles.

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Up first is AMD's Radeon R7-250, a budget friendly GPU that packs in 1GB of RAM and scores >2000 in 3DMark FireStrike. The R7-250 will retail for $89 or less. Next up the chain is the all new Radeon R7-260X, a GPU that hits the midrange market with 2GB of GDDR5 memory and scores >3700 in 3DMark FireStorm all for just $139.

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Up next is the first card in the R9 series, the Radeon R9-270X, an upper level $199 GPU that features 2GB of GDDR5 and scores >5500 in 3DMark FireStorm. The R9-280X is the first high-end GPU that AMD announced and features 3GB of GDDR5 RAM. The R9-280X scored more than 6800 in 3DMark FireStorm and will retail for $299.

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Finally, AMD unveiled its flagship, something AMD is calling its most powerful GPU ever. No specs were released, but reports suggest 4GB of GDDR5 and a retail price of $599. AMD did announce that in the coming weeks, an R9-290X bundle that includes Battlefield 4 will be available for pre-order. No pricing was given, but I expect it to stick to the $599 price tag.

Firefox will deactivate most browser plug-ins by default for security
Following Google's lead, Mozilla has decided to deactivate most of the browser plug-ins used in Firefox. In the latest version of Firefox Aurora, almost all of the plug-ins have been disabled with the exception of Adobe Flash. Unlike Chrome's plan to ban plug-ins all together, FireFox will let its users choose which plug-ins they would like to activate.

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Firefox says that the decision to disable most plug-ins would not only help speed up the browser, but it will provide a safer environment and remove many of the security vulnerabilities that modern browsers face. At one time, plug-ins were an important tool for development as well as implementing cutting-edge features such as video and animation, but over time web technologies advanced and everything can now be done using new technologies such as WebGL, WebSockets, WebRTC, and asm.js.
The move to disable plug-ins is also driven by the fact that most mobile devices no longer support many of them. Disabling plug-ins by default will help push development into a more mobile-friendly workflow and will allow developers to take the Internet to the next level.

Valve introduces us to Steam Machines, announces Steam Box Beta
"Entertainment is not a one-size-fits-all world!" That is the opening line to Steams second big announcement this week. Today valve announced "Steam Hardware", something we were all expecting in some form or another. The company says that it wants customers go to choose the hardware that makes sense for them, and that they are working with multiple partners to bring a variety of Steam game machines to the market in 2014.

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All of the machines will run SteamOS, and will be tailored to fit an individual's personal needs, such as powerful hardware, or a quiet gaming experience. Valve did not say who its hardware partners were, but did say that there will be several devices launched in 2014. The biggest announcement however is about will be building its own prototype in which it will give to 300 lucky Steam users free of charge for testing.

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"While these products are still in development, we need your help. As always, we believe the best way to ensure that the right products are getting made is to let people try them out and then make changes as we go. We have designed a high-performance prototype that's optimized for gaming, for the living room, and for Steam. Of course, it's also completely upgradable and open.This year we're shipping just 300 of these boxes to Steam users, free of charge, for testing. You can make yourself eligible to get one."

Valve says that once users completes all of the steps in any order, they will be given a special badge which entitles them to be listed in the pool of people from which Valve will choose the beta participants. You must complete this was before October 25 as at that time it will be locked and no new candidates will be added.
Valve went on to say that Steam OS, Steam Machines and the Steam Box will not affect its PC gaming initiative, and that they will continue on as they have over the past 10 years. They also said that creating multiple steam accounts to better your chances at participating in the beta will do you no good. No imagery of the Steam Box prototype was shown but Valve said that we "will see it very soon."

A flaw in Apple Maps sends people driving across airport runway
Apple's Maps app has been plagued with issues since its release, and has often been unfairly compared to Google Maps, which has a development head start of over a decade. Unfortunately, many of the errors Apple Maps has been experiencing are quite fundamental and not simply a misnamed road or missing imagery.

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A recent error has popped up that involves the Fairbanks International Airport located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The airport has reported several incidents where iPhone users were using Apple Maps to navigate around the airport and wound up driving on a taxiway and then across an active runway.
"We asked them to disable the map for Fairbanks until they could correct it, thinking it would be better to have nothing show up than to take the chance that one more person would do this," said Melissa Osborn, chief of operations at the airport.
The airport has asked Apple to disable navigation leading to the airport until it has been fixed, and has even had to take the extreme measures of erecting barricades that prevent people from driving onto the runway. Apple said that the problem will be fixed by Wednesday. Just for fun, when you navigate to the airport using Google Maps, you are directed around the airport and to the correct driveway.

Micron begins shipping first samples of 2GB Hybrid Memory Cube
Micron Technology has just announced that it has began shipping the first engineering samples of its new 2GB Hybrid Memory Cube DRAM modules. The company says that the new Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC) represents a dramatic step forward in memory technology and has been designed for applications that require high-bandwidth access to memory.

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HMC utilizes what Micron calls advanced through-silicon vias, which are basically tiny conduits that transfer electricity through a stack of individual chips. Micron's HMC is a 2GB memory cube that is composed of a stack of four 4Gb DRAM die, which provides an amazing 160GB/s of memory bandwidth while consuming 70 percent less energy per bit than current technologies.
"The Hybrid Memory Cube is a smart fix that breaks with the industry's past approaches and opens up new possibilities," said Jim Handy, a memory analyst at Objective Analysis. "Although DRAM internal bandwidth has been increasing exponentially, along with logic's thirst for data, current options offer limited processor-to-memory bandwidth and consume significant power. HMC is an exciting alternative."
"System designers are looking for new memory system designs to support increased demand for bandwidth, density, and power efficiency," said Brian Shirley, vice president of Micron's DRAM Solutions Group. "HMC represents the new standard in memory performance; it's the breakthrough our customers have been waiting for."

A new Motorola tablet has appeared in a Verizon advert on YouTube
A new Motorola tablet has been spotted in an advertisement video for Verizon on YouTube. The video is titled "Verizon Droid - The Drop" and portrays a spy-esque document drop gone wrong. At a point in the video, we see a glimpse of the back of a new Motorola tablet.

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The tablet appears to be of the 10-inch class, which aligns with statements made by Motorola's CEO Dennis Woodside from earlier this month. The tablet is said to feature design cues and technologies seen in the company's flagship smartphone, the Moto X, and will feature Motorola's eight-core X8 processor.

Unfortunately with Verizon's CEO announcing that there will never be another unlimited data plan from the company due to its customers being greedy bandwidth hogs, buying a premium tablet with an LTE connection from Verizon is kind of pointless. Sure, it will most likely function fine on Wi-Fi, but then just buy the Wi-Fi only version and save yourself the money.

Flash Memory Summit 2013 - Interview with Sandisk's Rich Peterson
FMS 2013 - Richard Petersen, the Director of Marketing Management at SanDisk, stopped by the booth to explain the benefits of server-side caching with the FlashSoft solution from SanDisk. Richard gives us a high-level explanation of the software, and then drills down on some of the new features with the latest release of FlashSoft.

FlashSoft utilizes innovative caching technology to deliver the performance of enterprise flash with no disruption to applications, servers, or storage. FlashSoft works with any vendor's enterprise solid state technology, and supports all enterprise storage architectures.

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We have conducted extensive testing with FlashSoft in our lab, and one of the most impressive aspects is the ease and simplicity of deployment. FlashSoft also provides the ability to utilize a whole host of SSD solutions for workload acceleration. Any flash solution can be used, with SSDs, RAID volumes and the always-exciting PCIe SSDs providing explosive acceleration of SAN and NAS workloads.

Netflix talks 4K streaming, minimum requirement is 15Mbps
The future is already here, and that future is Ultra HD, or 4K. 4K content streaming isn't going to be too far away, with Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings, already talking about it.

Hastings was interviewed by Claus Bülow Christensen, the producer of the Copenhagen Future of TV Conference, where the Netflix CEO said that 4K video will arrive on tablets, notebooks and PCs first as resolutions on these devices continuously improve. This will lead to a world filled with cheaper 4K TVs, and thus, a future of 4K is not too far away.

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Streaming 4K content to devices has been a topic that Hastings has been interested in, stating that the minimum requirement for streaming 4K content would be around 15Mbps. He added that anyone with a 50Mbps connection would have no problems at all. Problem is, here in Australia, the land of backwards Internet, our newly appointed government thinks 25Mbps is enough for anyone, forever.

AMD promises CrossFire, Eyefinity improvements ahead of Hawaii GPUs
Our own Shawn Baker is in Hawaii right now probably enjoying a cocktail and Luau or two for the AMD event that it set to take place in the following hours, but ahead of the unveiling, AMD is promising to fix some of its issues.

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We should see the chipmaker improve CrossFire, Eyefinity and Linux support, on top of unveiling a bunch of next generation GPUs. We should expect the R9-290X "Hawaii" GPU unveiled tomorrow, which should retake the performance crown from NVIDIA. Ahead of this, AMD's Corporate VP of Visual Computing, Raja Koduri, walked up to the banks of Hawaii's Diamond Head mountain to provide a quick tease of what's coming in the software side of things.
AMD is going to be working on its support for CrossFire and Eyefinity (finally), with the aim set on improving the various frame pacing issues that should allow for a more consistent frame rate, and should put an arrow in the leg of stuttering. We should also see an improvement made to Linux support, where AMD seems to constantly lag behind NVIDIA in.
It seems like great timing, as SteamOS was announced just a day ago, which is a Linux-based gaming OS. Stay tuned to TweakTown for our coverage of AMD's next-gen Hawaii GPUs.

HTC loses to Nokia in patent case, could see sales ban enforced
HTC is having enough troubles at the moment, but it looks like the knife is slowly being twisted by another struggling phone manufacturer: Nokia. On Monday afternoon, the US International Trade Commission found that several HTC smartphones infringed on two Nokia-owned patents.

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In regards to a third patent, HTC were found innocent, thankfully. But an injunction preventing the Taiwanese manufacturer from importing several of its smartphones could be issued. This wouldn't affect HTC's latest smartphones, but we could see the HTC Amaze 4G, Inspire 4G, Flyer, Jetstream, Radar 4G, Rezound and Sensation 4G soon banned from sale on US soil.
Nokia issued a statement, where it said: "Nokia is pleased that the initial determination of the ITC confirmed that HTC has infringed two of our patents."

LG has high hopes for its G2 handset, hopes to sell over 10 million
For the past week, LG's flagship G2 smartphone has been for sale in the United States. But, it doesn't look like it's selling well, as it doesn't really do much to stand out from the crowd of handsets out there.

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The South Korean giant behind the G2 smartphone has high hopes, where LG has said that it hopes to sell over 10 million G2 units across the world. In Taiwan alone, LG is hoping to sell 20,000 or so units per month, which would end up giving LG around 5% market share for smartphones in the country. LG will start selling the G2 in Taiwan on September 27 off-contract for NT$19,900, or around US$672.

iMessage for Android arrives, kinda, but it redirects data to China
iMessage Chat for Android has arrived, but is it as good as what it sounds like? Well, yes and no. iMessage Chat allows Android users to chat between Android and iOS devices, but there should be caution used.

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9to5Mac reports that iMessage Chat is definitely not an Apple app - which should be obvious - and was created by a third-party developed named Daniel Zweigart. iMessage Chat disguises the Android device you're using as a Mac mini, after which it pushes your messages to the Apple iMessage server. This means you'll require an Apple ID to gain access, but this isn't where the problems stop.
The creator of Cydia, Jay Freeman, noticed that iMessage Chat redirects to a server in China, before it forwards the information to Apple. This means that the server acts like a middle man, where it handles the transferring and processing of information between your smartphone and the iMessage server. The scary thing is, we don't know what the Chinese server is doing with your information - where it could be, and probably is storing your Apple IDs and chat logs.
This is no different to the NSA PRISM system, but it should be something that you know before you use the iMessage Chat for Android app.

Ask the Experts: Should I go with SLI or CrossFire with my AMD FX CPU
Our Ask the Experts section has a new question, where we have Rimon from Malaysia wanting to know if he should go CrossFire or SLI with his AMD FX-based setup.

TweakTown's Ask the Experts

Q: Hi currently my processor is the AMD FX 8320 and my GPU is the Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT (LE). I was thinking to do a dual graphic setup in future.
My question is should i change my GPU to GeForce GTX 760(SLI) or stay with my HD 7870 XT (LE) to do crossfire? I can get a GTX 760 at additional $40+ trading in my old Sapphire 7870 XT. Which setup is more future proof?
A: You can view the answer to Rimon's question right here.

Samsung to unveil 'curved display smartphone' next month
Samsung used its event today to show off the Galaxy Gear and Galaxy Note 3, but took some time away from the event to tease the world by saying that the South Korean giant plans to "introduce a curved display smartphone in October."

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There's no more information apart from those handful of words, no price, release date, or what OS it would arrive in. We could see Samsung unleash its Tizen handset tease with the curved display, or the Galaxy S5. We could even expect a totally new handset, or new range of smartphones from Samsung, too.
We have seen Samsung show off a flexible OLED screen, all the way back in January at CES 2013. Could this new curved display smartphone be the fruits of Samsung's labor? We don't have long to wait, folks.

Sixense's new Kickstarter stretch goal: Android and iOS support
One technology that has me excited along with the Oculus Rift is Sixense Entertainment's STEM System, which is currently on Kickstarter. Sixense had an original goal of $250,000 but they are now at $531,448 at the time of writing.

The developer has added a new stretch goal to its Kickstarter campaign, which would see them add STEM support for both Android and iOS devices if they reach $700,000. There's another 17 days for this to happen, so we should see them hit this goal quite easily. The Kickstarter campaign reads: "An updated Sixense software development kit will support Android 3.2 or higher and iOS 6 and higher, allowing STEM System developers to bring Sixense motion tracking to a huge installed base of mobile devices."

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It also adds: "Our video above shows a virtual camera application for which we've heard a lot of requests. The STEM System running on Android and iOS will enable applications like the virtual camera, or even the ability to turn a mobile device into a VR head-mounted display."

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to SATA/IDE Adapter Review

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StarTech.com specializes in designing and manufacturing and even selling a number of adapters converting one format to another along with a number of accessories to handle any need you may have. Today, we have one of their latest adapters in the form of a USB 3.0 to IDE/SATA converter.
This converter/adapter allows users the ability to connect up any 2.5" or 3.5" drive into a device which then allows access to the drives contents with the speed of USB 3.0. StarTech.com list compatibility with modern Windows operating systems, along with full Linux and Mac OS 8.6+. Warranty period for this adapter is set at two years.

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The scope of delivery includes the power adapter, which has both Molex and SATA power connections. In addition to this, there is an included SATA data cable and user manual.

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Looking over the adapter itself, we find everything packed into a convenient, small form factor. On the top there are several LEDs to indicate activity across each interface.

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The bottom of the unit has a 44-pin EIDE/PATA interface commonly found on 2.5" IDE drives.

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The top of the unit houses your standard 40-pin EIDE/PATA connection.

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The end of the device houses the SATA connection.

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Here we have attached our Corsair Neutron, to test the throughput capabilities of the unit.

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In our first test, running ATTO Disk Benchmark, we found the StarTech device capable of 268 MB/s read and 260 MB/s write. Now these are great numbers for such a simple device, but it does allude to the device not having a SATA III capable controller.

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CDM shared many of the same results with the StarTech reaching the same 268 MB/s read and 258 MB/s write.
The StarTech.com USB 3.0 to IDE/SATA adapter carries on the vision of what their business is all about, "hard to find made easy", enabling end users and business administrator to find what they need to enable their solutions. The unit carries a good depth of quality into it and at no time did I feel there were any corners cut in the manufacturing process.
Performance of the unit was ample, where we found plenty of storage throughput for any HDD and SSD for that matter. Where I would say there could be some improvement would be in the addition of a higher tier SATA controller, so we can get the true speed of USB 3.0 when using NAND flash devices.
Pricing at the time of writing is set at $53.99 with an included two year warranty. One thing is for sure with this device from StarTech.com, it enables true plug-n-play capability for legacy and modern storage devices, in one simple package.

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Kingwin EZ-Dock 2 USB 3.0 Docking Station Review

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As I have stated in past reviews, docking stations come in many flavours from many companies. From the popular BlacX line up from Thermaltake, in addition to the NexStar line-up from Vantec and more. Today, though, we will be looking at the latest from the equally popular EZ-Dock line-up from Kingwin in the form of the EZ Dock 2.
The EZ Dock 2 is one of the more unique docking stations in that it encompasses several additional features in comparison to what we normally find in a storage solutions such as this. Here we have RAID 0 and RAID 1 functionality in addition to JBOD and BIG modes, but by far one of the best features is the dock's ability to be a standalone drive duplicator. Compatibility extends as far as modern Windows operating systems, in addition to Mac OS X. Warranty is listed at one year.

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The scope of delivery for the EZ Dock 2 includes the power adapter, USB 3.0 cable, user manual and of course the dock itself.

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A closer look at the dock reveals the open structure to the device, with support for both 2.5" and 3.5" drives. Towards the front you will find three status LEDs.

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The backside of the dock houses the USB 3.0 port, RAID control switches and power input and switch.

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In the photo above, we have setup two Corsair Neutron SSDs to test the duplication function of the dock.

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Coming back to the device about an hour later, we found the process had completed. Something of note here is, the drive we duplicated held a fully functional Windows 8 install. After which we booted in our test system and verified to be working.

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Above, in our first benchmark run of CDM, we have two Neutrons in RAID 0. In sequential we were able to touch 362 MB/s read and 427 MB/s write.

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RAID 1 offered ample performance, especially if you are using this unit with standard HDDs.

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Here we have single disk JBOD numbers. Here we found our single Neutron to perform quite well.
The EZ Dock 2 is the second generation of EZ Docks from Kingwin, and a rather fitting example of a full featured docking station. To date, I have seen quite a few docks roll through the lab, and this one sets itself apart in a number of ways. First is the additional RAID functionality, with the second being the cloning capability that works quite well when you need a standalone option or quick solution to the duplication process.
Another feature that stands out in my mind is the open construction of the device, where the dock lacks any type of eject button, it makes up for it with the ability to grab your drives by hand and swap them effortlessly.
Performance of the unit in all RAID modes was quite good, with RAID 0 topping out around 360 MB/s read and 420 MB/s write. RAID 1, while offering a bit of redundancy, also included a slice of performance equal to that of a single drive.
Pricing for the EZ Dock 2 at the time of writing is set at $27.99, and can be found at several online retailers.

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Western Digital CFO Wolfgang Nickl To Resign In November
Western Digital Corp. today announced that chief financial officer Wolfgang Nickl is resigning effective Nov. 17, 2013 to become chief financial officer at ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) in the Netherlands. Nickl has served as Western Digital's chief financial officer since August 2010. Prior to that time, Nickl served in other positions within the company's finance and operations groups. Nickl will continue to direct WDC's worldwide finance activities until his departure date.
In joining ASML, Nickl will be returning with his family to his native Europe. The company is in the process of conducting a search for a new chief financial officer.
"We are grateful to Wolfgang for his nearly 18 years of service to Western Digital," said Steve Milligan, president and chief executive officer of Western Digital. "He has been an outstanding leader both inside and outside the company and we wish him the very best."
"I am grateful for the learning, experience and relationships I have enjoyed in 18 wonderful years at Western Digital," said Nickl. "I look forward to seeing the company continue to grow and successfully execute on the long-term strategy we have put in place."

Toshiba Announces USB 3.0 Flash Drives and Micro SD Memory Cards
Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the Toshiba Micro Secure Digital (micro SD) class 10 UHS-I Memory cards and Toshiba TransMemory USB 3.0 Flash Drive.

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"Toshiba originally invented and have since perfected NAND flash memory technology, which both of these products utilize," said Maciek Brzeski, vice president of product marketing and development of branded storage products, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. "Both of these removable storage solutions offer industry-proven quality and reliability with leading speeds, performance and capacities."
Toshiba TransMemory USB 3.0 Flash Drives
For consumers who need to drag and drop files quickly and safely between computing devices, Toshiba's TransMemory USB 3.0 Flash Drives are an efficient ultraportable storage solution that offers high-speed data transfer and secure data protection.
This new line of flash drives provides consumers with a reliable and convenient way to store and transfer photos, videos, music and important digital files while on the go, as they work with any device equipped with USB port. These flash drives not only make it easy to transfer files, but more importantly, they protect consumers' data against theft and loss. The downloadable password protection security software that comes included with the drives allows users to create public and private partitions to ensure that their critical data is always protected.
Toshiba's TransMemory USB 3.0 Flash Drives are optimized for devices with a USB 3.0 port for high-speed data transfer of up to 70 MB/s, but are also backward compatible and work with devices that are only equipped with a USB 2.0 port. Additionally, these flash drives are plug and play-enabled for easy installation and are compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. They are available in 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB capacities and all come with a five-year limited warranty.
Toshiba Micro Secure Digital Class 10 UHS-I Memory Cards
Toshiba's microSD Class 10 UHS-1 memory card provides consumers who are looking to extend the storage capacity of their mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, with a simple removable solution. These memory cards offer high-speed performance and reliability, and are backed by a 5-year limited warranty. A full-sized SD adapter is also included to ensure the memory cards' compatibility with all standard SD devices, such as digital cameras, camcorders and laptops. With transfer speeds of up to 30 MB/s, users will enjoy speedy data transfer times between PCs and mobile devices. The Toshiba microSD Class 10 UHS-1 memory cards are available in a number of different capacities, including 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB.
Pricing and Availability
The Toshiba TransMemory USB 3.0 Flash Drives will be available for purchase at select retailers and on ToshibaDirect.com in October 2013. The 16 GB flash drive will be $29.99 MSRP, the 32 GB flash drive will be $49.99 MSRP and the 64 GB flash drive will be $99.99 MSRP.
The Toshiba Micro Secure Digital Class 10 UHS-I Memory Cards will be available for purchase at select retailers and on ToshibaDirect.com in October 2013. The 8 GB memory card will be $19.99 MSRP, the 16 GB memory card will be $39.99 MSRP, the 32 GB memory card will be $69.99 MSRP and the 64 GB memory card will be $99.99 MSRP.

Scythe Introduces the Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro Amplifier
Japanese manufacturer Scythe announces a new addition to its Amplifier portfolio. After the successfully launched the flagship-model Kama Bay Amp Pro, a more powerful version of the Kama Bay Amp Mini is available as of today! Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro combines the powerful technology of the flagship into a much smaller chassis of the Kama Bay Amp Mini, allowing users to enjoy even better sound quality.

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Scythe utilized high-end technology for Kama Bay Amp Mini PRO and placed it into a small chas-sis with the dimensions of 105,5 x 33,5 x 153 mm. Thanks to this amazingly compact design, it is possible to fit the new amplifier into a vacant 3,5-inch (8,89 cm) bay of a common PC chassis. Kama Bay Amp Mini PRO can be both used as a stand-alone device or inside a PC chassis. Two side panel and three insulating feet are supplied, to turn the Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro into a stylish as stand-alone device, making it suitable for a desktop or living room environment.

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Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro is featuring a great aluminum-design on the outside as well as high-tech components on the inside. Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro is drawing its power from a powerful MAX-IM Max 98400A IC, which allows continuous max. output of 20 watts per channel at 8 Ω (40 W total). At the same time a wide frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz can be covered. High energy efficiency was one of the key targets when designing this compact amplifier. A big knob on the front side allows users to adjust the volume conveniently. Both power and mute button are illuminated for better visibility. External sources can be connected on the front side using the "Input II" 3,5 mm Jack connector. In addition, one 3,5 mm Headphone-Jack is located between the power and mute button. To further increase the usability, the Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro has a front USB port allowing users to charge their MP3 players or Smartphones while playing music.
Scythe Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro is equipped with RCA connectors and speaker terminals on the rear side. Both the RCA connectors and the speaker terminals (support banana plugs) are gold plated, to improve conductivity and prevent rust. Thanks to the big variety of connectors and input types, Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro can be conveniently used with Game Consoles, MP3 players, Smartphones or even hidden inside a PC. All the required cables as well as the AC Adapter and PCI brackets are supplied with the new Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro amplifier.
Scythe's new Kama Bay Amp Mini Pro amplifier (model no. SDAR35-2000) is available as of today for 50,35 EUR (excluding Taxes).

Intel Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
Intel Corporation's board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 22.5 cents per share (90 cents per share on an annual basis) on the company's common stock. The dividend will be payable on Dec. 1, 2013, to stockholders of record on Nov. 7, 2013. Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices.

Westone Introduces The All New W-Series Earphones
Westone, the leader in high performance audio and in-ear monitoring technology, announces the availability of the new W-Series. The W-Series 10, 20, 30 and 40 are the next generation of the acclaimed W-Series that bring superior sound for music lovers and audiophiles. Combining a state-of-the-art design with performance for all levels of audio lovers, the new W-Series is designed to continue the award winning success and acclaim of the Westone lineup while adding improved audio performance and an enhanced design for improved comfort, fit and user customization with the inclusion of two cables and multiple faceplates for users choice of colors.

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The W-Series features Westone's proprietary balanced armature drivers and advanced crossover designs. The W10 features our industry leading single armature driver that delivers outstanding performance and output. The W20/30/40 feature multiple balanced armature drivers and multistage crossover designs that yield sonic purity that is unrivaled in universal monitors at their respective price levels. The premier W40 offers a level of performance that is unequalled by competitors at any level.
The W-Series is supplied with our new replaceable EPIC cable for easy replacement or custom cable selection as well as an Apple MFi cable with 3-button controls and integrated microphone. The new connector is compatible with all the new Westone cables including the ADV active cable and the new UM Pro cable. The EPIC replaceable cable is constructed of high-flex, ultra-low resistance tensile wire, reinforced with a special aramid fiber, and braided for ultimate durability, acoustic transparency, and isolation from mechanical cable noise. The new audiophile connector makes this cable solution conveniently user-removable, upgradeable and replaceable.
The W-Series features interchangeable faceplates (red, blue and black included), straight EPIC replaceable cable, replaceable MFi cable and MIC, Mini-Monitor Vault II weather resistant travel case, and our patented STAR and True-Fit Tips. With Westone True-Fit technology, Westone combines 50+ years experience with in-ear applications that has yielded a low-profile, lightweight, universal earpiece which delivers maximum comfort and in-ear coupling for dynamic music listening.
W-Series features:

W10: single balanced armature delivers extraordinary detail and clarity in a compact ergonomic package.
W 20: a professional tool with a dual driver balanced armature design with passive crossover that has the range and performance for all music.
W30: unmatched sound signature tuned by artists, the three-way crossover is matched to individual low, mid, and high frequency drivers to make the sound mix smooth and balanced across all frequencies.
W40: The premier 4-driver system with 3-way crossover that yields the finest audio available today from any earphone.
"It's a great time to be a Westone enthusiast, especially with all the new products we will be introducing throughout the year. The W-Series is the latest in high performance earphones, designed & engineered for music lovers and audiophiles," said John F. Lowrey, Vice President, Audio Group at Westone. "The W-Series represents superior sound performance, fit and features that showcase the detail and clarity of the music."

The W-Series along with the CE Pro BEST and EXCITE Award winning Adventure Alpha Series (ADV), and other signature products from Westone will be on display at CEDIA Booth #662.
W10 will be available October 15th, 2013 with a suggested MSRP of $199.99, W20 for $299.99, W30 for $399.99 and W40 for $499.99 through authorized dealers and e-retailers including earphonesolutions.com.

LG Launches Two New Ultra-Wide LED Monitors
LG Electronics USA today launched two new "UltraWide" 21:9 aspect ratio* LED monitors designed to offer professional tools for effective multitasking and excellent gaming experience. Models EA73 and LN450W, which will be on sale in late September, also employ LG's advanced In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology and 2560 x 1080 resolution capability* to deliver exceptional picture quality. "Picture quality is always the number one priority when LG designs display products, but we also focus on versatility," said Tim Alessi, director of new product development at LG Electronics USA. "Our new UltraWide monitors exemplify that focus with features that make them ideal for home-office professionals, students, gamers and casual users alike."

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UltraWide Monitor: Multitasking and Multimedia Functionality
LG's new UltraWide monitors feature multitasking and multimedia capabilities, making them ideal for a variety of uses, such as gaming, watching movies and everyday tasks. In addition to their unique aspect ratio and 29-inch class screens (29.0 inches measured diagonally), a feature gamers love because it expands overall screen real estate, LG's new monitors come with software designed to help consumers easily manage multiple windows and source devices.
LG's 4-Screen Split feature allows users to divide the screen into four sections at eight different screen ratios, so users can prioritize windows by size and location instead of having to manually resize and position each window individually. A few simple mouse clicks enable the user to quickly arrange windows into a variety of useful configurations, perfect for the student or professional who needs to jump from program to program. Adding even more versatility, a connectivity feature called Dual-Link Up allows the monitor to connect to two source devices (e.g. smartphones, PCs, cameras, Blu-ray players or gaming systems) and display each on a single screen simultaneously.
Completing the Package
The IPS 21:9 UltraWide series is Mac compatible and supports Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), HDMI and DisplayPort, transforming PCs into powerful entertainment hubs capable of mirroring and transmitting content from a wide range of devices. Graphic designers also should find the monitor's 99 percent sRGB color space expression and support for color calibration helpful. Coupled with these features is IPS technology to help ensure the most accurate color reproduction of source materials.
The LN450W incorporates a digital TV tuner for broadcast reception as well as cable or set-top box connectivity. Both models feature 7W speakers and LG's immersive, thin-bezel CINEMA SCREEN Design for a complete entertainment package.
The EA73 and LN450W will be on sale online and retailers at suggested prices of $599.99 and $649.99, respectively. For more information please visit this page.

Toshiba Unveils Updated Mainstream Laptop Lineup
Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced updates to its mainstream laptop line-up, including new Satellite and Qosmio laptops that are available starting on September 29, 2013.

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"We really have created something for everyone here," said Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. "From the budget conscious consumer to the content creating guru to the gaming god, Toshiba's new Satellite and Qosmio laptops can handle virtually any consumer need, and thanks to their innovative and sleek designs, they'll look great doing it."

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The Updated Line-Up Includes:

Qosmio X Series: For gaming gods, mad multitaskers, and creative pros who want an enthusiast-class laptop, the 17.3-inch Qosmio X75 delivers the latest technologies for maximum performance. Refined, yet aggressive styling of the device will appeal to professionals and gamers alike. The laptop features the new 4th generation Intel Core i7 processor, quad memory slots, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M discrete graphics with Optimus technology and 3 GB of DDR5 video memory, and can be configured with a high performance 1 TB hybrid hard drive, an SSD Drive, or a 1.5 TB standard hard drive with the option of a second hard drive. The laptop is fully equipped for entertainment with a full HD display, Blu-ray Disc rewritable drive, quad Harman Kardon speakers and UltraHD output via HDMI. To complement the Qosmio X75's powerful features right out of the box, full versions of the #1 selling consumer photo and video editing software Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 and Adobe Premiere Elements 11 software are included as well as $50 worth of credits that can be used toward the multiple award-winning game Hawken.
Satellite P Series: Perfect for multimedia and power users who want premium performance and an unmatched entertainment experience with a touch of style, the Satellite P Series has been thoroughly modernized with near-Ultrabook thinness without sacrificing performance. Premium features include a Full HD 15.6-inch diagonal touchscreen display, frameless LED backlit keyboard, NVIDIA discrete graphics option, and the beautiful sound of Harman Kardon speakers with Slipstream port technology. Additional features include a new and improved USB Sleep & Charge for charging larger devices like tablets, speech recognition technology to control your laptop with your voice, and UltraHD output via HDMI.
Satellite S Series: A true premium PC offering core performance and advanced features for entertainment and productivity, the Satellite S Series features powerful performance with an upscale design. The laptops have LED backlit keyboards, premium Harman Kardon speakers, and a sleek and slim brushed Aluminum design in Ice Silver. The new S Series feature powerful 4th generation Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processors with NVIDIA discrete graphics option or the new elite quad-core AMD A10 Accelerated Processing Unit. Available with 15.6-inch diagonal Full HD or HD and 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ displays with optional touchscreens, the laptops can be configured with up to 1 TB of storage and 16 GB of DDR3 memory.
Satellite L Series: Thin, everyday PCs with comprehensive features and configurability, the Satellite L Series is now available with the latest 4th generation Intel Core processors or the elite AMD Accelerated Processing Unit. Featuring refined styling and near-Ultrabook thinness, Satellite L Series are packed with big 15.6-inch diagonal HD with touchscreen availability or 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ displays, rich audio with DTS Studio Sound, as well as improved USB 3.0 with high-power Sleep & Charge technology for charging larger devices like tablets, even if the laptop is off. The laptops can be configured with hard drives up to 1 TB and up to 8 GB of fast DDR3 memory.
Satellite C Series: The popular Satellite C Series basic laptop family shares the same Skyline design found on higher-end Toshiba laptops. Available in 15.6- and 17.3-inch diagonal screen sizes, the C Series continues to provide an amazing value with full-size keyboards featuring 10-key numeric pads, hard drives up to 750 GB and up to 8 GB of DDR3 memory. Now featuring optional touchscreens with edge-to-edge glass, premium raised-tile keyboards and Toshiba's sleek Fusion Finish on select models, the laptops can be configured with the latest processors, including 4th generation Intel Core processors, the value Pentium 2020M processor as well as powerful Accelerated Processing Units from AMD including the quad-core A4 and A6 and value AMD E-Series processors.

Pricing and Availability

The Qosmio X Series starts at $1,399.99 MSRP.
The Satellite P Series starts at $799.99 MSRP.
The Satellite S Series starts at $599.99 MSRP.
The Satellite L Series starts at $529.99 MSRP.
The Satellite C Series starts $359.99 MSRP.

The new Qosmio X Series and Satellite S Series, L Series and C Series laptops will be available at major retailers, e-tailers and direct from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com starting on September 29, 2013.

OCZ Technology Introduces New Deneva 2 Series Enterprise SSDs
OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced the latest addition to the popular Deneva 2 Series which now utilizes 19 nanometer (nm) NAND flash. The new models are 2.5-inch, 6 Gbps SATA III-based Multi-Level Cell (MLC) drives that implement the Deneva 2 SSD Series feature-set and are built around a smaller NAND flash process geometry. This cutting-edge drive solution also features a completely new power architecture that was designed from the ground up to optimize server back plane functionality, providing enhanced management of in-rush current and power fluctuation. The result is an advanced SSD series that delivers superior storage performance, enterprise-class endurance, reliability and quality, and excellent total cost of ownership for customers.

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"Our Deneva 2 has been a popular SSD series among IT professionals not only as an HDD replacement but to dramatically accelerate I/O access of such popular enterprise applications as OnLine Transaction Processing, database warehousing, read intensive data caching and server boot-ups," said Daryl Lang, SVP of Product Management for OCZ Technology. "By implementing new features and the latest NAND flash process geometry we are able to deliver an optimal balance of I/O performance and cost-efficiency to our customers."
The new Deneva 2 SSDs continue to utilize the proven and effective LSI SandForce SF-2281 processor and delivers exceptional performance with 19 nm toggle mode NAND flash. The performance specifications support read bandwidth up to 550 MB/s, write bandwidth up to 520 MB/s, random read throughput (4K blocks) over 45,000 input/output operations per second (IOPS), and random write throughput (4K blocks) over 34,000 IOPS. It provides consistent sustained performance over time so that users can achieve faster file transfers, boot-ups and benefit from a more responsive storage experience. With a priority on reliability and flash-optimized enterprise endurance, the new Deneva 2 includes advanced features such as data fail recovery, intelligent block management, wear leveling and robust error correction. Additionally, power consumption has also been lowered in the new models as well.
The new Deneva 2 SSD Series are now available in three models supporting 120 GB capacity (Model D2CSTK251M3T-0120), 240 GB capacity (Model D2CSTK251M3T-0240) and 480 GB capacity (Model D2CSTK251M3T-0480). For more information, visit ocz.com/enterprise.

Cooler Master Announces Availability of Cosmos SE
Cooler Master, a leading creator, innovator and manufacturer of desktop components and more, today proudly launches the newest addition the ultimate line of premium cases, COSMOS SE. Built and inspired by the spirit of the COSMOS and COSMOS II and their supercar design origins, COSMOS SE comes loaded as a more aggressive and more nimble sports car in a decidedly more compact form. Driven by this aesthetic, COSMOS SE features the trademark curved aluminum handles and sleek outer exterior that fans have come to love. Its divergent styling comes from a more forceful, road hugging, and compact sports car feel.

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Contained within the desirable exterior of the COSMOS SE is the support for truly exceptional system builds. COSMOS SE comes capable of supporting up to 8 fans with four being preinstalled. Two 120mm blue LED fans in the front with LED on/off control, one 140mm fan in the top, and one 120mm fan in the rear to provide strategically placed cooling for all of a user's systems components. Superior liquid cooling support is built in for 120, 240, 280, and 360mm radiators with users being able to install a 120, 280, and a 360mm radiator all at once.

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Outstanding Expandability
Users with light to massive storage needs will find their needed balance with support for up to 8 HDDs / 18 SSDs via removable HDD/SSD cages. The COSMOS SE supports multiple high-end graphics cards up to 395mm / 15.5 inches long and even support for tall CPU coolers up to 175mm / 6.9 inches.
Easy to clean, Quick to build
Proper system maintenance and clean cable management make a large difference in system airflow and performance. COSMOS SE ensures that system maintenance will be easy with multiple removable dust filters placed in the top, front, bottom, and side panel. To ensure that system airflow stays optimal, many cable pass-through areas and a large rear cable management space of 34mm are provided to make it easy to route cables in a more efficient manner.
The COSMOS SE will be offered in two models, one with a windowed side panel and one with a solid side panel.
Price in the EU: 159 Euro, including 19% VAT.

Lian Li Announces the PC-10N Mid Tower Chassis in North America
Lian-Li Industrial Co. Ltd today releases a new brushed aluminum mid tower chassis with side mounted radiator support, PC-10N, in North America. Besides allowing for a 240mm radiator to be placed on a hinged bracket, the PC-10N forgoes the traditional motherboard tray, and instead implements a railing mount design for increased thermal performance and better cable management. A hinged bracket directly across the CPU allows DIY builders to install a 240mm radiator in the PC-10N. The bracket secured by thumbscrews can be swung open on its hinge to allow for easy access of the internal components.

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Railing Mount Motherboard Tray
Lian Li's railing mount technology greatly improves airflow under the motherboard, helping systems run cooler. This design replaces the traditional solid motherboard tray which can block airflow and adds to system weight and cost. The railing system also provides better routing options for internal wiring and cables, reducing clutter, improving system appearance and further improving airflow.

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Tool-Less Hard Drive Installation
Hard drives can be tool-lessly installed in the PC-10N. The six 3.5" drives and one 2.5" drive are secured in the two HDD cages by quick-access thumbscrews with rubber suspensions to greatly reduce irritating noise and vibrations. An additional 2.5" can be installed using four standard screws. Additionally, the top HDD cage can be removed tool-lessly allowing for increased airflow and more space for longer expansion cards.
Thermal Design
Two 120mm fans with air filters located in the front of the chassis pull in cool air. Once the front bezel is tool-lessly popped off, the front fans can be effortlessly removed. The rear 120mm exhaust fan pulls hot air out of the chassis, and an additional 120mm fan can be installed in the top panel.
Compatibility
VGA cards up to 300mm (11.81") in length can fit in the PC-10N when the top HDD cage is not removed, and 430mm (16.9") when the cage is. CPU coolers up to 155mm are supported.
The Lian Li PC-10N also supports power supplies up to 300mm (11.81 inches). Ventilation slits underneath the PSU, with a removable pull-out air filter, help increase the life and performance of the power supply and system.
Connectivity
The front I/O panel is stylishly placed on an angle on the right side of the front panel and contains two USB 3.0 ports and HD audio connections.
The PC-10N is available in two color options: silver (PC-10NA) and black (PC-10NB).
Price and Availability
The PC-10N will be available on Newegg for the suggested retail price of $129.99.

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