IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 6/18/2015

AMD teases the dual-GPU Radeon R9 Fury X2 at E3 2015
E3 2015 - AMD finally made the Radeon R9 Fury X official yesterday, as well as the super-small Radeon R9 Nano, but it was the tease of the dual Fiji-based Radeon R9 Fury X2 video card that has everyone talking.

Anshel Sag from Moors Insights & Strategy snapped a photo of the Radeon R9 Fury X2, which looks to be around 8-10 inches long - the same length as the small Radeon R9 Fury X itself. It's also powered by just two 8-pin PCIe power connectors, with countless PCB space saved thanks to AMD using the next generation High Bandwidth Memory technology.

We should hopefully see more information on the Radeon R9 Fury X2 in the coming months.


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The Division gets 10 minutes of gameplay footage released from E3 2015
E3 2015 - Ubisoft has detailed The Division in a great 10-minute video on the game, where they venture into the Dark Zone, in a real-time gameplay video.

The gameplay video was taken from an Xbox One console, with what feels like 1080p 30FPS, without many performance problems at all. This is actually good considering what is taking place on screen, and the amount of detail in the environment. Check out the 10-minute gameplay video above and let us know what you think in the comments below.

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VR: Helping sports fans get an up close & personal experience
Golden State Warriors owner Peter Guber, an outspoken supporter of virtual reality (VR) technology, hopes to see VR help sports fans enjoy the viewing experience in a new way. There are a number of different uses for VR, but finding ways to include it to enhance viewer experience of sports could be a great long-term money maker.

"It doesn't replace being here. That's still a different experience," Guber recently told CNBC. "But it is a phenomenally new and exciting method to bring basketball to disparate communities all over the country."

As CEO of the Mandalay Entertainment Group and investor in NextVR, Guber said the live, on-demand VR content from NextVR should be available within the next year. Pricing details are still being worked out, and while content distribution agreements must be completed, there is a great opportunity to push sports entertainment to the next level.

"We are confident that we will have the appropriate associations with the content providers. They want this experience for their fans."


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Bethesda: New Doom game won't be easy, and instead is 'challenging'
E3 2015 - The gaming world got a first glimpse of the new Doom video game during E3, and we can expect a challenging gaming experience. When the game was demoed during E3, the person running the demo was quite experienced in the portion of Doom being played.

"I've seen people and even had people say, 'Oh, that looks easy,'" said Marty Stratton, executive producer at id Software, while speaking to GameSpot on the E3 show floor. "That is not easy. The game is a challenging game, it's like [the original Doom] in that respect."

When we explore the environment, we'll be able to play using our own techniques and strategies - the monsters can also jump, climb, fly, and engage with us however they see fit.

Doom will launch next spring for the PC, Microsoft Xbox One and Sony PlayStation 4. A multiplayer beta test will be released sometime ahead of the spring launch, but Bethesda didn't offer additional details.

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G.SKILL hardware helps break 18 different overclocking records
PC hardware company G.SKILL has been extremely busy during Computex 2015 until now, with the company announcing 18 new overclocking records in a number of different benchmark categories. In addition to the G.SKILL Ripjaws 4 extreme DDR4 running at 4431MHz and 16GB module frequency at 3872MHz, overclocking was pushed to the limits.

Using motherboards from ASUS, ASRock, EVGA, GIGABYTE, and MSI, there was plenty of liquid nitrogen overclocking fun. Here is a chart from the OC World Record Stage 2015:

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Introducing the Razer Mamba, world's most advanced gaming mouse
E3 2015 - Gaming peripheral and hardware company Razer has introduced the Razer Mamba, the most advanced gaming mouse in the world.

The mouse has a new 5G laser sensor that can track up to 16,000 DPI, and is being promoted by Razer as the most precise laser sensor in the world. In addition, the Razer Mamba has the Adjustable Click Force Technology, so each individual player can adjust the level of click force needed on the left and right mouse buttons.

The Razer Mamba will be available during Q3 with a $149.99 MSRP.

"The original Razer Mamba was launched six years ago and, even today, is the gold standard for a wireless gaming grade mouse," said Min-Liang Tan, co-founder and CEO of Razer. "Our enhancements to the Razer Mamba with the most precise laser sensor and the revolutionary Adjustable Click Force Technology, together with the industry leading gaming grade wired/wireless technology, leave us ahead of the curve when it comes to gaming mice."


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AMD teases the dual Fiji-based Radeon R9 Fury X
E3 2015 - While AMD might have just unveiled its new Fiji architecture, with three new cards in the Radeon R9 Fury X, Radeon R9 Fury and Radeon R9 Nano.

The new Fiji-powered cards will be joined by a super-powered card in the form of what I'm sure will be a huge Radeon R9 Fury X2, a dual-GPU based, Fiji-powered beast. With 8.9 billion transistors, a dual-GPU version of Fury X is sure to pack a mind-blowing, never-before-seen 15.8 billion transistor, a monster like nothing ever released.


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AMD announces Quantum, powered by the next-gen Fiji architecture
E3 2015 - AMD has finally, finally made the Radeon R9 Fury X official. Not only that, but we've seen the Fury announced which will be an aircooled video card. The Radeon R9 Fury X will be the next-gen, HBM-powered card that will be watercooled.

AMD also introduced the Radeon R9 Nano, a Fiji-powered card that is super, super small. A super small video card with HBM, measuring in at just 6 inches, with "significantly more power" than the Radeon R9 290X. The Radeon R9 Nano features 2x more performance per watt than the Radeon R9 290X, which is saying quite a lot about the new Fiji architecture.


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AMD's HBM-powered Radeon R9 Fury X official, next-gen family of cards
E3 2015 - AMD has finally, finally made the Radeon R9 Fury X official. Not only that, but we've seen the Fury announced which will be an aircooled video card. The Radeon R9 Fury X will be the next-gen, HBM-powered card that will be watercooled. AMD will be selling the Radeon R9 Fury X at $649, while the R9 Fury will be priced at $549.

AMD also introduced the Radeon R9 Nano, a Fiji-powered card that is super, super small. A super small video card with HBM, measuring in at just 6 inches, with "significantly more power" than the Radeon R9 290X. The Radeon R9 Nano features 2x more performance per watt than the Radeon R9 290X, which is saying quite a lot about the new Fiji architecture.

4096 stream processors, compared to 2816 in the Radeon R9 290X. Fury X features 8.6 TFLOPS and 8.9 billion transistors. The Fiji XT-powered Radeon R9 Fury X is a beast of a video card. AMD said that the cooler can handle 500W, while the entire board uses no more than 275W, while it sits at 50C.


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AMD recommends the Radeon R9 290 and above for VR gaming
E3 2015 - During the PC Gamer powered PC Gaming Show 2015 at E3, AMD took the stage to announce that you'll need a Radeon R9 290 or higher to game in VR without a problem.

The new Fiji architecture is nearly here, but AMD is saying that the best Oculus Rift experience will take place using a Hawaii-based Radeon R9 290 or above. Of course, the new Radeon 300 series is nearly here, with the new Radeon R9 390X and Radeon R9 Fury X nearly upon us.

Earlier today, SKHynix teased the Radeon R9 Fury X through an official press release. We'll update this post to show you the official news from AMD that the Radeon R9 Fury X exists.


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Create Apps from Scratch and Become a Ruby on Rails Ninja for 89% Off

There's no better way to learn how to code than spending hours with textbooks and online lectures. This deal from Stuk.io helps you learn from scratch (and keep your skills sharp) with hands-on training and new projects every month for two years.

What better way to learn than by doing? Stuk.io transforms you from novice to job-ready Ruby on Rails developer with two years of access to courses, projects, and more. Every month, you'll get one app-building project and step-by-step guidance-learn how to create a social network, a crowdfunding marketplace, a project management tool, a social dating site, and more. Then, with two new Codecasts every month, take your apps to the next level with special features like search, notifications, automated emails, and payments. You'll complete the course with 24 apps in your portfolio and access to Stuk.io's partnerships with tech recruiters around the world.

Ready to start your new career? Get a two-year subscription to Stuk.io's Ruby on Rails training for $49 at TweakTown Deals.


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EA SPORTS steps up with innovative gameplay for FIFA 16
E3 2015 - Electronic Sports showed off EA SPORTS FIFA 16 gameplay, featuring innovative new features that will allow gamers to control the entire football pitch. Gamers can expect a "balance, authentic, and exciting football experience" that will give us the chance to play the way we want to.

"Whether fans prefer short and precise passes through the middle, or getting it outside and whipping in crosses, the beauty of FIFA 16 is that it offers fans the freedom to play their way and find success on the pitch," said David Rutter, VP and GM of EA SPORTS FIFA.

EA SPORTS also includes 12 Women's National Teams, the first time that women's teams have been included. In addition, players will be able to make use of the FIFA Trainer that is able to make recommendations to improve play.

FIFA 16 will be available for the PC, Sony PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Xbox One on September 22.

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Online video streaming is booming during the NBA Finals
Tonight is game 6 of the NBA Finals, with the Golden State Warriors one victory away from winning their first championship in 40 years. As millions of people have tuned in to watch the Warriors play against the Cleveland Cavaliers, there has been another big winner: online streaming.

The ESPN WatchESPN live streaming service hosted 744,500 unique viewers during game 4, a whopping 128 percent over game 4 last season. If viewers are unable to watch a sporting event live, they are turning to online streams to help - and more legitimate options are available. NBC, CBS, NFL, and others want to keep viewers engaged, especially if it's through a legitimate service that they can monetize.

"I think people are realizing this other segment is big," said Greg Ireland, multiscreen video research director of the IDC research firm, in a statement published by the Washington Post. "It's getting bigger every year, and we have to provide for them."

Looking ahead, most viewers will still turn to a TV to watch content, and while that won't change in the near future, more live streaming options are expected in the future.


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North Korea cracking down on uncensored mobile Internet access
It appears the North Korean government has cracked down on mobile phone access to foreigners living inside the reclusive country. Foreign residents have been blocked from accessing 3G networks, while North Korean citizens remain unable to visit Internet websites outside of the country. Foreign visitors have the ability to purchase 3G mobile SIM cards, with access only lasting about the same amount of time as their visit.

"Unfortunately we are facing Internet service outage from the local Internet provider's side with no estimated time, we will keep you posted once the service is back to normal," according to a memo sent to subscribers of the Koryolink mobile provider.

The block started on Friday local time, and it's unknown what caused the sudden restriction. Of the country's 24 million residents, about 2.5 million of them are currently phone subscribers. There is concern that users with access to the Internet will find unrestricted information, which can be shared with other residents.


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Nissan expects big things from infotainment, other connected tech
Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura understands the growing fascination with infotainment and connected functionality in new vehicles.

Trying to find ways to include that technology in a safe and efficient manner, however, is a struggle that the Nissan design team battles frequently. When discussing the topic of infotainment systems, Nakamura had this to say:

"These are one way to simplify, but we are not sure how much, because these are distracting," Nakamura said during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. "Touchscreen is optimal for this kind of design, but a touchscreen is not always the best solution for the car. With the touchscreen you have to touch. You have to look at it. In a car you cannot look at it like this. You have to drive!"

Automakers have a number of different issues they must sort out while trying to pack new vehicles with even more infotainment technology. The connected car phenomenon will develop and mature over time, but companies like Nissan and others want to be prepared as soon as possible.


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BRAVEN 805 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

Introduction

This Braven model doesn't feature any IP waterproof or dustproof rating, instead attacking the speaker audience from another angle: premium quality at a premium price.

Featuring the handy ability to sync up with other speakers of the same model around it and also the ability to charge your smartphone, the 805 sets out to provide you with a brilliant at-home speaker product - but can the performance and features match up with the high price? Read on to find out my thoughts.

Specifications

Released in various color schemes, this speaker is packed full of premium features in a bid for Braven to appeal to a higher-spending consumer audience.

First off the rank is the SRS WOW HD integration, said to provide an enhanced audio performance and bass response, coupled with the ability for you to pair up two Braven speaker in unison - each taking one channel (left or right). The inbuilt 4400mAh battery is charged by a wall-supplied pin power back and enables an external USB port to charge any smartphone or tablet that you wish.

Measuring in at 2.8 inches x 9.5 inches x 4 inches, it's certainly not the smallest speaker we have reviewed, but from reading the marketing materials, this isn't really a speaker that is designed to travel light with you on small trips. It's more reserved for at-home or suitcase travel applications. There's also an awesome battery indicator on the back which contains five bright LED lights displaying exactly how much is left in the tank alongside the AUX input port.

As for a sturdy base, the Braven 805 gives two non-slip rubber pads which could have been made a little bigger to ensure a stable platform.

Pricing & Availability

Highly-priced at $199.99 with free shipping from Amazon, the Braven 805 sets out to provide you with a premium quality speaker at a premium price. If you've used to 'mainstream' speakers which are generally very overpriced, this Braven speaker price point will be nothing new to you, however, it has some questions to answer if it is to beat the brilliant sub-$100 speakers I have tested lately.

What's in the box?

Featuring a wall-charger complete with various plugs for different countries, there is also an included AUX 3.5mm cable to round up all that is on offer.

Honestly, for $200, it's a little disappointing that Braven hasn't included any accessories as seen with its previous models (Mira and BRV-X) or competing companies, there's enough left out here that I can make a list of it all:

• No mini-USB charging cable
• No carry pouch/case
• No pouch for the charger or way to organize the different 'heads'
• No carry strap or handle

Let's dig deeper

Being a premium priced product, you're obviously going to expect some great quality and this is once again where Braven delivers in spades.

The hard plastic exterior feels solid and is made of good material. The color contrasting grey sides suit the overall product well, all ports are located on one side of the product with the other featuring a stylish etched logo and all of the top control buttons feel firm, responsive and great to the touch. It's worth noting that sound is turned up and down by repeatedly pressing the plus or minus button, whereas the songs are changed by holding it down - sounds simple right? Well, every company seems to do things differently and we've been caught out before!

Although the rubberized 'feet' could have been made larger, this product looks good and feels great to use.

Braven the reviews

The 'other most important part' is how it actually sounds. Braven makes some big claims including a modern and elegant design, an 18 hour wireless playtime and says that this speaker is designed for singing, dancing and partying with you from day to night. Taking this in mind, obviously we're going to expect the speaker to be loud, have some serious bass and out-shine our beloved Etekcity RoverBeats T12 speaker.

The booming sound is certainly present when pumped up to maximum volume paired with my Samsung Galaxy S4 playing through Spotify. Tyler, the creator's new album 'CHERRYBOMB' manages to rock the water in my glass with each note in song number two - 'BUFFALO'. The clarity is great when listening to songs such as 'Such Great Heights' by The Postal Service, but still flat when compared to something like my Kingston HyperX Cloud II headset or five+ year old Logitech X-530 speakers set up in 2.1 mode.

Songs that pack a little more punch ranging from The Bounce by JayZ to You & Me - Flume Remix by Disclosure and Eliza Doolittle show some improvement on 'punch' aspect, but it's honestly quite flat overall.

Overall this speaker has the loudness down pat, the ability to charge your smartphone or tablet is great but nigh on useless, and the fact that you have to charge it with a wall-charger only quite frankly, sucks.

Your general 'top 40' music is going to sound pretty good, but if you're looking for bass punch and something to rattle your desk, look somewhere else. Sorry Braven, but I'd rather party with a $100 set of computer speakers plugged into a phone or laptop in this instance.

The 4400mAh battery just isn't enough to charge your tablet or smartphone efficiently. The previously reviewer Braven BRV-X offered a 5200mAh battery without this charging ability. My personal smartphone charger of choice, the TYLT Energi 5K+, can only get me through a day on its own and that's 5000mAh without playing music at the same time.

What's Hot

Sturdy and looks great: The plastic is strong and it sits firmly on your desk or bench.

Sound projection: Don't turn it up to 100% and sit it next to your mouse pad - my ears hurt!

Pairing options: If one simply isn't enough, you can pair another speaker for double the sound.

What's Not

Wall charger only: This seriously sucks.

4400mAh battery: It's just not enough to charge your phone and play tunes at the same time, you're really going to need 7000mAh or more.

Lack of accessories: For $200, this product has half or less of the accessories offered by most sub-$100 speakers I have reviewed.

Final Thoughts

For $200 with shipping, this product had a lot to prove from the get-go. Featuring a myriad of awesome features and a cool color scheme it was initially impressive, but ultimately let down by the overall sound.

Don't get me wrong, the sound isn't bad by any means, but the lacklustre application of features coupled with the lack of bass means this speaker should be priced more around the $120 mark as I would rather something like the $80 LUXA2 Groovy Duo speakers over this model. There are many great ideas in this design, but they are poorly executed and overpriced.
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RAZER UNVEILS THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED GAMING MOUSE
Razer, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, today announced the world's most advanced gaming mouse, the new Razer Mamba. The successor to one of the leading wired/wireless gaming mouse, the new Razer Mamba is powered by the world's most precise gaming mouse sensor, the revolutionary Adjustable Click Force Technology, and industry leading gaming grade wired/wireless technology.

The new 5G laser sensor is capable of tracking up to 16,000 DPI which is optimized for multi-display set-ups with ultra-high display resolutions. The 5G laser sensor is also the world's most precise - with its ability to track up to 1 DPI increments (as opposed to the current industry standard of 50 DPI increments). The next generation gaming mouse sensor is also able to track lift-off cut-off distance as precise as 0.1 mm, reducing on-screen jitter so your aim stays on target even as you move. The 5G laser sensor in the new Razer Mamba was designed to be an extension of your natural hand movement.

Razer's latest gaming mouse also features the patent pending, revolutionary Adjustable Click Force Technology. One of the most important facets of a gaming mouse is the click force - and in the past, gamers have had to adapt to a mouse's click force or be compelled to search through a multitude of mice and switches to find the perfect mouse button click force.

With the new Adjustable Click Force Technology, instead of having to adapt to a mouse's set click force, this revolutionary feature allows gamers to freely adjust the level of click force needed to activate the left and right mouse buttons, from distinct clicks for high accuracy actions such as sniping in FPS games to lighter presses for rapid fire action needed for MOBA games. The Razer Mamba's Adjustable Click Force Technology is capable of up to 504° turn, providing users with a total of 14 distinct choices to set their signature click feel for a more personalized gameplay.

"The original Razer Mamba was launched six years ago and, even today, is the gold standard for a wireless gaming grade mouse," says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. "Our enhancements to the Razer Mamba with the most precise laser sensor and the revolutionary Adjustable Click Force Technology, together with the industry leading gaming grade wired/wireless technology, leave us ahead of the curve when it comes to gaming mice."

Also launching today is the Razer Mamba Tournament Edition wired gaming mouse, specifically designed for eSports athletes. Featuring the same precise gaming mouse sensor, ergonomic form factor, and advanced Chroma customizable lighting as the wireless Razer Mamba, the Razer Mamba Tournament Edition embodies the absolute best elements an eSports athlete needs to dominate in any tournament.

Both new mice join the Razer Chroma line of devices, which includes an array of mice, keyboards and a headset. Each Chroma enabled product comes with the option of 16.8 million customizable colors and a range of effects through Razer's cloud-based hardware configurator, Razer Synapse. Razer Synapse also allows the Razer Mamba and Razer Mamba TE to sync lighting colors and effects with other Chroma enabled devices.

Additionally, the publicly available Razer Chroma SDK allows game developers worldwide to directly interact with Chroma enabled devices, displaying lighting effects directly on the peripherals for a more immersive experience to gameplay. For more information, interested parties may visit http://developer.razerzone.com/chroma/.

Product Features:

Razer Mamba:

• 16,000 DPI laser sensor
• 210 inches per second / 50 G acceleration
• Adjustable Click Force Technology mouse buttons
• 9 programmable buttons including the tilt-click scroll wheel
• Wired and wireless connection mode with 1 ms response time
• Magnetic charging dock
• Battery life: Approximately 20 hrs (continuous gaming)*
• Chroma lighting with 16.8 million customizable color options
• Razer Synapse enabled
• 2.13 m / 7 ft. lightweight, braided fiber USB charging cable
• Approximate size: 128 mm / 5 in. (Length) x 70 mm / 2.76 in. (Width) x 42.5 mm / 1.67 in. (Height)
• Approximate weight: 125 g / 0.27 lbs.

*Life expectancy of the battery depends upon its usage

Razer Mamba Tournament Edition:

• 16,000 DPI laser sensor
• 210 inches per second / 50 G acceleration
• 9 programmable buttons including the tilt-click scroll wheel
• Chroma lighting with 16.8 million customizable color options
• Razer Synapse enabled
• 2.13 m / 7 ft. lightweight, braided fiber cable
• Approximate size: 128 mm / 5 in. (Length) x 70 mm / 2.76 in. (Width) x 42.5 mm / 1.67 in. (Height)
• Approximate weight: 133 g / 0.29 lbs. (with cable)

PRICE:

Razer Mamba: US: $149.99/EUR: 179.99€

Razer Mamba Tournament Edition: US: $89.99/EUR: 99.99€

Availability: Q3 2015


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Available Tags:AMD , dual-GPU , Radeon , hardware , gaming , EA , Nissan , other ,