IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 2/18/2015

Malaysia now recognizes eSports as an official sport
Following in the footsteps of the US, Malaysia has now officially recognized eSports as a professional sport - listing it under the Sports Commission of Malaysia.

Reportedly kicked off due to their local team Orange eSports placing highly in Valve's 2013 International Dota2 tournament, eSports began receiving a lot of publicity throughout the nation. This push was majorly supported by Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin directly - eventually ending up with the ruling as seen today.

It hasn't always been smooth sailing, with Arrow Gaming being accused and found guilty of match fixing - but this controversy has further pushed the government towards this ruling, meaning that they can now directly control any issues that may occur in the future.

There will be an official media unveiling and announcement conducted on Wednesday January 28, at Dewan Perdana Felda.

Whether you think of eSports as legitimate or not, two major countries now officially do.


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Kansas receives AT&T 1 Gpbs internet - extra $29 for non-tracking plan
With Google launching Fiber in Kansas City, other internet providers are looking to step up their game in order to continue profit and growth. AT&T have been the first to do so in this region, offering up their U-Verse with GigaPower network - set for launch in Kansas and "parts of Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park, Kan. and in surrounding communities located throughout the metro area."

Offering 1Gbps for $70 per month, with an additional Internet and TV package bumping the price up to $120 per month total - AT&T is trying to closely match Google's Fiber pricing in that regard. However AT&T are also offering something a little different, with an internet, TV and Voice plan for $150 per month.

Their Kansas president Mike Scott issued a release, stating "we're proud to launch in these cities as the first locations where we will offer ultra-high speeds to local consumers and employers in the Kansas City area. The AT&T GigaPower network will help encourage economic development in the area by facilitating a new wave of innovation through enhanced opportunities for education, health, research and small business growth."

So what's the catch? As part of their $70 internet-only plan, you are subject to user tracking. If you want to get rid of this, you're either going to have to pay them $29 extra per month, or move to one of the more expensive plans.

AT&T's fine print reads: "Receive our U-verse with AT&T GigaPower Premier Offer by choosing AT&T Internet Preferences. When you select AT&T Internet Preferences, we can offer you our best pricing on GigaPower because you let us use your individual Web browsing information, like the search terms you enter and the web pages you visit, to tailor ads and offers to your interests."

Google Fiber doesn't track users information directly, they're already doing that through things like Gmail and YouTube - so in the end I guess both companies are pretty similar, they're just tracking through different methods - what are your thoughts?


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37 years in solitary confinement for Facebook posts is a real thing
The prisons of South Carolina don't mess around. Prisoner Tyreem Henry has been handed 37 years in solitary confinement for writing 38 posts on Facebook whilst incarcerated.

Whether these posts were him whinging about sleeping conditions, letters to his family or setting up connections outside - that is not clear. However what is clear that this man has not only lengthened his 15 year sentence to 37 years of solitary confinement, he's also lost 74 years of canteen, phone and visiting privileges.



Gizmodo explained that there has been over 400 cases in the last few years alone where inmates have subject to disciplinary action over social media use - being classed as a Level 1 violation, which is the same level as homicide, hostage-taking and rioting.

Obviously Henry's sentence is a little extreme and much more harsh than others, whether it's justified is up to you. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has described why how the long sentences have come around: "The sentences are so long because SCDC issues a separate Level 1 violation for each day that an inmate accesses a social network. An inmate who posts five status updates over five days, would receive five separate Level 1 violations, while an inmate who posted 100 updates in one day would receive only one." They further explain that "in other words, if a South Carolina inmate caused a riot, took three hostages, murdered them, stole their clothes, and then escaped, he could still wind up with fewer Level 1 offenses than an inmate who updated Facebook every day for two weeks."


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Designing your PC mod project from scratch - how's it done?
We've posted plenty of scratch-built PC projects over the past few weeks here at TweakTown, including the recently shared ZOTAC love heart chassis.

But where exactly do you start? You can't start cutting, 3D printing or shaping until you've got some solid plans in place - after all, it's a solid plan that will ensure you produce a solid result. Tri-MAX has just released some information on Facebook, showing exactly how top-notch modders go about planning their projects.

These renders show you the complete custom-case design, highlighting the planned water cooling loop setup - questioning fans about the loop setup and if it's optimal. As you can see by the pictures, this build is once again powered by Bitspower components, as proudly displayed on the top of the case in capital letters - "100% BITSPOWER".

If you're looking to make a custom build of your own - it may be worth your time opening up 3ds Max (or a similar program) and modelling your design first.

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Heroes of the Storm is just starting to take flight
Have you had a chance to get your own Blizzard's Heroes of the Storm (Heroes) beta yet? Set out to be a fast-paced and action packed MOBA style game, Blizzard have made it publicly known that they're interested in turning this title into another large eSport offering.

With plenty of different Blizzard characters on offer including your favorite Warcraft and StarCraft personalities, they've set out to make this game somewhat of a LoL style environment (jump in and play, or practice and go pro) with a twist. There's a bunch of side objectives you can complete in every game alongside each match shortened to around 20 minutes.

This game also does away with singular hero leveling. A little confusing at first, all heroes on the same team will level at the same rate no matter how many kills or deaths one player may have. This helps your team progress together and provide some more linear game-play. There's no earth-shattering ultimate abilities like in Dota2, however the fast-paced nature and quick games make for an enjoyable experience.

We've just spotted one of the first Heroes competitive events on our radar - The Exile5 Australia and New Zealand Heroes tournament, running from Feb 16-28. This event will be in a single-elimination bo5 format and is set up as a trial tournament and learning experience for all competitors and admins.


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Privacy International wants to help you find out if GCHQ spied on you
Do you want to know if the GCHQ illegally spied on you? Privacy International wants to help you find out, and has the chance to do so, after dragging the UK intelligence agency into court.

The GCHQ illegally acquired millions of private communication records from the NSA, with Privacy International, Amnesty International and Bytes for All bringing the case before a UK Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT). As such, anyone in the world can determine if the NSA and GCHQ unlawfully shared communications - with requests for emails, phone calls and Internet communication data to be deleted.

"The public have a right to know if they were illegally spied on, and GCHQ must come clean on whose records they hold that they should never have had in the first place," said Eric King, deputy director for Privacy International. "There are few chances that people have to directly challenge the seemingly unrestrained surveillance state, but individuals now have a historic opportunity finally hold GCHQ accountable for their unlawful actions."

To see if you're on the list, visit this PI page.


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Take 'A Walk Amongst the Tombstones' in our Blu-ray giveaway
To celebrate this week's release of 'A Walk Amongst the Tombstones' on Blu-ray HD and DVD, we have ten copies of the Blu-ray to give away to readers, thanks to our friends at Village Roadshow Home Entertainment.

Based on the bestselling series of mystery novels, Matt Scudder (Liam Neeson), an ex-cop turned unlicensed private investigator who reluctantly agrees to help a heroin trafficker (Dan Stevens, TV's Downton Abbey) hunt down the men who brutally murdered his wife. When the PI learns that this is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that these men have committed this sort of twisted crime, he must blur the line between right and wrong as he races to track the deviants through the backstreets of New York City before they kill again.

To go into the running to take a Blu-ray home, simply correctly answer the following question:

Name the author of the original book 'A Walk Amongst the Tombstones'

To enter, simply 'like' this post and share via Facebook or Twitter and send your answers, along with your postal address to ben at TweakTown dot com before the competition closes on February 20th.

'The Equalizer' is available to purchase on Blu-ray HD, DVD and digital from Australian retailers from February 18th.


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ASUS shows off ZenBook UX305 Ultrabook, with prices starting at $699
ASUS has launched the ZenBook UX305 ultrabook, a 13.3-inch device that is just 0.48-inches thick and weighs only 2.6lbs.

The ZenBook UX305 runs Microsoft Windows 8.1, using an Intel Core M 5Y10 CPU, Intel HD Graphics 5300, running 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. The starting $699 price point will make it an interesting competitor in the ultra-thin and light mobile market which the Apple MacBook Air has found great success in cornering.

The ASUS ZenBook UX305 with Full HD display is available now, while the model with QHD+ display will launch later this year.

Consumers are finding a number of different appealing laptops and similar products, helping boost the PC market - and with Microsoft Windows 10 on the horizon - this could be a critical time to get potential buyers interested.


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LG plans to unveil its Android-powered LG Watch Urbane during MWC
Korean company LG Electronics has confirmed the LG Watch Urbane, its first all-metal Google Android Wear device, will be unveiled during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2015 next month.

The watch runs a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU, features a 1.3-inch P-OLED display, 4GB storage, 512MB RAM, and runs Android Wear. The stainless steel body will be available in polished silver and gold finish, attached a stitched leather strap. Additional functionality of the watch wasn't confirmed by LG, with more details expected at MWC.

"The LG Watch Urbane's classic design and smart features make it the perfect smartwatch to complement our G Watch and G Watch R, which were designed as more casual and active devices," said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Mobile Communications. "LG Watch Urbane is an important part of our strategy to develop wearable devices that are worn and viewed as everyday accessories, not electronic gadgets."

The wearables market is expected to create a lot of competition among tech companies, with smartwatches trying to build a strong following.


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Sony looks to expand business ideas, joining self-driving car market
Japanese electronics company Sony has invested more than $800,000 in ZMP, a Japanese startup company developing robotic cars, according to a report published by the Financial Times. ZMP will use the cash funds - and Sony's knowledge of image sensors - to help create autonomous vehicle solutions.

Sony has just a small share in automotive sensors, but hopes to use its CMOS sensor experience in smartphones and cameras to begin accelerating in the expanding market.

It will still take years of research, but self-driving vehicles are expected to become more commonplace by 2020 - and Sony wants to position itself as an industry leader when that time comes. Sony has found success with its PlayStation gaming unit, but has struggled declining revenue companywide, as other units lose steam to Korean and Chinese competitors.

Automakers are receiving a strong boost from tech companies, with Sony joining the likes of Google, Apple, and others interested in autonomous vehicle research.


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AT&T to support BlackBerry Passport, Classic starting on Feb. 20
AT&T, the No. 2 wireless carrier in the United States, will begin selling the BlackBerry Passport and Classic smartphones on Feb. 20. The Passport will cost $199.99 with a two-year contract, while the Classic will be just $49.99 on a two-year contract.

Prior to this deal, BlackBerry sold the Passport smartphone directly to consumers - but wants to begin relying on wireless carriers to help promote devices. The Passport has a 4.5-inch square display, QWERTY keyboard, 3GB RAM, 13-megapixel camera, and runs the BlackBerry OS 10.3.1.

The Classic has a 3.5-inch touchscreen (720x720), backlit QWERTY keyboard, 8-megapixel camera, 1080p HD video recording, 16GB internal storage, and 2GB RAM.

BlackBerry continues to try to fight its way back into smartphone relevance, but struggles to compete against the Apple iPhone, and Google Android-powered devices.


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Sony PlayStation 4 retakes console sales lead from Microsoft Xbox One
After facing increased pressure from the Microsoft Xbox One to end 2014, it looks like the Sony PlayStation 4 has climbed back atop the gaming console world. It wouldn't be surprising to hear Microsoft lost its sales lead after holiday promotional pricing ended in January.

"PlayStation 4 was the top selling console in January and remains the cumulative leader in the US according to NPD data," said a Sony Computer Entertainment America spokesperson. "Since launch in November 2013, 18.5 million PS4 units and 81.8 million software units have been sold through to consumers worldwide."

The software industry earned $625.7 million revenue in January, a slight five percent drop from $662.1 million year-over-year - with Dying Light, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Grand Theft Auto V leading the way.


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Cisco CEO sees Internet of Things changing everything in the future
Cisco hopes to work its way into being the No. 1 IT and networking company in the booming Internet of Things (IoT) market, understanding that there is great potential looking ahead.

IoT-powered products are expected to enter households and offices at a rapid pace over the next few years, so Cisco wants to create partnerships and be in place to help other companies create their own products.

"It is the most fundamental change," said John Chambers, CEO of Cisco, during the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference. "You'd almost call it the second generation of the Internet. We're back in vogue. It's like the 1990s all over again."

There are numerous security-related concerns to widespread IoT adoption - something that isn't lost upon Cisco - and the company will help develop new solutions from the ground up.


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Researchers making breakthrough in development of bionic eyes
Researchers are looking forward to the future of medical technology that could have major life-changing impact, with great breakthroughs in bionic vision. During the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference last week, medical researchers discussed everything from telescopic contact lenses to prototype bionic prosthetics.

New technology developments greatly aid patients suffering from vision impairments - and varying levels of blindness - giving them the chance to better distinguish the world around them.

"Retinal implants have moved from sci-fi into reality over the last few years," said Daniel Palanker, professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University, in a statement to the San Jose Mercury News. "Now we are in the race of improving resolution, improving image processing, dynamic range (of light intensity) and levels of gray - and will keep improving."

There is still a lot of work that must be done to produce the next level of bionic vision products, but researchers are increasingly excited about the future.


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DARPA gives an updates for its 'supervision' telescopic contact lens
DARPA is constantly working on various things that we'll see in the next couple of decades, but one of them is something that started out as "supervision" contact lens for soldiers. But as things progressed, it was looking like it was better suited to age-related macular degeneration.

The latest version of the 'supervision' contact lens has bulked up a bit from its first iteration which was 1.17mm, to 1.55mm. The added thickness could have something to do with adjusting the reflective bits inside of the lens itself, or that there's a different material used in its construction.

When asked about the added thickness, researcher Eric Tremblay said that out of the five patients that have used the lens, said it was light enough and more than comfortable to wear around for daily use. The contact lens itself works as a pair of liquid crystal glasses that the user wears, where winking your right eye turns on the magnification, while winking the left eye turns it off. Blinking, does nothing. The big issue now is getting oxygen through the lens, and to the users' eye. Without oxygen to the eye, the contact can only be worn for around half an hour. The team is already working on fixing this, with current experiments leading them to use tiny channels cut into the contact that feed oxygen as well as add reservoirs of oxygen-rich fluids.


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Sentey Shield GS-6090 Mid-Tower Chassis Review

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

Despite the large amount of cases Sentey has developed over the years, in all of our time here, we have only seen two of their designs to date. It's possible that they may not have liked our review style, or maybe the U.S. market just isn't their targeted area. In all honesty, we can only guess why we haven't seen more Sentey cases. Fortunately, Sentey sent us a third chassis to review not too long ago, and since the packaging shows this is an "Enthusiast Gaming Chassis," we do have some high hopes for this latest submission.
From what we have seen, Sentey is not afraid to go outside of the box when it comes to styling, lighting, and overall aesthetics. Sentey has done everything from curving the chassis for an aerodynamic look to going completely boxed and aggressive with their designs. Today we will have an opportunity to see if Sentey is keeping up with, or even setting the curve in chassis trends. By the time we are done, we will have a defined image of what Sentey is doing in late 2014 and into 2015.
The chassis we are reviewing today is the Sentey Shield GS-6090, which is a mid-tower chassis with a couple of tricks up its sleeve. There is also a cousin to this chassis that offers a completely different aesthetic, but is built on the same main chassis components that can be found in the Seeker GS-6080; however, we will not be discussing that chassis today. Back to the chassis at hand, we may as well get right to it, and see what this aggressively styled mid-tower offers users, and just how well it stacks up to the mainstream competition.

You will find everything there is to know about the Shield GS-6090 in the charts Sentey has provided. The Shield GS-6090 is a black mid-tower chassis made from SECC steel. This chassis is made to take both ATX and Micro-ATX motherboards, and has a bottom mounted PSU. There is only room for 340mm of video card, and only 150mm of CPU height clearance, but the PSU can be as long as it needs to be without causing issues. There is a pair of holes in the back of the chassis to allow water cooling tubes to pass through. It seems there is also a motherboard tray, which is always good, and there is included wire management.
Outside of the chassis, you will find a few surfaces and textures, but all of them are black. First is the mesh present down the front and across parts of the top. The chart also shows mesh on the side, but we have a tinted amber window in our chassis, and not a mesh panel. It appears they have the top and side swapped. Along with textured plastic and the mesh inserts, there is also a fair amount of shiny plastic used to highlight bits and accent the overall design. Along with the 15mm tall plastic feet under the chassis, there is also a LED LCD display on the front as well, which is used to display temperature.
Inside, there is room for a trio of 3.5" drives, and a pair of 2.5" drives, all built into a single removable lower HDD cage. On top of that, there are three external 5.25" bays, one of which offers a stealth bay cover. There is also a lower slot for an external 3.5" device. In the bottom of the ODD cage, there is an adapter that comes out to go to 3.5", but there are also four tabs in that floor section to allow a 2.5" drive to go in there. At the back of the chassis, there are seven break-away style expansion slots, but they do offer a single expansion slot cover to replace one you may have removed on accident.
The front I/O offers a single USB 3.0 port, three USB 2.0 ports, and 3.5mm jacks for HD Audio connectivity. There are two sections to this unit; there is one on the front for easy access, and another on the top right. The power and reset switches are located at the top. The power has an LED ring denoting chassis power, while the rest is ringed to denote HDD activity. There is also a two-position fan controller here that is made with two leads on it to connect the pair of fans that ship in this chassis. Both fans included with the chassis are clear 120mm fans, and both are backed with blue LED lighting when powered. As for the physical specifications, feel free to read through those above.
We have had this chassis for three months now, and while we do apologize for the delay in getting to this chassis, we did find something strange. You can easily stop off at Sentey.com and see that this chassis has an MSRP of $69.99, but what is strange is that we can't find this chassis for sale anywhere. We even went through the list of retailers supplied on the Sentey site, and every single location either shows no information on this specific chassis, or in the instance of Amazon, states there is no availability. So, even if you do happen to like what you are about to see in the rest of this review, you probably won't find one to purchase.
... Read the rest in your browser!



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ADATA to Showcase Storage Products at Embedded World 2015
ADATA Technology, a global leader in DRAM memory modules and NAND flash storage, will showcase industrial solutions that answer IoT's promise. From February 24 to 26 in Hall 2, Booth #2-555 at Embedded World 2015 in Nuremberg, Germany. ADATA's "Connect to the World in a Flash!" booth will present many real-world solutions such as high-speed PCIe 3.0 storage, rugged temperature-tolerant memory, and SSDs with Power Loss Protection.

Success Stories Speak for High Quality Industrial Storage

ADATA's "Connect to the World in a Flash!" theme highlights industrial storage and memory products that lend real-world value to factory automation, cloud computing, banking, medical devices and automotive electronics. ADATA will display real machines from Fortinet, Beckhoff, Poslab that demonstrate successful applications for industrial automation, network security, and POS systems.

PCIe 3.0 SSDs / Power Loss Protection / Nano Coating Technology

During Embedded World 2015, ADATA will demo its next-generation PCIe 3.0 SSD featuring the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) with speeds 6 times faster than conventional SATA. NVMe supports both SATA and PCIe 3.0 interfaces, and answers the real-world needs of data centers and supercomputing applications. See the benefits of Power Loss Protection (PLP) for SSDs in several form factors. Thanks to PLP, your data can be completely saved during an abnormal power shutdown. ADATA will also showcase its protective Nano Coating technology for flash storage and memory. ADATA's Nano Coating provides a level of moisture-proofing, dust-proofing and electrical safety insulation that support sustained and reliable protection against harsh industrial environments.

Other highlights include ADATA's wide-temperature memory for industrial PCs, DDR4 memory for servers, and total SSD solutions with various interfaces, controllers, and form factors. Because of ADATA's capable R&D efforts, you can rely on quality and reliability in software, hardware, firmware, and proprietary testing methodologies for industrial and embedded applications.

Come visit ADATA Technology at Embedded World 2015, Germany

Exhibition Centre Nuremberg - Hall 2, Booth 2-555

February 24 to 26, 2015


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ASRock X99 and Z97 Motherbaords To Get USB 3.1 Connectors
Once upon a time, not so far ago, USB became the most common standard for connecting peripherals to our computers. It has also received several upgrades over the years, including this year's jump to USB 3.1. Needless to say, PC builders are going to find these new interfaces on their forthcoming motherboards from all brands, but ASRock's X99 and Z97 motherboards have more up their sleeves. Besides the traditional Type-A connectors, they're going to be the first in the world to carry the Type-C 10 Gb/s SuperSpeed+ USB 3.1, which supports next generation mobile devices.

The main attraction of the next generation SuperSpeed+ USB 3.1 is that it has doubled the data signaling rate of the former 5 Gb/s USB 3.0 to 10 Gb/s for new USB 3.1 supporting devices. In other words, transferring files from storage devices is about to become two times faster, while these most common Type-A connectors are still backwards compatible with the current USB 2.0 and 3.0 devices.

Something else worth mentioning is the birth of the new Type-C USB 3.1 interface, which purposely would serve as an integration of all our future input output interfaces. This breaks the compatibility with the existing Type-A connectors, but on the bright side, after years of keeping fingers crossed, frantically fumbling Type-A USB connectors behind computer cases in hope of getting the correct orientation, the long overdue reversible Type-C USB interface has finally arrived, adding one more entry to the things certain in life. Moreover, during this transition period, ASRock is planning to support both Type-A and Type-C USB 3.1 connectors. Other merits of this new Type-C interface include smaller size, which is inevitable since the sizes of our devices are shrinking as well. Strengthened durability to support over ten thousand plugs and removals, and a huge leap from the former 0.9 ampere power current on USB 3.0 to USB 3.1's 3 ampere power currents for extra fast device charging.

One of the world's first motherboard to be equipped with Type-C USB 3.1 will be ASRock's Z97 Extreme6/3.1. Much like its previous version, this motherboard will bear ASRock's Super Alloy features, a PCIe Gen3 x4 Ultra M.2, quad CrossFireX, quad SLI, and Purity Sound2. Furthermore, apart from the 10 USB 3.0 and 5 USB 2.0 connectors onboard, this motherboard also sports an USB 3.1 add-on card with both a single USB 3.1 Type-A port and a Type-C port. Another new piece of Super Alloy Series motherboard that's getting a dose of USB 3.1 is ASRock's X99 Extreme6/3.1. It will also come with Ultra M.2, 3-Way CrossFireX or SLI, and Purity Sound2. Plus an USB 3.1 add-on card that supports two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, an onboard USB 3.1 Type-C port for next generation devices, and a bucketload of traditional USB ports as well.


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BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Classic Coming To AT&T on February 20th
AT&T announced that the BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Classic will be available at att.com and in AT&T retail stores on Feb. 20.

BlackBerry Passport Features

Exclusive to AT&T in the U.S., the BlackBerry Passport is available in a unique design with rounded edges. The BlackBerry Passport has a large 4.5-inch Full HD square touchscreen and a touch-enabled QWERTY keyboard, giving you ideal content viewing without compromising portability. Built on BlackBerry's secure BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3.1 operating system, the BlackBerry Passport runs on AT&T's network: the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network and the network that has the nation's strongest LTE signal,(2) covering more than 300 million Americans.

BlackBerry Passport Pricing

The BlackBerry Passport will be available starting Feb. 20 for $0 down on an AT&T Next plan at $21.67 per month with AT&T Next 24,(3) $27.09 with AT&T Next 18(3) or $32.50 per month with AT&T Next 12.(3) You can also get the smartphone for $199.99 with a two-year agreement(4) or at no annual commitment for $649.99.(5)

BlackBerry Classic Features

Designed for speed and accuracy, the BlackBerry Classic includes BlackBerry's iconic QWERTY keyboard, trackpad and navigation keys, making it easy to communicate quickly and accurately with one hand. Although familiar in appearance, the BlackBerry Classic upgrades the BlackBerry Bold 9900 experience with a faster browser, longer battery life and more screen space. It also comes with the secure BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3.1 operating system, offering customers access to commanding features including BlackBerry Blend and BlackBerry Assistant.

BlackBerry Classic Pricing

You can purchase the BlackBerry Classic for $0 down on an AT&T Next plan at $14 per month with AT&T Next 24,(3) $17.50 per month with Next 18(3) or $21 per month with AT&T Next 12.(3) You can also get the smartphone for $49.99 with a two-year agreement(4) or at no annual commitment for $419.99.(5)

Supporting Quotes

"The BlackBerry Passport is ideal for the mobile professional who wants an innovative wireless device focused on security and productivity. Available first in the U.S. on the AT&T network, customers will benefit from the uniquely designed Passport's enhanced features, including a wider screen, 32GB of storage, and a 3450 mAh battery." -Jeff Bradley, SVP, Device Marketing and Developer Services, AT&T

"The BlackBerry Classic is an excellent addition to AT&T's leading line-up of smartphones. AT&T customers will be thrilled with the Classic. It blends the best of familiar features, such as BlackBerry's QWERTY keyboard with enhanced capabilities including BlackBerry Blend and Assistant." -Jeff Bradley, SVP, Device Marketing and Developer Services, AT&T

AT&T was the first wireless carrier to launch a BlackBerry device in the U.S. with the BlackBerry 950 in 1999; first with a GSM enabled product with the BlackBerry 5810 and 5820 in 2002; and the first and only to launch the exclusive BlackBerry Torch with full QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen in 2011. The BlackBerry Z10 was the first BlackBerry smartphone to run on AT&T's 4G LTE network.

1 - AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

2 - Nationwide carriers' LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not avail. everywhere.

3 - Requires 20-mth or 24-mth 0% APR installment agreement and qualifying credit and wireless service. Tax due at sale. If wireless service cancelled, device balance due. Service costs additional. Other charges and restrictions apply. AT&T Next Requirements: http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/next.html#fbid=mkEz9ThvDiO.

4 - $199.99 pricing for Passport and $49.99 for Classic. Requires 2-year agreement with qualifying data plan. Activation/upgrade, early termination and other fees, and restrictions apply. Pricing Requirements: http://www.att.com/att/planner/index.html#fbid=yRbS77904im.

5 - Requires activation of new line of qualified wireless service.

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MSI to Sell Motherboard + Graphics Card Combos with Cashbacks
MSI offers cashback to end-users who buy a selected MSI motherboard combined with a MSI video card at official MSI resellers. Some of the eligible products are MSI's full range of X99 motherboards, the MSI Z97 GAMING line-up, the Z97S SLI Krait Edition and selected H97 models. Combined with a purchase of one of MSI's latest GTX960, GTX970 or GTX980 video cards, or MSI's high performance R9 290 or R9270X cards, end users can receive cashback adding up to $56.67.

The promotion is running in 20 countries in Europe and is set for those looking to upgrade or assemble a brand new high-performance PC by themselves, ready to take on any PC computing task in 2015. All program details can be found here.

People from the following countries are eligible for the MSI cashback action which runs from February 10th until March 12th 2015: France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, UK, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Austria, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey.


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ASUS Announces ZenBook UX305 Ultrabook Starting at $699
ASUS today announced the elegant and powerful ZenBook UX305, which is the world's slimmest 13.3-inch ultraportable laptop at 0.48-inch thin. The UX305 weighs 2.6lbs and features crisp and vibrant in-plane switching (IPS) anti-glare displays. Powered by the all-new Intel Core M processor for seamless multitasking and standard solid state storage, the UX305 is the ultimate ultraportable laptop for discerning users. Up to 10 hours of battery life gives users true all-day computing.

A wedge-shaped design crafted from solid aluminum and enhanced with diamond-cut highlights gives the ZenBook UX305 a sleek look while a new obsidian stone color finishes the elegant design. The award winning ZenBook UX305 is the recipient of a 2014 Good Design Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP) and also included in the Good Design Best 100 list, which is a selection of products receiving special recognition from the jury of industry experts for their exceptional and forward-looking designs.

The ZenBook UX305 also recently received the prestigious 2015 iF Design Award, an award globally recognized as a seal of quality for products that excel in specific criteria including design quality, degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics and more. An independent jury of 50 experts from all around the world assesses products and selects the most notable ones as the winner.

Super-slim elegance with gorgeous new color

A refined new shape that incorporates the DNA of the classic ZenBook gives the UX305 a subtle new wedge design with elegantly-tapered and smooth diamond-cut edges that emphasize the sleek ultra-thin chassis. The full-size ergonomic keyboard features an improved layout for comfortable and accurate typing coupled with a large responsive touchpad that supports Smart Gestures for precise control of Windows 8.1.

Continuing the long-established ZenBook tradition of combining performance with luxury, the gorgeous UX305 ultraportable, which weighs only 2.6lbs, is available in a sophisticated new Obsidian Stone color with ZenBook's signature spun-metal finish with its Zen-inspired concentric circle pattern.

Powerful productivity with all-day battery life and full connectivity

The ZenBook UX305 is powered by the all-new Intel Core M processor, a remarkably power-efficient processor that effortlessly delivers smooth performance for any task. Combined with 8GB of RAM and an ultra-fast 256GB SSD, the UX305 delivers impressive all-around performance. The screaming-fast SATA 6.0Gb/s SSD - which is up to six times faster than a traditional hard disk drive - tears through file-intensive office productivity tasks with ease. Applications instantly load while boot time is significantly reduced on the ZenBook UX305.

The advanced ASUS thermal management design removes the need for cooling fans to make the UX305 fast yet completely silent while remaining cool at all times. ASUS IceCool technology ensures the palm-rest area remains below body temperature at all times for maximum user comfort.

A lithium-polymer battery and power-efficient components makes the UX305 perfect for busy on-the-go professionals with up to 10 hours of battery life.

Despite its slim design, the UX305 offers full connectivity options with three SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports, offering data transfers that are up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0. One of the USB 3.0 ports supports ASUS Charger+ technology for rapid recharging of mobile devices. A USB Ethernet adapter is bundled with the UX305 for simple wired network connectivity when wireless is unavailable.

Stunningly displays

The stunning ZenBook UX305 features two 13.3-inch in-plane switching (IPS) display options for wide viewing angles, including a matte Full HD (1920x1080) that provides amazing images and an optional QHD+ (3200x1800) multi-touch display for extremely sharp visuals. QHD+ offers five times the resolution of standard HD displays for an extraordinary pixel density of 275ppi for crisp, vivid and life-like images and video.

Incredible Sound

Incredible sound has always been a highlight of the ZenBook family and the UX305 is no exception. ASUS SonicMaster audio with ICEpower technology from Bang & Olufsen produces deep bass, rich mids and crystal-clear highs. The easy-to-use AudioWizard software has five presets optimized for different audio sources to always enjoy the ultimate listening experience.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

ASUS ZenBook UX305 (Model: UX305FA-ASM1) with matte Full HD display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD is available immediately in the US at MSRP $699. The UX305 with QHD+ display will be available at a later date. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.


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EKWB Announces Supremacy MX High-Value Water Block
EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium liquid cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to introduce EK-Supremacy MX - a brand new cost-reduced variant of EK-Supremacy EVO flagship performance water block, introduced in 2014. It has been designed to lower the production costs yet still offer premium hydraulic- and thermal performance at the best price.

EK-Supremacy MX is a reduced cost CPU water block, available in both AMD as well as Intel variants, which comes with pre-assembled, error-preventing mounting mechanism. The result is a perfect installation which results in optimal performance every time. "Since the release of EK-Supremacy EVO our main task was to bring the same performance level to the entry class", said Niko Tivadar, Chief Technology Officer at EK Water Blocks.

EK-Supremacy MX brings exceptional value for the money by providing the best in-class cooling performance. Built upon the same cooling engine as EK-Supremacy EVO it offer the same great hydraulic performance and almost identical thermal performance - maximum performance at two-thirds of the original price.

The key features are:

• ultra-high thermal performance - only slightly simplied copper base allows EK-Supremacy MX to achieve almost the same cooling potential as EK-Supremacy EVO.
• very high-flow design - low hydraulic restricion allows this product to be used in setups using weaker water pumps.
• pre-assembled mounting mechanism - blazing fast installation, especially on Intel LGA-2011(-3) platform.

The EK-Supremacy MX uses the same cooling engine as the EVO variant. The cooling liquid accelerates through jet plate's nozzle and turbulently continues its path through numerous very thin channels, which provide extreme heat dissipating surface area. Specifically designed and carefully machined copper base (sometimes referred to as 'cold plate') is made from purest copper available on the market and is further polished to absolute mirror finish. This alone greatly improves the cooling performance of EK-Supremacy MX.

The base of this water block is made from CNC machined electrolytic copper while the top and insert are made from injection moulded (M)ABS polymer. Top is covered by black anodized brushed aluminum aesthetic cover. Translucent top variants have two slots for easy installation of 3mm LED diodes.

Mounting mechanism comes pre-assembled to the CPU water blocks and is secured with a circlip to hold it in place. Such design allows for a blazing fast installation, especially on Intel LGA-2011(-3) platforms!

Due to commonality of parts, the EK-Supremacy MX offers the potential for an upgrade to full EVO standard.

CPU socket compatibility - Intel variant:

• Intel LGA-1150/1155/1156
• Intel LGA-2011(-3)

CPU socket compatibility - AMD variant:

• AMD Sockets: 939, 754, 940
• AMD Sockets: F, C32
• AMD Sockets: AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+

Enclosed:

• EK-Supremacy MX series water block with pre-installed mounting mechanism
• EK-Supremacy MX Backplate (for Intel LGA-115x platforms)*
• TIM / thermal grease: EK-TIM Ectotherm (1g)
• Torx key T20

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Huntkey Launches New MVP Series PSUs
Huntkey announces new MVP series PSU. It means Most Value Power for gaming. It incorporates various high-quality components, which range from 500W to 600W so that they always accommodate any mainstream buildings under any circumstance. Smart cooling fan delivers silent cooling with intelligent temperature control.

Features:

• 86% efficiency at typical load
• Complies with Intel ATX 12V V2.31&EPS 12V V2.92
• Full range Input voltage 90~264V
• Active PFC(PF>0.99)
• Erp Lot6 Ready. A maximum 5Vsb current draw target in S5 off-mode of 0.1A for its motherboards and needed to ensure the system will consume < 1W in its off-mode


• The PSU fan is still work 60seconds when the computer power off to avoid the internal components high temperatures


• 40A powerful single +12V output delivery (up to 90% power available on +12V rail) for gamer


• Hybrid cable management for clear interface


• Multiple protections (OVP,UVP, OPP,OTP,SCP) prevent damage from accident

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Micron, Seagate Announce Strategic Alliance
Micron Technology, Inc., and Seagate Technology plc today announced a strategic agreement that establishes a framework for combining the innovation and expertise of both companies. The framework of the agreement will enable customers of the two companies to benefit from a focused approach to deliver industry-leading storage solutions, helping them innovate faster and more effectively

While initially focusing on next-generation SAS SSDs and strategic NAND supply, Micron and Seagate anticipate that this multi-year agreement will extend into future collaboration on enterprise storage solutions featuring Micron NAND flash memory. "As two of our key partners, we look forward to the benefits of this Micron and Seagate collaboration in future NAND flash-based storage technologies," said Mike Kerouac, President of Global Product Operations for EMC Corporation.
"The strategic agreement between Micron and Seagate promises to deliver new and innovative flash-based storage solutions," said Trevor Schick, Senior Vice President, EG Global Supply Chain, HP.

"This agreement enables Seagate to secure a strategic supply of NAND flash memory and enables collaboration on future products and technologies," said Phil Brace, Executive Vice President, Electronics Solutions, Seagate. "Our companies are leaders in the storage industry, and in working together we build on that success."
"The collaboration will assure both Seagate and Micron target the growing enterprise flash market with industry-leading offerings across both of our product portfolios," said Darren Thomas, Vice President of Storage, Micron. "The relationship provides Micron access to enterprise drive technology and platforms, expanding our portfolio and accelerating our push into the enterprise market segment."


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ATP to Present Its Industrial Grade M.2 and Embedded Modules at the EW2015
ATP, the leading industrial Flash storage and DRAM memory solution provider, will be showing its industrial-grade M.2 and the latest SATA III interface products (SlimSATA, mSATA, and CFast) and ATP Testing Capabilities at the upcoming Embedded World 2015 at the Messe Nuremberg International Center Germany from 24th to 26th of February. ATP will be located at Hall 1, Booth #651.

ATP's brand-new industrial-grade SATAIII M.2 type 2242 and 2260, targets industrial embedded applications, which demand Solid State Storage with high performance and proven reliability in thin/limited spaces and extreme temperature conditions. In addition to the built-in features, such as BCH ECC checking, S.M.A.R.T monitor, TRIM and Advanced Wear-Leveling, ATP M.2 has its Power Cycling Protection (PowerProtector) and Data Integrity Protection (AutoRefresh) to ensure it outperforms other similar solutions in the market.
ATP suites of Testing Capabilities on both IC and module level is the backbone of its outstanding reliability and endurance. ATP full range tests include NAND flash IC level and storage device level tests, application/industry standard specific validation tests, joint/supplemental validation for compatibility/function test, and mass product level test with ATP developed testing equipment and testing script with lot tracking/recording.
Moreover, ATP will hold a presentation on both its testing capabilities and "aMLC (advancedMLC) Technology for NAND Flash Storage" on the 24th of February, Tuesday, from 17:00 to 17:30 at Messe Nuremberg International Center Conference Session 07. Visit ATP booth at # 651, Hall 1 and participate in our speech to learn more about the products and their benefits at the Embedded World Conference 2015.


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