IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 10/28/2014

Monday, October 27, 2014

IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 10/28/2014

TweakTown

EA quietly launches SimCity BuildIt for iOS and Android in Canada, NZ
After a troubled launch, SimCity is finally on its feet, with EA very quietly debuting its new SimCity BuildIt software for both iOS and Android. The software has launched for Android in Canada and on iOS in New Zealand.

TweakTown image ea_quietly_launches_simcity_buildit_for_ios_and_android_in_canada_nz

The app is free to download, but has in-app purchases, with EA saying that there is an offline mode, but "many of the coolest features do require an online connection". EA says that longtime fans of the series will find some interesting things inside of BuildIt, adding that the company has "streamlined to make the experience more fun and manageable on touchscreens".
SimCity BuildIt allows on-the-go gamers to tend to zones, roads and traffic, services, city specializations and data layers of their metropolis, and the familiar goal of landmarks returns. If you're getting a bit bored and want to bring down hell on Earth, just create a disaster for fun. BuildIt's in-app store allows you to "trade resources with friends and other cities", too.

League of Legends gets festive with 'The Harrowing'
Halloween is nearly here, and while the world prepares for scaring their neighbors, friends and co-workers, Riot Games is preparing its Halloween-themed event for League of Legends.

The Harrowing is back once again, with a new mode, character skins, and the video above that explains how it spins into the world of League of legends. The Harrowing brings back the "Hexakill" mode which takes two teams of six, playing on a smaller map. Twisted Treeline has a massive spider on it (ugh, get it away from me), and two new skins for LeBlanc and Wuong, as well as a dozen old ones.
The skins cost money, but this is how Riot Games has made close to a billion dollars from the game this year.

TweakTown image league_of_legends_gets_festive_with_the_harrowing

Another patch issued for DriveClub, which is still a mess from launch
PlayStation 4 exclusive racer DriveClub has not been having a good time, with the game going back to the drawing board earlier this year, and now that it has launched, it has been experiencing some rather big problems.

TweakTown image another_patch_issued_for_driveclub_which_is_still_a_mess_from_launch

DriveClub owners can't get into most of the game thanks to various server-related issues, with developer Evolution Studios saying it needs to pump more time into the game. The studio has said that there was an update rolling out over the weekend that "will improve online performance across the game and it also brings specific improvements for multiplayer racing and leaderboard updates". The studio continued, saying: "we still have more work to do to get everything back on track before we can give you any bigger or better news. We will keep you up to speed".
Even still, there's no ETA on when the version promised to PlayStation Plus subscribers will be released. The studio blaming netcode for the problems with DriveClub's online abilities is a bit vague, which would be pissing off gamers.

Hacker given 21 month prison sentence for involvement in cybercrimes
Robert Dubuc was sentenced to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty for breaking into banks and government agencies while trying to steal $15 million. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, identity theft and conspiracy to commit access device fraud earlier in the year, as one of his co-defendants, Oleg Pidtergerya, will be sentenced later this year.

TweakTown image hacker_given_21_month_prison_sentence_for_involvement_in_cybercrimes

The ringleaders of the cybercriminal group have been indicted but haven't been arrested, likely in the Ukraine or elsewhere in Eastern Europe. They targeted the US Department of Defense, PayPal, JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, among other companies - with stolen money transferred to their bank accounts.
The US federal government wants to take a more proactive approach against cybercrime - as the attacks continue to amount - but actually locking up prolific hackers remains extremely difficult.

USAF hospital plans to use virus-zapping robot to kill germs
The US Air Force Hospital Langley is now using the "Saul" virus-zapping robot to try to keep hospitals safer by killing viruses, including Ebola, working with the Xenex company. The robot is able to use powerful ultraviolet light to ensure the hospital's patient and operating rooms are safe from germ pathogens that could infect others. It only takes five minutes for the robot to disinfect an entire room, with surfaces cleaned in just two minutes, according to Xenex.

TweakTown image usaf_hospital_plans_to_use_virus_zapping_robot_to_kill_germs

"We are very proud to be the first Air Force hospital to have this robot," said Col. Marlene Kerchenski, 633rd MDG Surgeon General chief of nursing services. "Saul will provide an extra measure of safety for both our patients and our intensive care unit staff."
Xenex has already grabbed headlines when it was announced the Gigi robot would be used in hospitals to help kill viruses, including Ebola, in hospital rooms. These pricey machines are designed to help keep hospitals a cleaner, safer environment for staff, patients, and visitors.

Shoppers recommended to use credit instead of debit at stores
Consumers are going to take to the Internet and retail stores in a big way this holiday shopping season, but with numerous significant data breaches, there is concern over shopper security. For shoppers preparing to head out and visit local retailers, if you're not paying cash, then the next best thing is using a credit card if worried about security. "You're just better off by and large paying with a credit card because you have more rights and you're not out the money," said Susan Grant, Consumer Federation of America Director of Consumer Protection.

TweakTown image shoppers_recommended_to_use_credit_instead_of_debit_at_stores

Credit card companies can cancel charges - with very little impact to consumers - while compromised debit card information often leads to major headaches. Beyond having data stolen, criminals are able to drain accounts, while also cloning the card and making ATM withdrawals. It's not uncommon for bank customers to have a hold placed on their account while an investigation is conducted, and shoppers are out their own money.
Financial intuitions are given up to 10 days before they need to refund fraud related to debit cards, and that sometimes leads to missed rent, utility bills, and other significant headaches. Retailers are under siege, and it seems cybercriminals are preparing to launch additional point of sale (POS) malware attacks, cybersecurity experts warn.

Ryse patch released, provides increased GPU performance and more
Ryse: Son of Rome has been out on PC for just a couple of weeks now, but Crytek has already released a patch that is hitting Steam as we speak. The new patch is improving performance for multi-GPU setups, as well as NVIDIA's new second-generation Maxwell GPUs. Here's what to expect from the updated version of Ryse:

TweakTown image ryse_patch_released_provides_increased_gpu_performance_and_more

SLI/Crossfire optimization & quality improvements
Improved GPU performance on NVIDIA cards, especially for GTX980/970 versions
Fixed potential crash when running the game in resolutions higher than 1080p
Fixed graphical corruption on NVIDIA when running in resolutions higher than 1080p
Fixed a bug that occurred on low framerate which prevented the door to open in Pax Romana
Fixed a bug that allowed Legendary difficulty to be selected with mouse even though it is not unlocked
Made CVar accessible to disable/enable force feedback on the game controller: i_forcefeedback 0/1
Made CVar accessible to disable/enable flash (e.g. the ingame HUD for taking beauty screenshots): gfx_draw 0/1
Made CVar accessible to adjust image sharpening: r_PostAASharpening 0...2 (values range from 0 to 2, default is 0.2)
Added support for high resolution timer mode to overcome FPS limits on some systems. Activate via "sys_highrestimer = 1" (without quotes) in system.cfg

Connected car security is often overlooked by automakers
New generations of vehicles rely on technology, but as this functionality becomes even more impressive, security researchers are concerned automakers are ignoring security. Adaptive cruise control, automatic parallel parking, automatic braking, and Web-based connections appeal to drivers, but security problems could one day become a significant issue.

TweakTown image connected_car_security_is_often_overlooked_by_automakers

"There's no culture of security," said Chris Valasek, IOActive computer security consulting firm director of vehicle security researcher, during a speech at SecTor IT. "Unlike regular PCs, if your car is breached, there's a chance for physical loss and not just financial loss. Smashing your car into a pole or braking and starting a traffic jam are things that aren't easily fixed."
There haven't been reported attacks on public vehicles, but security experts have showed remote attacks ranging from unlocking vehicle doors and starting the engineer to monitoring where vehicles go.

Red Barrels confirms that they are working on a sequel to Outlast
If you enjoyed Outlast, you're going to enjoy this news: Red Barrels, the developer behind the game, has confirmed it is working on a sequel for the hit horror game.

TweakTown image red_barrels_confirms_that_they_are_working_on_a_sequel_to_outlast

Red Barrels' co-founder and designer, Philippe Morin, confirmed with Bloody Disgusting, that they are working on Outlast 2. Morin said that once the team was finished with the Xbox One version of Outlast back in June, the team "quickly realized we had at least another horror game in us". He continued: "The game will be a survival horror experience and it will take place in the same universe as Outlast but it will have different characters and a different setting. We might go back to Mount Massive Asylum one day, but for now we have new ideas and themes we'd like to explore and we think we're cooking up something special".
He didn't provide too many details on what the sequel will offer, but did say it will be an "emotional ride". The Montreal-based studio has internal hopes of scaring its own team, so prepare your pants, people.

Google hires more experts to "accelerate" its efforts in AI research
Google is getting much more serious about artificial intelligence, with the Mountain View-based search giant hiring more than a dozen leading academics and experts in the field of AI. The company has also announced it has reached a partnership with Oxford University, to "accelerate" its efforts in AI.

TweakTown image google_hires_more_experts_to_accelerate_its_efforts_in_ai_research

When it comes to the partnership between Oxford and Google, the company will be making a "substantial contribution" in order to kick start a new research partnership with the University's computer science and engineering departments. Google's goal? To develop the intelligence of machines and software, to reach human-like levels. Google hasn't said just how much it will be contributing, but it will have a program of student intern ships and a series of joint lectures and workshops so that it can "share knowledge and expertise".
It was only in January that the company dumped down $400 million to acquire DeepMind, an AI firm. This new partnership with Oxford University will see a quicker, and brighter future in AI, even if Elon Musk, the founder of PayPal, SpaceX and Tesla Motors says that pioneering AI will be like "summoning the devil".

Elon Musk warns of AI again, says it's like "summoning the demon"
The last hyperbolic headline we had about Elon Musk and artificial intelligence was just a couple of months ago now when the Tesla Motors founder said that AI could be "more dangerous than nukes" and now he's back with a new statement. Musk has said that pioneering AI is like "summoning the demon".

TweakTown image elon_musk_warns_of_ai_again_says_it_s_like_summoning_the_demon

Musk had some interesting things to say during a speech at MIT on Friday, where he told an audience that the technology sector should be "very careful" of pioneering AI, calling it "our biggest existential threat". Why is Musk afraid? Multiple times during his speech, he reiterated that such a technology is a massive risk, because it can't be controlled. He ended up using the metaphor of "with artificial intelligence we are summoning the demon".
We've all seen AI and what it does to the human race in movies like the Terminator and The Matrix franchises, but Musk lined AI up in the real-world to a horror movie, where the protagonists call forth spirits who end up doing a lot of bad things. Musk said: "In all those stories where there's the guy with the pentagram and the holy water, it's like yeah he's sure he can control the demon. Didn't work out". Considering there's already a lot of important things that computers do for us on the daily, such as financial trading, high-end computing and countless other important jobs, AI is an eventuality.

PS4's latest update provides Share Play, USB Music Player, and more
Sony's forthcoming update to the PlayStation 4 is an interesting one, with the new update providing something the company teased earlier in the year: Share Play. Share Play allows people to play your games, either with you or by themselves, even if they don't own a copy of the game.

TweakTown image ps4s_latest_update_provides_share_play_usb_music_player_and_more

The company didn't provide much details on Share Play, or when it would launch, when it teased it a couple of months ago. All Sony said is that it was coming "this fall" but now we have a firm date: October 28. Sony took to the PlayStation Twitter account, saying: "PS4's next software update, Masamune, will be available on 10/28. Includes Share Play, USB Music player, and more!" The tweet also teases that the new PS4 update will include the ability to play music from a USB device, all while playing a game. We should also expect a YouTube app for the PS4, an improved voice command system, and the ability to tune the background color of your PS4's home screen.
Let's talk Share Play. Share Play isn't some unlimited function where you could buy a single copy of a game and then a friend just plays through the entire thing for free. Share Play will limit your friends to 60 minute portions of play time, which is still very generous of Sony.

League of Legends has generated $946 million in 2014 so far
It feels like so long ago that World of Warcraft was this unstoppable MMO that made mountains of money for Blizzard, but Riot Games has since come in and run straight to the top of the MMO ladder, making billions of dollars along the way.

TweakTown image league_of_legends_has_generated_946_million_in_2014_so_far

In the global MMO market, League of Legends is making some serious waves, with one in every eight dollars spent going into the coffers of Riot Games, and its international partners through League of Legends players. League of Legends now holds a 11.9% share of the MMO market, generating a massive $946 million this year alone (and it's not even over yet).
Last year, the game moved from fourth to third in the top 10 MMOs for worldwide revenue, but now it is sitting in the number one spot. Crossfire is right on its heels with 11.2% and has generated $897 million this year, Dungeon Fighter Online has 11.2% generating $891 million, World of Warcraft is now fourth with 9.1% and generating $728 million for Blizzard while fifth spot goes to World of Tanks with 4.6%, which has generated Wargaming a nice $369 million.
The entire worldwide MMO market is expected to generate some $11 billion this year, and by 2017 that number will grow to $13 billion according to Superdata. As it stands, MMOs represent 21% of the overall digital games market, with this number continuing to climb.

New tech alerts dispatchers to when, and where a cop fires their gun
An incredible new technology created by a Silicon Valley startup would allow dispatchers some crucial details on when, and where police offers fire their weapons. Yardam Technologies' latest device would notify dispatchers in real-time when an officer's gun has been removed from its holster, when it was fired, and in which direction it was fired, as well as tracking the gun's location.

TweakTown image new_tech_alerts_dispatchers_to_when_and_where_a_cop_fires_their_gun

Phil Wowak, Santa Cruz County Sheriff is one of two officers testing the technology, saying it would allow the sheriff's office to see whether deputies are in trouble, and unable to ask for assistance. He said: "That's the worst nightmare for any police officer in the field". As it stands, this technology will not allow for a remote disabling mechanism, even though the company was showing off that technology in Las Vegas last year, it has since abandoned that effort.
In the previous iteration of the technology, it would've allowed a dispatcher, or someone else in control, to hit a button and safely disable the weapon. This would've come in handy in countless scenarios, such as when an officer drops their gun, is hit, or killed and their weapon can be used by the assailant. Jim Schaff, the Marketing Vice President of Yardarm Technologies didn't detail the reasoning behind removing the remote disabling feature, but the company has said that their latest technology is not out to create a smart gun, but is more "police gunfire tracking technology".

GTA V on the PS4 runs at 1080p is a "game changer" for GTA V says OPM
We're weeks away from Grand Theft Auto V receiving its next-gen polish on the Xbox One and PS4, but we're not hearing anything about the rendering resolution of the game on the Xbox One and PS4... until now.

TweakTown image gta_v_on_the_ps4_runs_at_1080p_is_a_game_changer_for_gta_v_says_opm

In the next issue of Official PlayStation Magazine, there will be a 10-page on the game, diving right into the world of GTA V on Sony's console. The cover has since leaked, showing scans of the feature and teasing that GTA V on the PS4 will be running at 1080p. OPM have some massive statements for the world about GTA V on the PS4, saying things like "Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 4 breathes fresh, oh-so-new-gen life into the greatest game ever committed to Blu-Ray", now I don't know about you, but that's a pretty big statement.
Better yet, OPM continues: "Farewell, 720p. You served your purpose adequately enough. Still, our eyes have been gagging for 1080p's pin-sharp pleasures and Los Santos sandbox is only too happy to oblige on PS4, running at a native 1920 x 1080 pixels. For a game erected on hundereds of tiny incidental details, the resolution bmp is a huge game changer for GTA V". The publication continues: "Glimmering 1080p presentation, hugely increased draw distance, 100 new songs, fresh wild-life, a bumper version of GTA Online, this is sandbox you've dreamt about ever since you slotted Sony's angular baby under your TV".
Grand Theft Auto V launches on both the Xbox One and PS4 on November 18, with the PC master race version arriving a couple of months later, on January 27, 2015 - because you know, we've got to allow console gamers to think 1080p at 30FPS is great, before PC gamers can crank it up to 4K and beyond, with frame rates that make 30FPS cry in the corner.

G.SKILL unleashes its Phoenix Blade 480GB SSD, pushes 2GB/sec
Something that really piqued our interest at Computex this year was spotting G.SKILL's amazingly fast Phoenix Blade PCIe-based SSD, an SSD capable of pushing a massive 2GB/sec, has been officially released by the company.

TweakTown image g_skill_unleashes_its_phoenix_blade_480gb_ssd_pushes_2gb_sec

G.SKILL reaches these speeds within the Phoenix Blade using four LSI SF-2281 SSD controllers in a RAID0 setup, splashed together with 480GB of MLC flash. This amplifies the bandwidth up over four times the normal SATA 3-based SSDs, thanks to it sitting on an x8 PCIe slot. We have up to 2GB/sec read/writes, and 245,000 IOPS to ensure super-fast transfers.

TweakTown image g_skill_unleashes_its_phoenix_blade_480gb_ssd_pushes_2gb_sec

The Phoenix Blade also supports TRIM and SMART support, which provides users with piece of mind that their data should be safe. We also have CRC data protection, which prevents data from corrupting during file transfers, and a great 3-year warranty from G.SKILL with full technical support from their tech team.

Here is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's opening cinematic
It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here: the opening cinematic to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The 3-minute trailer should have any fan of the series itching for more.

In The Trail, we see the foreshadowing story for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which gives gamers a tease into the witchers Gerald of Rivia, and his mentor, Vesemir as they chase after Geralt's lost love, Yennefer of Venderberg.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt gets released into the wild on February 24, 2015 on the Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

TweakTown image here_is_the_witcher_3_wild_hunt_s_opening_cinematic

Samsung has sold 4.5 million Galaxy Note 4s so far
The war between Samsung and Apple is still being battled, with the phablet war now heating up between the two giants after Apple unveiled its new 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. Well, Samsung's Galaxy note 4 has been selling well, but it's not breaking any records, with it selling 4.5 million units in the first month.

TweakTown image samsung_has_sold_4_5_million_galaxy_note_4s_so_far

Considering the Galaxy Note 3 sold 5 million in its first 30 days, we could attribute this lower number for the Note 4 to its staggered launch around the world. For most of the first month, Samsung's latest large handset was only available in South Korea and China, but now it is rolling out across the world. We should expect the numbers to go up much, much higher (and quicker), to quickly catch up, and overtake the Note 3 sales.

Xbox One exclusive Quantum Break detailed in new gameplay video
If there's one game exclusive to the Xbox One that looks great, it has to be Quantum Break, from the developers of Alan Wake and Max Payne. Quantum Break is a game all about time-amplified gameplay, where you can manipulate time itself, as time within the game is breaking.

Sam Lake, Remedy Entertainment's Creative Director (and the face of Max Payne) walks us through the 16-minute gameplay video, showing off an incredible amount of the game. Time stutters are shown off, frozen moments that shift and collapse without warning, or timelines in loops are crashing into each other. All-in-all, it's an impressive look at the Xbox One exclusive, something that is sure to sell well.
For an Xbox One game, it looks great - but no details are known as rendering resolution and frame rate. If I had to guess, it looks like 900p at 30FPS, but I'm sure we'll hear more on that in the near future. As for the gameplay, it looks great, but I with there were more lasting environmental effects, and more use of the environment itself. It feels static, with playability probably not that high.

TweakTown image xbox_one_exclusive_quantum_break_detailed_in_new_gameplay_video

Estonian hacker that stole $9.4M receives 11-year prison sentence
Estonian hacker Sergei Nicolaevich Tsurikov was sentenced to 11 years in prison, for his role in a cyberattack that stole $9.4 million in 2008. Tsurikov previously pleaded guilty to his role in hacking the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, creating fake payroll debit cards, and withdrawing funds from more than 2,100 ATMs in more than 280 cities.

TweakTown image estonian_hacker_that_stole_9_4m_receives_11_year_prison_sentence

Tsurikov and his team were described as "one of the most sophisticated cybercrime rings in the world," according to Sally Quillian Yates, Northern District of Georgia attorney. He will also have to pay $8.4 million in restitution.
Handing down actual prison sentences against cybercriminals has been difficult, but the US federal government wants to track down - and prosecute - as many of them as they can.

Intel begins teasing its next-gen Broadwell-E CPUs, not out until 2016
Intel may have just launched its Haswell-E and X99 platform, but that doesn't stop the chipmaker from teasing its upcoming HEDT (high-end desktop) processor train from slowing down. We're now hearing about the next-gen HEDT tech, Broadwell-E, which will be based on Intel's 14nm technology, using the same LGA2011v3 package.

TweakTown image intel_begins_teasing_its_next_gen_broadwell_e_cpus_not_out_until_2016

The new CPU will not be an architectural change, but it will provide smaller changes over what we have with the current Haswell-E processors. The new Core i7 Broadwell-E will be built on Intel's 14nm process, and will feature between 6 and 8 cores based on their, you guessed it, Broadwell microarchitecture. These cores will feature up to 20MB of L3 cache, and is pin-compatible with current Haswell-E, meaning we have quad-channel DDR4, too.
Intel could provide the full 40-lane PCIe interface, instead of the cut down 28-lane PCIe interface that the entry-level HEDT currently has. We should expect a 140W TDP, even with the die shrink, when the Broadwell-E processors launch in 2016.

Microsoft says rumored Halo 5: Guardians Nov. 10 release date is wrong
Despite a public tweet from a new 343 Industries employee with a countdown clock in the background, gamers will have to wait a bit longer than November 10 for the release of Halo 5: Guardians. "The recent rumors regarding the release date of Halo 5: Guardians are false," a Microsoft spokesperson recently said.

TweakTown image microsoft_says_rumored_halo_5_guardians_nov_5_release_date_is_wrong

It shouldn't be too surprising to hear the Nov. 10 date is wrong, as the official beta - running at 1080p/60fps - won't even be available until December.
Now that Microsoft cleared up the issue, it's still unknown what the countdown clock in the background is being used for.

Hackers exploiting Ebola fear to compromise Internet users
A phishing email mimicking an official notice from the World Health Organization might be compromising users, with email recipients willingly tricked into opening a compromised email attachment. Several hundred organizations have reportedly received the phishing email, though it remains how many were successfully infected.

TweakTown image hackers_exploiting_ebola_fear_to_compromise_internet_users

"It follows the standard, successful formula for most phishing campaigns," said Karl Sigler, Trustwave threat intelligence manager. Cybercriminals often exploit major international news stories - especially regarding natural disasters, national elections, or tragedies - and criminals know when to strike. The malware logs keystrokes, records sounds via webcam, and captures images.
Even if this initial phishing campaign was unsuccessful, with the amount of media Ebola has received, cybersecurity experts warn of future attacks. Meanwhile, WHO confirmed it does not send any type of correspondence directly to the public, only sending news releases to public health experts and journalists.

Apple and Nike teaming up for a 'stylish' wearable product
Apple and Nike are reportedly developing a new 'stylish' wearable product that will be able to integrate with electronics but still be fashionable. Additional details about the new device weren't disclosed just yet.

TweakTown image apple_and_nike_teaming_up_for_a_stylish_wearable_product

"I think it's going to be a big part of the future, absolutely," said Mark Parker, Nike CEO, in a recent interview with Bloomberg TV. "I think the form it takes is critical. You can go from the very geeky kind of wearables today - we've all seen some of those - to what I think you'll see in the future, things that are more stealth, more integrated, more stylish and more functional, yes,"
If true, this makes sense for both companies - along with Nike and Apple supporting large customer groups - Nike will be able to further benefit by teaming up with the technology giant again, ensuring it doesn't need to directly worry about hardware and software development.

Apple iTunes music sales slid 13% in 2014, as paid downloads slow
Apple saw iTunes music sales plunge 13 to 14 percent in 2013, as the music industry continues to be extremely fragile, according to recent reports. Music sales have been flat for a several years, and have dropped a whopping 50 percent since 2000, as listeners have embraced digital music files.

TweakTown image apple_itunes_music_sales_slid_13_in_2014_as_paid_downloads_slow

Music companies are struggling to convince listeners to drop free, ad-supported programs and sign up for monthly subscriptions - typically around $10 per month.
To compare, revenue of iTunes downloads slowed only 2.1 percent in 2013, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) said. However, ad-supported and subscription streaming services helped make up for the slight 2013 drop, while there was very little respite in 2014.

Buffalo AirStation AC433 WMR-433 Travel Router Review

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

Travel routers have garnered quite a bit of popularity over the last few years, as they allow you the flexibility to setup a personal network, no matter where your travels take you. With the introduction of 802.11ac, this technology has now made its way into these portable solutions.
The Buffalo AirStation WMR-433 is a dual-band selectable travel router featuring 802.11n capabilities on the 2.4GHz and 802.11ac on the 5GHz band. Adding to this, the WMR-433 features a single gigabit WAN port to allow you to extend a hotel Internet connection or any wired connection.
MSRP of the Buffalo AirStation AC433 is set at $59.99 with a three-year warranty.

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

The back of the packaging highlights many features of the AC433.

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

Scope of delivery includes the travel router, USB cable, and reading materials.

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

Above, we have the gigabit port located on the side of the WMR-433.

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

Here we have the USB port, which powers the travel router, and the WPS button for simple connection.

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

The bottom of the WMR-433 houses the default username and password for the travel router.

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

We first setup the travel router in 2.4GHz mode and ran it through our range testing. As you can see, we were able to connect at 73Mbps at 45 dbm. Moving away from the travel router, the signal rate dropped to 67 dbm at 25 feet.

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

Switching over to the 5GHz band, we connected to the router at 434 Mbps, peak rate for the AC band on this solution. Signal rate started out at 60 dbm, and dropped off to 80dbm as we moved out 25 feet away.
The Buffalo AirStation AC433 might just be in the running for the smallest router in the world. As you could see in the photos, the footprint of this device is small, coming in at an inch and three quarters square. The build quality is remarkably great, and having the ability to manually switch between 2.4 and 5GHz band is a feature I really enjoyed.
Performance of the travel router was rather good. We were able to connect at peak rates on both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands, and while signal quality wasn't what we normally find with full size solutions, it was ample enough for a hotel room setting.
PRICING: You can find the Buffalo AirStation AC433 Wireless Travel Router (WMR-433-BK) 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 Buffalo AirStation AC433 Wireless Travel Router (WMR-433-BK) retails for $51.24 at Amazon.
Canada: The Buffalo AirStation AC433 Wireless Travel Router (WMR-433-BK) retails for CDN$73.42 at Amazon Canada.

TweakTown image buffalo_airstation_ac433_wmr_433_travel_router_review

... Read the rest in your browser!

D-Link DSP-W110 Wi-Fi Smart Plug Review

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

D-Link over the past few months has emerged as a leader in providing home users with the means to setup their very own smart home.
Like the W215 Smart Plug we reviewed a few months back, the DSP-W110 allows you to control remotely any number of devices that can be plugged in. What differs between the two smart plugs from D-Link is the unit we have in house today, the W110, does not allow for temperature or power usage monitoring. With that being said, as you will see within our images, the W110 carries a slimmer better looking design.
MSRP of the D-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug is set at $49.99 with a one-year warranty.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

Packaging for the W110 highlights many of the features of the smart plug.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

Scope of delivery is rather simple; here we have the plug and setup card.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

The front of the plug houses a manual power button up top, with the receptacle down below.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

The side of the plug houses the reset and WPS buttons, along with the multi-colored LED.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

A great feature this time around is D-Link has fixed the setup process so we only need to use one app to complete setup. Here we have the initial setup screen.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

After you navigate through a few more setup screens, you will land here, where you can choose manual or WPS setup. To be honest here, WPS, while most of us may not use it very often, it is the best way to set these up.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

Once setup is complete, you have the option to name the plug.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

Here you can see the plug has joined the list with our other devices.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

Selecting the newly added W110, we can look at some of the information for the plug.
The DSP-W110 is a great companion device to the available motion sensors from D-Link, including the previously reviewed S150. Build quality was quite good, everything felt solid, and the W110 carries a sleeker look over the W215.
I do like that D-Link has fixed the setup routine, narrowing it down to a single app that is more user friendly. The performance of the smart plug is quite good, there is only a slight delay between flipping the switch on your smartphone to when the device actually powers on your device, and while the W110 doesn't support the higher level features like power or temperature monitoring, it does function quite well as a Wi-Fi plug.
With that said, pricing for the W110 is very puzzling. When we reviewed the W215, the plug that carries all the high level features, came in with a price tag of $49.99. Now the W110, while still being in the same family minus those bonus features is too priced at $49.99. I think D-Link should offer some sort of discounted price with the W110 not having the higher abilities.
PRICING: You can find the D-Link Systems DSP-W110 mydlink Wi-Fi Smart Plug 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 D-Link Systems DSP-W110 mydlink Wi-Fi Smart Plug retails for $49.64 at Amazon.
Canada: The D-Link Systems DSP-W110 mydlink Wi-Fi Smart Plug retails for CDN$65.41 at Amazon Canada.

TweakTown image d_link_dsp_w110_wi_fi_smart_plug_review

... Read the rest in your browser!

Silicon Power Marvel M70 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review

TweakTown image silicon_power_marvel_m70_128gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Silicon Power is one brand we haven't heard or seen to many products from over the years, but as of late has emerged with many new products.
The latest from Silicon Power is the Marvel M70, a USB 3.0 flash drive featuring a durable metal exterior and sliding design with marketing performance upwards of 240 MB/s read and 80 MB/s write.
Capacities range from 32GB and 64GB units to the 128GB model we have in house, while compatibility extends to the latest Windows operating systems, along with OS X 10.4+ and Linux Kernel 2.6+.
MSRP of the 128GB Silicon Power M70 is set at $79.99 with a lifetime warranty.

TweakTown image silicon_power_marvel_m70_128gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Packaging for the M70 carries marketing information along the bottom.

TweakTown image silicon_power_marvel_m70_128gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The Silicon Power M70 utilizes a metal alloy design along, the left side houses their logo and capacity.

TweakTown image silicon_power_marvel_m70_128gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

In addition to the metal design, Silicon Power has deployed this solution as a sliding design.

TweakTown image silicon_power_marvel_m70_128gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

The Silicon Power M70 is factory formatted with the FAT32 file system. Useable capacity after formatting sits at 117GB.

TweakTown image silicon_power_marvel_m70_128gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Sequential read and write landed at 224 MB/s and 78 MB/s respectively, while 512K touched 174 MB/s read and 1.6 MB/s write.

TweakTown image silicon_power_marvel_m70_128gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

Price/Performance for the Marvel M70 came in at 65% between the Patriot Magnum and Corsair Voyager Slider.
The Silicon Power Marvel M70 is a good solution for those wanting a high capacity flash drive. The metal alloy exterior adds a bit of aesthetic appeal and at the same time durability to the overall drive package.
Performance was quite good, and while I wasn't able to hit marketing numbers, we did come quite close. Our Price/Performance chart landed the Marvel M70 towards the top at 65%, due to its rather good pricing at 62 cents per GB.
PRICING: You can find the Silicon Power 128GB Marvel M70 High Speed USB 3.0 Flash Drive, Silver (SP128GBUF3M70V1S) 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 Silicon Power 128GB Marvel M70 High Speed USB 3.0 Flash Drive, Silver (SP128GBUF3M70V1S) retails for $54.99 at Amazon.
Canada: The Silicon Power 128GB Marvel M70 High Speed USB 3.0 Flash Drive, Silver (SP128GBUF3M70V1S) retails for CDN$75.99 at Amazon Canada.

TweakTown image silicon_power_marvel_m70_128gb_usb_3_0_flash_drive_review

... Read the rest in your browser!

NVIDIA GeForce Experience Software Overview - A Gamer's Best Friend

Introduction

I've never been the type of person to record or save my gameplay footage; I did play around with FRAPS for a while there, but was never serious. Back in the day, I thought it was much easier to record demos through the console in games that supported it - but those days are long behind us.

TweakTown image nvidia_geforce_experience_a_gamer_s_best_friend

NVIDIA launched GeForce Experience last year, but has made some pretty serious additions to it, making it a very well-rounded tool for GeForce GPU owners. The software is capable of doing a multitude of things while running in the background of any GeForce powered PC, including recording your gaming footage.
We're going to run you through the GeForce Experience now; we will show you the various parts of the software, its abilities, and how easy it is to record not just gaming footage, but anything being rendered to your screen.

What I'm Using

I'm using my custom PC build that I used for my NVIDIA G-SYNC article, and the other articles I write for TweakTown. The system specifications are as follows:

TweakTown image nvidia_geforce_experience_a_gamer_s_best_friend

TweakTown image nvidia_geforce_experience_a_gamer_s_best_friend

CPU: Intel Core i7 4930K processor with Corsair H110 cooler (stock clocks)
Motherboard: ASUS Rampage IV Black Edition
RAM: 6GB Corsair Vengeance Pro of 2400MHz DDR3
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (reference) in SLI
Storage: 240GB SanDisk Extreme II and 480GB SanDisk Extreme II
Chassis: InWin X-Frame Limited Edition
PSU: Corsair AX1200i digital PSU
Software: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Drivers: GeForce 344.6

TweakTown image nvidia_geforce_experience_a_gamer_s_best_friend

TweakTown image nvidia_geforce_experience_a_gamer_s_best_friend

PRICING: You can find the ASUS GTX980-4GD5 Graphics Cards GTX980-4GD5 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 ASUS GTX980-4GD5 Graphics Cards GTX980-4GD5 retails for $657.00 at Amazon.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Transcend ESD400 Portable USB 3.0 SSD Review

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

A little less than a year ago, we had the first portable SSD from Transcend in the lab, the ESD200. The ESD200 offered decent performance for a compact solution, and today Transcend has sent over their latest portable SSD.
The ESD400 is the latest from Transcend featuring capacities from 128GB to 1TB, all utilizing UASP technology to get the most out of USB 3.0. Marketing specifications allow 410 MB/s read and 380 MB/s write for the larger capacities, and the 128GB model we have in house is capable of 360 MB/s read and 160 MB/s write. Compatibility extends to modern Windows operating systems and OS X 10.5+.
MSRP of the Transcend ESD400 in the 128GB capacity is set at $99.99 with a one-year warranty.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

Packaging for the ESD400 allows a look at the drive. Marketing information can be found below and to the right.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

Scope of delivery includes the USB 3.0 cable, a carrying pouch, and reading materials.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

Aesthetically, the ESD400 is nearly identical to the ESD200. The top houses a diamond patterned exterior with the Transcend logo centered.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

The edge of the drive houses the USB 3.0 connection, and the one touch backup button to the left.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

The Transcend ESD400 is factory formatted with the FAT32 file system. Useable capacity after formatting is 119GB.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

Here we have our sequential read chart, and as you can see the ESD400 sits near the bottom at 360 MB/s.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

Moving over to sequential write, the ESD400 topped out at 161 MB/s making it the slowest drive in our charts at this point in time.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

Our last chart, Price/Performance put the ESD400 right in the middle at 85% due to its great pricing at 78 cents per GB.
The Transcend ESD400 is a great drive for anyone wanting something ultra-portable and lightweight. The footprint of this drive allows for you to throw it in a pocket and take it with you on the go and the materials used in making this solution, while being plastic, feel quite durable.
Performance of the drive wasn't the highest we have seen from a portable solution, then again, 360 MB/s isn't the worst either, it's actually quite good.
While the drive didn't take top honours in our sequential read and write charts, the Price/Performance chart showed the drive to have an excellent mix of performance to go along with Transcends aggressive pricing at 78 cents per GB.
PRICING: You can find the Transcend ESD400 128GB Portable SSD 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 Transcend ESD400 128GB Portable SSD retails for $89.99 at Amazon.

TweakTown image transcend_esd400_portable_usb_3_0_ssd_review

... Read the rest in your browser!

Samsung XS1715 1.6TB 2.5-inch NVMe PCIe Enterprise SSD Review

8k Random Read/Write

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

Many server workloads rely heavily upon 8k performance, and we include this as a standard with each evaluation. Many of our server workloads also test 8k performance with various mixed read/write distributions.
The Samsung XS1715 averages 384,690 IOPS at 256 OIO, the Intel averages 275,367 IOPS, the FlashMAX II averages 207,859 IOPS, and the Micron P420m takes a slight lead to top the chart at 387,785 IOPS. The XS1715 again displays impressive performance scaling in the middle ranges as well, dominating the 16-128 OIO segment of the test.

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

The Micron P420m took the performance crown under the heaviest workloads, but the XS1715 separates itself from the crowd in our Latency-v-IOPS chart.

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

The Samsung XS1715 averages 54,588 IOPS at 256 OIO, the Intel DC P3700 averages 66,082 IOPS, the P420m hits 79,633 IOPS, and the FlashMAX II tops out at a speed of 59,279 IOPS.

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

The Samsung XS1715 and Micron P420m are closely matched under heavy load, and the Intel DC P3700 and FlashMAX II take the lead.

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

The XS1715 exhibits the same affinity for read-centric workloads in this test, but also performs well in heavier write workloads. The Intel DC P3700 continues to lead in mixed random write workloads.

TweakTown image samsung_xs1715_1_6tb_2_5_inch_nvme_pcie_enterprise_ssd_review

We note the same latency characteristics observed in the 4k mixed random workload testing.
... Read the rest in your browser!

Available Tags:EA , iOS , Android , GPU , security , Google , USB , PS4 , Samsung , Galaxy , Xbox , Intel , Microsoft , Apple , Router , USB 3.0 , NVIDIA , GeForce , Gamers , USB 3.0 , SSD , SSD ,

No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)