PSA: iPhone not designed for below freezing conditions
It seems that the iPhone 4 is not exactly built to be a world traveler. According to a report, a woman in Norway was refused repair on her iPhone by the Apple Store after she pulled it from her pocket and found it shattered while strolling around in -14C conditions.
Apparently the phone is not designed to work at below freezing temperatures as well as above 35 degrees Celsius. There is a warning from the phone when it's getting too hot, but you get nothing from the iPhone when it's close to freezing to deathÂ…..besides a busted surprise when you reah into your pockets to warm up your hands. Maybe this will spawn a whole new line of iPhone sweaters for colder climates.
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Windows 7 SP1 being sent to OEMs
The first release candidate for Service Pack 1 of Windows 7 has been around since October, but there's been precious little news of a full fledged launch past vague dates ranging from December 2010 to the first half of 2011. Well, December is obviously come and gone with no luck, but according to a post on TechNet the first Service Pack for Windows 7 has been sent to OEMs.
While Microsoft has nothing official to say on the subject, the fact that companies like Dell, HP, and others will have their hands on SP1 can only mean it will be officially launched in the wild sooner rather than later. There aren't really any life-changing new features coming with SP1; besides the usual bugfixes there will be an improved remote desktop client with RemoteFX integrated as well as dynamic memory support for Windows Server 2008 R2.
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Fujitsu announces 3D all in one desktop; no glasses required
3D is being touted as a huge selling point for nearly everything with a screen in 2011, and here comes another world's first. Fujitsu Japan has announced the Esprimo FH99/CM, their "world's first" no glasses required 3D all in one desktop.
While the 23" 3D capable screen is obviously the big deal here for Fujitsu, the Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.00GHz processor, Intel H65 Express chip set, 2TB HDD, 4GB RAM, and 3D Blu-Ray capable drive are also packed into this all in one. Two USB 3.0 and 4 USB 2.0 ports provide plenty of connectivity while a gigabit Ethernet port and wireless-N capability handle networking necessities. The FH99/CM is slated to debut in Japan on February 25th with a hefty $3,100 US price tag. No word on when it may be seen outside Japan.
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E-ink watch designs could change how you tell time
E-ink: it's not just for e-readers anymore. Lots of different platforms are looking to take advantage of the energy friendly alternative to LCD screens, and it looks like watches could become one of them. Check out out this design concept by Jonathan Frey:
Dual e-ink screens are used: one on the bottom for the time, a second up top tracking the date. One reason e-ink is being looked at by watchmakers is the fact that the screens can be used on curved surfaces, which provides a ton of new design possibilities that don't have to center around the usual flat clock face. Also with color e-ink displays on the way, this will add even more flexibility in design. No sign yet on when watches like this could hit your wrist, but it looks like an idea that makers can run with.
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Apple nearing ten billion App Store downloads
The App Store has obviously been a big boost to Apple's pocketbook and they are getting ready to roll over the ten billion download mark. Yes, ten BILLION. While this may just seem like another boring milestone to most, Apple is sweetening the pot for their customers once they roll over the mark: a $10,000 iTunes card.
That's right, nearly all the games, apps, and songs your little iOS loving heart can dream to own. It looks like this is a drawing due to the "enter without downloading" link, which makes the possibility of streamers and balloons falling from the sky (or your iPad) a little less likely if you're the downloader that pushes them over the hump. So keep on downloading those fart apps; it could score you some serious Apple loot.
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TweakTownÂ’s Digital Lounge Blu-ray Awards 2010
In a year that's seen a massive amount of quality Blu-ray products come to market, including a new line of Blu-ray 3D movies and an abundance of special collector's edition box sets and other high quality merchandise, it's very difficult to pick just one of these releases from each category to highlight.
But I'm always up for a challenge, so at the dawn of 2011, I thought it was high time to award the releases of 2010 and the distributors that produced them.
Best Image Quality
Criteria: Most impressive image quality based on quality of materials, devoid of sloppy DNR or other digital nasties, and with most efficient image encoding.
Winner: Avatar: Collectors Edition (Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment)
Why: Despite cramming three different cuts of the film on the same dual layer Blu-ray, the crystal clear, direct digital transfer of Avatar looks a million bucks, and is now my demonstration Blu-ray of choice. Full of appealing bright bold colours, with heavily saturated tones and compressed to perfection, one look is easy to see why it takes our award for this category.
Runner Up: Iron Man 2 (Paramount Home Entertainment)
Best Audio Quality
Criteria: Most immersive use of sound, with lossless audio being a must.
Winner: Beauty and the Beast (Disney)
Why: For a Disney musical, much rides on the quality of the audio track for Beauty and the Beast, but it doesn't disappoint at all. Disney sound engineers have crafted a sonically beautiful track, full of subtlety, bombast and throughout, crystal clear perfection. Simply put, it's a joy to experience.
Runner Up: Inception (Warner Home Entertainment)
Best Special Features Collection
Criteria: Based on quality and quantity of extra features, including audio commentaries, picture in picture video tracks and providing more than basic behind the scenes information.
Winner: The Alien Anthology (Paramount Home Entertainment)
Why: Disc producer Charlie de Lauzarika has once again excelled himself, producing another Alien boxset that's even more spectacular than the last. No stone is left unturned on the production of the four films, and by the end of it all you feel like you could have made it yourself. If only you had a fraction of the talent.
Runner Up: Avatar: Collector's Edition (Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment)
Best New Release Movie
Criteria: Best overall movie for a new release title released over the course of the year.
Winner: Avatar: Collector's Edition (Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment)
Why: It's certainly not a perfect film, and it does lose out in the transition to a smaller, non-3D home screen, but there is something special and endearing about the experience of James Cameron's Avatar and as the newly crowned highest grossing motion picture of all time, it clearly means a lot to many movie-goers, hardcore and casual alike. The hard working, and notoriously demanding director poured his heart and soul into the picture, and it's obvious in every frame.
Runner Up: Toy Story 3 (Disney Home Entertainment)
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MSI Announces New N500GTX Twin Frozr II Series Graphics Cards
MSI Announces New N500GTX Twin Frozr II Series Graphics Cards
Globally-renowned graphics card and mainboard manufacturer MSI today officially unveils its N500 series of graphics card featuring the award-winning Twin Frozr II Thermal Design. The Twin Frozr II Thermal Design has garnered unanimous praise from professional media and end-users for providing the best balance between cooling performance and lowest sound levels. With the Twin Frozr II cooler, noise output is reduced by up to 8.4dB (when compared to the reference design). More importantly, operating temperatures are reduced by up to 20°C versus other cooling solutions. Thanks to MSI Afterburner, unsurpassed clock speeds can be achieved with the combined features of the excellent Twin Frozr II Thermal Design and MSI's N580GTX and N570GTX GPU.
MSI's Exclusive Twin Frozr II Cooling Design
The MSI N500 Twin Frozr II series graphics cards feature the advanced Twin Frozr II Thermal Design. By utilizing its engineering expertise, MSI has created the ultimate Thermal Design that decreases operating temperatures by up to 20°C. The GPU spreader is covered with a large surface area heat sink with a copper base, ensuring the best possible thermal transfer surface. Surrounding components like Memory and PWM components are covered by a large unibody metal heat sink. Additionally, with MSI's SuperPipe heat pipe technology, excess heat is transferred quickly to a high density aluminum cooling fin assembly. The low-noise fan setup, which includes two temperature-controlled 8cm PWM fans, ensures excellent air flow to all parts of the Twin Frozr II Thermal Design while reducing sound levels by up to 8.4dB.
MSI's Exclusive Afterburner Overclocking Utility
MSI's exclusive Afterburner overclocking utility allows for flexible overclocking and monitoring options. MSI Afterburner allows for instant adjustment of the GPU Frequency and GPU voltages, thanks to its unique Ultra-Voltage function, a combination that allows for more headroom for overclocking. The advanced fan control function allows end-user control of fan speeds to ensure stability when required or low noise when needed. By storing up to five different fan profiles, users can quickly switch between their profiles to match any situation. MSI Afterburner also displays a wealth of information about the card like real-time temperatures, speeds, voltages, load levels, allowing users excellent supervision over their card while benchmark for ultimate stability with MSI Kombustor.
MSI Quality: All Solid Capacitors
To ensure the best stability and lifespan, MSI incorporates the best components such as All-Solid Capacitors on the N500 Twin Frozr II series graphics cards. With a rated lifespan of over 10 years under heavy load, All-Solid Capacitors are made to last a graphics cards' lifetime. Their excellent characteristics, like lowered Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), ensure higher electrical efficiency and lower operating temperatures, providing the best possible user experience and benefit.
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Antec Unveils New Sonata IV Enclosure
Antec Unveils New Sonata IV Enclosure
In its 25th anniversary year, Antec, Inc., the global leader in high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets, today announced the new mid-tower Sonata IV - the latest elegantly-silent addition to Antec's critically acclaimed Sonata line of Quiet Computing enclosures.
Re-designed from the ground-up, the Sonata IV builds on the Sonata legacy of Quiet Computing by combining the features and performance that enthusiasts demand with the highest standard of build quality. The Sonata IV is crafted to accommodate future component upgrades, with a USB 3.0 front panel port for faster data transmission and redesigned front bezel intake to maximize natural case airflow. This enclosure is also the first Sonata model to include an 80 PLUS certified 620W power supply with whisper-quiet 120 mm double ball bearing low-noise fan, giving users a near-silent, functional solution for the home, office or corporate workspace.
The Sonata IV features one rear 120 mm TriCool 3-speed switch control exhaust fan for flexible control of fan speeds to balance cooling and quiet performance, and a built-in washable air filter for quick and easy cleaning. With eight drive bays (three external 5.25" drive bays, four internal 3.5" drive bays, and one internal 2.5" drive bay,) that utilize a hard drive bay rail system with vibration-absorbing silicone grommets, the Sonata IV boasts flexibility for a wide-range of builds and assures quiet performance.
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