IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 2/12/2015

The ESL One Katowice CS:GO qualifier groups are out
If you're a fan of CS:GO and wish to see some of the best teams on the globe fight to the death in order to secure their spot in a major event - you've opened the right article.

Thanks to HLTV, we've been informed on the latest group updates for the offline-qualifier component of ESL One Katowice. Being conducted in the Angelo Hotel, the top four teams from each group will be pushed towards the finals stage - where they will meet the top eight placed DreamHack Winter teams.

It's interesting to note that Australian team Vox Eminor will once again be making the trek overseas, alongside the ex-ESC Gaming squad being once-again included thanks to their lifetime Valve ban being overturned.

The action begins on February the 14th - local time. All match times below will be stated in local timing, for an easy conversion - simply make an account on HLTV, set your own time zone and log in to see them automatically changed.

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Uber Australia claim to be creating 20,000 jobs in 2015
In an email sent a few hours ago, Uber's Queensland team stated that they will be "committed to creating 20,000 new jobs in Australia in 2015."

This release went on to ensure customers that all patrons will be safe, claiming that "each of these new jobs will be filled by people who have passed rigorous criminal and driving history background checks, who are fully insured, and who are seeking to earn a flexible income to support their families," as there have been some major concerns in the past as to how safe Uber drivers really are.

20,000 jobs in any industry is certainly not a small task. Especially when you consider that there are only approximately 23,000 Taxi drivers employed as a whole in Australia's most populated state - New South Wales.


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Come one, come all - this amalgamation of tech makes for an awesome PC
Generally in modding circles we will see a sponsored or personal build running one companies products mainly as a whole - be it MSI, ASUS, GIGABYTE or more. In an attempt to break the trend, High Resolution Computers Shop (HRC) has produced a stunning red and black build with components from a vast array of companies, including:

• Intel
• MSI
• AVIEXIR
• Samsung
• Corsair
• EK Water Blocks
• Bitspower, and
• Galaxy
• Mayhem die
• NZXT

This PC is running a stunning Mayhem Pastel Red + Mayhem X1 Red die combination, complete with custom-PSU sleeving, rigid-tubed watercooling and an Intel i7 790K to top it all off - this computer is a dream build for many.

We'll add this PC to yet another list showcasing the might that is rigid tubing and its great to see someone changing up the normal build process.

The full components list is as follows:

• i7 4790K
• MSI Z97 GAMING 5
• AVIEXIR CORE 4×4/2400
• ASUS GTX970 STRIX [SLI]
• SAMSUNG 850PRO 512GB.
• COSSAIR AX860i
• NZXT H440 RED

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A 15 year old kid just won a $3,000,00 Dota2 tournament
How many times has your mother in the past told you to get off the computer and "do something productive" with your time. Ignoring her, for me, landed me a job in eSports, ignoring her for 15 year old Syed "Suma1L" Hassan, meant he carried his team to victory in the Dota 2 Asian Championships - playing a massive hand in his team walking away with the $1,284,158 first place prize incentive.

Not only was this Suma1L's first attendance at a massive major live event, he more than paid for his own worth - as you can see in the video above. On top of his amazing Tinker playing ability, he helped carry his team to victory when playing Storm Spirit. In the final game of the grans final series, although dieing four times quickly at the beginning, he managed to use his incredible placement, micro and forward-thinking techniques to run rings around his opponents.

So I'll just let that sink in for you all - a 15 year old has just walked away with $250,000 in prize money after beating the best Dota2 teams in the world. It gets even better - Suma1L and his new-found teammate Aui_2000 were both stand-ins for this event. Although not 'officially' on the Evil Geniuses Roster, they were called upon to play due to the departure of Artour "Arteezy" Babaev and Ludwig "zai" Wahlberg (to Team Secret).

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Titanfall 2 could be available for PlayStation 4, not just Xbox One
Titanfall 2 from Electronic Arts and Respawn could be available for the Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox one game consoles, according to recent reports. The original Titanfall game was only available for the Xbox One and PC - but releasing the sequel to the PS4, which has easily outsold the Xbox One, opens the door to a larger market of console gamers.

"Last year it was on the Xbox only; in the future, we haven't yet announced, but we'll probably have another Titanfall game," said Blake Jorgensen, CFO of Electronic Arts, speaking at the 2015 Technology, Internet & Media Conference. "It will probably be a bigger footprint than just a single platform. I think that's a huge positive for us."

Microsoft was hoping the first Titanfall to be a major blockbuster, and while it sold fairly well, many gamers were still left disappointed - and Microsoft reportedly won't open up the checkbook to make an Xbox One console exclusive again.


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Companies should focus on neutralizing hackers once they are inside
Cybersecurity incidents are going to occur, and companies should rethink their current security strategies. Instead of focusing on preventing criminals from accessing their data - which has become increasingly difficult - decision leaders should have a plan in place for when a breach finally does occur.

The median length cybercriminals have inside a compromised victim's network is 229 days, which gives them a significant amount of time to access data, find additional loopholes, and plan what information they will take. Companies often are unaware a breach has taken place, and don't have an appropriate strategy to boot the hackers and secure their networks.

Typical cybersecurity defenses need to focus on having "a description of the bad guys before they can help you find them," said Dave Merkel, CTO of FireEye, in a statement published by the San Jose Mercury News. "That's just old and outmoded. And just doesn't work anymore. There's no way to guarantee that you never are the victim of a cyberattack."

Cybersecurity experts are increasingly concerned that hackers have a wider variety of targets - and security still isn't a priority among many companies.


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HP says home security systems aren't as secure as people like to think
Security systems connected to the Internet of things (IoT) could create an unexpected back door that puts owners at risk, according to a new security report from Hewlett-Packard. Specifically, brute-force attacks can be especially helpful in breaking through security, with manufacturers neglecting to use lockout procedures after failed repeated login attempts.

In addition, there were security vulnerabilities found in user interfaces on mobile, desktop and cloud platforms utilized by home owners. HP didn't disclose which vendors it used in its IoT security system study, but this appears to be a major problem that must be addressed.

"The results were pretty startling," said Daniel Miessler, practice principal at HP Fortify, in a statement to eWeek. "The big finding was that 10 out of 10 systems could be brute-forced to extract usernames and passwords via the Internet."

IoT devices are increasing at a rapid pace, whether they are secure or not, and will keep cybersecurity specialists busy. Experts recommend manufacturers and software developers include security protocols prior to product launches - and force consumers to be more proactive in ensuring devices are password-protected.


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Google announces Google I/O dates for May 28-29, 2015
Google has just announced the dates for Google I/O 2015, its annual developer conference. The conference will take place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, on May 28-29, 2015.

We don't know what Google will unveil at the event, but last year we had the first public look at Android 5.0, or at the time Android "L". The bigger question is, who will get tickets? Google I/O's own registration page says that developers can register for the event between March 17-19, but after that attendees will be selected "at random".


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United States creates cybersecurity center to help study cyber threats
The United States publicly unveiled its Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC), a new program designed to study cyber threats facing government agencies.

The idea of increased communication between federal government agencies, law enforcement and private sector corporations seems like a wise idea - but is going to be extremely difficult. The CTIIC wants to create a first step towards that goal, with government agencies and law enforcement coordinating to discuss current cyberattack patterns.

Even though the US government is being pressured to become more proactive in the fight against cyberattacks, some have questioned if the CTIIC will be an effective tool. "In principle, having a single 'belly button' is a nice idea," said Jeff Williams, CTO and founder of Contrast Security, in a statement to NBC News. "But in reality, it's just one more agency with cybersecurity responsibility."

The US government has developed an arsenal of strong cyberespionage weapons it can use to conduct surveillance - but has been lackadaisical in regards to cyber defense.


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The 'CyberCaliphate' hacks Newsweek, other Twitter feeds
The main Twitter page for Newsweek was hacked by CyberCaliphate, a mysterious pro-ISIS group, with a new profile picture, main image and number of tweets posted. A series of tweets also took aim at the first lady Michelle Obama and her family, threatening them - and the FBI is now investigating the matter.

"We apologize to our readers for anything offensive that might have been sent from our account during that period, and are working to strengthen our newsroom security measures going forward," said Kira Bindrim, Managing Editor of Newsweek, in response to the data breach.

Newsweek was able to regain control of its Twitter account in 20 minutes, but the hijacked Twitter messages were tweeted and shared among the news organization's 2.51 million followers.

The CyberCaliphate has compromised other high-profile Twitter feeds, including mainstream news organizations and a U.S. military account.


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JetBlue rolling out Apple Pay for travelers already in the air
JetBlue customers will be able to use Apple Pay to purchase snacks, drinks and other amenities while flying, with the airline company becoming the first to accept the mobile payment service. Since 2007, JetBlue has been cashless for on-board purchases, and the addition of mobile payments seems like a natural progression.

The new service will begin on JetBlue transcontinental flights from New York to either San Francisco or Los Angeles later this month.

"The sky is definitely not the limit when it comes to mobile payments with Apple Pay," said Marty St George, SVP of commercial flights at JetBlue. "Customers want an easy and fast transaction when they decide to make an on-board purchase so that they can get back to enjoying their flight."

Apple Pay has helped the mobile payment market receive a lot of media attention, and needs all the help it can get to woo potential first-time customers.


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Apple will 'give Tesla a run for its money' with its latest project
An Apple employee has teased some exciting news with Business Insider, that the company is working on a new project that would "give Tesla a run for its money".

Business Insider reports: "After writing about how the van could be used for a self-driving car, we got an unsolicited email from an employee at Apple about "vehicle development" at the company. Apple's latest project is too exciting to pass up," the person said. "I think it will change the landscape and give Tesla a run for its money".

We know that Apple employees have been moving over to Tesla Motors in droves, but now it's being reported that Tesla employees are coming back to Apple for this mysterious project, which sounds like a stretch. If Apple were working a self-driving car, it could be a big deal, but a self-driving car consists of many technologies that need to work together perfectly, on its first shot. We'll continue to report on this as it breaks.


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AMD acknowledges that fake processors were sold through Amazon
AMD and NVIDIA have been in the headlines quite often lately, with AMD now in the headlines for something completely different. The chipmaker has acknowledged that some consumers have purchased counterfeit processors from Amazon.

The fake processors have heatspreaders that say that they are an FM2+ AMD A8-7600 but the CPU underneath of the heatspreader is just an older AMD APU, which is not compatible with the AM2+ motherboard at all. The CPU that most people seem to be securing is the very old AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ which will not work on current motherboards.

AMD has released a statement to Overlock3D, saying: "It is apparent that this isolated incident is not related in any way to AMD's manufacturing or packaging, however AMD takes any reports of product tampering very seriously. As part of our ongoing efforts to help ensure consumers and businesses are sold only genuine AMD processors, we thoroughly investigate these extremely rare incidents in an effort to determine the source of the altered products, and consider all available legal remedies - including both civil and criminal prosecution - against persons found to have engaged in fraudulent actions affecting AMD products".

The company continues: "We are working in close cooperation with Amazon and the local enforcement authorities to conclude this incident quickly and ensure that the rigorous quality and reliability standards that AMD is known for are maintained. In addition, while AMD already implements extensive security measures to ensure the authenticity of our products, we are currently evaluating further measures to implement additional security measures for maximum future support".


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Qualcomm settles antitrust dispute with China for $975 million
After a 14-month investigation, China has said that it has found that Qualcomm has engaged in anti-competitive practices in the country. This has seen Qualcomm entered into a settlement with the government of China's National Development and Reform Commission.

This settlement has seen Qualcomm hand over $975 million, and in addition to the near $1 billion, the company has said that it will change "certain of its business practices in China". Qualcomm has added: "Although Qualcomm is disappointed with the results of the investigation, it is pleased that the NDRC has reviewed and approved the Company's rectification plan".


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TSMC is investing $16 billion in a new advanced chip factory
Some interesting news has just appeared online, but first we'll tackle the business side of things. TSMC has said that it is investing a hefty $16 billion on creating a new chip factory, but there was some more interesting news that didn't seem to make the headlines.

TSMC will never make a 20nm GPU, with the reasoning behind this is that there are very low yields associated with the big cores and high performance requirements. Starting next year the Taiwanese giant will switch over to 16nm FinFET, but it wants to shift into 10nm as early as late 2016.

Intel is another player in the 10nm business, where it has invested $6 billion in fabrication facilities over in Israel. The chipmaker has already invested into the R&D of 7nm, which should happen before 2020. TSMC shifting to 16nm and then 10nm so quickly is a pre-emptive move against Samsung and Globalfoundaries, which have just joined forces in the R&D side of things.


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Razer Adaro Stereos Headset Review

Introduction

Razer has become a staple when it comes to peripherals as a whole. Being one of the first 'gamer orientated' brands to his the market, you can often see Razer products sneaking their way into almost any gamer's lifetime in one form or another. With casual and professional gamers alike claiming that the DeathAdder mouse is the best shape in the world, I got my hands-on a pair of their Adaro Stereos headphones to test for myself.

I'm going to be honest and say this is the first Razer product I have liked straight out of the box. As the DeathAdder shape isn't suitable for my grip and some of their keyboards not quite being my cup of tea, I was surprised by the plush, portable and lightweight feeling this pair of headphones gives you.

After reviewing the CM Storm Ceres 500 recently, alongside using my Tt eSPORTS Dracco Captain headset and the Tt eSPORTS Shock 3D 7.1 for a while, all of these offerings are quite similar in design - it's a nice change of pace to try out the Adaro. Read on for some more in-depth thoughts and analysis.

Specifications

Delivered without a microphone, these headphones contain a simple quote on the top of their packaging which reads "the art of sound." This confirms my initial thoughts in the fact that these headphones are offered not only toward a hardcore gaming audience, but also to those who enjoy movies and music.

Featuring "custom tuned" 40mm dynamic drivers, plush leather on-ear cushions and a fully adjustable design, this headset is further-confirmed as something for lovers of music and travel.

The technicalities in their 40mm driver offering include a frequency response of 20 - 20,000 Hz, an impedance of 32 Ohms, alongside the sensitivity at 1KHz being rated at 104dB ± 3dB and the whole package features an input power of 50mW.

Weighing in at only 0.4 lbs, this audio accessory feels like a feather when compared to my previous CM Storm Ceres 500, which hits the scales at 1.06 lbs in total weight.

Pricing & Availability

The Razer Adaro Stereos is listed for a mid-range price point at $94.99 when seen on Amazon's US store. This is rated at a massive $100 lower when compared to the 'DJ edition' which comes in at $197.99 and it's far cheaper than the wireless option - listed for sale at $151.14.

What's in the box?

Featuring an extremely simple package, the Razer Adaro Stereos simply comes with the unit itself and a few different instruction and warranty booklets. Included also are the general-issue Razer stickers, extremely suitable to throw on your laptop lid or the back of your PC monitor, if you see fit.

As Razer talks about portability quite often throughout their online spiel, sales promotions and the box itself, I was surprised to see no carry case included with the product - this would greatly help the transport of the items as I use my Tt eSPORTS carry-pouches on the regular when attending LAN events, travelling abroad or heading around to a mates place.

PRICING: You can find the Razer Adaro Stereos - Analog Headphones 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 Razer Adaro Stereos - Analog Headphones retails for $94.99 at Amazon.

Canada: The Razer Adaro Stereos - Analog Headphones retails for CDN$82.99 at Amazon Canada.
... Read the rest in your browser!



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VESA Publishes Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) Standard Version 1.4a
The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today published the Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) Standard version 1.4a. Replacing eDP v1.4, published in February 2013, eDP 1.4a enables a higher video data transfer rate for increased panel resolution, greater color depth and higher refresh rates. It also incorporates the VESA Display Stream Compression (DSC) Standard v1.1, and includes a new segmented panel architecture that enables higher panel integration. These and other refinements were made to the eDP 1.4a standard to take advantage of higher GPU video performance and newer display technologies, while also enabling reduced system power and form factor.

The eDP v1.4a standard leverages the VESA DisplayPort (DP) Standard v1.3, published in September 2014, as a base specification. That standard's new higher HBR3 link rate, which operates at 8.1 Gbps per lane, is now also part of eDP v1.4a. With both HBR3 and the DSC v1.1 standard included, the latest eDP standard can support embedded panels with up to 8K resolution. For embedded display applications, DSC is most often used to decrease video interface data rate or wire count, as well as reduce display frame buffer size, thereby reducing system power usage to extend battery life. It also enables reductions in system complexity and form factor.

An entirely new feature in eDP v1.4a is "Multi-SST Operation," or MSO, which supports a new type of display architecture that VESA calls "Segmented Panel Display." Segmented Panel Display is designed to enable thinner, lighter and lower-cost panels that use less power. In operation, MSO allows the four high-speed eDP data lanes within the eDP interface to be divided up between either two or four independent panel segments. For lower resolutions, two lanes can be used to support two panel segments. This panel segmentation enables a higher level of integration on high-resolution displays; each segment can contain a separate timing controller with integrated source drivers.

According to Vice President Bong-Hyun You of Samsung Display Co., Ltd., "The Multi-SST Architecture enables greater design flexibility and power savings in new LCD panel technologies for embedded high resolution displays. Samsung proposed this feature in order to permit panel makers to make even broader usage of the eDP interface in advanced panels, as well as reduce panel thickness, reduce power draw, and reduce cost."

eDP 1.4a also includes refinements to the partial update capability for Panel Self Refresh (PSR) that was introduced in eDP 1.4. Partial update enables the system video processor, or GPU, to update only the portion of the display that has changed since the video frame update, further saving system power.

According to Craig Wiley, senior director of marketing at Parade Technologies, VESA board member, and editor for eDP 1.4a, "The adoption of eDP for embedded displays is now positioned for growth as eDP 1.4a has become highly optimized, especially at resolutions above quad HD. Compared to other embedded interfaces, it has the richest feature set along with the lowest power, wire count and EMI radiation, particularly when used with high-resolution panels. It will continue to evolve, along with DisplayPort, but with its own unique features specifically optimized for embedded applications such as all-in-one PCs, notebooks, tablets and smartphones."


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GIGABYTE Unveils P37X 17.3-inch Gaming Notebook
GIGABYTE announced a 17.3" slim gaming laptop P37X for anyone who seeks uncompromised gaming performance and multimedia fun on the move. Boosted by a top-of-line GTX 980M graphics, P37X is capable of fantastic gameplay and splendid P10000+ in 3DMark 11. Measuring just 22.5mm thin and weighs 2.8 kg, this beast boasts a slender posture despite its dominating performance. GIGABYTE exclusive Macro Hub translates personalized macro recording into a matter of seconds and takes gaming experience on to another level. P37X equips hardcore gamers with full-spectrum features for uncompromised gaming experience without the heft synonymous to the desktop systems. Users looking for uncompromised mobile platform with larger vision would definitely find the P37X a dream all-rounder.

Powered by P37X a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M, a more punchy graphic force bringing a stunning score, P10000+ in 3DMark 11, yet staying efficient when battery life and running time are concerns. The long awaited Maxwell architecture brings multiple visual innovations including DSR, MFAA & VXGI for more realistic, stunning images and thus unprecedented gaming virtual reality, creating users a solid edge when running the most resource crunching games in high settings and graphic professionals desirable processing resources comparable to desktop systems. Storage is configured to two rapid 512 GB mSATA SSDs and dual 2TB hard drives, blending speed and capacity into an incredibly thin and lightweight chassis.

One-click Execution in Any Game: 25 Macros Sets

The unique Macro Hub perfectly integrates and translates a series of keyboard and mouse operations into one touch. Setting the killer combos or certain key moves in motion in gameplay without a second thought is vital for pro gamers. The programmable innovation automates and simplifies routine operations; its scissor-switch key structure, rarely seen on laptops, guarantees lightning response as well as complete dominance in gameplay. A maximum of 25 macro sets ensures best possible customization and flexibility for different gaming scenarios. P37X also sports an industry-leading macro recording function that tracks and records user's keyboard and mouse inputs for a seamless recording. The time-consuming manual inputs is now gone, users can concentrate on their matches instead of complex key strokes and clicks.

Enveloping 4K impact with Mini DisplayPort Output

P37X is equipped with a 1080p display with 72% NTSC color gamut and viewing angle up to 160 degrees, promising viewers rich and vibrant colors free from loss of image quality; matte screen eliminates glare and reflections, keeping users inside the game free of possible distractions. Mini DisplayPort supports video output up to 4K resolution: maximum visual impact now comes with minimum effort in mobility. Dolby Digital Plus Home Theatre provides a thrilling cinematic experience on the go, fine-tuning customized settings and presets for music, movie, and game create optimal audio effect; Dolby technologies automatically adjust according to listening output for the best experiences.

Supreme Cooling Customization with Fan Tweak & Supra-Cool Technology

GIGABYTE exclusive Fan Tweak offers 4 modes of fan speed, customizing 4 dedicated modes for essential scenarios. All modes (except Max Fan) feature automatic progressive fan speed control, which monitors different user sessions for the optimal cooling scenarios. A relatively higher initial fan speed manages the piling-up heat during heavy sessions; a lower speed steps in for more tranquil experience whenever the chassis temperature drops to a set level. 4 Modes offer most comprehensive user scenarios: Stealth/ Auto Low promises noise-free experience for light uses such as web browsing and movie viewing; Auto High/ Max Fan aims at more resource-demanding sessions in which performance and cooling is the first priority. GIGABYTE exclusive Supra-Cool technology incorporates dual heat pipes plus two dedicated fans for CPU & GPU, ensuring the highest level of reliability and stability for the most arduous of tasks and gaming.

Smart Integration: Taking User Experience to a New Level

In addition to all the outstanding features, the integrated hardware and innovative software makes for an intuitive interface, LAN Optimizer eliminates network latency and improves online gaming and/or web browsing by prioritizing the desired type of packets according to user settings. LockWin Key allows users to lock the Windows Key during gaming sessions in case of mis-registering the key during gameplay and jumping to the home screen. The P37X is forged to ensure gamers have the best playing time anytime, anywhere.


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Turtle Beach to Design EVOLVE Themed Headsets
Turtle Beach, the leading audio brand in the video games industry, today announced an exclusive partnership with 2K and Turtle Rock Studios as the official headset for the highly anticipated next-gen video game, Evolve. Beginning this month, fans that purchase Turtle Beach gaming headsets at select retailers will receive a free set of Evolve speaker plates to customize their new gear as they jump into this all-new 4v1 experience. A wide selection of Turtle Beach products will be available as part of this promotion, including the Ear Force XO SEVEN Pro headset for the Xbox One.

The MLG Pro Circuit licensed XO SEVEN Pro has the tournament-grade durability, sound quality and features competitive players need to win. The XO SEVEN Pro's features include microphone monitoring, mic mute, chat and volume control, and mic and game presets. The XO SEVEN Pro also provides one-touch access to Superhuman Hearing, which provides a competitive advantage in multiplayer gaming by making soft sounds that are typically hard to hear louder, allowing players to pinpoint quiet audio cues like enemy footsteps and weapon reloads.

"High quality game audio and crystal clear chat communication enhances Evolve's unique approach to multiplayer gaming," said Bob Picunko, Chief Marketing Officer at Turtle Beach. "At Turtle Beach we are excited to work with 2K and Turtle Rock Studios as the Official Headset of Evolve, and look forward to providing players with the opportunity to customize their new headsets with art work from Evolve."

From Turtle Rock Studios, creators of Left 4 Dead, comes Evolve, the highly anticipated shooter where four Hunters face off against a single, player-controlled Monster in adrenaline-pumping 4v1 matches. Play as the Monster to use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to kill your human enemies, or choose one of four Hunter classes (Trapper, Support, Assault and Medic) and team up to take down the beast on the planet Shear, where flora and fauna act as an adversary to man and Monster alike. Level up to unlock new Hunter or Monster characters as well as upgrades, skins, and perks. Earn your infamy on the leaderboards and become the apex predator. Evolve launches on February 10, 2015 for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation4 and PC (via Steam).


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Streacom Announces the Alpha Line of Cases
Streacom ALPHA is the culmination of a yearlong project to re-design, re-engineer, and refine all aspects of our computer chassis range, from production right through to the packaging. We scrutinized every single part, the smallest screw to the largest aluminum extrusion and asked a simple question.. "If you could start from scratch, what would you change?"

Make no mistake, whilst on the surface ALPHA cases may look almost identical, not a single part from any previous case has been re-utilized. More than just a product revision, it is a total reboot and lays the foundation for future product compatibility, expansion, and manufacturing processes. With the unified internal design, all Alpha cases will be available with and without optical drives, so we are also introducing a naming change. Cases with optical drive openings will have the 'Optical' suffix, those without will simply carry the model name.

Whist every ALPHA case has its own unique set of changes compared with its predecessor, they all share the following upgraded features:

• Higher precision extrusion, CNC and tolerances for all aluminium parts
• New anodizing process with improved surface treatment which is more dust/mark resistant
• Redesigned drive trays for easier installation, greater flexibility and more storage options
• The introduction of a dedicated optical drive tray for easier fitting and adjustment
• Optimized venting to improve internal convection airflow and cooling
• Refined power button with O-ring damper and pure white power LED indicator
• Front/side USB ports are 3.0 as standard and PCB-free for higher speed and compatibility
• Uprated heat pipes and improved mount surfaces for better thermal performance
• Fewer visible screws and aesthetic refinements to all sides and surfaces
• Unified internal designs allowing for non-optical versions across the range
• Reduced IR window acrylic thickness to improve detection and increase remote range
• New packaging with less waste, better protection and easier product removal
• Improved documentation with revised procedures and clearer part identification

Individual case improvements include:

• FC5 - Redesigned bottom panel with higher strength, improved convection and more drive options
• F7C - Added supports for 92mm fan and larger side venting for more airflow
• FC8 - Top panel holes replaced with stealth side panel vent, cleaner looks and reduced internal dust
• FC8 - Redesigned heat sink, sleeker, more balanced, less industrial looking and much easier to clean
• F7C & FC8 - Single piece extruded top panel, virtually unbreakable design, better fit
• F7C & FC8 - Simplified drive tray with easier installation, more drives and more component clearance
• F7C & FC8 - Dedicated SSD mounting brackets for easier installation
• FC5, FC9, FC10 - USB ports are now on both sides for better accessibility and balance
• FC5, FC9, FC10 - Thicker top panel brackets reduces the chance of thread damage
• FC5, FC9, FC10 - New silicon feet pads for better dampening, grip and surface protection
• FC9 & FC10 - New drive tray with variable position drive mounting
• FC10 - Standard width CPI expansion slots for dual card support

For more information, visit the product pages of the FC5 Alpha, F7C Alpha, FC8 Alpha, FC9 Alpha, and the FC10 Alpha.

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BIOSTAR Launches Z97X Gaming Motherboard
BIOSTAR has launched the latest high-end gaming board, the Gaming Z97X, a board with the new Gaming Commander Box accessory as well as cutting-edge features like USB 3.1 on-board and innovative durability enhancements.

The Gaming Z97X ushers in a brand new series of gaming hardware from BIOSTAR, the first complete gaming motherboard designed by BIOSTAR. This is something new from BIOSTAR, because it's not just a regular gaming motherboard that satisfies a typical gamers' needs by just merely offering top of the line hardware, rather it is designed from the ground up to be cool looking and high performing. Let's talk about what makes the BIOSTAR "Gaming Z97X" so special.

The Gaming Z97X is an ATX form factor board that features Intel socket 1150 support and is based on the Intel Z97 chipset, coming with key features such as USB 3.1, three PCI Express 3.0x16 slots, PCIe M.2 support, Dual GbE LAN and BIOSTAR exclusive Super Hi-Fi Audio technology and support for DisplayPort. Two on-board HDMI supports 4K and 2K resolutions. There is also the introduction of the SATA Express Connector which supports both SATA and PCIe storage solutions giving maximum data transfer speed of up to 10Gb/s.

This board also heralds the launch of the BIOSTAR external Gaming Commander box. It fits in a standard 5.5" (CD-ROM) area; it is also comprised of software with voice control center exclusively designed by BIOSTAR. The external box features an independent USB DAC, dedicated MIC_IN and Line-out jacks, buttons for volume adjustments, a diagnose LED for CPU/ DDR/ VGA temperature indicators, and exclusive XLouder button for quick MIC boost. The Gaming Commander software is a user friendly interface with equalizer functions which allows users to make their own voice effects while enjoying games.

As mentioned before, it should be noted that the Gaming Z97X is the first motherboard that comes with an onboard USB 3.1 connector, a new standard known as SuperSpeed +. The new standard doubles data transfer rate from 5Gbps to 10Gbps, and it's backward compatible with existing USB 3.0 connectors and all the USB 2.0 devices.

The On-board PCIe M.2 slot, available for higher performance SSD; and SATA Express ports that supports both SATA and PCIe storage solutions to maximum data transfer speed up to 10Gb/s. Both features can upgrade your system performance in terms of data access and storage.

Most of the features we've just talked about are related to system hardware performance, now let's look at the audio performance. The Gaming Z97X adopts BIOSTAR's exclusive Hi-Fi 3D technology, it enables high definition multidimensional sound and gamers also get extremely high quality sound with an additional amplifier on-board. With the Gaming Commander BOX, you can freely use either sound chips from motherboard or the BOX in different scenarios to get the maximum sound performance.

One thing no gamer can stand is a sudden internet disconnection, so BIOSTAR has prepared two LAN connectors, with the most popular Killer LAN and Intel LAN chips. With Dual GbE LAN, the primary advantage is doubling bandwidth from 1G to 2G, and with two high-speed gigabit networks plus zero packet delay that provides super high data transmission efficiency. Another major advantage is "Load Balancing", it allows a gamer to attach both network adapters to a single network. It will therefore support the aggregation "teaming" function by merging the two connections to support multiple aggregation modes. In addition, two Gigabit Ethernet lightning protection circuits reduce the probability of damage from lightning or other power surge, so if one connection is disabled the other connection will automatically kick in.

We've talked about high-end hardware specs, the high quality sound and the high speed LAN connection, what about product stability? BIOSTAR has that covered. Around the CPU area, there is a 12 phase power design to prevent the CPU from overheating; BIOSTAR's exclusive super-durable ferrite chokes and solid capacitors also enhance energy efficiency and extend the motherboard's lifespan. An Anti-Surge and ESD design also provides the best protection and reduces the shocks caused by ESD as well as other damages arising from overvoltage transients thus enhancing system stability and durability.

The Gaming Z97X will come with super durable box headers providing solid, secure and durable connections between the motherboard and peripheral cables. When running such high-end machinery sometimes such tight tolerances call for some expert debugging of overclocked or highly stressed systems. For that, there will be Super Rapid Debug 3 which gives out critical POST code information on a vivid digital LED display. This greatly helps trouble shooting of a system.

And of course, it all looks cool and sharp with the armor design; there are a lot more great features like the LN2 switch, T-Overclocking software & an onboard XMP button for easy CPU and memory overclocking, and dual HDMI ports that support true 4k/2k HD video. We hope you can experience it yourself.

For more on the Gaming Z97X go to: http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=784


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HyperX Releases Enhanced Cloud II Gaming Headset, New Mouse Pad
HyperX, a division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the launch of HyperX Cloud II headset. Shipping now, HyperX Cloud II features a newly designed USB sound card audio control box featuring 7.1 virtual surround sound, in addition to the great features and benefits of the previous award-winning HyperX Cloud headset.

Fully designed by HyperX sound engineers, the LED backlit audio control box delivers hardware-based (no drivers needed) 7.1 virtual surround sound with independent audio and microphone volume control. Gamers can easily toggle on 7.1 virtual Surround Sound with a push of a button to emulate having seven positional speakers for enhanced gaming. HyperX Cloud II is USB-powered for PC and Mac to amplify audio and voice, as well as 3.5 mm stereo compatible for PS4 and Xbox One.

The microphone is digitally enhanced with noise cancellation, auto gain control and echo cancellation via the USB sound card. Certified by TeamSpeak and Skype optimized, HyperX Cloud II provides clearer voice quality, game sounds and reduced background noise. The ear cups and headband are 100-percent memory foam to provide maximum comfort when gaming for hours.

HyperX will also launch its second gaming surface, HyperX FURY Pro Gaming Mouse Pad. Made of cloth material and soft padding, HyperX FURY mouse pads offer optimal precision, comfort and stability. HyperX FURY mouse pads are available in four sizes, and are portable and durable to suit any gamer's environment.

"We are excited to expand our line of HyperX accessories with the new Cloud II and FURY mouse pad," said Lawrence Yang, business manager, HyperX. "We can now offer gamers a 7.1 virtual surround sound headset that has all of the comfort and style of the original HyperX Cloud. These two new products give gamers great sound and control so they can enjoy a fully immersive gaming experience."

HyperX Cloud II is available in red, gun metal, and limited edition pink (coming soon) and is backed by a two-year warranty and legendary HyperX reliability.

HyperX is the high-performance product division of Kingston Technology encompassing high-speed DDR4 and DDR3 memory, SSDs, USB Flash drives, and gaming accessories. Targeted at gamers, overclockers and enthusiasts, HyperX is known throughout the world for quality, performance and innovation. HyperX is committed to eSports as it sponsors over 20 teams globally and is the main sponsor of Intel Extreme Masters. HyperX can be found at many shows including Brasil Game Show, China Joy, DreamHack and PAX.

For more information, visit the HyperX home page.

HyperX Cloud II Features and Specifications:

Headset:

• Transducer Type: dynamic 53mm
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-25,000 Hz
• Nominal SPL: 98±3dB
• Operating principle: closed
• Nominal impedance: 60 per system
• T.H.D.: < 2%


• Power handling capacity: 150mW


• Sound coupling to the ear: circumaural


• Ambient noise attenuation: approx. 20 dBa


• Headband pressure: 5N


• Weight with microphone and cable: 320g


• Cable length and type: 1m + 2m extension


• Connection: single mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm)

Microphone:

• Transducer Type: condenser (back electret)
• Polar Pattern: cardioid
• Frequency Response: 50-18,000 Hz
• Operating principle: pressure gradient
• Power supply: AB powering
• Supply voltage: 2V
• Current consumption: max 0.5 mA
• Nominal impedance: 2.2 k
• Open circuit voltage: at f = 1 kHz: 20 mV / Pa
• THD: 2% at f = 1 kHz
• Max. SPL: 105dB SPL (THD1.0% at 1 KHz)
• Microphone output: -39±3dB
• Length mic boom: 150mm (include gooseneck)
• Capsule diameter: �6*5 mm
• Connection: single mini stereo jack plug (3.5mm)

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Transcend Announces its Value DDR4 Memory Lineup
Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a leading manufacturer of industrial-grade products, is proud to announce the launch of the DDR4 memory module series. The series includes DDR4 2133 MHz UDIMMs, RDIMMs, ECC-DIMMs and ECC SO-DIMMs, which are fully compatible with the latest Intel Xeon E5-2600 v3 server family processor, Haswell-E CPU with X99 chipset and micro servers. Transcend's DDR4 series boasts superior performance, 1.2V ultra-low power consumption, and increased reliability. All these features make it perfect for cloud computing, virtualization, and high-performance computing technologies.

Transcend's DDR4 memory modules are constructed with top-quality DRAM chips that deliver stable performance and durability. With advanced DDR4 technologies, Transcend's DDR4 memory modules utilize higher density components, allowing capacity options ranging from 4GB to 32GB. Offering high speed transmission of 2133MHz and up to 17GB/s of memory bandwidth, Transcend's DDR4 DIMMs comprehensively promote the system performance.
Transcend's DDR4 memory modules have an ultra-low operating voltage of 1.2V, reducing the electrical load of the memory bus and consuming up to 40% less power compared to 1.5V standard DDR3 DIMMs. This prolongs the battery life of portable devices and protects the environment by consuming less energy. Furthermore, since each module generates less heat, systems can operate with reduced temperatures and increase the overall reliability of the module.
With the superior transfer efficiency, Transcend's DDR4 VLP RDIMMs measure just 0.74 inches in height, perfect for use in high-end space-constrained platforms such as blade servers. The ECC SO-DIMMs have the size of standard SO-DIMMs, and also feature Error Correcting Code, which monitors the data that gets transferred in and out of memory and corrects any errors found. The ECC SO-DIMMs are ideal for small form-factor industrial computers, POS terminals, medical equipment and mini-ITX systems. Additionally, both models help lower cooling costs by significantly improving chassis airflow and memory heat dissipation thanks to their reduced vertical footprint.
Transcend's DDR4 memory modules are fully compliant with JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) standards and undergo strenuous 64 bit kernel, single-core and multi-core testing to ensure the best quality possible. All DDR4 models carry Transcend's renowned Limited Lifetime Warranty.

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EK Introduces MOSFET Blocks for MSI X99 Motherboards
EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to introduce EK-MOSFET MSI X99 Gaming and MOSFET MSI X99 MPower - two new water blocks for water cooling of the power regulation (VRM / MOSFETs) module on MSI X99S Plus, - Gaming and MPower series motherboards.

EK-MOSFET MSI X99 series water blocks are built to provide best possible VRM cooling and are highly recommended in overclocked systems as they provide uninterrupted workflow by ensuring total power delivery stability under highest overclocks.
Base of these water coolers is made of nickel-plated electrolytic copper while the top is made of quality acrylic glass material or POM Acetal (depending on the variant). The MPower type comes with an EK engineered backplate, made from lasercut zinc-plated steel, which improves heat transfer by cooling the back side of the circuit board as well. EK-MOSFET MSI X99 seroes water block features a high flow design allowing the water block to be easily used with systems using weaker water pumps.

In order to simplify the search for suitable and compatible water block EK is adding newly released video cards and motherboard from various manufacturers to EK Cooling Configurator database and compatible video cards are being added to the list on daily basis.

EK-MOSFET MSI X99 MPower and EK-MOSFET MSI X99 Gaming come in two different variants and are readily available for purchase through EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network. Made in Slovenia - Europe.


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