IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (Overclockers Club) 10/09/2009

Kingston HyperX KHX1600C8D3K2/4GX 2x2GB Review

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Cooler Master Hyper N620 Review

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Motion DSP vReveal Software Updated

When OCC reviewed the vReveal video enhancement software earlier this year, our reviewer found a lot to like about the package including the results along with its ease of use and the fact that it is CUDA-enabled in order to take advantage of the additional processing power offered by NVIDIA GPUs. Motion DSP has recently upgraded the software to include support for NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series (G80) graphics cards as well as other additional features:

NVIDIA "G80" models now supported for GPU acceleration (GeForce 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTX, 8800 GTS 640, 8800 GTS 320; Quadro 4600 and 5600)
Even more powerful video stabilization, plus auto-cropping of black bars from around stabilized videos
New output formats including DivX and MJPEG AVI (joins the previous output options of WMV and uncompressed AVI)
Japanese localization (full set is now English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese)
Integrated Facebook video uploader

ASUS P7P55D Series Motherboards Announced

Asus officially announced six new motherboards in its P7P55D series yesterday to coincide with he launch of the Intel Core i5/Core i7 "Lynnfield" processors. Based on the P55 chipset, the new boards feature the new LGA1156 socket and support for up to 16GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory running at speeds up to 2000MHz. The boards include the latest Hybrid Technology — Hybrid Processor, Hybrid Phase, and Hybrid OS—to give users intelligent performance enhancements, active cooling, and rapid online access. The flagship P7P55D Premium comes with native support for 6Gbps SATA through an onboard expansion bridge while the other models can be outfitted with the latest SATA technology through the use of an option expansion card. There are plenty of other storage options including 6-9 3Gb/s SATA connections, 12-14 USB 2.0 ports and eSATA and Firewire connections depending on model. The boards are available immediately with suggested prices ranging from $139 on the entry-level P7P55D LE up to $279 for the high-end Premium model although a quick online check showed these boards can be found for less than that.

Dell Attempts Adamo Laptop Again

Back when Dell first released their initial Adamo product, consumers realized quickly how underpowered it was compared to its price. Apple continued after that to hold the crown in the ultra-thin laptop market with its MacBook Air, and sales continued to grow. This time around however, Dell seems to be going back to the drawing board considering the Adamo XPS and redesigning it, with the laptop measuring only 9.99mm thick all the way around. Other than this super thin design, nothing else is yet known about the new Adamo. Unfortunately, price will still probably be high due to the thinness of the laptop, but it will turn a few heads without a doubt when more is revealed.

Six Cities Due to Get HSPA 7.2 from AT&T this Year

Living on the other side of the Atlantic, I haven't had any first hand experience with AT&T's 3G network, so whether it is up to scratch isn't really a call I can make (maybe you can tell me?). The good news for the provider's customers is that they are apparently planning on deploying some additional backhaul capacity to their network, as well as rolling out HSPA 7.2Mbps equipment in selected cities. If you live in Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles or Miami then you should get initial availability before the year is out. If you live elsewhere you might be in for a longer wait, though AT&T does plan on expanding HSPA 7.2 to "about 90 percent of its existing 3G network footprint" by the end of 2011.

Apple's 9-9-09 Releases

In case you haven't noticed, today is September 9th, 2009...9-9-09, the last time we'll see the same three single digits for the month, day, and year for almost a century. Apple surely noticed this and released quite a few new products today. Apple even switched from its standard Tuesday release day to release on 9-9-09. Even many devices that are current products saw price cuts.

The iPod Touch saw a new 64GB model released and price cuts on current models. The new 64GB model retails for $399, the 32GB is now $299, and the 8GB model will go for $199. Surprisingly, Apple did not include a camera on the new line, but they do use the new iPhone 3Gs CPU.

The iPod Classic had its capacity increased to 160GB, or enough space for 40,000 songs. The price remains the same at $249.

The iPod Nano saw a big improvement with the addition of a video camera and larger screen for it 5th generation. The 8GB model will retail for $149, while the 16GB model will sell for $179.

The iPod Shuffle also received an update with fresh colors and a lower price. There are 5 colors available, and a Special Edition only available from the Apple Store. The Special Edition is 4GB with a polished stainless steel housing for $99. The standard edition is available in 2GB or 4GB for $59 and $79 respectively.

iTunes 9 was also released today with many improvements. The iTunes Store was redesigned, iTunes LP features bonus material in some albums, Genius Mixes works similar to a radio, and Apps are now easier to manage. However, for those with Palm Pre devices, Apple has managed to break syncing with these devices. iTunes 9 is available for download today on Apple's website.

The iPhone/iPod Touch OS saw an update to version 3.1 toady. There is now a ringtone store that will offer ringtones for $1.29 each. The iPhone OS 3.1 is availble free to iPhone users; however, iPod Touch users must pay $4.95 for the update.

Sorry for the lack of details on any one specific product, but there were too many products to contend with today. All of the links are provided to detail all of the new products and updates.

SMB2 Flaw Can Cause Remote Crashes on Windows Vista, Server 2008

A flaw in Microsoft's implementation of the Server Message Block 2 protocol could allow computers running Windows Vista or Server 2008 (but not R2) to be crashed and restarted remotely. Microsoft has noted that these are the only OS versions affected, though apparently the problem is also present in the Windows 7 RC. The vulnerability is caused by the implementation of the SMB protocol not correctly parsing negotiation requests, which will likely result in the system becoming unresponsive and restarting. However, in some cases it could potentially lead to an attacker gaining control of the affected system. A security update is currently in the works, but if you want to do something about it in the mean time, Microsoft is recommending disabling SMB v2 and blocking TCP ports 139 and 445 (though if you are serious about security you are probably blocking all unsolicited inbound traffic already, right?).

AT&T Announces A-List

AT&T has announced that it will be offering a new program titled A-List with Rollover. AT&T has decided to join the likes of Verizon's Friends and Family and T-Mobile's myFaves. The new A-List feature will roll out on September 20th and can be accessed through customer's MyWireless Account online. The new program will allow unlimited calling to the "VIP" domestic phone numbers that the customer chooses for the A-List. Any unused minutes will also be converted to rollover minutes for use in subsequent months. Individual plan holders with a Nation plan of $59.99 or more will be able to add up to 5 domestic phone numbers to the A-List. Family plan holders with a Naion plan of $89.99 or more will be able to add up to 10 numbers to the A-List, and any member of the family plan may call any of those 10 number without using minutes. Domestic phone numbers may be added or deleted at any time through the MyWireless Account online; however, it takes 24 horus for changes to take effect.

Facebook Coming to an Android Near You

Users of phones based on the Google Android operating system will finally be able to get their hands on a Facebook app for their phone. Up until now, users have had to deal with the Facebook Lite page which wasn't easy to use and may have hindered the experience. The app will be nearly as full featured as the site, with the ability to check your friends wall and upload photos among other things. In addition, users can create a widget to notify them of updates. However, features like Facebook chat and messaging have been left out of the app for now.

New Monopoly Game to Use Google Maps

Hasbro, the creators of the popular board game Monopoly, will be unleashing a whole new animal on the internet tomorrow. Using Google Maps as the game board, Monopoly City Streets will allow users to purchase real streets that can be found using the service. Players will start with $3 million in Monopoly money, and will be able to place property on their streets. Only one player may own each street, but players can trade them if they wish. Chance cards will allow users to place bonus buildings such as schools on their streets. Players will earn rent from properties and will then be able to expand their real estate empire. The game will run until January 2010.

Apple Slashes Prices on iPod Touch, Nano, and Classic

Apple's iPod event doesn't officially start until 1pm EST today, but it looks like Apple decided to start the party a little early. This morning the Apple Store saw a number of price cuts across the iPod lineup. While the move is most likely an attempt to sell off existing inventory to make room for new products rumored to be announced today, it is probably no coincidence that the price cuts now put the 32 GB iPod Touch at a lower price point than Microsoft's high-end Zune HD which will be released next week.

Prices for the iPods are now:

iPod Touch
- $279 - 32 GB (was $399)
- $249 - 16 GB (was $299)
- $189 - 8 GB (was $229)
iPod Nano
- $149 - 16 GB (was $199)
- $129 - 8 GB (was $149)
iPod Classic
- $229 - 120 GB (was $249)

Gigabyte Announces Six New P55 Motherboards

Prior to today's official launch of the Intel Core i5/i7 Lynnfield processors, we were forced to be content with previews of P55 motherboards such as the Gigabyte GA-EP55-UD4P. Well now the wraps are off and Gigabyte has officially launched six new boards based on the P55 chipset and the LGA1156 socket. The boards support dual-channel DDR3 memory at speeds of up to 2200MHz. The new boards feature Gigabyte's Ultra Durable 3 technology which utilizes two ounces of copper in the power and ground layers of the PCB for improved energy efficiency and heat dissipation, resulting in enhanced stability and greater overclocking ability. Also being introduced in this series with the Gigabyte GA-EP55-UD4P model is the world’s first 24 phase power VRM design that provides quick and seamless power delivery under varying CPU loading conditions while also offering a cooler and more stable platform by spreading the load between all 24 power phases. The boards also feature innovative Smart 6 PC management tools and Dynamic Energy Saver 2 power saving utilities along with a ton of other features.

ASUS Reveals New Motherboards

With the introduction of the new Intel socket, known as the LGA 1156 socket, motherboard manufacturers will have to produce new products to support the next age technology. ASUS, one of the major motherboard manufacturers alongside GIGABYTE and others, is introducing two new gaming platform products into the market, known as the ROG Maximus III Formula and the ROG Maximus III Gene. The Formula edition includes ten SATA 3.0GB/s ports, compared to the seven on the Gene, along with a discrete SupremeFX X-Fi eight-channel sound card, while the Gene comes with onboard eight-channel sound. Both boards feature CrossFireX and SLI support; fourteen USB 2.0 ports, one PS/2, one S/PDIF port, a clear CMOS button, as well as a ROG connect on and off switch. The ROG Maximus III Formula includes three PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots, while the Gene version comes with two, due to the Gene being mATX instead of a full ATX board as the Formula is. Neither price nor availability is known yet, but these boards should serve the gaming community well when they finally get launched to the public for purchase.

Systems Being Built Around i5 Chips

The recently launched Intel Core i5 processors based on the Nehalem architecture will be making their way into new computers from Dell and Falcon Northwest. The Dell systems will be added to the Studio XPS line of desktops, with the 8000 and 9000 models. The systems start at $799 and are targeted at users who want power but don't want to spend too much. Falcon Northwest will begin selling all systems in its Talon line standard with the i5 processors. The systems will start above $1000, but a minimal system may be available for under $1000. For more information on the Core i5 chips, be sure to check out the official OCC review.

Friday, September 11, 2009

IT News HeadLines (Overclockers Club) 10/09/2009

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