April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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VR-Zone.com | Stuff for the Geeks!VR-Zone | Stuff for the Geeks is a bi-weekly publicationcovering the latest gadgets and stuff for the geeks.

Scythe Ships Susano CPUCoolerSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/scythe-ships-susano-cpu-

cooler/11950.html

April 23rd, 2011

Scythe has finally released the Susano in Europe, a massiveCPU cooler aimed at overclocking enthusiasts.

Measuring 210 x 210 x 160mm and weighing 1,565g, thenickel-plated cooler has a copper base, two aluminum heatsinkblocks, twelve copper heat-pipes, and is equipped with four100mm Slip Stream fans that are capable of speeds up to 2,000RPM at 37.69 dBA. The Susano, compatible with all Intel LGA775/ 1155/ 1156/ 1366 and AMD AM2/ AM2+/ AM3 processor,

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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is bundled with a fan controller and can be found in stores ata MSRP of €89.90.

News via [Techconnect]

NVIDIA To Launch DesktopOptimus / Synergy atComputexSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nvidia-to-launch-desktop-optimus-

synergy-at-computex/11946.html

April 23rd, 2011

NVIDIA plans to launch their Desktop Optimus a.k.a Synergyat COMPUTEX Taipei this coming June and the best thing isthat it is available freely and no license agreement is needed.This technology works pretty much similar to LucidLogix'sVirtu where it allows dynamically swap between iGPU anddGPU based on nature of application and also uses Intel SandyBridge Quick Sync technology while doing video transcodingjobs.

NVIDIA plans to launch their Desktop Optimus a.k.a Synergyat COMPUTEX Taipei this coming June and the best thing isthat it is available freely and no license agreement is needed.This technology works pretty much similar to LucidLogix'sVirtu where it allows dynamically swap between iGPU anddGPU based on nature of application and also uses Intel SandyBridge Quick Sync technology while doing video transcodingjobs. Desktop Optimus a.k.a Synergy seems to work with anyNVIDIA discrete graphics cards on H67/H61 and Z68 boardswith updated BIOSes and graphics drivers. It is not knownwho's implementation is actually better but NVIDIA solutionis available for free while LucidLogix's solution requireslicensing fee.

Zalman Announces CNPS7XLED CPU coolerSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/zalman-announces-cnps7x-led-cpu-

cooler/11948.html

April 23rd, 2011

Korean cooling specialist Zalman has unveiled the CNPS7XLED CPU cooler , expanding its portfolio of performance CPUcoolers. Measuring 90 x 127 x 135mm and weighing 345g, thetower cooler has "two V-shaped aluminum heatsinks", threedirect contact copper heat-pipes, and is cooled by a 92mmblue LED fan that operates at 1,250 RPM to 1,950 RPM.The CNPS7X, compatible most Intel and AMD processors, isbundled with a tube of ZM-STG2 thermal grease. Pricing andavailability has not been announced yet so stay tuned for moreupdates.

News via [Techconnect]

Zowie Unleashes MiCOGaming MouseSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/zowie-unleashes-mico-gaming-

mouse/11944.html

April 23rd, 2011

Zowie Gear, innovative manufacturer of competitive gaminggear, has unveiled the MiCO, a gaming mouse aimed at bothleft- and right-handed RTS gamers. Measuring 65 x 40 x120mm and weighing 68g, the compact mouse features threebuttons, an adjustable 400/ 800/ 1600 dpi optical engine, a2mm lift-off distance, and connects to the PC via a 1.8m cable.The MiCO is expected to ship in June at a cost of EUR 34.90/US$34.90.

ZOWIE PRESS RELEASE

Zowie Announces New MiCO Gaming Mouse for RTS PlayersThere is no one-size fits all for computer gaming peripherals.All gamers are different and we recognize that each and everyone of you has different needs and preferences. Thereforeit was only a matter of time until we would put our effortsinto developing a mouse for competitive RTS gaming. TheZOWIE MiCO is developed for those of you who won’t settle forsecond best – you want the best from your equipment and seekstability in a high quality mouse that you can trust to alwaysperform flawlessly.

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Developed together with the Korean powerhouse StarTale,ZOWIE MiCO is a reflection of the experience and expertiseof some of the best and most recognized StarCraft 2 players inthe world. During the development of the ZOWIE MiCO, wefaced three major challenges we had to overcome.

First challenge; the perfect shape for claw-grip usageFinding the perfect shape wasn’t easy, but we are very proudof the result and consider the shape of ZOWIE MiCO as a truepiece of art. It is the result of a very extensive development,where we filmed and photographed the hands of players Ace,Rainbow, Bomber, Squirtle and July while they played, inorder to create a mockup of a mouse that was the ideal averageof the five players. With the mockup in their hands, we wereable to perfect it by making slight changes based on the overallfeedback they provided.

Second challenge; the perfect clickOne thing that quickly became clear to us was that the feelingof every mouseclick is very important to a professional RTSgamer. StarTale expressed the feeling of the perfect mouseclickto be like this:

• Responsive to easy clicking/light pressure

• Upon clicking, button should only travel a shortdistance before responding

• Provide a clear, firm clicking, so you can feel all of yourclicks

We realized that we had to develop our own switches in orderto achieve the performance we wanted. We had samples ofvarious custom switches developed and gave them to StarTaleto test. We adjusted the leverage of the buttons bit by bit basedon their feedback, finally achieving what they defined as theperfect click, which is what you will be able to feel in theZOWIE MiCO today.

Third challenge; the best sensor for StarTaleThe ZOWIE MiCO was originally planned for release lateOctober 2010 so we could reach the Christmas sales, butit was a challenge finding a sensor which lived up to ourrequirements of high quality and performance. We felt that wecouldn’t release a product that we are not 110% committed to,

so we postponed the release to give ourselves time to completethe development process and create a product we can be proudof.

StarTales gamers are used to playing with 400 and 800 DPIrates, so this was a key point for the development of the ZOWIEMiCO. Where HeatoN put more importance on the lift-offdistance rather than the DPI-rates, StarTale felt that havingthe exact DPI that they are used to is more important to themas RTS-gamers than the lift-off distance.

After several months of testing and trashing, we are confidentthat we have finally succeeded in finding a sensor that lives upto our requirements of quality and functionality, performingflawlessly on all types of surfaces, except for paper and glass.With the ZOWIE custom lens we were also able to achieve alift-off distance of 2,0 mm.

GeneralThe ZOWIE MiCO is a small, lightweight ambidextrous mouse,which is perfect for gamers who demand ultimate performancefrom their mice and prefer the claw-grip playing style.

There’s no software for the ZOWIE MiCO. You just plug it intoyour computer and you will automatically be playing with 500Hz and your desired DPI-setting between 400/800/1600 DPI.

As we have said before, we are not afraid to try out new things.ZOWIE’s R&D team has a lot of ideas on how to improveproducts by implementing new features and functions to ourproducts. The latest example of this was the new rubberbasewhich was developed for the G-TF speed, providing a firmsuction to the table, so the mousepad doesn’t budge unless youwant it to.

Features:

• Ambidextrous competitive gaming mouse, usable withboth hands

• Perfect for claw-grip and gamers with small hands

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• ZOWIE custom lens; 2mm lift-off distance - works onall surfaces

• Co-developed with professional StarCraft & StarCraft2 players from Korea

• Lightweight, fast and accurate optical gaming mouse

• No drivers or software! Just plug and play

• Adjustable DPI: 400/ 800/ 1600

Specifications:

• Dots Per Inch: 400/ 800/ 1600

• Max. Acceleration: up to 30G

• Max. Speed: up to 50 inches/second

• USB report rate: 500Hz

• Length of cable: 1.8m / 5.8 ft

• Weight: 68g (ex. cable)

• Connector: USB

• Buttons: 3

Availability and MSRPThe ZOWIE MiCO will be available to end-users on the 1st ofJune 2011.

MSRP:

• DKK 299

• EUR 34.90

• USD 34.90

COMPUTEX 2011: Tablets,Tablets and more TabletsSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/computex-2011-tablets-tablets-and-

more-tablets/11943.html

April 23rd, 2011

A recent market research from Taiwan expects that tabletdevices will be all the rage at the COMPUTEX TAIPEI2011. Consumers will definitely be spoilt for choice as aslew of tablets from big brands will be showcased duringComputex. Intel plans to challenge NVIDIA with its OakTrail Platform and a recent DigiTimes report stated thatmajor brands such as Lenovo, Fujitsu and Samsung will beshowcasing tablets based on that platform. AMD too will enterthe tablet market with their Brazos platform and it is reportedthat MSI will be adopting that platform. You should be able tosee at least one major brand showing Oak Trail based tablet onMeeGo Linux during Computex.

A recent market research from Taiwan expects that tabletdevices will be all the rage at the COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2011.

The report goes on saying that as the tablet devices boastfeatures similar to netbook PCs, such as small form factor,quick boot, long standby time, e-mail and web surfing, andmultimedia entertainment, the tablet devices have graduallyreplaced netbook PCs as the consumers' primary choice inthis product segment. Consumers will definitely be spoilt forchoice as a slew of tablets from big brands will be showcasedduring Computex.

NVIDIA Tegra is clearly the leading platform for tabletcurrently with many design wins such as Acer Iconia Tab,ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, Motorola Xoom etc. However,Intel plans to challenge its reign with its Oak Trail Platformand a recent DigiTimes report stated that major brands suchas Lenovo, Fujitsu and Samsung will be showcasing tabletsbased on that platform. AMD too will enter the tablet marketwith their Brazos platform and it is reported that MSI will beadopting that platform.

Intel's Oak Trail platform is made up of Atom Processor Z670(formerly Lincroft Processor) with SGX535 PowerVRCoregraphics core integrated and Intel SM35 Express Chipset(formerly Whitney Point PCH). The processor is clocked at1.5GHz, single core but supports HyperThreading. Oak Trailsports a much smaller PCB footprint over Menlow whichallows smaller form factor, a longer battery life (up to 12 hrsof internet browsing), 2X graphics performance improvementover Menlow, as well as HDMI, SATA and HD Audio support.However, it doesn't have video encode capability. Oak Trailseems a little weak in the graphics department compared toTegra 2 and might face more challenges ahead when Tegra 3comes along.

Anyway, long battery life is still the most crucial aspectfor tablet and Oak Trail is fairly pretty well here. TheOS choices for Oak Trail based tablets are aplenty and itis able to support Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), Android 2.3(Gingerbread), Windows 7, Windows Embedded Standard2011 (WES 2011) and MeeGo Linux. You should be able to seeat least one major brand showing Oak Trail based tablet onMeeGo Linux during Computex.

PC SHOW 2011 SuntecSingapore (June 9th to 12th)Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pc-show-2011-suntec-singapore-

june-9th-to-12th-/11941.html

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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April 23rd, 2011

The 21st International Showcase of the Latest ComputerHardware & Software, The PC SHOW 2011 is comingthis June at Suntec Singapore from June 9th to 12th,12-9pm. Major Brands at The PC Show 2011 include: Acer,Apple, ASUS, Canon, Creative by C2O Corporation, Dell,Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Oki Data, Samsung, Sony,Toshiba, Western Digital, etc…

The 21st International Showcase of the Latest ComputerHardware & Software. Profit from Singapore’s Longest-Running IT and Consumer Electronics Show. The PC Show isThe Ultimate Sales Platform for Industry Players.

With a track record spanning 20 years, it has been THEplace where buyers and sellers meet and where highvolume of sales is transacted. Increasingly the event is alsoattracting international players to explore exciting businessopportunities, generate new sales leads, strengthen businesspartnership with existing clients and build stronger brandingexposure.

The Best Performing IT Event

2010 Show Review

• More than 600 exhibitors

• Over 950,000 bargain hunters

• Over $51.6 million in sales

• Who’s Who at the Exhibition

Major Brands at The PC Show 2011 include:

Acer, Apple, ASUS, Canon, Creative by C2O Corporation, Dell,Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Oki Data, Samsung, Sony,Toshiba, Western Digital, etc…

Enjoy the PC Show Advantage

In a competitive marketplace, your brand and products can’tafford not to be seen at the most sales-focused IT event.

• a track record second to none, spanning 20 years

• presence of well-known brand names aggressively vyingfor buyers’ dollars

• exciting bargains that attract consumers to make on-the-spot buying decisions

• the best time to catch the families and the holiday crowdin June

• high brand recall among consumers

• extensive event publicity through advertising,promotions and public relations

• Generate sales, build stronger branding exposure andmaximize your profits at The PC Show 2011.

VENUE

Levels 1, 3, 4 & 6

Suntec Singapore

1 Raffles Boulevard

Singapore 039593

DATE

June 09 to 12, 2011 (Thursday to Sunday)

OPENING HOURS

12:00 hours to 21:00 hours

LUCKY DRAW

Lucky Purchaser’s Draw for visitors who purchase or ordermore than S$50.00 worth of products

during the exhibition. For every S$50.00 purchase, the buyeris entitled to a lucky purchaser’s

draw ticket to be drawn on June 12, 2011.

DIGITAL IMAGING 2011

The International Showcase of the Latest Digital ImagingSolutions

The digital age has spawned a host of innovations that enhancethe lives of consumers today. Digital Imaging will bring a

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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wide array of solutions, products, equipment, materials andperipherals for still and video photography buffs.

Exhibit Profile

• Digital & Classic Cameras

• Digital Printers & Accessories

• Power & Lighting

• Photographic Equipment & Accessories

• Camcorders

• Darkroom Equipments & Supplies

• Audio Visual Products & Lenses

• Lighting Stands, Supports & Accessories

• Photo & Video Books & Tapes

• Film & Processing Equipment

• Chemistry

• Scanners Ancillary Equipment

• Colouring & Retouching Supplies

• Frame, Slide Mounts, etc

• Photographic Services & Supplies

• Imaging Processing Softwares

• Photography Institutions & Courses

• Publications

• Video Imaging (digital/video printer, video framegrabber, video visualizer, film video processors)

GAME 2011

The International Showcase of the Latest Gaming, Animation& Multimedia Exhibition

Complementary Showcases

Adding excitement to The PC Show is GAME, it will ride onthe popularity of computer games among the young and old.The multitude of games has players spoilt for choice. Fromhardware to software, and an exhilarating competition forenthusiasts, computer games is where the action will be.

Exhibit Profile

• Animation

• Comics

• DVD/VCD/MP3/AV

• Forum

• GameCube

• Game Boy Advance

• Game Controllers

• Game Developers/Manufacturers

• Hardware for Gamers

• Handheld

• Java Games

• Mobile Gaming

• N-Gage

• Nintendo DS

• On-line Games

• PC Games

• Playstation

• Plastic Modeling

• Posters

• Publications

• Sega Dreamcast

• Video Games

• Wireless Adapter

• Xbox

• Accessories

• Others

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS 2011

The International Showcase of the Latest ConsumerElectronics

Consumer Electronics will present the latest offering toconsumer. Whether it be for personal use, office or home,visitors will be spoilt for choice if they are sourcing for AV andcommunications products.

Exhibit Profile

• Audio Visual and Communications Products

• Cell Phones & Accessories

• Connectors

• Digital Voice Recorders

• DVD Recorders/Players

• Home Audio

• Home Video & TV’s

• Home Theatre Systems

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• Headphones

• Intelligent home

• LCD CTV

• Movies

• Mini Disc Players

• MP3 Players

• Plasma TVs

• Personal Audio

• Projector/Projection TV

• Remote Security Systems

• Speaker Systems

• Surveillance systems

• Switches

• TV-VCR Combo

• TV Mounts & Stand

• Video Games

• View Cam

• Wall Mounts

• Wireless Applications

• Others

The Organiser

Over the years, Lines Exposition has a track record of stagingsuccessful trade and consumer exhibitions and it has seenLines grow from strength to strength with each profile. Ledby a management with more than 30 years experience, it hasalways been creating and organizing shows that meets theneeds and directions of the industries.

Its flag ship profile, The PC Show is Singapore's longestrunning and most successful IT and consumer electronicsexhibition, which draws huge crowds every year. The PCShow serves as the exhibitors' ultimate sales platform and theconsumers' favourite one-stop shop for the latest trends andbest bargains.

BeautyAsia is Lines Exposition's most prominent tradeexhibition for the beauty, spa and health industries to be heldin Singapore. BeautyAsia is well received and has enjoyedconsistent growth over the years. This international exhibitionis a good barometer for the beauty service industry.

Incorporating SpaAsia, HealthAsia and NaturalAsia,BeautyAsia's comprehensive four-in-one annual event isrecognised as an exciting buyer-seller meet, an educational

and networking platform, and a purveyor of the latest trendsand technology.

Lines Exposition is constantly working to improve its showsand develop new profiles to cater to different industries. Indoing so, Lines aims to provide the platform for successfulbusiness transactions all over the world .

Rumour: AMD to releaseRadeon HD 6750/6770 on April28thSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rumour-amd-to-release-radeon-

hd-67506770-on-april-28th/11940.html

April 23rd, 2011

AMD is planning to round off its Radeon HD 6000 serieswith the release of HD 6750 and HD 6770. These cards arealready available for OEMs and offer nothing new - they aresimply rebrands of the 18 month old HD 5700 cards - with theaddition of HD3D and HDMI 1.4a. The immense gap betweenhighest end Turks (6670) and lowest end Barts (6790) had lefta hole in the HD 6000 line-up which AMD can only fill in withthe rebrand.

The availability of the HD 6670 remains questionable, as doesits price. HD 5750s are tending to the $100 mark and theHD 5770s are available in the $120 range. The HD 6790 issomewhat overpriced as well, at $150, considering HD 6850scan be had for as low as $165. Simply put, AMD will needto drop prices of the HD 6790 and HD 6670, to accomodatethe "new" HD 6700 at slightly lower prices than its HD 5700predecessors.

AMD has been in a hurry to complete the Radeon HD 6000 -with no less than 6 cards across 4 series releasing in April. Therumour mill is pushing hard for a Radeon HD 7000 series asearly as Q3. Let's hope a true successor to the HD 5700 seriesis just around the corner.

G.Skill RipjawsX 1600MHz CL74GB DDR3 Kit ReviewSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/g.skill-ripjawsx-1600mhz-cl7-4gb-

ddr3-kit-review/11890.html

April 23rd, 2011

Having just a fast processor isn't really enough these days; ahigh-speed memory kit can provide quite a bit of performanceboost to your bandwidth-hungry Intel 'Sandy Bridge'

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platform gaming rig. VR-Zone.com finds out how much animprovement there can be with the F3-12800CL7D-4GBXMkit from G.Skill. Overclocking included.

G.Skill, a leading manufacturer of high performance memory,was one of the first to introduce new memory kits designed forthe 'Sandy Bridge' platform. Known as the RipjawsX, there areover twenty different configurations available for enthusiastsand gamers to choose from for their new rig.

This weekend, VR-Zone.com tries out theF3-12800CL7D-4GBXM. Well, that is the SKU code, andwe shall call it the RipjawsX 1600MHz CL7 4GB DDR3 kitfor simplicity's sake. This particular kit is a matched pairof two 2GB double-sided memory modules, programmedand tested for 1.5V operation at 1600MHz CL7-8-7-24-2N.Offering impressive specifications and excellent pricing as itspredecessors, it would be interesting to see if this new kit canperform in the overclocking department.

The G.Skill kit comes in an easy-to-open blister pack and thememory modules can be comfortably popped away from thepackaging.

Nothing much to see on the other side; we have a shortintroduction about the RipjawsX series and a label affixed atthe bottom right corner for you to make sure the right memorykit is in there.

Here is a quick run through of the G.Skill kit's specificationsbefore we proceed further.

Type 240-pin DDR3

Designed for Intel P67Capacity 4GB (2 x 2GB)Speed PC3-12800 (1600MHz)Latency CL7-8-7-24-2NVoltage 1.5VRegistered / Unbuffered UnbufferedError checking Non-ECCWarranty Lifetime

Awind McTiVia ReviewSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/awind-mctivia-review/11935.html

April 23rd, 2011

Ever wanted to watch this interesting video online or show offyour game scores you have on your desktop on the flatscreenin your living room? Well, you can drag your system out fromyour room and connect it to your flatscreen display in the livingroom. Or just get McTiVia. Today, we lay our hands on a unitand test out to see if it deserves its recently awarded "Best ofShow Macworld 2011" by both Macworld and Notebooks.com.

There are many ways that you can display your computer'sscreen to a bigger screen such as your living room flatscreentelevision. And of course, for various different reasons suchas watching online websodes, high-definition video clips fromYouTube, or even gaming. The traditional method would be tosimply connect your laptop to the screen with a VGA cable, orHDMI cable for newer laptops. But what about desktops? Orwhat if you want to go cable-free?

McTiVia might be your solution to your problems. Not to beconfused with a certain dairy product, it is essentially a devicethat mirrors your computer's screen to your HDTV wirelessly.Which means you can view your exact desktop on your HDTVin the comfort of your living room while your computer is inanother room. Sounds good? Well, it gets better. Besides justbeing able to mirror your desktop, it also acts as a wirelessaccess point for your home network and you can control yourdesktop by connecting a mouse and / or a keyboard with theUSB on the back of the device.

Even though it looks like a product made for Macs, you mightbe pleased to know that it works well for PC and you are ableto connect up to eight different computers.

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So it sounds all good so far, but is it really practical and worththe hefty pricetag? We'll find out more in the following pagesbut first, a quick look at the specification of McTiVia.

Taken right off McTiVia's website:

Hardware SpecificationProcessor ARM9 300 MHzDRAM 128 MB DDRFLASH 8 MBWiFi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, 2T2R

Front PanelLED Indication Power LEDPower switch Power On/Off Button

Real PanelAntenna 2 external dipole antennasPower Adaptor 5V DC, 2.5AUSB Port Type A USB port *1Ethernet 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet

RJ45 Port *1Auto MDI/MDIX

A/V Output HDMI 1.2

Mac PC RequirementsCPU Grade Intel Dual Core 1.4 GHz or

better(PowerPC not supported)

Graphics nVIDIA or ATI graphic cardwith 64MB VRAM or above

Operating System Mac OS X 10.5+Recommended Models MacBook after 2009-01-21

All series of MacBook Pro

MacBook Air after2010-06-08

iMac or Mac Pro which meetsthe requirements above

Windows PC RequirementsCPU Grade Dual Core 1.8 GHz or better

(excluding atom processor)Display Adaptor nVIDIA or ATI graphic card

with64MB VRAM or above

Operating System Windows Vista, Windows 7WiFi 802.11n

Physical SpecificationDimensions 120mm x 55mm

130mm x 65.3mm x 22mmWeight (g) 251g

Verbatim Introduces SlimExternal SSDSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/verbatim-introduces-slim-external-

ssd/11939.html

April 23rd, 2011

Verbatim, manufacturer of various storage media and flashmemory products, has unveiled three new ultra-portableand slim external SSDs, expanding its Store 'n' Go productportfolio.

Verbatim, manufacturer of various storage media and flashmemory products, has unveiled three new ultra-portableand slim external SSDs, expanding its Store 'n' Go productportfolio.

Available in 32Gb, 64Gb and 128Gb capacities, they areencased in stylish aluminum enclosures and feature a USB3.0 interface, delivering data transfer rates up to 190Mb/s(read) and 175Mb/s (write) (for 128Gb model). They are nowavailable from major retailers and e-tailers at MSRPs of €99(32Gb), €159 (64Gb) and €279 (128Gb).

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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News via [Softpedia]

Silicon Power Releases BlazeSeries USB 3.0 Flash DrivesSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/silicon-power-releases-blaze-series-

usb-3.0-flash-drives/11938.html

April 23rd, 2011

Silicon Power, leading manufacturer of flash memory cards,USB flash drives, card readers, DRAM modules, SSDs, andportable HDDs, has unveiled the Blaze B10, the world's firstchameleon USB flash drive. Measuring 72.4 x 17.4 x 10.0mmand weighing a mere 9.5g, the ultra-light drive boasts a USB3.0 interface, a unique color changing coating (varies withoperating temperature), and delivers data transfer speeds upto 70Mb/s (read). Available in capacities of 32Gb, 16Gb and8Gb, the "Turkey Blue" Blaze B10 comes bundled with a SPWidget Software and is covered by a lifetime warranty.

Silicon Power Intros Blaze Series USB 3.0 Drives that ChangeColors with TemperatureTop leading flash memory manufacturer and brand SiliconPower realizes how individuals can’t help to speak forthemselves; thus, for those who dare to show their capriciouspersonality, Blaze B10, the market’s first USB 3.0 flash drivewith color-changing pattern according to temperature, is born.

With USB 3.0 SuperSpeed interface, Blaze B10 boastsa remarkable read speed up to 70 MBs. Compared toconventional USB 2.0 with 480MBps, USB 3.0 carries thebandwidth of up to 5Gbps. Based on real-world test results,transfer time of high definition data files such as videos,photos, music, etc is significantly reduced, making instantcarrying and sharing rich digital contents quicker and easier.

Color Up your Flash DriveIn addition to the USB 3.0 features, Blaze B10 is especiallydesigned for expressive individuals who are playful and boldwith their portable storage devices. Smooth curves at twoends of its body get B10 a chic look while its surface isgiven a special finish for scratchproof and fingerprint-freepurpose. Its front is designed with futuristic geometric patternusing heat-sensitive ink; color of the pattern will graduallychange from Turkish blue to blazing red according to operatingtemperature of the drive, adding personality, style and fun todata transferring. Furthermore, Silicon Power includes a heat-sensitive sticker on B10 retail packaging for users to test outthe cool color-changing effect of Blaze B10.

Secure Your Data with SP WidgetAvailable in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities, Blaze B10, like allSilicon Power’s USB flash drive products, is backed by lifetimewarranty and comprehensive after-sales services. SP WidgetSoftware, which features seven powerful backup and securityfunctions and the NIS (Norton Internet Security) antivirussoftware (60-day trial), is available free for users to downloadwith any Silicon Power purchase. With these value-addedmanaging tools, users may enjoy a data storing experiencewith security and convenience. For more information, pleasevisit Silicon Power official website.

Aerocool Preps X-WarriorChassis for ReleaseSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/aerocool-preps-x-warrior-chassis-for-

release/11937.html

April 23rd, 2011

Aerocool Advanced Technologies has expanded its line-up ofgamercentric PC chassis with the addition of the X-Warrior.

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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Measuring 488 x 187 x 520mm, the tool-free mid-towerchassis has three 5.25" bays, four 3.5" bays, one 2.5"bays, seven expansion slots, two rear pre-drilled holes forwater-cooling tubes, a mesh side-panel, support for graphicaccelerators up to 400mm in length, and a top-side I/O panelwith two USB 2.0 ports and audio connectors.

The X-Warrior, pre-installed with two 120mm sleeve bearingfans (one rear and front), can be purchased from majorretailers and e-tailers at a MSRP of €50.

News via [Techconnect]

Verbatim Announces USB 3.0Store 'n' Go Flash DrivesSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/verbatim-announces-usb-3.0-store-n-

go-flash-drives/11936.html

April 23rd, 2011

Verbatim has expanded its series of flash devices with theannouncement of the USB 3.0 Store 'n' Go flash drives.Available in 16Gb, 32Gb, and 64Gb storage capacities, theyfeature a USB 3.0 interface, capless (push and pull) design, anddeliever data transfer rates up to 120Mb/s (read) and 70Mb/s (write) on USB 3.0 PCs. The Store 'n' Go is expected to hitstore shelves come end April.

Tapping into the high performance potential of the USB 3.0interface with the convenient form factor of a standard flashdrive, the Verbatim Store 'n' Go USB 3.0 Flash Drive offersextreme speed, large capacity and plug-and-play operation.The unit supports transfer rates of up to 70MB/sec Write and120MB/sec Read on USB 3.0 host systems. Verbatim Store'n' Go USB 3.0 Flash Drive is available in capacities of 16GB,32GB and 64GB. It is available in stores in April 2011.

- 16GB, 32GB or 64GB storage capacity- Transfer rates up to 120MB/sec on USB 3.0 host systems

- Push and pull design protects connector

- Compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports

- Works with PC, Mac and Linux operating systems

Easy to use high-end performance

The Verbatim Store 'n' Go USB 3.0 Flash Drive comeswith a push and pull design that does not only protect theconnector but also makes an extra protective cap unnecessary.Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems,the drive also works with USB 2.0/1.1 ports.

"USB 3.0 drives make a lot of sense because they are 100percent compatible with USB 2.0 and offer far superiorspeeds to devices that have USB 3.0 ports," said HansChristoph Kaiser, Business Development Manager FlashVerbatim EUMEA. "We are expecting the bulk of the premiumUSB flash storage market to migrate to USB3.0 within the next18 months."

The Daily VR-Zone NewsSummary - 21 April 2011Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--21-

april-2011/11932.html

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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April 23rd, 2011

In today's news roundup: ASRockls Fatal1ty P67 ProfessionalMotherboard gets reviewed; Western Digital's latest externalhard disk, the 1TB-totting WD My Passport Essential SE, getsreviewed; Verizon claims that Apple's upcoming iPhone 5 willbe a 'world phone', which should be good news for frequenttravellers who have to deal with handsets that are either SIM-locked or lack the neccessary hardware needed to function ona certain frequency band; Ubisoft's latest guitar-based game,Rocksmith, gets an early preview, and The popular Japanese2D fighting game Ougon Musoukyoku has been confirmed toreceieve an Xbox 360 port, complete with new characters

Hardware News

ASRock Fatal1ty P67 Professional Motherboar?d Review @MadshrimpsDescription: The P67 Professional Motherboard from ASRockis the Fatal1ty branded product from the series and comes witha lot of features like Digital PWM, XFast USB Technology,V16+2 CPU Power Phases, no less than 6 USB 3.0 ports and6 SATA3, C.C.O., THX TruStudio Pro, and the unique Fatal1tyMouse Port, which allows us to set the desired mouse pollingrate, up to 1000Hz.

Thecus N4200 Pro Four Bay NAS Review @ TweaknewsDescription: With the N4200 Pro, Thecus has furtherimproved upon an already stable, high-performance four bayNAS. The upgraded hardware over the original N4200 make ita solid choice for a multiple user environment, and the mini-UPS and dual DOM features help avoid data loss in the eventof a power outage or firmware corruption."

Western Digital My Passport Essential SE 1TB USB 3.0 HDDReviewDescription: The Western Digital My Passport Essential SE isthe latest addition to the Series and brings a colourful entryto the normally boring world of portable storage. With fourcolour options available; blue, red, silver and black, you canchoose what goes best with that new purse. The choices don'tstop there; the My Passport Essential SE is also available in1TB or 750GB capacity sizes.

Corsair TX850 V2 PSU Review @ VortezDescription: Corsair's TX series was extremely popular,winning multiple awards. Building on the successes of theTX series, Corsair have launched a new V2 range with abigger - 140mm fan and better components such as Japanesecapacitors rated at 105C. Rated at 80 Plus Bronze, the TX V2has increased efficiency over its predecessor and comes withan impressive 5 year warranty - a firm stamp of confidence.The variant we will be taking a look at today is the 850Wdelivering a burly 70A for the +12v rail, delivering theperformance capabilities for those seeking to SLI or Crossfire.

Noctua NH-C14 Review @ ocaholicDescription: With the NH-C14 Noctua has a new flagship inits portfolio regarding down draft coolers. The NH-C14 isequipped with two fans that measure 140 mm in diameter.

Meanwhile standard for the Austrian is the very good deliverywhich for example contains resistors as well as mounting kitsfor all Intel and AMD sockets.

Consumer Electronics and Software news

Roccat Kova+ Max Performance Gaming Mouse Review @Real World LabsDescription: Featuring an increased speed from 40IPS to130IPS, increased acceleration from 30G to 40G, Soft Touchrubber coating for improved grip, EasyShift feature for upto 8 more button functions and a fully customizable controlsoftware suite the Kova+ mouse by Roccat is far more than justa worthy successor to the original Kova.

Bnter Brings Conversation Sharing App To Android Phones,Launches BookmarkletDescription: We’re big fans of Bnter, an app that allows youto share your conversations with others publicly. The sameway you share photos via the web or your mobile phone, Bnterallows you to share snippets of conversations you have withfriends on the web. While the startup initially focused on SMS,Bnter recently broadened its scope to allow users to share anysort of conversation, including GChat, in-person chat, emailand more. Today, Bnter is launching a free Android app (whichjoins an existing iPhone app) and is launching a bookmarklet,and in-depth Twitter integration

Lenovo's S-800 phone uses a transparen?t PMOLED,probably made by TDK, unknown release date...Description: Back in November 2010 we reported about anew phone by Lenovo which uses a transparent display calledthe S-800. We thought it might be a transparent OLED, butwe weren't sure. Today Dialog Semiconductor reveals thatthey supplied the driver IC to that phone, and indeed it'sa transparent PMOLED. Hopefully the S-800 will actuallylaunch soon, unlike the Samsung IceTouch MP3 player. Thedisplay itself is probably made by TDK - which has beenshowing transparent PMOLEDs back in October 2010 - readyto be mass produced and driven by Dialog's ICs...

Verizon says iPhone 5 will be a world phoneDescription: Folks who travel all over the world frequentlybut are annoyed that they have to bring a secondary phonein addition to their iPhone because their devices are SIMlocked or don’t support foreign radio frequencies will lovethis news. At Verizon’s discussions about their Q1 results,CFO Fran Shammo was recently quoted as saying: “Thefluctuation, I believe, will come when a new device from Appleis launched..."

LG Optimus 3D set to reach the UK on June 6Description: The LG Optimus 3D will arrive in the UK on June6, at least at retailer Clove. It will cost £379 (about $627)contract-free. The phone will be the first to sport a glasses-free3D display and dual cameras that can record 3D content aswell.

Microsoft’s Windows XP Death Watch Counter Doesn’t WorkWith Windows XPDescription: Microsoft wants all of its Windows XP users toknow exactly how much time they've got before XP is takenout to the back shed and mercy-killed with a shot to the nape.Which is why the "Windows XP End of Support Countdown

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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Gadget," available now from Microsoft, would be so, so handy—if it were compatible with XP devices.

Gaming news

Ougon Musoukyoku X Announced, Gets New Characters,Xbox 360 OnlyDescription: If you are wondering when will 07th expansion beadding new characters to their 2D PC fighting game – OugonMusoukyokyu. That question has been answered but not forthe PC.

Rocksmith Preview @ Computing on DemandDescription: For all of the guitar players out there who sharemy frustration with current guitar games, Ubisoft is promisingto help us out. Anyone who plays guitar, for obvious reasons,seems to struggle a bit with Rock Band and/or Guitar Hero.The problem being, one of the biggest parts of actually playingguitar is the feel of the guitar. Holding a little piece of plasticand tapping away mercilessly at buttons can get a little boring.

Razer Hydra Motion SensingControllers for Portal 2Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/razer-hydra-motion-sensing-

controllers-for-portal-2/11934.html

April 23rd, 2011

Razer announces the Razer Hydra, the world’s first gaming-grade motion sensing controllers powered by Sixense. Razerworked closely with Valve and Sixense to create exclusivePortal 2 content to showcase the power of the Razer Hydrain enhancing game immersion. On top of Portal 2, the RazerHydra is optimized with over 125 popular PC games out ofthe box, including titles like Left 4 Dead 2 and World ofGoo. Price: US$139.99 / EU€139.99. Availability: Pre-ordersstart May 2011. Ships in June 2011.

Carlsbad, Calif. – April 21st, 2011 – Razer, the world’s leadinghigh-end precision gaming brand announces the Razer Hydra,the world’s first gaming-grade motion sensing controllers

powered by Sixense, built to draw you deeper into your PCgames.

Razer worked closely with Valve and Sixense to createexclusive Portal 2 content to showcase the power of the RazerHydra in enhancing game immersion. Portal 2 is the highlyanticipated sequel to 2007's game of the year. The full versionof the game plus the exclusive Portal 2 content will be availablein a special edition bundle with the Razer Hydra.

“The Razer Hydra is a significant step forward for the PCgaming industry because it not only affords an almost-physicalexperience for gamers, but also presents developers anopportunity to innovate and significantly push the boundarieson new forms of gameplay and entertainment,” said GabeNewell, co-founder and president of Valve.

The Razer Hydra lets you extend your natural body motiondirectly into your PC games. With Portal 2, this meansa breathtaking new way to play when you can intuitivelyreach out, interact with physics puzzles, shoot portals andleap across wide chasms in complete three dimensions. WithRazer’s trademark ultra-low latency and highly precise one-to-one tracking to the exact millimeter and degree, experiencemaximum portal testing immersion.

“We are excited to finally bring full motion control to thePC,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer. “Gamers will be blown away by the pinpoint tracking precisionthat mirrors every move in-game. They’ll also enjoy theexclusive new Portal 2 content created specifically for theRazer Hydra, giving them more bang for their buck.”

On top of Portal 2, the Razer Hydra is optimized with over 125popular PC games out of the box, including titles like Left 4Dead 2 and World of Goo. Gamers no longer have to wait forscarce motion-compatible games. With the future possibilityfor more downloadable game configurations and the abilityto self-configure motion mapping to your specifications, theRazer Hydra plays virtually every game.

“By working with Razer and Valve, we have established thePC as the best platform for motion gaming,” says AmirRubin, CEO, Sixense. “We developed and optimized 6 SixenseTrueMotion levels for Portal 2 to allow gamers to fullyexperience the possibilities of motion gaming. Definitely anexciting time to be a PC gamer.”

About the Razer Hydra Motion Sensing Controllers

The Razer Hydra is the first gaming-grade motion sensingcontrollers to bring a whole new dimension of gameplay andimmersion to the PC. With compatibility for over 125 gamesout of the box, and future support for gamers to self-configurecontrols for any PC game, the entertainment possibilities

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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are virtually endless. Built to deliver location-orientationtracking exact to the millimeter and degree, along with Razer’strademark ultra-low latency, the precision and speed of theRazer Hydra is unrivalled among its kind.

About the Razer Hydra and Portal 2 Bundle

The Razer Hydra is the first gaming-grade motion sensingcontrollers to bring a whole new dimension of gameplay andimmersion to Portal 2. Shoot portals, throw the WeightedCompanion Cube, and avoid death traps as easily andintuitively as eating cake. The Razer Hydra is bundledexclusively with the game and comes with six additional levelsspecifically designed for more portal testing fun with motioncontrol.

Price:

Razer Hydra and Portal 2 bundle: US$139.99 / EU€139.99

Availability:

Razerzone.com, North America, South America, Europe andmost countries in Asia. Steam support required for Portal 2.

Pre-orders start May 2011.

Razer Hydra to ship in June 2011.

Product features:

(Per controller, 2 included in each Hydra set)

• Thumb-ergonomic analog stick for fluid control

• 4 Hyperesponse action buttons

• Rapid-fire trigger and bumper for faster in-gameresponse

• Non-slip satin grip surface

• True six degree-of-freedom magnetic motion tracking

• Lightweight, anti-tangle braided cable

(Base station)

• Low-power magnetic field, low power consumption

• Ultra precise sensor for 1mm and 1 degree tracks

• No line of sight to controllers required

• Low latency feedback

SanDisk and Toshibaannounces 19nm 64Gbit NANDFlash memorySource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sandisk-and-toshiba-

announces-19nm-64gbit-nand-flash-memory/11933.html

April 23rd, 2011

Ah, the joys of healthy competition in the market. Last week20nm NAND Flash was cutting edge and now it's so, well,uhm, last week. Both SanDisk and Toshiba have separatelyannounced that they'll be offering retail 19nm NAND Flashmemory later this year. Reading the press releases it appearsto be the same tech, but we can't be certain of it, but bothcompanies announced two bits per cell NAND Flash with threebits per cell coming at a later stage.

Ah, the joys of healthy competition in the market. Last week20nm NAND Flash was cutting edge and now it's so, well,uhm, last week. Both SanDisk and Toshiba have separatelyannounced that they'll be offering retail 19nm NAND Flashmemory later this year. Reading the press releases it appearsto be the same tech, but we can't be certain of it, but bothcompanies announced two bits per cell NAND Flash with threebits per cell coming at a later stage.

Both SanDisk and Toshiba have announce 64Gbit chips, that's8GB in more useful terms and it should mean that we'll beseeing cheaper flash memory cards towards the end of theyear, especially at higher capacity. Toshiba is also promising128GB stacked chips for Smartphones and tablets using ToggleDDR2 technology for improved performance. This is all greatnews for consumers, but there are concerns that these new dieshrunk NAND Flash memory chips won't last as long as whatwe're used to, although SanDisk claims that there's no need to

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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worry as its new memory chips are just as reliable as its oldones.

Both companies are sampling now with SanDisk saying secondhalf and Toshiba third quarter for volume production. As towhen the three bit per cell chips will arrive in the market isn'tmade clear by either company's press release, so we'll just haveto wait and see. Despite a lot of concerns about the longevity ofsmaller NAND Flash memory chips, it seems like the 19-20nmparts aren't significantly different from the current 2xnm partswhich is at least some good news.

PC SHOW 2011 Floor PlansSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pc-show-2011-floor-plans/11931.html

April 23rd, 2011

PC SHOW 2011 Floor Plans

Level 4:

Level 6:

VR-Zone Giveaway #9 -Silverstone Strider PlusST60F-P 600W power supplySource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/vr-zone-giveaway-9--silverstone-

strider-plus-st60f-p-600w-power-supply/11930.html

April 23rd, 2011

Follow four easy steps and stand a chance to win differentprizes every week. This week..we are giving away: 1 xSilverstone Strider Plus ST60F-P 600W power supply Checkout http://launch.vr-zone.com and find out how you can winthese prizes!

Road to EVO 2K11: SingaporeEVO Qualifiers this Sunday, 24April 2011Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/road-to-evo-2k11-singapore-evo-

qualifiers-this-sunday-24-april-2011/11929.html

April 23rd, 2011

SGFIGHTER, in conjunction with Singapore Cybersportsand Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) and FRIENDS OFCLEMENTI, have jointly organised the EVO Qualifiers forSuper Street Fighter IV as part of the Clementi Game Festival2011 that is going to be held this Sunday, 24th April 2011.Prizes include an expense paid trip to Las Vegas to participatein EVO 2K11, as well as an Apple iPad 32GB tablet. Read more.

From what we have heard, the organisers have gone to greatlengths to ensure that participants get ample opportunities toenjoy themselves there. They have not just one chance to winprizes, but three chances to win over S$5,000 worth of prizes,some of which include an IPad 32gb, and an expense paidtrip to Las Vegas to participate in the Evolution ChampionshipSeries 2011.

There are two competitive tournaments, Super Street FighterIV and FIFA 11, where fantastic prizes can be won.Participation in the Competitive Tournaments require a fee ofS$10.

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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Participants are encouraged to register for the tournamentseither in person at Clementi Community Club or via email.Spectators also get a chance to win the iPad 32GB byparticipating in the Free Play Zone.

For those who cannot make it for the event, SGFIGHTER willalso organise a live stream via their channel - http://www.justin.tv/sgfighter

Live streaming starts from 1300hrs (+0800 GMT) on 24thApril 2011. Game Festival Event starts from 1000hrs.

PRIZESSuper Street Fighter 4

01 Winner(s) get a sponsorship to represent Singapore in EVO,Las Vegas for 2011

In addition to the above, the following prizes will also beawarded

1st - Razer Gaming Set Worth more than S$2502nd - Razer Gaming set Worth more than S$1503rd - Razer Gaming Mouse

4th - Razer Gaming Mouse

5th to 6th S$50 voucher from Challenger

FIFA 111st - Nintendo Wii

2nd - Nintendo DS Lite

3rd - 1TB External Hard Disk Drive

Lucky Draw1st - iPad 3G Wi-Fi 16GB

2nd - PSP-3006

3rd - SonicGear Spectra 3000 5.1 Speaker System

Sony Ericsson announces W8Walkman Android phoneSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-ericsson-announces-w8-

walkman-android-phone/11928.html

April 23rd, 2011

Sony Ericsson has announced the new W8 Walkman phonedesigned to offer entertainment and ease of use to consumers.It runs Android 2.1 and will be available in Asia Pacific in Q2.

Sony Ericsson today adds the W8 Walkman phone that boastsgreat entertainment that extends the appeal of the Walkmancollection.

The W8 features a user interface that can be customised forone-touch access to users’ favourite applications – a featurefound on the Xperia mini range of products. The Sony EricssonW8 Walkman phone allows for quick and easy access toplaylists and the Walkman player. It also comes complete withthe MH 410 stereo headset.

The Sony Ericsson W8 comes with a 3-inch screen that is greatfor gaming, view the latest videos on YouTube or browse theweb. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera, videorecording functionality and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Key features:

- Corner user interface for easy one hand use and one touchaccess to applications

- Customise the corners for instant access to your favouritewidgets and apps on your home page

- Enjoy games, video, internet and more on the 3-inch screen

- Timescape shows all your communication in one place forultimate simplicity

- Android Market – More than 150,000 of applications to keepyou entertained

- 3.2 megapixel camera – snap away and upload instantly toFacebook

- Fast Internet access via 3G and Wi-Fi

- Walkman designed hardware and UI

- Walkman widget on home screen

- Android platform (version 2.1)

The Sony Ericsson W8 Walkman phone will be available inChina, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines,Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam from Q2 2011 inthe colours Azur (blue), Metallic Red and the iconic WalkmanOrange.

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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Toshiba AT300 Android 3.0dual-core tablet to launch inJuneSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/toshiba-at300-android-3.0-dual-core-

tablet-to-launch-in-june/11927.html

April 23rd, 2011

Aside from the AS100 that was unveiled last year, Toshibaaims to launch their new AT300 tablet based on Android 3.0and runs dual-core processor in June. According to onlinesources, the AT300 will be categorized under the Regza series.No word as to whether it will be available here though.

Dual-core processors looks to be the main differentiation inthe current tablet wars. And Toshiba has showcased their ANTtablet at CES in Las Vegas earlier this year. The company hasexpressed that it will launch the 16GB version of the tablet inJune, which is now known as AT300.

The Toshiba AT300 will be under the Regza family andprobably be retailed by NTT DoCoMo in Japan. The AT300runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb and is equipped with NvidiaTegra 2 dual-core processors. It sports a 10.1-inch displaythat supports 1280x800 pixel resolution, features front andrear cameras, HDMI, USB, mini-USB, SD card slot andsupports Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and SRS Labs surround soundtechnology.

Scheduled to launch in Japan in June, the Toshiba AT300 willbe retailing at 60,000 yen (approximately US$730).

Sony ends production of PSPGo handheld game consoleSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-ends-production-of-psp-go-

handheld-game-console/11926.html

April 23rd, 2011

The Sony PSP Go was introduced in 2009, and less than twoyears, the company has decided to stop the production of thehandheld game console, The PSP-3000 will still be sellingthough.

Sony introduced the PSP Go in 2009 which comes with a slide-out control pad and 16GB internal storage. There is alsono UMD drive unlike its older siblings which means that if youalready owned a PSP that has a UMD drive, you won't be ableto play the games on the PSP Go.

Fast-forward to today, the company has announced that it hasdecided to stop production of the handheld game console tofocus on other system such as the Next Generation Portable(NGP), according to Japan's Watch Impress. The currentPSP-3000 will still continue to be produced and sold asnormal.

The Daily VR-Zone NewsSummary - 20 April 2011Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/the-daily-vr-zone-news-summary--20-

april-2011/11922.html

April 23rd, 2011

In today's news roundup: A critical desaign flaw recentlydiscovered in Western Digital's Caviar Green hard disks couldresult in the storage unit suffering from premature failuresof its seeking heads; Crucial's new Ballistix Smart tracerDDR3-1600 modules get reviewed; Intel promises to serve upGoogle's Gingerbread in the form of a native x86 port now thatthe chip giant has managed to obtain a copy of the Androidcode from Google; Google has announced at all videos thatare uploaded to YouTube will now be transcoded in the freeand open video format known as WebM; Sony has officiallydeclared that the PSP Go is now a dead product and will no

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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longer be produced, and Rockstar Games has been rumouredto be offering support to Nintendo's upcoming Wii sucessor inthe form of new titles for the console.

Hardware news

Critical Design Flaw Found in WD Caviar Green HDDs @NGOHQ.comDescription: It has come to our attention that WesternDigital's Caviar Green HDDs suffer from a critical design flawcaused by an aggressive power-saving feature. Western Digitalhas developed a new technology called Intellipark (aka Idle 3mode) and it is designed to reduce power consumption, in partby positioning the HDD's heads in a park position and turningoff unnecessary electronics after 8 seconds of inactivity.According to an in-house investigation and user reports', somesoftware and operating systems are incompatible with theIntellipark feature causing endless head parking movementas the HDD continuously goes in/out of idle mode. Thisabnormal behavior creates stress on the HDD and that couldlead to issues.

RaidSonic ICY BOX IB-326StUSE2 3.5'' HDD EnclosureReview @ Real World LabsDescription: With excellent performance, plenty of interfaces,great build quality and SmartGuider HDD tray which allowsfor swift HDD swapping you just can't go wrong with theIcy Box IB-326StUSE2 3.5’’ External HDD enclosure byRaidsonic.

Crucial Ballistix Smart Tracer DDR3-1600 4GB KitBL2KIT25664ST1608RG ReviewDescription: This time the new Crucial Ballistix Smart tracerDDR3-1600 modules are tested, which offers fast timings, highfrequencies and a special highlight, in the truest sense of theword. We already know activity LEDs in different colors onthe top of the modules and near the pins from several CrucialBallistix Tracer reviews. But these new Smart Tracer RAMLEDs can be programmed with a special BallistixUtility andadditionally the software can show the temperature of theDDR3 memory modules and write it into a log file.

Coolermaster CM 690 II Advanced Review @ MadshrimpsDescription: Time to throw another case into the mix. Todaywe are introducing an evolution of one of coolermastersbiggest sellers of the last years. The Coolermaster CM690 II Advanced. By listening to the end users input, theCM engineers have refined the 690 series case. Adding aremovable HD bay (to support up to 3GPUs easily), a hotswappable HD docking station, baptised X-docking station,are just a few of the new features or updates as you want. The690 II advanced is available in a window and non windowedversion. Let's see what this beauty has got in store for you.

Intel Sandy Bridge Overclocking Guide @ Benchmark ReviewsDescription: With the launch of the new Sandy Bridgeprocessors we feel the necessity to prepare an Overclockinganalysis mainly because Intel completely changed the rules.Overclocking is now 99% limited to unlocked processors, andto mid-high platforms, while low-mid platforms and non-unlocked processors can't simply be overclocked more thansome extra MHz. Follow us while we p! ut into test both theCore i5 2500K and the Core i7 2600K paired with the P67

Express platform and discover how they work against voltage,heat and power consumption.

Xigmatek Elysium Super Tower Exclusive ReviewDescription: The Elysium is that rare product that has a valuethat far outperforms its price. With a 200 USD MSRP, thisreview could be published with the price, a specifications /features list and a handful of pictures and no one wouldcomplain (other than the competition). It's going to be fairlydifficult to keep this article on the Elysium's features and notdedicate eight pages to the price point that is insanely lowfor what you are getting. While doing my final check in withXigmatek, I asked them to raise the price to 300 USD and sendme the extra 100 Dollars, because I know you would spend thatkind of money on what I have to show you today.

Antec HCG-750 High Current Gamer Series Power SupplyReview @Hi Tech LegionDescription: The Antec HCG-750 Power Supply is but onein the new line of High Current Gamer Series PSUs. TheHCG-750 advertises a delivery of 750 Watts of continuouspower. The HCG-750 comes with many features, the first beingfour high current +12V rails. These rails have a high overcurrent protection set point for high end GPU compatibility.The HCG-750 is constructed of all Japanese-brand capacitorsfor excellent reliability. There is a 135mm double ball bearingfan for quiet operation and high air flow. The 750 is 80 PlusBronze certified and boasts up to 88% efficiency. There are4 gold plated 8-pin (6+2) PCI-E connectors and gold-platedHigh Current terminals.

Intel picks up a second foundry customer, TabulaDescription: It looks like Intel (INTC) is getting in to thefoundry business, SemiAccurate has just found out that theyare making chips for a second startup. Just like Achronix latelast year, Intel will be fabbing FPGAs for Tabula as well.

Consumer Electronics and Software news

Apple to Start Shipping the Next iPhone in SeptemberDescription: After the rumor that Apple won’t announce thenext-generation of iPhone in June or July (which was the casewith all previous iPhone announcements), comes a report thatthe new iPhone is actually coming in the fall. While Apple’ssuppliers will begin production in July this year, the finishedproduct is likely to begin shipping in September, Reutersreports citing sources familiar with the matter.

RockMelt Goes Mobile with iPhone OfferingDescription: RockMelt is set to launch a mobile version of itsbrowser, which integrates social media tools. RockMelt’s moveinto mobile this week comes just one month after the publicdebut of its desktop browser.

Coolermaster Storm SF-19 Strike Force battles high notebooktemperatures @ MadshrimpsDescription: If you're even half the nerd that I am you mighteventually have wondered what's inside your notebook, wherethe irritating noise of a fan suddenly came from when watchingYoutube vids, and very maybe you might have wonderedwhy your notebook sometimes gets so hot! I'm a bit beingsarcastic here as I perfectly know most of our readers indeeddo understand what's going on inside the metal or plastichousing, yet still what's there to do when temps keep on rising?Notebook coolers to the rescue! Todays we'll be having a look

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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at one of the more performant notebook coolers you'll stumbleagainst upon your search for the perfect solution, or did we justfind it four you? Read on!

Arctic NC Laptop Cooler Review at Overclockers OnlineDescription: The Arctic NC is no doubt a nice product asyou’d expect from Arctic. It does a decent job at coolingdown a hot laptop. Its lightweight construction allows it to beportable which is always a plus. However, I am not a fan of theergonomics of how it works. The need to rest just part of yourlaptop on it makes for a very unstable set-up; it has to be usedon a flat surface and with care to prevent disaster.

Intel promises Android 3.0 on x86 for this yearDescription: Intel chief Paul Otellini has revealed that Intelis developing a port of Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) designedto run on its x86 architecture. "We've received the Androidcode – the Honeycomb version of Android source code – fromGoogle, and we're actively doing the port on that," Otellini saidduring Intel's conference call on Tuesday.

YouTube videos now served in WebMDescription: All new videos uploaded to YouTube are nowtranscoded into WebM. WebM is an open media file formatfor video and audio on the web. Its openness allows anyone toimprove the format and its integrations, resulting in a betterexperience for you in the long-term. As we work to transcodemore videos into WebM, we hope to reduce the technicalincompatibilities that prevent you from accessing video whileimproving the overall online video landscape.

Acer Aspire One 722 being prepped for releaseDescription: Acer Aspire One 722 will ship with an 11.6″ 1366x 768 pixel resolution display and a 1GHz AMD C-50 dualcore processor, accompanied by an AMD Radeon HD 6250graphics chipset. Stereo speakers are there for you to blast yourfavorite tunes (or rather, torture those around you with boyband pop music) while a higher capacity battery compared otthe Aspire One 522 ought to give is slightly more legs in theopen and away from a power outlet.

Gaming news

Michael Jackson: The Experience @ Computing on DemandDescription: It’s finally here; Michael Jackson: The Experiencehas been released for the Xbox 360’s Kinect, and it does notdisappoint. Grab your fedora and your sequined glove, and getready as we bring you a first glance at this title.

PSP Go is DeadDescription: Sony Japan confirmed it has ceased productionof the PSP Go and that all future sales will be limited to currentstock.

GTA Developer Rumored to be on Board with Wii SuccessorDescription: Following last week's rumors about Nintendo'salleged new console, a new report suggests that RockstarGames will be developing titles for the system.

Ivy Bridge chipset modelnames revealed alongsidemore Sandy Bridge-E detailsSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ivy-bridge-chipset-model-names-

revealed-alongside-more-sandy-bridge-e-details/11925.html

April 23rd, 2011

If you're interested in what Intel has up it sleeves for thenext eight months or so, then you'll be interested in readingthis, as the models names of Intel's future chipsets for its IvyBridge platform set to launch early next year has tipped upalongside new details of Intel's new LGA-2011 Sandy Bridge-E processors. Not all of the news are good news though,as it looks like Intel has decided to continue to lock outoverclockers.

If you're interested in what Intel has up it sleeves for thenext eight months or so, then you'll be interested in readingthis, as the models names of Intel's future chipsets for its IvyBridge platform set to launch early next year has tipped upalongside new details of Intel's new LGA-2011 Sandy Bridge-E processors. Not all of the news are good news though,as it looks like Intel has decided to continue to lock outoverclockers.

Let's start with the Ivy Bridge chipsets, which according to thelatest roadmap leaks will be called the Z77, Z75 and H77 as faras Intel's consumer platform is concerned, although this onlycovers the performance and mainstream sections so we mightend up with a H61 replacement at some stage as well. On thebusiness end of things we're looking at the Q77, Q75 and B75.

Interestingly it looks like Intel has decided to give up on itsgraphics free P series of chipsets and replace it with two ZSKUs. We're not certain what the difference between the Z75and Z77 will be, although presumably the H77 will no featureany kind of overclocking support, much like the current H67chipset. There are no apparent feature differences from whatwe can see based on the Panther Point chipset details that Intelhas revealed so far, unless Intel decides to limit the USB 3.0port support on some chipsets, but this doesn't make much

April 23rd, 2011 Published by: VR-Zone

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sense. It's possible that we'll see some kind of CPU featurelimitation if you go with a more basic chipset, but we're justgoing to have to wait and see what Intel comes up with in futureroadmaps.

As for the Sandy Bridge-E processors which are set to arrivesometime in Q4, unless Intel has a change of heart when AMDlaunches Bulldozer, things just got a lot more interesting. Thefirst CPU specs are out and the disappointing news here isthat the quad core CPUs are as Intel puts it “limited unlocked”so in other words, it looks like bus speed overclocking mightvery well be a dream of the past. The six core CPUs are fullyunlocked and the only slight light in the darkness here is thefact that not all LGA-2011 CPUs will be XE models.

In fact, Intel seems to have quite a wide spread of CPUs,although the most basic quad core Sandy Bridge-E CPU willbe positioned to replace the Core i7 960 and will sit just abovethe Core i7 2600K in Intel's line-up. The quad cores will startat 3.6GHz and features 10MB of L3 cache whereas the sixcore CPUs start at 3.2GHz with 12MB L3 cache. The initial XEversion will be clocked at 3.3GHz and sport 15MB L3 cachewhich looks like a decent step up from the current Core i7990X.

We have a feeling that if Intel has in fact removed bus speedoverclocking the company has killed competitive overclockingcompetitions in one fell swoop and this is not only bad newsfor the overclocking community, but also for the motherboardmanufacturers. In the latter case a lot of money and effort isbeing put into creating overclockable products, especially atthe high-end, as this helps drive sales of lower-end modelsthanks to the halo effect. Now the hope really lies with AMDand that the company can offer something really competitiveto take on Intel, least not for Intel to change its current, verysilly strategy of removing all the overclocking features many

of us have become used to so they can charge us extra forspecific CPU SKUs that still features very limited overclockingpotential.

LG Optimus Black and MElaunches in TaiwanSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lg-optimus-black-and-me-launches-in-

taiwan/11923.html

April 23rd, 2011

Earlier today we attended the LG Optimus Black and OptimusME launch event in Taipei, Taiwan and we know for certainthat the Optimus Black will arrive in Singapore shortly,supposedly before the end of this month. Neither handset is ahigh-end model, although the Optimus Black is definitely anupper tier handset whereas the Optimus ME is a budget model.

First up we have the Optimus Black which is sadly runninglast year's high-end processor with a 1GHz TI OMAP 3630 atits core and although this is a commonly used SoC in manySmartphones in the market today, it's getting a little bit long inthe tooth. It's by no means bad by today's standards, but it willbe far from cutting edge in six months' time, let alone a yearfrom now. At least Optimus Black has 2GB of built in eMMCstorage memory as well as 512MB of RAM which should keepit going for a while.

The big selling point of the Optimus Black is its 4-inch800x480 WVGA Nova IPS LCD screen which LG claims has abrightness of 700 nits which compares very well compared toevery other phone in the market. For example the iPhone 4 hasa screen brightness of 518 nits while Google's Nexus One onlymusters 229 nits. A brighter screen usually means a higherdrain on the battery, but LG claims that its Nova IPS screensactually use less power than any other similar mobile devicescreen in the market today and as such promises longer batterylife than its competitors. The screen is also said to have muchbetter viewing angles and should be easier to read in brightsunlight.

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Another noteworthy feature is Wi-Fi Direct support and forthose of you that aren't familiar with it, Wi-Fi Direct enablesyou to connect to other Wi-Fi Direct devices in peer to peernetworks without the need of a Wi-Fi access point or router.This means that you can transfer files and data at rates of upto as fast as your Wi-Fi connection allows you and some Wi-Ficards in notebooks and desktop already supports Wi-Fi Directvia a simple driver upgrade. To put things simply, Wi-Fi Directis a Bluetooth 3.0 killer.

Other features include a rear mounted 5 Megapixel camerawhich will shoot video at 720p, a front mounted 2 Megapixelcamera, DLNA support via LG's SmartShare, native DivX,Xvid video playback, a microSD card slot, 7.2Mbit/s HSDPAand 5.76Mbit/s HSUPA (on the 900, 1900 and 2100MHzbands), 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, aGPS, FMradio with RDS, a micro USB 2.0 port, Dolby Mobile audio, a1,500mAh battery and sadly Android 2.2, although it's meantto get upgraded to 2.3 at a later point in time. The OptimusBlack measures 122z64x9.2mm (HxWxD) and weighs in at109. It will be available with a black, pink or a white back (asper our pictures) and it will retail for NT$15,990 (S$682) inTaiwan without a contract.

ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE ReviewSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/asus-e35m1-i-deluxe-

review/11481.html

April 23rd, 2011

Today we will be looking at an AMD Brazos solution fromASUS. The E35M1-I DELUXE is equipped with AMD's E-350'Zacate' APU, which combines the processor, northbridge andgraphics all into a single die. The Fusion platform offers betteroverall performance compared to an Atom-based system and

having a TDP rating of just 18W; this could be the next upgradefor your mini file server or living room media centre PC.

Today we’ll be looking at another AMD fusion board by ASUS.To be more specified, it will be under the “Brazos” platform.For those of you who havent heard of this newly launchedplatform by AMD, it is actually an AMD’s very first ever APU(Accelerated Processing Unit) which combine Northbridge +Processor + Graphic processor. 3 of the major component issqueezed forming the AMD E-350 “Zacate” which has a TDPrating of as low as 18 watts and manufactured using the 40nmtechnology.

With all those high end chipset going all around, AMD has alsoplans to expand their field on mobile computing and mini formfactor. Which can basically be categorized as a versatile systemon the go to satisfy the need of different level of consumer, be itbusinessman to housewives. In this review, we’ll be looking athow this new platform perform under some load intensifyingprogrammes. How well can the AMD one die cpu “Zacate”manufactured by ASUS performs? Is this the perfect choice ofplatform for you? Find out on the next few pages, when wecrank this baby up.

Brother brings the "biggerpicture" to users with new lineof printersSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/brother-brings-the-bigger-picture-to-

users-with-new-line-of-printers/11918.html

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April 23rd, 2011

Sure, most people do not exactly relish the idea of having a'big brother' watching their every move and waiting to pounceon the slightest sign of discontent, but rest assured that notall 'brothers' are like that. In fact, we can think of at least oneother 'brother' who seemingly has the interest of his charges atheart, especially when it comes to dealilng with a very commonneed found in the lifestyles of most end-user and enterprises;printing. And true enough, this Brother is back once againto help us locals "see the bigger picture" with its new line ofmonochrome and colour printers that it has launched in amedia event held at the Chalk Restaurant today.

In his opening address, Brother International Singapore'smanaging director, Takeo Shimazu, neatly sums up the goalof today's product launch by describing it as "bringing thebest of both worlds in printing solutions for both SOHO andbusiness users", and that includes helping them to see "thebigger picture".

"Brother is very excited to showcase the latest additionsto its family of multifunction printers. These new printersare capable of expanding business possibilities for SMBsand SOHOs with their all-rounded capabilities," he said, inreference to the new A4 monochrome multifunction printersand A3 colour inkjet multifunction printers that Brother islaunching today.

"The new monochrome MFCs stand out from the competitionwith their quality black-and-white prints, minimal costsand excellent value for money...and today, after continous

research, improvements and innovation, Brother is proud tolaunch the successors to its line of full-colour A3 multifunctioninkjet printers. These new printers will cater to the needs ofprofessionals, especially for those working in the engineeringand creative industries," he added.

Also available at the event was Brother InternationalSingapore's director and general manager, TomoyukiFujimoto, who proceeded to describe some of the featuresavaiable for users to take advantage of in order to improvetheir workflow, such as automatic double-sided printing,lower power consumption, faster print speeds and support formobile printing via smartphones and tablet devices.

Don't want to deal with a PC for administering printing andscanning tasks? No problem, your iDevice can get the jobdone as well

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Galaxy Shows Off MultiDisplay Supported GraphicsCardsSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/galaxy-shows-off-multi-display-

supported-graphics-cards/11919.html

April 23rd, 2011

Galaxy, today demonstrates two graphics cards supportingmultiple display outputs. The first multi display card fromGalaxy is the GTX 560 Display5 which supports a total of 5monitor outputs simultaneously (4 Mini-HDMI plus one DVIor DP). The second multi display card features a GeForce210 GPU which provide quad display output. Galaxy is set tolaunch the new multiple display families of graphics cards inMay, price and availability is still unknown.

Galaxy, today demonstrates two graphics cards supportingmultiple display outputs. Most of the NVIDIA graphics cardsare limited to a dual monitor configuration. Galaxy has beenable to overcome this limit by using third party controllersfrom IDT.

The first multi display card from Galaxy is the GTX 560Display5 which uses the same PCB design as the GTX 460WHDI and GTX 460 Razor. In addition to the DVI and DPoutput, the card sports 4 additional Mini-HDMI output onthe upper bracket. The card supports a total of 5 monitoroutputs simultaneously (4 Mini-HDMI plus one DVI or DP).User has the flexibility to use 3 or 4 of the Mini-HDMIports to combine into a single monitor span in windows,creating a surround gaming environment. The card supports5040x1050@60Hz (1680x1050 on each monitor) combinedresolution in 3 monitor mode, or 5760x900@60Hz (1440x900on each monitor) in 4 monitor mode.

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The second multi display card features a GeForce 210 GPUpassive cooled. The card has borrowed its look from theNVIDIA Quadro series, featuring two proprietary DMS59connectors. Using the supplied cable, each DMS59 supports2 DVI monitors at up to 1920x1080p resolution, of up to 4monitors in total. The card uses two VMM1402 chipsets fromIDT in order to provide quad display output.

To allow users to easily manage windows between differentmonitors, Galaxy has also teamed up with WinSplit Revolutionto bundle their desktop utility into their graphics cards. Galaxyis set to launch the new multiple display families of graphicscards in May, price and availability is still unknown.

Philips launches SHE2675and SHE3575 series in-earheadsetsSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/philips-launches-she2675-and-

she3575-series-in-ear-headsets/11917.html

April 23rd, 2011

Philips has launched their bold new range of in-ear headsets,SHE2675 and SHE3575 series. Available in distinct colors, theheadsets will be retailing in stores by the end of May.

The Philips In-Ear Headsets SHE2675 and SHE3575 Seriesare available in distinctive, bold colors. With a neodymiummagnet which helps to enhance bass performance andspecially-designed vents to balance the high sounds and basstones in these headsets, you will have a smoother and moreenjoyable listening experience. And it’s not only about color orsound quality – trendy music lovers will be pleased to knowthat the Philips In-Ear Headset SHE2675 Series also comeswith a built-in microphone that allows you to enjoy hands-free conversations on your iPhone or Blackberry, easily andfashionably. They are also equipped with specially designedear cushions for optimal comfort and fit.

If you like having the option of customizing the fit and positionof yourheadsets, then the Philips In-Ear Headset SHE3575Series is perfect for you. Equipped with built-in microphone,these headsets also come with three different ear cap sizes foran optimal fit. With small yet powerful speaker drivers that fitsnugly inside your ears, unwanted external noise is filtered outfor a more intense and pleasurable listening experience.

Price and Availability

The Philips In-Ear Headsets SHE2675 and SHE3575 seriesalso come in normal headphones versions (SHE2670 andSHE3570 series) and have a recommended retail price rangeof S$17.90 to S$29.90. They will be available at all majorelectronics retailers island-wide by end May 2011.

Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi tabletlands in SingaporeSource: http://vr-zone.com/articles/motorola-xoom-wi-fi-tablet-lands-in-

singapore/11916.html

April 23rd, 2011

Motorola has finally brought their XOOM Android tablet toSingapore, when it was launched in US on 24 February. Youcan get your hands on the tablet this "Good Friday" holiday.Details inside.

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Motorola Mobility has announced that the Motorola XOOMWi-Fi tablet will launch in Singapore on 22 April this week. TheMotorola XOOM Wi-Fi runs on the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)platform designed specifically for tablets. Singapore becomesthe first market in Southeast Asia to launch the tablet.

Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi features a 1GHz dual-core processor,1GB memory and 32GB storage, front and rear-facingcameras, and the latest Google Mobile services on a 10.1-inchwidescreen high definition (HD) display.

The tablet claims to deliver fast performance and showcasesthe innovations of the Honeycomb user experience – includingwidgets, true multi-tasking, tabbed browsing, notificationsand customization. It also has support for HDMI whichenables viewing of videos on larger screens, such as HDTVs. A5-megapixel rear camera can also capture videos in HD, whilethe 2-megapixle front camera enables clear video chats usingGoogle Talk.

The latest Google Mobile services include Google Maps5.0 with 3D interaction and access to more than 150,000apps from the Android Market. Motorola XOOM Wi-Fialso supports a beta version of Adobe Flash Player 10.2downloadable from Android Market, enabling the delivery ofrich Flash-based web content including videos, games andrich Internet applications. The tablet also features a built-ingyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer and adaptivelighting. It supports up to 10 hours of video playback, andcharges in half the time of competitive tablets on the market.

Motorola Smart Accessories- A Standard Dock for watching video content or listening tomusic through external speakers as the device charges

- A Speaker HD Dock for sending HD content directly to aTV or clearly listening to music through two built-in speakerswithout attaching external speakers

- A custom Bluetooth wireless keyboard with special Androidshortcut keys.

Pricing and AvailabilityMotorola XOOM Wi-Fi will be available at Challenger, Courts,Newstead, Best Denki, Harvey Norman and Mustafa from 22April at a recommended retail price of S$888.