Everyone knows that AMD and Intel are competitors. In the past, there were many chipset makers which one can choose from to power the processors. Likewise, for graphics options, NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX are not more of a defacto standard on Intel based motherboards.

The reality is, where money can be made, technology will be ‘ported’ into such products. Likewise, we see boards supporting both CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI while AMD boards are basically still supporting their own CrossFire technology.

It is known that we are entering into an era of fast speedy interconnect that has been around since the new Mac Book was introduced last year. As we predict, there may be a chance that such a technology be made available on AMD boards for desktops and notebooks. It is only a matter of time.

Discuss

Palit Microsystems Ltd, the leading graphics card manufacturer, today announced the latest addition to its Fermi architecture of GeForce GT 600 series, the Palit GeForce® GT 630, GeForce GT 620 and GeForce GT 610, which are specifically designed to provide the horsepower needed to power today’s digital media PCs and provide the high definition video and audio experiences that desktop customers demand.

The features include Fermi-based GF108 GPU, NVIDIA 3D Vision technologies, and supporting DirectX 11 Done Right. Palit GeForce GT 600 series are the ideal HTPC DX11 Graphics cards for the home theater power users. Palit GeForce GT 600 series are equipped with variety of video outputs such as Dual-link DVI, VGA and HDMI which are suitable for all kinds of home theater display monitor. Moreover, the new FXAA antialiasing and Adaptive VSync technologies to enrich visual quality without compromising gaming performance. Along with the latest NVIDIA 3D Vision technology and Blu-Ray 3D support, you can also enjoy the 3D content movie at home.

LG’S NEW OPTIMUS UI 3.0 ADDS NEW FEATURES
AND FUNCTIONS WHILE BEING UNOBTRUSIVE AND SIMPLE
New User Interface Makes the LG Smartphone Experience
Faster, Simpler, More Convenient

SEOUL, May 16, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) is introducing a new User Interface (UI) for its newest Android Ice Cream Sandwich devices, aptly named Optimus UI 3.0. Optimus UI 3.0 brings with it an array of enhanced key features, including Quick Memo™ and unique unlock functions, among other new features and functions aimed at improving LG smartphone experience.

“With smartphone hardware becoming more and more similar, it’s important for manufacturers to differentiate their products from the competition through the user interface,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Both carriers and customers tell us that they want LG phones to look and feel unique and the UI plays a big part in that. LG is really going to push the boundaries of what is possible in user interfaces starting with Optimus UI 3.0.”

Optimus UI 3.0 is designed with convenience and speed in mind. A powerful memo function called Quick Memo™ enables users to jot notes on the screen using a finger. Quick Memo™ in Optimus UI 3.0 allows users to share their thoughts through social networks, text messages and e-mails more conveniently than ever before.

Other new features include:

– the ability to unlock the phone by dragging anywhere on the screen;
– a new Pattern Lock that allows users to preset the most frequently used function, such as the camera, which automatically opens once the phone is unlocked;
– a simpler version of Optimus UI 3.0 for new smartphone users which organizes the main applications so that they are the easiest to access;
– a new Voice Shutter that allows users to capture photos using only voice commands;
– a special camera feature that enables users to pick up the best shot among multiple images including the moment just before the shutter button is depressed;
– an Icon Customizer that provides an additional level of personalization by allowing users to set their own photos as icons and shortcut images;
– the addition of a Download category to the menu for easier organization.

Optimus UI 3.0 will debut on the LG Optimus LTE II launching this week in Korea, followed by LG Optimus 4X HD in June.

MSI, the leading innovator in mainboard and graphics card technology is happy to announce the availability of the new MSI Z77A-GD80 mainboard with Intel Thunderbolt technology.

With MSI’s true integrated Thunderbolt design you don’t have to worry about losing bandwidth or placing additional add-in cards as it is the most simple Thunderbolt solution available. Of course, the renowned Military Class III components are again available to deliver the highest quality and most stable components. OC Genie II boosts your overall CPU, Memory, Disk and Graphics performance and thank to its power saving hardware features such as Active Phase Switching (APS) and DrMOS II, the MSI Z77A-GD80 can combine its CPU performance with best power saving.

Thunderbolt Technology: The Fastest Connection available

MSI equipped the Z77A-GD80 with the groundbreaking Thunderbolt technology. Thunderbolt is the fastest data connection available for your PC, running at 10 Gbps. Thunderbolt technology delivers two communications methods, or protocols, on a single cable: PCI Express for data transfer and DisplayPort for displays. MSI has integrated the Thunderbolt controller on the mainboard, ensuring that Thunderbolt is a hassle-free solution that not requires additional cards, cables and configuration issues because external Thunderbolt controllers steal bandwidth from other devices. Thunderbolt is an easy technology and should not add to your PC complexity!

Fastest Data transfers

Data transfers for backup, sharing, and editing are faster with Thunderbolt technology, significantly reducing times to complete these tasks. Running at 10 Gbps, Thunderbolt technology on the MSI Z77A-GD80 can transfer a full-length HD video in less than 30 seconds and backup 1 year of continuous audio playback in just over 10 minutes.

Cable management without clutter

Thunderbolt technology delivers great responsiveness with data and display transfers – in each direction, at the same time – using a single cable to connect devices. It’s no longer needed to connect multiple devices directly to your PC. Using multiple connection in a daisy chain, the amount of cables directly attached to your PC will be reduced while maintaining maximum throughput.

Military Class III components

The MSI Z77A-GD80 is equiped with Military Class III components. consisten of the new DrMOS II next-generation MOSFET with double thermal protection ensure safety while providing the highest efficiency and power output. Hi-c CAPs have very high efficiency and small form factor, ideal over overclocking or oversized CPU cooling. Super Ferrite Chokes (SFC) are more powerful and more efficient than Chokes employed on other mainboards and the all-solid capacitors are the backbone of any long-lifetime product.

Smoothest system experience with OC Genie II

MSI OC Genie II is world’s easiest overclocking technique and allows a complete performance overhaul with a simple push of a button. My OC Genie is a new feature that allows end-users to customize their OC Genie II experience through MSI’s unique ClickBIOS II interface.

For more info head over to http://www.msi.com

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While everyone is trying to get their hands on the Intel Core i7-3770K, Xeon based on ivy bridge are available for sale in Japan. According to Akiba, there are 11 versions of Xeon processors. It ranges from the cheapest E3-1220 V2 to E3-1290 V2 (3.7GHZ) . The price ranges from 18580 to 79800 Yen.

A number of Xeon processors will also have Intel HD 4000 graphics core built in. e.g. those ending with 5 in the model name e.g. E3-1245 V2. These E3-1200 V2 processors do not support VT-D but supports ECC memory.

The TDP of these processors ranges from 45W-87W with the exception of low power E3-1220LV2 with a TDP of only 17W

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Gigabyte will release 3 new models of motherboard supporting new TB technology

http://forums.ocworkbench.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23

OCWorkbench was at the Gigabyte Plug Fest Z77 held at Kuala Lumpur 2 days ago. We set up a 4 way SLI 680 GTX running on the G1 Sniper 3.

The system configuration includes Gigabyte G1 Sniper 3, Intel Core i7-3770K ES oc 4.5GHz (AIR), Kingston DDR3-2400 2GBx2, SSDNOW V 64GB, Ref 680 GTX x 4.

Below is a video of the setup. More interesting videos and a write up of the event to follow. Stay tuned.

Hot on the heels of announcing that his untethered jailbreak works on iPad 3 running on iOS 5.1, pod2g has posted a demo video of the untethered iPad 3 on his blog.

The video shows the untethered iPad 3 on iOS 5.1 can run Cydia, run iFile – a jailbreak app and reboots without an issue.

iBooks also seems to work without an issue (which currently is an issue with the tethered jailbreak).

pod2g has clarified that since his untethered jailbreak works on iPhone 4 and iPad 3, it should work with other iOS 5.1 devices like iPhone 4S and iPad 2 as well. But it may not work with Apple TV 3.

pod2g plans to stabalize the payload and then use try his untethered jailbreak on iOS 5.1.1 that was released by Apple earlier in the week.

pod2g hasn’t provided an ETA on when the untethered jailbreak will be released. We’ll let you know as soon as we’ve any further updates so stay tuned.

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It is noted that several individuals and shops are selling parallel imported Intel Core i7-3770K processors at a premium price in Singapore. It is not known if these parts of covered for warranty as they are not allocated to this market.

So before you go and purchase the processors, please have a detail check on the source of goods and make sure the seller is able to handle your after sales support.

Kingston Expands Device Support for Wi-Drive
New Update Adds Web Browser Access through Any Wi-Fi Enabled Device

• Portability: Wi-Fi enabled and Flash-based storage makes it the perfect external storage companion on the move
• Casual Sharing: Wireless sharing of documents and media files with three users
• Expanded Storage: Wi-Drive adds up to 64GB of storage

Hsinchu, Taiwan – May 9, 2012－ Kingston, the independent world leader in memory products, today announced an update enabling browser support for Wi-Drive. The update allows multiplatform wireless streaming of data to any Wi-Fi enabled mobile device via a Web browser. The feature will be included in future shipments and all current owners of Wi-Drive can update their own device. This expansion of device support allows a mixture of users’ preferred mobile devices to simultaneously access and share content on the Wi-Drive. With integrated Wi-Fi and four hours of battery life, Kingston Wi-Drive offers great pocket-sized portable storage (up to 64GB) and easy file sharing for any Wi-Fi device including Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android devices, Kindle Fire and more.

In addition to access via browser, Kingston also offers optimized apps for the Wi-Drive providing additional features for users. Wi-Drive App1 for Android OS devices is now available. Due to the variety of Android-based devices, Wi-Drive offers the most versatile experience for users so they can choose between the Web browser and App to access and share their media.

Minor enhancements and fixes have also been made to the apps for Kindle Fire and Apple devices. Current users of these Wi-Drive apps will automatically receive notice of these updates while all new downloads of the apps will be to the new version. The free Wi-Drive Android App is available on Google Play (https://play.google.com/store). It is also available for Kindle Fire on the Amazon Appstore for Android, and for Apple devices in the App Store.

Details and a download of the Wi-Drive hardware CD update are available at http://www.kingston.com/en/support/technical/products?model=WID
A video of the Wi-Drive can be seen at http://youtu.be/CuXNcFJ1nME
Kingston Wi-Drives are backed by a one-year warranty and free technical support. For more information, please visit www.kingston.com/en/.

M1 Prepaid MasterCard combines the conveniences of three cards into one
Talk, Tap and Pay – in collaboration with EZ-Link and MasterCard Worldwide

SINGAPORE, 9 May 2012 – M1, EZ-Link and MasterCard Worldwide today announced the launch of the M1 Prepaid MasterCard card, a multipurpose card that allows users to top up M1’s prepaid mobile M Card, make payments for public transit and pay for everyday purchases. The M1 Prepaid MasterCard card is a joint effort by M1, EZ-Link as well as MasterCard Worldwide and it will be available at all M1 Shops from 11 May onwards.

M Card subscribers can top up the M Card on-the-go with the M1 Prepaid MasterCard card, via SMS or through a mobile application on iOS and Android devices. The application can be downloaded from the M1 App Store, iTunes App Store and Google Play. For M Card top ups via this method, customers will receive the highest M Card top up bonus value of up to 28%* in the market.

Besides telecommunication benefits, the M1 Prepaid MasterCard card also delivers the convenience of making purchases and payments at all MasterCard merchants worldwide through its MasterCard prepaid function. It can also be used for transit fare payments on buses, LRT, MRT and selected taxis, payments for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and at car parks with Electronic Payment System (EPS) as well as contactless payments at selected retail and food and beverage merchants island-wide through its ez-link function.

“We are pleased to offer the M1 Prepaid MasterCard card, together with EZ-Link and MasterCard,” said P. Subramaniam, M1’s Chief Marketing Officer. “With no age or income limitations, M Card subscribers, visitors, parents of school-going children and youths, will definitely appreciate a single prepaid card with multiple functional uses on transportation, retail purchases and mobile top-up services.”

“This is the first Telco-Prepaid MasterCard that rewards the cardholder’s spending on the card with airtime bonus. M1 Prepaid MasterCard is perfect for consumers who want to do more with just one card. Since introducing the FEVO Prepaid MasterCard in 2009, EZ-Link has already enabled consumers to enjoy a unique experience of commuting and shopping with a single card. With this new partnership with M1, we have taken a step further, allowing consumers to also benefit from additional airtime bonuses of up to 28%* whenever they top up their M Card, as well as the convenience of registration, topping up and checking of balance on-the-go with the mobile phone.” said Mr. Nicholas Lee, Chief Executive Officer, EZ-Link Pte Ltd.

“The M1 Prepaid MasterCard card is yet another effort by MasterCard to make payments safe, simple and smart for all. Powered by MasterCard PayPassTM, this card combines the functionalities of three cards into one, bringing greater convenience and peace of mind. For example, parents can directly transfer funds to the M1 Prepaid MasterCard card to cover the monthly expenses for their children, from public transport allowance to mobile phone bills – while tracking their expenditure for better budgeting and finance management,” said Julienne Loh, Vice President and Country Manager, Singapore, MasterCard Worldwide.

The M1 Prepaid MasterCard card will be launched at the introductory price of $25 and comes with a prepaid value of $20 (Usual price is S$32.84).

Value top-ups of up to $1,000 may also be conducted at any of the 750 AXS stations, M1 shops, SingPost locations and online: https://prepaidmastercard.m1.com.sg/

AMD is set to launch its latest A series APUs codenamed Trinity in May and will initially only release models for notebooks with models for desktops to wait until August, while the company’s 40nm tablet PC processors codenamed Hondo is set to launch in the fourth quarter to timely fit in with the release of Windows 8, according to sources from notebook players.

The Trinity processors adopt a Piledriver structure and will have a 25% improvement in overall performance and 50% in graphics performance comparing to the existing Llano processors, noted the sources.

AMD is set to launch its desktop Trinity processors including A10-5800K, A10-5700, A8-5600K, A8-5500, while will also releasing A6 (Weatherford) and A4 (Richland) series processors. All these processors are manufactured by Globalfoundries, adopting a 32nm process.

In June, AMD will release low-power consumption, entry-level Brazos 2.0 – the new C and E series processors including 18W E2-1800 (1.7GHz) and E1-1200 (1.4GHz). In the third quarter, AMD will release new FX series processors including FX-8350, FX-6300 and FX-4320.

After Bulldozer, AMD will release Steamroller structure in 2013 and Excavator in 2015 and for notebook processors, the company will launch Kaveri processors to replace Trinity and Kabini APUs to replace Brazos 2.0.

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