Mionix, the Swedish manufacturer of professional high-end gaming accessories today unveiled the new SARGAS and ENSIS range of high performance gaming mousepads developed with their own Surface Quality Analyser Tool (S.Q.A.T). The Surface Quality Analyser Tool is built into the Mionix NAOS 5000 gaming mouse and measures the data loss between images of the surface taken by the mouse sensor.
Microsoft has notified their developers not to use the ‘Metro’ name in any of their applications whether its for Windows 8 or Windows Phone, says a report published by the The Verge. Microsoft told developers to use ”New User Interface” to refer to the Metro designing. Some sources inside the industry have told that this is due to a dispute between Microsoft and a German company named Metro AG.
The Verge noticed that the final build of Windows 8 is already available online, just a day after Microsoft announced the operating system's completion. The leaked version is the Enterprise edition of Windows 8, and it's an "N" version without Windows Media Player.
The version leaked is an "N" edition of Windows 8 which does not include a bundled copy of Windows Media Player. Microsoft was forced to create the special N editions of Windows after the European Commission ruled in 2004 that it needed to provide a copy of Windows without Windows Media Player tied in. We reached out to Microsoft to comment and the company says it's not discussing the leak.
Haha, quite cool ... not for me though. Neowin came across tshirtOS, a concept of a programmable t-shirt with built-in camera and Internet support. Someone had to do it. This is "tshirtOS", and it's exactly what the name suggests. It's a t-shirt running an operating system, and it's even 100% cotton!
Microsoft announced that Windows 8 has hit RTM phase. Today, I am excited to announce that Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing (RTM)! This means we’ve completed the product development and testing of the product and have started handing off the final code to our OEM partners. They can now begin preparing new Windows 8 PCs and devices they’ll introduce starting with General Availability. For more on RTM, I suggest reading this blog post from Steven Sinofsky on the Building Windows 8 blog.
ThermalTake is to release the TT eSports Black Element Cyclone Edition. The mouse is similar to the previous Black Element, including a "military-grade coating" and a 6500dpi laser sensor engine. The difference is the inclusion of a small USB port on the top, for installing the bundled 6,000rpm fan to cool your sweaty hand.
The Black Element Cyclone Edition is hardly the first gaming mouse to include technology designed to cool overheated users, but the removable nature of the fan may make it more popular than most - although we'd recommend not stretching your fingers out and poking the blades. Despite the fan's swift rotational speed, Thermaltake claims a whisper-quiet 21.7dB noise level and an impressive airflow of 2.6 cubic feet per minute.
As with the Black Element before, the Cyclone Edition also includes five 4.5g removable weights in the base, allowing gamers to customise the heft according to their individual preferences. The glowing parts - de rigueur for any gaming mouse - can also be customised for colour. The mouse has a MSRP of $80.
Microsoft announced the launch of Outlook.com, a new email platform that will replace the company's Hotmail.com and Live.com user interfaces in 2013. You can sign up at Outlook.com to get a preview of the service, or if you have a Hotmail or Live account you can upgrade it to the new Outlook.com user interface by going to the "Options" menu and clicking on the "Upgrade to Outlook.com" link.
Microsoft has been working hard over the past few months to build a new email service and they are ready to show off their hard work. The company is announcing a new email platform, Outlook.com, and Microsoft hopes that with a mature sounding domain and a few time-saving features, you will give it a try. The new email service takes a fresh look at the email experience and is changing everything from privacy and workflow, to advertisement placement and attachments to help you get things done faster with less distraction.
Scythe is about to launch the ACB-TYPE3, a see-through open air case suitable for fanless operation. It will be sold for about $85 (70EUR).
Microsoft reveals a new line of mice and keyboards designed for Windows 8:
For the past 30 years, Microsoft Corp. has introduced hardware that helps people interact better and more easily with Windows. Today, Microsoft Hardware continues the tradition with the introduction of new products that work beautifully with Windows 8.
Wedge Touch Mouse
Microsoft Wedge Touch Mouse packs full functionality into an ultracompact frame that
DICE and Electronic Arts revealed a new expansion pack for Battlefield 3. Aftermath is set in Tehran, Iran in the aftermath of an earthquake and depicts "a continuing struggle for supremacy and survival amongst the devastation."
The content will include vertical and horizontal urban combat, as players seek cover in the cracks and fissures caused by the quake. "Heavily modified" troop transports and civilian vehicles "specially adapted to deliver deadly force to the enemy" will also be included. Aftermath will add four new maps and a new game mode, as well as new assignments, achievements and dog tags. While no official release date is listed, EA said the content would arrive in December when Aftermath was announced during E3.
Sharkoon presents the budget-friendly Tactix Gaming Keyboard. Sharkoon Tactix Gaming Keyboard: compact gaming keyboard with detachable wrist rest, 18-key rollover, interchangeable gaming keys and programmable keys | MSRP 12.99 euros
Sharkoon expands their assortment for PC gamers with another gaming keyboard: The Sharkoon Tactix Gaming Keyboard comes with an 18-key rollover, interchangeable WASD and Arrow keys.
The black keyboard eliminates the need for multimedia keys and offers compact dimensions of 431 x 136 x 24 mm for a space saving design. Delivery also includes a handy, detachable wrist rest. The Sharkoon Tactix supports N-key rollover for up to 18 keys, now several key commands can simultaneously be performed quickly and precisely during action-packed gaming situations. Important for gamers is that the WASD and Arrow keys are highlighted in a nonslip rubber blue coating. For users who prefer a more discreet design, keys are in the default layout together with replacement tool.
Also included is a software CD for setting up user profiles. The 107 function keys can be optionally assigned, for example, with Macro, Mouse, Internet, Office, Media or other program functions. Overall, a total of ten different profiles each with three sub-levels can be created for different applications and environments.
End customers will find the Sharkoon Tactix Gaming Keyboard available for the suggested retail price of 12.99 euros in authorized retailers.
Bob Feldstein, AMD's VP of Strategic Development, has left the company to become NVIDIA's new VP of Technology Licensing. Feldstein was responsible for getting AMD's GPUs into the Wii and Xbox 360 consoles, as well as the next-gen PlayStation, although Sony's plans could still change.
When reached by the Journal, Feldstein confirmed that he left AMD on "amicable terms" on July 13 and started work at Nvidia on July 16. His LinkedIn profile still hasn't been updated, however. It lists him as an 18-year ATI and AMD veteran, who started out as VP of Engineering at ATI in 1994 before joining AMD as part of the 2006 AMD-ATI merger. The Journal says Feldstein led AMD's Boston Design Center, as well. His new title at Nvidia is VP of Technology Licensing.
Another executive to leave AMD is Ben Williams, the company's Corporate VP and General Manager of the Asia Pacific business. This AMD Corporate Fellow is now VP of North America Sales for Calxeda, an Austin-based start-up that makes ARM-based CPUs for servers. Williams was one of the original Opteron guys, who joined AMD from Cyrix.
The speediest Thunderbolt controller code-named Falcon Ridge will support speeds up to 20Gb/s as well as DisplayPort v1.1a and DisplayPort v1.2 Redriver. The latter technologies will also be supported by the Redwood Ridge controllers due in 2013, reports DigiTimes web-site. Given the fact that now Intel reportedly charges $20 per TB controller, the new ones should be more affordable.
The new - Falcon Ridge - Thunderbolt chip clearly improves speed by implementing PCI Express 3.0 technology outside the PC. From what has been told, it is obvious that it will continue to use copper cables.
Our forum regular trl1975 pickup up on this funny story, Wallpaper that stops Wi-Fi stealing.
Researchers at France's Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble have worked with the Centre Technique du Papier to develop Wi-Fi-blocking wallpaper. The product, also known as metapaper, claims to selectively filter, reduce or reflect electromagnetic waves.
Metapaper not only protects against intruders stealing Wi-Fi from buildings, but also ensures that signals inside a building are more secure and stronger, the group says. Benefits include data security for companies or people that need dependable Wi-Fi. The wallpaper can also be used to create quieter spaces for places like hospitals and movie theaters.
The high-tech paper does, however, allow FM radio waves and emergency frequencies to pass through. The paper, which has a snowflake pattern on it but can be covered up by traditional wallpaper, is made from renewable resources and is recyclable, according to the Centre Technique du Papier.
Conductive silver ink and metallic patterns on the wallpaper filter around 99% of waves coming from outside, according to the French newspaper Le Monde, which published a story on the topic earlier this year. However, a room cannot be completely safeguarded by the paper - unless you use it to seal off floor, ceilings and windows, of course.
The metapaper also advertises itself as a healthy alternative, since it claims to reduce a person's exposure to electromagnetic waves. Scientists behind the product point to studies that say the overuse of wireless technology could cause harmful heath effects.
The Finnish firm Ahlstrom acquired the rights to the metapaper. Exact cost estimates have not been released. According to the Centre Technique du Papier, the paper is not yet commercially available because it is still in the industrialization phase [via channel3000]
Researchers at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany have developed the first high-performance monolithic graphene transistors using a simple lithographic etching process. The discovery could pave the way to post-silicon electronics, but don't expect it anytime soon as the transistors created by the researchers were around 100 micrometers across, or 100,000nm.
As you probably know by now, graphene has a long and wonderful list of desirable properties, including being the most conductive material yet discovered. In theory, according to early demos from the likes of IBM and UCLA, graphene transistors should be capable of switching at speeds between 100GHz and a few terahertz. The problem is, graphene doesn
Here we have a new WiFi-enabled external HDD enclosure from Patriot Memory, the Gauntlet Node. Powered by a built-in lithium-ion polymer battery (to operate without external power supply), the enclosure is equipped with a USB 3.0 connection interface, built-in WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity and can house a single 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD. The Gauntlet Node has an MSRP of $99.99. [Patriot Memory]
ThermalTake presents two new Muse 5G series HDD enclosures; a 2.5" model and a 3.5" version. Thermaltake, being the industry pioneer brand with expertise in PC chassis, power supply and thermal solution, introduces the Muse 5G series, the next-generation external hard drive enclosure for authors, scientists and artists in the 21st century to unite their power and soul by collecting and protecting all precious inspiration.
Enlightenment
Fractal Design presents the Define R4, a new case that focuses on minimalistic design and maximum sound reduction, configurability and functionality. It's available in Black Pearl, Titanium Grey and Arctic White color variants. The MSRP is $109.99.
The Fractal Design Define R4 is the latest in the Define Series of computer cases offering minimalistic and stunning Scandinavian design fused with maximum sound reduction, configurability and functionality.
The Define R4 side and front door panels are fitted with dense, sound-absorbing material making it a benchmark for noise reduction. Moreover, the Define R4 accommodates up to 8 HDDs, all modern graphics card sizes, and multiple ventilation options - including two standard Silent Series R2 hydraulic bearing fans - to keep internal components at optimal temperatures.
For ultimate functionality, the Define R4 features a front interface with USB 3.0 and an integrated three-speed fan controller behind the front panel door.
Key Features
Xilence Technology has released their newest mid-tower PC case for the European market. Called the Montclair, this steel case supports for both micro-ATX and ATX motherboards.
It is equipped with a front-placed I/O panel with 2x USB 2.0 and 2x audio ports, three 5.25-inch external drive bays, five 5.25-inch internal drive bays, seven expansion slots and has one 120mm front fan. The Montclair sells for 49.90 Euro (about $61).
EVGA shows its SuperNOVA PSU software, a new piece of software that arrives with the company's 1500W PSU. The application enables user to see various details about the power supply, including output power, efficiency, output voltages, temperature, and fan speed. Additionally, overclockers will be able to use the software to send more current to particular parts.
Enthusiasts and hardcore overclockers will look forward towards the possibility to overclock your power supply. Should you venture into the extreme overclocking, be that liquid or sub-zero cooling you will have the capability to individually set overcurrent - for example, overclocking the graphics card and giving it extra current through the 6-pin and 8-pin connectors (12V Rail), splitting or unifying rails.
