IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 9/5/2014

Thursday, September 4, 2014

IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 9/5/2014

TweakTown

We take a closer look at the QHD-powered Galaxy Note 4 from Samsung
Our man on the ground at IFA 2014, Johannes Knapp, has gone hands-on with the new Galaxy Note 4 smartphone. We take a closer look at the beautiful 5.7-inch 2560x1440 Super AMOLED panel, and much more.

We see the fingerprint sensor on the home button on the Note 4, as well as the heartbeat sensor on the back. A 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, while the 3.7-megapixel front-facing camera will have your selfies taken care of. For more details on the Galaxy Note 4, check out our post on it as Samsung announced it in Berlin, Germany.

TweakTown image we_take_a_closer_look_at_the_qhd_powered_galaxy_note_4_from_samsung

We got hands-on with the new Samsung Gear VR headset at IFA 2014
Samsung unveiled its Gear VR headset at IFA 2014 yesterday, its new VR headset that it worked closely with Oculus VR on. The Gear VR requires the newly-announced Galaxy Note 4 smartphone to work, with our man on the ground at IFA 2014 taking a closer look.

One of the big benefits of the Gear VR is that it is completely wireless, compared to the multiple cables that require the Oculus Rift to work. There's one that is strapped to the Rift itself, then multiple other cables that need plugging in (two from the positional tracking camera), one for power, and a USB port.

TweakTown image we_got_hands_on_with_the_new_samsung_gear_vr_headset_at_ifa_2014

Verizon will pay $7.4 million for violating subscriber privacy
Verizon will pay a $7.4 million fine to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to end a privacy investigation that accused the company of not informing two million landline customers that their personal information would be used for marketing purposes. The FCC new about the problem dating back to September 2012, and Verizon informed the FCC in January 2013.

TweakTown image verizon_will_pay_7_4_million_for_violating_subscriber_privacy

If the new Verizon customers received privacy notices in their first bill, they would have learned about their ability to opt out of future marketing promotions. Verizon now is sending opt-out notices with every phone bill to customers.
"In today's increasingly connected world, it is critical that every phone company honor its duty to inform customers of their privacy choices and then to respect those choices," said Travis LeBlanc, FCC enforcement chief, in a statement. "It is plainly unacceptable for any phone company to use its customers' personal information for thousands of marketing campaigns without even giving them the choice to opt out."

Police snooping tool used to steal nude photos from iCloud
The celebrity photo scandal that took the Internet by storm over the weekend likely was caused by computer forensics technology used by the police. Using the Elcomsoft Phone Password Breaker (EPPB) software, designed for police and government agencies, people who purchase the software can snag photos from iCloud backups.

TweakTown image police_snooping_tool_used_to_steal_celebrities_photos_from_icloud

Instead of using iBrute to steal a user's iCloud login and password, using EPPB allows criminals to download an iPhone or iPad backup into a single folder - in addition to photos and videos, they can access application data, text messages, contacts, and other data. Apple released a carefully worded statement that said its iCloud and Find My Phone services were not hit by a data breach.
The use of Elcomsoft's software, along with Oxygen, Cellebrite and other similar programs have given cybercriminals the ability to compromise users in an easier, streamlined manner. EPPB is available for $399 - and doesn't require any government or police credentials - and can also be found on piracy websites.

Open WebOS revamped as LuneOS and plans to shake up mobile devices
Open WebOS has been given a name change, now known as LuneOS, and has been designed as an open source alternative to Google Android and other mobile operating systems.

TweakTown image open_webos_revamped_as_luneos_and_plans_to_take_over_mobile_devices

Open WebOS is based on WebOS, designed by Palm and later owned by Hewlett-Packard, with HP deciding to contribute the software to open source coders. HP's last webOS update was in January 2012 when the company released webOS 3.0.5, but the open source community hopes to pick up the slack. webOS is now supported by LG Electronics, and has opened the door to coders and open source developers to play with a cross-platform JavaScript SDK.
LuneOS currently only supports the Google Nexus 4 and HP TouchPad, but designers hope to create a stable offering for these devices - and slowly expand to other smartphones. Instead of trying to directly compete with Android or Apple's iOS, LuneOS wants to bring back a bit of nostalgia for users that enjoyed webOS back in the day.

U.S. Air Force testing X-37B space plane, surpasses 600 days in orbit
The secretive U.S. Air Force X-37B space plane recently moved beyond 600 days in orbit as part of a classified test mission that doesn't have a scheduled end date in the near future. The space plane launched on Dec. 11, 2012 onboard an Atlas 5 rocket, and has spent almost one year and nine months in orbit.

TweakTown image u_s_air_force_testing_x_37b_space_plane_surpasses_600_days_in_orbit

Details about the X-37B's exact specifications - and what it is doing in space - remain unknown, but the aircraft is 29 feet in length and stands 9.5 feet tall, with a wingspan of almost 15 feet. Using solar panels, the aircraft is able to stay in space for longer durations, but is still nowhere near the longevity of many U.S. satellites currently in orbit.
"The Air Force continues to push the envelope of the solar-powered X-37B capabilities," said Joan Johnson-Freese, National Security Affairs professor at the U.S. Navy War College.
As nations invest more money into space militarization and counter-space programs, it's important for the United States to continue its own space ambitions, military officers have noted in the past.

Space robot arm technology pushing boundaries of surgery on Earth
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) manufactures the Canadarm and Canadarm2 robotic arms for space research, but has joined the KidsArm project to help bring a mini-arm to pediatric surgery. Testing indicates the technology could be used to operate on blood vessels without actually damaging them, along with connecting vessels to other parts of the body.

TweakTown image space_robot_arm_technology_pushing_boundaries_of_surgery_on_earth

The KidsArm system utilizes vision-based technology that helps direct a surgical arm to precise locations to carry out medical procedures. The tool tip is guided to a specific location using a "3D point cloud" to help determine where to suture.
"The goal of the robotic arm is to help doctors perform certain procedures many times faster than if they were only using their hands, and with increased accuracy," said Thomas Looi, director of the Center for Image-Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention at the Hospital for Sick Kids (SickKids), noted in a statement. "Some of this would be done autonomously. While we are not quite there yet, KidsArm is able to perform three to five suture points autonomously."

Samsung launches UD970, a 31.5-inch Ultra High-Definition monitor
Samsung has announced that its 4K ultra-high definition 31.5-inch monitor, the UD970, will be released later this month with a $1999.99 MAP price. The UD970 features support for a 3840 x 2160 resolution and has 40 percent more viewing area than a regular 27-inch monitor - and is designed for digital imaging and video professionals. Live demonstrations with the monitors revealed bright, clear and vivid pictures, thanks in part to the screen's 10-bit color processing capability.

TweakTown image samsung_launches_ud970_a_31_5_inch_ultra_high_definition_monitor

"For today's professionals, UHD display technology unlocks a new dimension of rich and detailed imagery, enabling them to take their creativity and productivity to a new level," said Tod Pike, Samsung Enterprise Business Division SVP. "Samsung has a long history of leadership in display technologies and we're excited to bring this new advancement to creative professionals and enterprise users."
The cost of professional UHD displays are steadily dropping - as they were drastically more expensive just one year ago - but are working their way closer to mainstream consumers.

Lenovo's new Tab S8 tablet is priced at $199, features an Intel chip
Lenovo has just announced its new Tab S8 tablet, a new slate that is powered by an Intel Atom processor and runs Android 4.4. This is Lenovo's first Intel-powered, Android-based tablet, with a 1.3GHz processor inside that will take care of the processing side of things, and if things get heavy, it'll go into burst mode to 1.86GHz.

TweakTown image lenovo_s_new_tab_s8_tablet_is_priced_at_199_features_an_intel_chip

The new Tab S8 features an 8-inch 1920x1200 display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal flash storage, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera backed up by a 1.6-megapixel front-facing shooter. The Intel processor found inside is an Atom Z3745 processor, which features Intel's Burst Performance Technology. The Tab S8 weighs 294g (or 0.65lbs), with it being just 0.78cm (or 0.31 inches) thick.
We also have optional 4G capabilities, and Wi-Fi for the communication side of things. Lenovo has also provided Bluetooth 4.0, and Dolby-enhanced dual front speakers to handle the audio side of things. Best of all, we will see the Lenovo Tab S8 priced at just $199, with the 4G model being more expensive, but the company hasn't unveiled the pricing or availability of the 4G-powered Tab S8 just yet.

Sony unveils the Xperia Z3 smartphone, and two other Z3 devices
After quite a few rumors and reports, Sony's new Xperia Z3 is totally official. The Xperia Z3 arrives with a 5.2-inch 1080p display, a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 20-megapixel rear-facing camera that is now able to reach 12,800 ISO sensitivity.

TweakTown image sony_unveils_the_xperia_z3_smartphone_and_two_other_z3_devices

The lens on the Z3 now includes a 25mm-equivalent field of view, where it can capture more of the scene you're shooting. There's also improved image stabilization abilities for video, which should keep your video nice and still - 4K video recording included. The Z2 already feels like an amazingly well-built smartphone, but according to The Verge, the Z3 is a "little bit thinner, lighter, and easier to handle." The company has also cut down around 1mm of thickness from the Z3, without taking away any of the 3100mAh battery.
Sony says that the Z3 smartphone will last two days on a full charge, compared to the 1.4 days on the Z2 and 1.2 days on the Z1. The Z3 smartphone will launch later this year.
Moving onto the Z3 Compact, which is a 4.6-inch smartphone, and the 8-inch Z3 Tablet Compact. We find most of the same hardware in these two new devices as we do in the Xperia Z3 smartphone. The 8-inch Z3 Tablet Cmopact features a 1920x1200 display, up 120 pixels from the 1920x1080 display on the Z3. it is super-light in the hands, just like the Z2 Tablet is, making it lighter than the iPad Air from Apple.
Sony will also be rolling out PS4 Remote Play to its Z3 family of devices in November, which will allow you to run your PS4 games on your Z3 Tablet Compact, which should be quite the experience. It's nice to see Sony doing things differently, with the PS4 Remote Play being a big change for Sony fans, and especially PS4 owners.

We go hands-on with the new ASUS ZenWatch at IFA 2014
Our man on the ground at IFA 2014 is Johannes Knapp, who has just had some hands, or wrist-on time with the new ASUS ZenWatch. His video is below, and below that we'll have a quick recap on what the ZenWatch is made of.

Knapp notes in the video that it looks and feels like a good quality watch, where it's quite thin, too. We have a 1.63-inch 320x320 AMOLED display, a 369mAh battery, a Snapdragon 400 processor and a price tag of $260.

TweakTown image we_go_hands_on_with_the_new_asus_zenwatch_at_ifa_2014

Toshiba's new Chromebook 2 features Full HD display, priced at $329
Toshiba has announced its new Chromebook 2, which comes in two configurations. The first is an entry-level model with modest specifications, while the higher-end models amps it up a little, with both configurations featuring a 13.3-inch display.

TweakTown image toshiba_s_new_chromebook_2_features_full_hd_display_priced_at_329

The entry-level model features a 1366x768 resolution on its 13.3-inch panel, while the higher-end model features a Full HD IPS-based 1920x1080 resolution. The $249 model features 2GB of RAM and Intel's dual-core Celeron N2840 processor. The $329 model increases the specs to 4GB of RAM and a higher-clocked Celeron processor.
Both of the new Toshiba Chromebook 2 models will include Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 4.0, a full-sized HDMI output, one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, and an SD card reader. Toshiba will make the Chromebook 2 available as of October 5, with three colors available: Charcoal, Aqua, and Rose.

Oculus VR announces the Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition
Samsung only unveiled the Galaxy Note 4 and Gear VR at IFA 2014 a few moments ago, with the Gear VR "Powered by Oculus". Oculus VR has just announced the new Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition, which is a new mobile VR headset powered by the Galaxy Note 4 smartphone.

TweakTown image oculus_vr_announces_the_samsung_gear_vr_innovator_edition

The Gear VR was "created by Samsung and powered by Oculus" and over the "last 12 months, we've been collaborating with Samsung on the future of mobile virtual reality," according to Oculus. The Facebook-owned VR startup continues: "The project actually began as an experiment to see if great VR was possible on next-generation mobile hardware. Oculus CTO John Carmack and the mobile team at Oculus were able to blow everyone away in an extremely short amount of time, quickly proving that we were on to something special."
The Galaxy Note 4's internal GPU and CPU to power Gear VR, using the 2560x1440 low-persistence 5.7-inch AMOLED panel as its display. John Carmack's role as the CTO of Oculus VR is becoming more clear, as he has worked with the mobile team at Oculus on Gear VR. The year was spent between developing a new Oculus Mobile SDK, as well as optimizing Android and the GPU drivers for VR.

TweakTown image oculus_vr_announces_the_samsung_gear_vr_innovator_edition

There are four new experiences built by Oculus: Oculus Home, Oculus Cinema, Oculus 360 Videos and Oculus 360 Photos. With the full explanation of these new apps below:

Oculus Home is a simple interface for connecting to the Oculus Store, where you can discover, download, and launch VR content.
Oculus Cinema is a virtual movie theater, where you can playback your favorite 2D and 3D movies in a variety of theater environments.
Oculus 360 Videos and Oculus 360 Photos are experiences that allow you to playback panoramic content in VR.

Samsung announces Gear VR, works with Galaxy Note 4
Something that wasn't too much of a surprise, but is an interesting new step for Samsung, is the just-announced Gear VR. Samsung has been rumored to have been working on a VR headset for a while now, but it is now official.

TweakTown image samsung_announces_gear_vr_works_with_galaxy_note_4

The South Korean electronics giant has teased that Gear VR works with the just-announced Galaxy Note 4 smartphone, which features a 5.7-inch 2560x1440 display, so it'll be interesting to see what Gear VR looks like against the Oculus Rift DK2 which features a 1920x1080 display.

Samsung expands the Galaxy range with the Galaxy Note Edge
Samsung unveiled two new Galaxy Note smartphones at IFA 2014, with the Galaxy Note 4, but the surprise here was the Galaxy Note Edge. The Galaxy Note Edge features a sloping, curved OLED display.

TweakTown image samsung_expands_the_galaxy_range_with_the_galaxy_note_edge

The display itself is a QHD Super AMOLED display, the same panel that is found in the Galaxy Note 4, except that it is a 5.6-inch panel compared to the 5.7-inch panel found on the Note 4. Samsung uses specific software to join the two parts of the 5.6-inch display, which allow them to be simultaneously independent and connected.
What does the sloping screen on the Galaxy Note Edge offer? The default status has it sitting there as a kind of quick launcher, where it is home to your most-used apps. Samsung provides a bunch of widgets, and much more. The edge can also act as a toolbar, where it will provide quick access to various menus and camera modes, or in-app settings. For example, at night time, it can be used as an alarm clock, with the time being displayed on the edge of the panel.
The Galaxy Note Edge will be arriving in the US later this year, but we don't know whether it will be crossing the pond just yet - but I'm sure we'll hear more about this soon.

Samsung officially announces the Galaxy Note 4 smartphone
Samsung has made its Galaxy Note 4 official at IFA 2014, something that we've known was coming for quite a while now. We don't know much about this smartphone, but we're going to fill you in on that very shortly.

TweakTown image samsung_officially_announces_the_galaxy_note_4_smartphone

The Galaxy Note 4 features a premium metal frame with a slight curve to its 2.5D glass, which is now stronger and more durable. The star of the Galaxy Note 4 show is the 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display, meaning we have 2560x1440 panel here with 3.7 billion pixels compared to the 2 billion pixels of the Full HD display on the Galaxy Note 3.

TweakTown image samsung_officially_announces_the_galaxy_note_4_smartphone

It's just 176g and 8.5mm thin, arriving in four different colors: black, white, bronze gold and pink. We also have an improved UI, with multi-window being easier to use now, with the Recent key powering the multi-tasking functions of the Galaxy Note 4.

ASUS surprises at IFA 2014, launches the EeeBook X205 priced at $199
For those with fond memories of the Eee PC range, ASUS is bringing it back with the new EeeBook X205. The company unveiled the cheap new system at IFA 2014 in Berlin, Germany today.

TweakTown image asus_surprises_at_ifa_2014_launches_the_eeebook_x205_priced_at_199

The ASUS EeeBook X205 features an 11.6-inch 1366x768 display, and runs Windows 8.1, but the best bit here is the price: just $199. Inside of the EeeBook X205 we have the quad-core Intel Atom T3735 Bay Trailer processor, 2GB of RAM, a VGA webcam, a microSDXC slot, and a micro HDMI port. All of this comes in a light package, weighing a total of 980g (or 2.16lbs).
On the storage side of things, ASUS is offering either 32GB or 64GB of flash memoy, with some cloud storage options: 15GB of Microsoft OneDrive for life, as well as 100GB of OneDrive, and 500GB of ASUS WebStorage for two years. ASUS hasn't provided a date for the new X205, but we should expect it to drop before the end of the year.

ASUS announces the ZenBook UX305, with a 13.3-inch 3200x1800 display
ASUS has just unveiled its latest Ultrabook at IFA 2014 in Berlin, Germany: the ZenBook UX305. The ZenBook UX305 is similar to the already gorgeous UX301, but it now features a 13.3-inch 3200x1800 display, providing a pixel density of 276PPI.

TweakTown image asus_announces_the_zenbook_ux305_with_a_13_3_inch_3200x1800_display

The new ZenBook UX305 is only 12.3mm thick, making it one of the world's thinnest Ultrabooks to pack a 3200x1800 display. It weighs just 1.2kg (or 2.64lbs) compared to the already light Apple MacBook Air which weighs 1.35kg (or 2.97lbs). ASUS has crafted the ZenBook UX305 with its diamond cut highlights and signature spun-metal finish which comes in two varieties: "Obsidian Stone" or "Ceramic Alloy".
Inside, we don't know much, but Engadget is reporting that it has an Intel Core M processor, 10 hours of battery life, and a choice of 128GB or 256GB SSDs. We should hear more about this new ZenBook in the coming months.

ASUS makes its ZenWatch official, powered by Android Wear for $260
ASUS has finally taken the wraps off of its ZenWatch, the company's first wearable, at IFA 2014 in Berlin, Germany. The new ZenWatch is powered by Google's wearable OS, Android Wear, and features a 1.63-inch, 320x320 AMOLED touchscreen.

TweakTown image asus_makes_its_zenwatch_official_powered_by_android_wear_for_260

The body of the ZenWatch sports a curved stainless steel case which is surrounded by a rose-gold-colored inset, with the top of the smartwatch featuring a piece of 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass 3. It includes a genuine stitched-leather strap with a quick release clasp in the box, but this can be swapped out with your own 22mm band.
Inside of ASUS' first wearable is the same processor that powers some of the smartwatches from Samsung and LG: a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 SoC. We also have 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal flash storage, a 1.4Wh battery, Bluetooth 4.0, a microphone and a biosensor that can monitor your heart rate and activity. ASUS has splashed an IP55 rating on the ZenWatch, so you don't have to take it off if you're going to jump in the shower. The Taiwanese manufacturer has also ported some of its ZenUI elements onto the ZenWatch, with some pre-loaded functions making the cut.
We have "Watch Unlock" which allows ZenWatch wearers to unlock their phone or tablet by tapping their ZenWatch's watch face. Tap Tap allows you to toggle pre-assigned functions by double-tapping the watch, and then we have the "Cover to Mute," "Find My Phone," "Remote Camera" and "Presentation Control".
ASUS will be making the ZenWatch available in select markets across the world in between late Q3 and Q4, at a price of around $260.

NVIDIA announces GAME24, an event for celebrating PC gamers
NVIDIA will be holding an event for PC gamers on September 18 called GAME24. GAME24 is 'the first global celebration of PC gamers' and will take place in multiple locations across the world: Los Angeles, Shanghai, Stockholm, London, and more.

TweakTown image nvidia_announces_game24_an_event_for_celebrating_pc_gamers

Better yet, is that if the reports are true, NVIDIA will officially launch its new GeForce GTX 900 series on September 19, the day after GAME24. VideoCardz.com has done some detective work, where they found the main page to be titled "NVIDIA Maxwell Teaser homepage" that the Twitter hashtag of #maxwelliscoming in between the lines of some javascript.

TweakTown image nvidia_announces_game24_an_event_for_celebrating_pc_gamers

Whatever happens, you can be sure we'll be on it here at TweakTown, giving you the details on NVIDIA's next-generation GPU launch, and GAME24, as it happens.

Intel's new Core i7-5960X overclocked to 6.45GHz on LN2
If you thought the previous attempt at overclocking Intel's just-released Core i7-5960X was good, hitting 6.2GHz, HiCookie's achievement is a little better, hitting 6.45GHz.

TweakTown image intel_s_new_core_i7_5960x_overclocked_to_6_45ghz_on_ln2

HiCookie used GIGABYTE's X99 SOC Force motherboard to hit the massive milestone, with 6451.88MHz to be exact. He disabled most of the 16 threads on the CPU, down to just two cores. Windows XP Professional was his OS of choice to get the record, with 1.847V being used, and a single stick of DDR4 memory.

Silicon Studio's new graphics engine will blow your mind
For years now the question of "can it run Crysis" has been inked onto the PC community, as Crytek's game was more of a benchmark than a game when it was released. Shortly after, Crytek saw the numbers on consoles and wanted the market, all but leaving the super high-end, PC-melting graphics engine business, watering it down to play it on the potato machines, or should I say, consoles.

Well, Silicon Studio has just teased their new tech engine, Mizuchi, and holy hell is it beautiful. The demo itself is run in real-time, with the level of graphics shown off in the game unlike anything you've ever seen before. We're talking Pixar-level and above graphics, but running in real-time, and looking absolutely beautiful.
I don't think we'll see a game running this engine anytime soon, but it would be great if we could have this released as a benchmark for our hardware, wouldn't it? What do you think? Would you want to run something that looks this insane on your PC?

TweakTown image silicon_studio_s_new_graphics_engine_will_blow_your_mind

Logitech's new keyboard works on three devices at once
Logitech has just unveiled its new Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480, which is capable of working on virtually any OS, better yet, it works on three devices at once. Thanks to the new Easy-Switch dial, you can switch between your devices very easily, and very quickly.

TweakTown image logitech_s_new_keyboard_works_on_three_devices_at_once

The new K480 can also connect to three different Bluetooth devices at once, whether its Windows, Mac, Chrome OS or even mobile operating systems like iOS and Android. Charlotte Johs, the global vice president of computer peripherals at Logitech explains: "Typing needs have evolved and consumers are computing and texting across multiple screens, often using two or three different operating systems. The Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 makes it simple for people to work, create or communicate quickly and comfortably, no matter what computing device or platform they are using."
Logitech will be making its new Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 later this month in the US and Europe, with a price of just $49.99.

Lenovo teases its new 17-inch touchscreen gaming laptop, weighs 7.5lbs
The gaming laptop market has slowly been expanding, but the screen size on most portable gaming machines have been shrinking down to the 13- and 14-inch range. Not anymore, thanks to Lenovo's new Y70 Touch gaming laptop, which features a 17-inch touchscreen LCD.

TweakTown image lenovo_teases_its_new_17_inch_touchscreen_gaming_laptop_weighs_7_5lbs

The Lenovo Y70 Touch is fully touch-capable, compared to most of the gaming laptops on the market which are not. The Y70 Touch can be configured with a Core i7 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPU, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of mechanical HDD or 256GB of SSD. Lenovo pegs the battery life at around five hours, but I'm sure that is not while it's gaming.
Lenovo will be making its 17-inch touchscreen gaming laptop available next month with a starting price of $1,299.

Microsoft is currently rolling out the Xbox One to 28 new countries
Microsoft is launching its Xbox One console in 28 new countries this month, where it started off in Chile and Columbia yesterday. Tomorrow sees the launch of the Xbox One in Japan, while China receives it on September 23 and Russia three days later on September 26.

TweakTown image microsoft_is_currently_rolling_out_the_xbox_one_to_28_new_countries

September 16 is a big day for Xbox, where the Xbox One launches in 16 new countries. The launch of the Xbox One in China is a big deal, as it is the first time that a console made outside of China has launched in the country, with the Chinese government banning foreign consoles sales in the country over the last 14 years. Microsoft has a full list of dates and countries for the Xbox One launch, which are:

9/2: Chile and Colombia
9/4: Japan
9/5: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
9/15: Israel
9/23: Hong Kong, India, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan
9/23: China
9/26: Russia

Thermaltake Core V1 Mini-ITX SFF Chassis Review

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

TweakTown image thermaltake_core_v1_mini_itx_sff_chassis_review

When the Core Series is spoken of, we immediately think back to the Thermaltake Core V71, where Thermaltake offered a chassis like no other they had before. Of course, it did take some interior components that we had seen in other designs, but the versatility of the interior design, along with the slick rounded exterior, the full mesh front panel, and huge side window, all lent to its high ratings. Not only did we at TweakTown give the Core V71 an outstanding rating, but no one elsewhere could point out a failure with that design either.
So, how do we connect this oversized full-tower into the realm of Small Form Factor cases? Well, both of these are from the same Core Series from Thermaltake. Of course, we are dealing with something much smaller this time around, but there is a definite styling that is easily recognizable as a chassis from this same series. This is due to the full mesh front bezel, the rounded off design, an interior layout with plenty of room for an AIO, and all of the typical Mini-ITX system goodies. They even figured out a way to put in an extra-large window in perspective to the chassis and panel size. So, even though we are now in SFF territory, you will easily see why this chassis is named Core V1.
We have you here today to join us as we take a tour around, inside of, and have our hand at a build inside of the Core V1 Mini-ITX chassis from Thermaltake. We know it shares aesthetics and design elements that make it easily recognizable as a Core chassis, but following the V71, we also expect some modularity, and an easy time with the process as a whole. Stick around as we go through all of the finer points of what this Core V1 has to offer, and see if it is a SFF chassis worthy of carrying the Core Series moniker.
The Core V1 has an all steel assembly for the frame and panels, but this Mini-ITX chassis has a plastic bezel frame with steel mesh that covers the entire front. The Core V1 is restricted to 276mm in height, 260mm in width, and 316mm in depth. We can also see that there is a windowed panel, and a mention of interchangeable panels. This means that either of the well ventilated side panels will swap with the top panel, so the window can be on the left, the right, or you can leave it at the top as shipped.

TweakTown image thermaltake_core_v1_mini_itx_sff_chassis_review

Inside of the chassis there are two storage drive trays that will allow for either a pair of 2.5" drives, or a pair of 3.5" drives that hang off the right side of the motherboard tray. Speaking of which, the tray offers raised steel section drilled to accept the motherboard screws, and even offers a large access hole for the CPU cooler backplate. At the front of the plate, near the 200mm installed fan, the tray is open to allow for all wiring from the PSU to get to the upper shelf easily. In the back there are two expansion slots, and cards that fill them can be 255mm and still fit inside the chassis. The front is also cut away to allow you to fiddle with fitting 285mm worth of card, if the 200mm fan is not used. The other specification that will lead to many wanting to use an AIO is that the CPU height restriction is 120mm from the motherboard to the top panel.
Cooling options are pretty limited inside of this chassis as far as locations are concerned, but this is a very small chassis to fit many fans into. The front allows for the stock 200mm fan to be installed, but also offers mounting for a single 140mm or 120mm fan. With the room between the front of the chassis and the motherboard tray, AIOs with standard 27mm thick radiators will pose little issue installing here. The other option for air flow is to fill the pair of fan locations in the rear of the chassis, but sadly those are 80mm, so adding fans here will likely raise the noise level of this chassis as well.
Finding a Core V1 for your very own is pretty easy at this point, as stock showed up everywhere we looked during our search for its current pricing. This is where things get even better for the Core V1 in our opinion. While some locations are asking the moon for one of these cases with near $90 pricing plus shipping, currently, this chassis can be had for much less of an investment. At first, we thought the deal at Newegg was pretty good at $49 with $5.99 more needed for shipping.
However, when we looked over at Amazon, we found the current pricing to be set at only $40.99 with $8.99 for shipping, saving a couple more dollars yet. For this sort of an investment, the Core V1 would have to be a serious failure to not attract tons of customers, and we already know that isn't the case with the Core V1. For this price, it certainly is impressive.
PRICING: You can find the Thermaltake Core V1 for sale below. The prices listed are valid at the time of writing, but can change at any time. Click the link to see the very latest pricing for the best deal.
United States: The Thermaltake Core V1 retails for $40.99 at Amazon.
Canada: The Thermaltake Core V1 retails for CDN$60.18 at Amazon Canada.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Crucial MX100 512GB Two-Drive SSD RAID Report

Introduction

TweakTown image crucial_mx100_512gb_two_drive_ssd_raid_report

By far, 16nm NAND is the smallest lithography flash to hit the market. Typically, as lithography shrinks, you get some good benefits, and some unfortunate consequences. The benefits come in the form of lower cost to the consumer for the same capacity. The consequences of shrinking lithography typically come in the form of lower performance, and reduced endurance.
We saw this scenario play out when Micron flash went from 25nm lithography to 20nm lithography. When 20nm IMFT flash first hit the market, its performance was downright abysmal; SSD prices came down dramatically, but so did performance. In its first generation, 20nm IMFT flash was easily outperformed by competing 19nm Toshiba flash.
Today, however, 20nm Micron flash is a more mature process, and has become an excellent performer, to the point of even challenging the best Toshiba flash for performance supremacy. Micron flash based SSDs are typically less expensive in comparison to their Toshiba based counterparts, but the Toshiba based drives usually have an edge in performance.
Crucial's 16nm flash based MX100 is basically their response to Samsung TLC flash based SSDs; moving to a 16nm lithography allows Crucial to compete with Samsung's EVO in terms of price. The question is: How will moving to a smaller lithography shake out performance wise? This shrinkage is reminiscent of the 25nm to 20nm change that preceded this die change. Will we see a big performance hit like last time?
Well, there is only one way to find out; let's dive in and see!
PRICING: You can find Crucial's MX100 (512GB) for sale below. The prices listed are valid at the time of writing, but can change at any time. Click the link to see the very latest pricing for the best deal.
United States: The Crucial MX100 (512GB) retails for $209.99 at Amazon.
Canada: The Crucial MX100 (512GB) retails for CDN$224.99 at Amazon Canada.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Antec EDGE 650W 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply Review

Introduction

TweakTown image antec_edge_650w_80_plus_gold_power_supply_review

Today Antec introduces a new line of power supplies and if it lives up to the hype surrounding it, it is set to be a favored line for enthusiasts requiring enough power for a duo of high-end GPU's or less. The new series that we are speaking of is the EDGE series. The EDGE series sits between the TruePower Gold and High Current Pro Platinum series of power supplies. Antec's official word on the series is that, "It creates a new top class of maximum efficiency & performance within our range of PSUs with fully modular connectivity."
That makes this the second highest line of power supplies that Antec has to offer. As such, we expect it to perform exceptionally well. Antec has built one heck of a name for themselves throughout the years, and anything less than a great unit, just would not be well received by enthusiasts.
One of the most prominent features of the EDGE series is that it is meant to be a very quiet power supply. We've been toying with the idea of testing the sound levels of power supplies for a while now and are nearing completion of what we would like to see happen. As such, we've got some tools to test with now and we figured that we would give Antec a shot at just how quiet they could be. They sent over a P100 case and some of their True Quiet UFO fans just to see how quiet of a build we could come up with using their products.

Specifications, Availability and Pricing

TweakTown image antec_edge_650w_80_plus_gold_power_supply_review

As far as I/O specifications go, the Antec EDGE 650W power supply doesn't have anything too special going on. It uses a dual 12V rail design with each rail rated for 35A with a combined maximum output of 648W or 54A. Both the 3.3V and 5V rails are rated for 20A each with a combined maximum output of 100W. The 5VSB rail is rated for 2.5A or 12.5W. Maximum combined output for the Antec EDGE 650W power supply is 650W.

TweakTown image antec_edge_650w_80_plus_gold_power_supply_review

Being towards the top of what Antec has to offer for power supplies, it is expected that the unit be filled with features and protections. Our Feature Summary shows just that, as it has almost every feature that we check for. All protections are present, just as would be expected. The power supply is fully modular and all cables are of the flat ribbon type with the exception of the 24-pin main, which is fully sleeved. The Antec EDGE 650W power supply is rated for 80 PLUS Gold efficiency. Antec lists the operating temperature for the unit as 40C and thus it doesn't receive a pass for being rated for 50C.
Antec lists the EDGE 650W power supply with an MSRP of $129.95. This places it comparatively priced amongst units with similar features and wattages. You'll be hard pressed to find one with all the options the EDGE 650W offers though. Antec backs the EDGE series with a five-year warranty.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Alpenfoehn Sella CPU Cooler Review

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

For those of us on this side of the pond, the Germany based company Alpenfoehn is not one of the first companies that comes to mind when hunting down a new CPU cooler. This is due to the fact that their products tend to stay on their side of the pond for sales, and most sites that have reviewed their products tend to be where they are selling best. After about a year after our requests to see what they had to offer, our luck has changed sort of out of the blue, and Alpenfoehn reached out to us to have a look at four of their latest offerings, running the gamut from a compact economical solution, on through to the midrange. They have even sent along their newest flagship cooler as well.
Not having anything prior to go from as far as preconceived notions, or any factual information about Alpenfoehn, we found ourselves reading their mission statement. In their mission statement, they inform us they have been in the game since 2006, and are in the business of offering top quality products with great value.
Even without having read their mission statement, we can learn a ton about a company just from the package that arrives at the door. Here Alpenfoehn stepped forward and individually wrapped all of the coolers with great care, then placed them in a box to make the long journey to us. On top of this, without request, we were also sent a set of Alpenfoehn fans to accompany these coolers. Of course, this will get the name of the fans out there, but it also gives us the chance to run dual fan testing on the majority of what they have sent to us.
Today, as the title suggests, we are beginning with the smallest of Alpenfoehn's offerings, and working our way up to the flagship. Just because the new Sella is small doesn't mean you should count this cooler completely out of the game just yet. Yes, this cooler is based on a 92mm fan, but its compact nature is something sorely missed in the realm of SFF chassis design. Of course, this is a stock replacement cooler that offers better thermals and lower audio levels cast into the room, but by how much and at what cost? These are the things we plan to cover as we look at one of the very few coolers that will fit in the tighter confines a lot of us find ourselves in these days.

TweakTown image alpenfoehn_sella_cpu_cooler_review

The Sella is a tower style cooler that comes in a very compact design. This cooler uses HDC, or Heat pipe Direct Contact, where three copper 6mm diameter heat pipes come together side by side in the base of the cooler. The pipes then run vertically through the thirty nine 0.35mm thick aluminum fins, where the fan is called into action to remove the heat from the cooler. All told, this assembly is 53mm thick, and when you add 25mm of fan thickness to that number, it is 105mm in width. Additionally, even though the box specs show differently, the Sella stands at only 129mm in height. Height is where this design really wins, as the CPU cooling world has moved into massive dual-towers and AIOs. Not too many companies even thought to make an air cooler for the smaller and much more compact world of SFF chassis designs that are all the rage right now.
Cooling this tower is accomplished with the employment of a single 92mm fan. This fan moves 62.8 cubic meters of air per hour, which means there is roughly 37CFM to cool the fin stack. Another thing that bodes well for the Sella is that this fan is rated at only 20.7 dB(A) of noise, which is audible, but in a small box across the room, it will be very hard to pick out the source this of audible noise. This fan uses an alternating fin pattern on the leading and trailing edges to break up and increase air flow efficiency. There are also rubber pads applied to all four corners of this fan to make sure vibration from the fan is not an issue.
The Sella will also only mount to some of the latest processors on the market, and rightfully so, as this compact cooler may not be up to the challenges of cooling LGA1366 and LGA2011. This cooler is engineered with permanent AMD mounting on the base of the cooler. By this we mean that there is tab lock hardware that will lock down to any stock AMD mounting bracket. For Intel mounting, there is a mounting ring and some push pins that can be added to allow the AMD latches to clip onto an Intel board.
At this time, we are unable to locate this cooler inside of the U.S., but Amazon has a history carrying Alpenfoehn coolers, so hopefully these will arrive soon as well. Surfing the net from over the pond, we easily found a few locations where the cooler is available. Within these listings, on the higher-end of the pricing spectrum, we found the Sella available for £18.95 at OCUK with few in stock.
With a currency conversion check, we were able to establish that this cooler should be priced somewhere around $32 on this side of the pond. So, not only can you get something near silent, and small enough to fit in a lot more small chassis designs than the typical offerings out there, but we also see that obtaining one will not break the bank. So far, it appears the Sella is off on the right foot; let's hope it remains just as graceful throughout the rest of this review.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Digital Storm Bolt 2 SFF Gaming Desktop PC Review

Introduction

TweakTown image digital_storm_bolt_2_sff_gaming_desktop_pc_review

Today, we're getting the chance to look at another Digital Storm system. This system is an upgrade from a previous model that we've looked at in a prior review. This is one of our favorite things to do, as it allows us to show a direct comparison on how it has been improved--or hurt--by the changes.
Digital Storm is a custom PC builder based out of the California Bay Area. Many of Digital Storm's PCs make use of custom cases that are designed and manufactured in the United States. This is the case (pun intended) for the Bolt 2.
One of the most interesting improvements from the original Bolt comes in the case. It has seen a bit of a remake and now has better fit and finish. We noted in the prior review that the custom case of the Bolt had a few small issues. We are happy to report this isn't the case for the Bolt 2.
But enough about that. We'll be interested to see all of the improvements Digital Storm has packed into the Bolt 2. So, without further ado, let's dive into the meat of this review.

Specifications, Configurations and Pricing

We've got a ton of computing performance stuffed into a tiny package. The heart of the system is Intel's latest Core i7-4790K. This 4GHz CPU can boost all the way up to 4.4GHz when thermals and power consumption allow. It features four cores and four threads and is the successor to the i7-4770K, a favorite for gaming.
Cooling the CPU is a custom watercooling setup. This compact system makes use of a 240mm radiator, allowing for plenty of cooling potential for massive overclocks.
One of the most important components, the motherboard, in this system is the very capable ASUS Z97I-PLUS. This mini-ITX motherboard makes use of Intel's latest Z97 chipset. It features just one PCIe x16 slot for expansion, along with four SATA III 6Gbps ports, six USB 3.0 ports, four of which are on the back I/O panel, and six USB 2.0 ports, again with four on the back I/O.
Digital Storm has slotted two 8GB sticks of Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR3 RAM into the motherboard. These sticks come with a rated speed of 1866MHz and timings of 9-10-9-27, or an SPD speed and timings of 1,333MHz and 9-9-9-24, respectively.
Graphics are provided by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB GPU. This is one of NVIDIA's best GPUs and is a very capable video card. We have a feeling it will do quite well in our charts, which is incredible based upon the size of the overall system.
Windows 8.1 64-bit is installed upon the 500GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD. Mass storage is provided by a 2TB Western Digital 7,200RPM Black drive. Digital Storm has overclocked the 4790K with a "Stage 2" overclock, which sees the speed being boosted to between 4.5GHz and 4.8GHz. Our specific unit comes clocked at 4.6GHz.
This configuration is available from Digital Storm for $3,489. A wide range of customization is available through Digital Storm's online tool. You can choose from different GPUs, including both AMD and NVIDIA offerings, different motherboards, and different processors.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Samsung XP941 256GB Ultra M.2 PCIe SSD Review

Introduction

TweakTown image samsung_xp941_256gb_ultra_m_2_pcie_ssd_review

By the time you read this, the initial Intel X99 motherboard and Haswell-E processor reviews should be online. Before X99, a small number of products supported the M.2 interface, and even less support the PCIe x4 option. With X99 that changes, nearly all of the X99 motherboards we've laid eyes on support PCIe x4.
The M.2 form factor supports both SATA and PCIe SSDs, but only PCIe based SSDs take advantage of the extended performance range over SATA III. At this time, there are only two products available on the market that meet both criteria, M.2 and PCIe. Those products are the Plextor M6e, a PCIe 2.0 x2 SSD and the Samsung XP941, a PCIe 2.0 x4 SSD.
The fastest product of the two is the Samsung XP941 and that's the model you want. The Plextor M6e is a nice product and you can buy it with a M.2 to PCIe adapter in the box, but since both cost about the same, your money is better spent on the Samsung drive.

TweakTown image samsung_xp941_256gb_ultra_m_2_pcie_ssd_review

Early on, using the Samsung XP941 required some hoops to jump through to get it to boot. Those issues revolved around using the device on older chipset motherboards that didn't take full advantage of UEFI. Nearly all of the big name motherboard manufacturers have updated BIOS information and it's now possible to get XP941 to boot on most Z87 and Z97 motherboards. X99 should be the first chipset to have zero issues as the norm.

Specifications, Pricing and Availability

TweakTown image samsung_xp941_256gb_ultra_m_2_pcie_ssd_review

Today, we're looking at the Samsung XP941 256GB, one of three capacity sizes offered by Samsung. We've already tested the 512GB and the 128GB models, all provided to us by RamCity.
The XP941 256GB has a sequential read speed of 1080 MB/s and a sequential write speed of 800 MB/s. This is a significant step up from the performance of the 128GB model, but just a bit shy of the large 512GB XP941 model. Random performance on the XP941 256GB comes out to 120,000 read and 60,000 write.
To get that level of performance, Samsung tapped a new 3-core controller and paired it with Low Power DDR2 DRAM and 19nm Toggle MLC NAND flash. The UAX controller is a PCIe to SATA bridge that operates on PCIe 2.0 in either x2 or x4 mode. To get the most out of your XP941, you need to use an x4 slot, but using an x2 (10Gb/s) slot will only reduce the sequential read by 80 MB/s and have little or no effect on the sequential write speed.

TweakTown image samsung_xp941_256gb_ultra_m_2_pcie_ssd_review

RamCity has all three capacity sizes in stock and ready to ship. Customers outside of Australia don't pay the Australian taxes. Without the tax, the prices come out to $129 (128GB), $249 (256GB) and $488 (512GB). Today, we're looking at the 256GB model at $249. The price falls into my 'less than 300 per component' sweet spot. It's still close to $1 per GB and around $49 more than an 850 Pro 256GB. That said, the XP941 256GB is faster than the 850 Pro, and surpasses the limits of SATA III.
The XP941 products from RamCity ship with a three year warranty.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Sapphire Radeon R9 285 2GB Dual-X OC Video Card Review

Introduction of the Sapphire R9 285 2GB Dual-X OC

TweakTown image sapphire_radeon_r9_285_2gb_dual_x_oc_video_card_review

Sitting here writing the first sentence of this Sapphire R9 285 2GB Dual-X OC video card review, I find myself already annoyed at AMD. This is because while I'm only just starting to write the review now, I've already tested the card and have come to a conclusion on it in my head. I found myself having a conversation with an AMD partner, which was a conversation I've had with them so many times before. What are AMD doing?
I don't want you to now think that this is a bad video card and you should stop reading. I don't think I've ever really written my final thoughts about a product in an introduction, but the last thing I want you to do is stop reading and give up on the card. The Sapphire R9 285 Dual-X OC is a good card and you'll see that as we move forward today. As for my annoyance with AMD, that's also something I'll cover when I wrap things up.
For now let's talk about what's going on with the new model that is launching today. Because AMD thought that everyone wasn't busy enough with a new Intel platform that brought with it new CPUs, motherboards and RAM modules, they thought they'd throw a spanner into the works and make everyone else work a little bit harder then they need to.
The second I heard about this model, I this instant feeling that it would never get off the ground. If we've learnt anything over the years, it would be that as soon as AMD release a model that ends in the number "5" or has a "XT" label on it, it's destined to not get off the ground - especially when AMD have got a series that is as tight packed as they do right now.
Get ready to be confused. The R9 285 2GB is designed to sit above the $199 R9 270X, but below the $299 R9 280X. It sits smack bang in the middle at $249. Of course that's not going to confuse anyone..... Outside of that, AMD weren't happy with how we reviewed the R9 280 originally. We called them out for setting the model at a terrible price point and when they finally dropped the card down to a more aggressive price point, they wanted us to look at the model again. We did... four of them actually!
That's fine. I don't mind it at all. I like to review video cards and the price drop they offered on the cards was great and made the model look a whole lot more attractive. Awesome! But looking below. Where does the R9 280 sit?

TweakTown image sapphire_radeon_r9_285_2gb_dual_x_oc_video_card_review

A model that AMD all of a sudden wanted to suddenly re-promote isn't even in the main PowerPoint when it comes to covering the new R9 285 2GB. Priced anywhere from $199 - $278, though, why would it? The R9 280 3GB is a good model and we really liked the performance that was offered from the model. I feel like I could honestly go on and on and on here. Instead of that, though, let's move forward and take a look at the card we have here. Today we're looking at the Sapphire R9 285 2GB OC. It came direct from AMD and didn't include a package, so we're going to simply be moving on from here to the card.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Netgear Announces New Nighthawk X4 R7500 Smart Wi-Fi Router
NETGEAR, Inc., a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, is launching the Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart Wi-Fi Router (R7500), an addition to its award-winning Nighthawk family of 802.11ac routers. The Nighthawk X4 Wi-Fi Gigabit Router with support for Quad-stream Wi-Fi Architecture delivers the fastest dual-band 802.11ac speed and performance for high intensity gaming, streaming and mobile connectivity.

TweakTown image netgear_announces_new_nighthawk_x4_r7500_smart_wi_fi_router

The Nighthawk X4 is capable of a blistering 2.33 Gbps combined network speed (up to 1733 Mbps* on the 5.0 GHz band + 600 Mbps* on the 2.4 GHz band). It has a powerful 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, based on the Qualcomm Internet Processor, that provides unprecedented processing power to enable better multi-tasking performance. The X4 is also powered by the Quantenna 802.11ac Wave 2, 4x4, MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO) Wi-Fi solution to maximize wireless performance.
The new Quad-stream Architecture enables the X4 to stream high quality, full HD content with greater clarity and less buffering than was ever possible before. This, in conjunction with the four high performance antennas, provides unmatched home Wi-Fi range and performance wherever it's needed.
Moreover, Nighthawk X4 offers a unique Dynamic QoS prioritization capability. Instead of treating all devices and applications as the same, Dynamic QoS recognizes each individual application - gaming, streaming, file transfers, web browsing, etc. - and prioritizes them accordingly. X4 is also device-aware, recognizing gaming consoles from smart TVs, and PCs from smartphones, thus ensuring bandwidth is allocated appropriately to each connected device. This unique application-aware and device-aware capability makes online gameplay completely lag-free. Streaming full HD video is more stable and jitter-free, with less buffering, for a totally seamless experience.
"The Nighthawk X4 is designed for gamers and people who do a lot of video streaming," said Sandeep Harpalani, NETGEAR's director of product marketing for Retail Network Products. "We are excited to leverage the best in processing power, Dynamic Quality of Service, and dual-band Wi-Fi technology to exceed the expectations of these demanding consumers."
The X4 also offers superior capabilities for sharing, storing and securing your treasured files and multimedia content. You can easily add storage by connecting a drive to the twin SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports or one eSATA port on the Nighthawk X4 giving you fast access to all your files.
You'll be able to take advantage of the X4's 2.33 Gbps dual-band Wi-Fi to stream content at speeds previously only possible with wired connections, making it ideal for streaming video to screens around the home that are DLNA-enabled or AirPlay-compatible.
X4 also includes a free software application that takes automatic backups of all PCs in your home network. NETGEAR ReadySHARE Vault makes safeguarding your PC files, photos, music, and movies easier than ever.
Technical Benefits of Nighthawk X4
NETGEAR has packed Nighthawk X4 with best-in-class technology to offer an unmatched Wi-Fi experience for your Wi-Fi-enabled devices - smartphones, notebooks, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and media servers.

Quad-stream X4 Architecture delivers AC2350 Wi-Fi for a combined speed of 2.33 Gbps (1733 Mbps* + 600 Mbps*), the fastest available dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi connection to any one device.
The 1.4GHz dual-core processor delivers 40 percent faster speed for improved Wi-Fi, wired, and WAN-to-LAN performance.
802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi technology is designed to deliver faster Wi-Fi to multiple devices.
Application-aware and device-aware Dynamic QoS technology optimizes your connection speed for reduced lag and buffering.
Beamforming+ improves Wi-Fi coverage and reliability by focusing Wi-Fi directly at connected devices.
Powerful amplifiers and four high-performance external antennas increase range for whole-home mobility.
Security features include VPN support for secure remote access, customized free URL, SPI and NAT double firewall, separate guest network access, and parental controls.
Five Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 4 LAN) offer fast wired connections.
One eSATA port and two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports offer high-speed, storage-ready access that is significantly faster than USB 2.0.
ReadySHARE Vault, a free software application, automatically backs up Windows-based PCs to a USB hard drive connected to Nighthawk X4.
NETGEAR MyMedia enables you to find and play your stored media from anywhere on your network to your DLNA-ready TVs and music system.
iTunes server support enables you to play music on AirPlay-compatible devices using iTunes or Apple Remote.
NETGEAR genie is a personal dashboard that makes it easy to install, monitor, control and repair your home network from PCs, Macs, and iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Pricing and Availability
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart Wi-Fi Router (R7500) is available immediately at an MSRP of $279.99 in the U.S.

Lian Li Announces the PC-V1000L Full Tower Chassis
Lian-Li Industrial Co. Ltd today announces the PC-V1000L Special Edition full-tower chassis. This brushed aluminum chassis features a ventilated front providing high airflow while featuring the high-end versatile tool-less designs for which Lian Li is known.

TweakTown image lian_li_announces_the_pc_v1000l_full_tower_chassis

TweakTown image lian_li_announces_the_pc_v1000l_full_tower_chassis

Short Full Tower with Full Hardware Support
With a height of only 551 mm (21.7"), the 74L PC-V1000L can hold the hardware a PC enthusiast desires, including: motherboards up to EATX, the largest video cards, and extensive water cooling support.

TweakTown image lian_li_announces_the_pc_v1000l_full_tower_chassis

Individually Removable Hard Drive Bays
DIY enthusiasts are able to individually mount/remove the 9 HDD bays according to their build preference. Each bay allows for a 3.5' or 2.5" drive to be tool-lessly mounted. For more storage potential one 3.5" drive or two 2.5" drives can be mounted behind the motherboard tray.
Extensive Cooling
Three 120 mm fans pull cool air through the ventilated front panel. These front fans are attached to a removable bracket that slides out for easy maintenance.
At the bottom of the chassis a removable bracket secured by a single thumbscrew allows for two 120 mm fans or a 240 radiator to be installed. At the top of the chassis a tool-lessly removable top panel allows for two 120 mm/140 mm fans or a 240/280 mm radiator to be easily installed. A rear 120 mm exhaust fan with two grommeted holes pulls hot air out of the chassis.
Wheels for Easy Maneuverability
The wheels design enables easy moving of a fully loaded system. A locking mechanism on the rear wheels prevents the chassis moving when set in place.
Connectivity
The I/O panel is located at the front of the chassis and contains 4 USB 3.0 ports and HD audio connections.
Price and Availability
The PC-V1000L will be available in black PC-V1000LA (Silver), PC-V1000LB (Black) and PC-V1000LWX (Internal Black with Window) in North America for the suggested retail price of USD 345 and USD 389 respectively.

Available Tags:Galaxy , Samsung , WebOS , tablet , Intel , Sony , other , ASUS , smartphone , Android , NVIDIA , gamers , keyboard , Lenovo , gaming , Microsoft , Xbox , Thermaltake , SSD , CPU Cooler , CPU , SSD , Sapphire , Radeon , Router ,

No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)