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Ovi Store Ramps Up Its Game Offerings
Regional contest & platform to help connect gamers across Southeast Asia Pacific countries

SINGAPORE, April 30, 2010 – In tune with the social nature of today’s gaming industry, Nokia’s Ovi Store is making available a slew of free mobile Flash games enhanced for competitive play in a unique collaboration with Singapore-based, multiple-award winning design studio, Breakdesign

In conjunction with the availability of the new Flash games, a series of monthly competitions will be held for four months beginning 7th of May across the South East Asia Pacific region, including Singapore.

“As early as the 1990s, Nokia has connected people through mobile gaming with the Snake game that became a classic over time. Providing a rich mobile gaming experience is integral alongside the most essential, communicative and organizational features of any Nokia handsets,” said Nelson Wee, Regional Services Marketing Manager, Nokia, SEAP.

“With the new games, we’re giving people the chance to connect virtually, and we believe this will resonate very well in light of the importance that social networking applications have in today’s world,” he explained.

“We are thrilled to be part of this exciting opportunity to realize our gaming vision through the Ovi Store. The Flash games we have created for this competition are exclusive on Ovi Store for the next few months. Through these new titles, Breakdesign hopes to infect everyone with our innovation, enthusiasm and spirit of experimentation. Finally, let’s all have fun during the competition!” said Rick Treweek, co-founder of Breakdesign.

The new games lined up for the competition are That Roach Game, Ninjani, Dawn of the Fly, Dawn of the Fly 2, Monsterilla, 10 PM and Horseface.

These titles will make their way to Ovi Store progressively throughout the competition period and are exclusively available on Ovi Store only, until the competition ends in August.

That Roach Game SA, a well known flash game already today, is available on Ovi Store and is also included in the competition.

The game competition is hosted on Breakdesign’s game platform, Barking Seed at www.barkingseed.com.
Participants stand a chance to win one of the 25 prizes monthly, including the Nokia X6, the Nokia BH-216 and exclusive Barking Seed merchandise as well as other attractive prizes.

To participate in the competition, simply download any of the listed flash game titles from Ovi Store (http://bit.ly/dgGQPM) and start submitting scores!

More details can be found at www.barkingseed.com. Gamers can also post messages on the individual “game walls” as well as send fan mail to their favourite Breakdesign game designer from within the game.

The mobile Flash games will be supported by 29 Nokia devices, including an array of full QWERTY, touch and keypad devices.

###

Notes:
Anyone with a valid street address in these countries are eligible for the contest: Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bhutan.

7 Flash Game Titles exclusive to Nokia Ovi Store until August 2010:

1. That Roach Game (Keypad)( http://store.ovi.com/content/30026)

2. Ninjani (Touch & Keypad) (http://store.ovi.com/content/29809)

3. Dawn of the Fly (Keypad) (http://store.ovi.com/content/30027)

4. Dawn of the Fly 2 (Touch)(coming soon)

5. Monsterilla (Touch) (coming soon)

6. 10 PM (Touch) (coming soon)

7. Horseface (Touch) (coming soon)

These flash games are made available globally while the competition is only open to consumers in the South East Asia Pacific region.

Nokia devices supported include the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic, Nokia 5230, the Nokia N97, the Nokia X6, the Nokia N97 Mini and the Nokia E52.

The full list of supported Nokia phone models are available at www.barkingseed.com.

Palm has been saved. Today, HP said it will buy the struggling handset maker for $US1.2 billion.

Shares in Palm (NAS: PALM), which is 30% owned by Elevation Partners – aka the venture cap fund backed by Bono out of U2 – surged 27% in after-hours trading as news of the deal broke (a pop that actually took Palm’s stock beyond HP’s buy price, which represented a 23% premium. Some investors are obviously expecting a higher offer. Or are just not too bright).

We have got confirmation that the HTC Desire will launch on the 14th May 2010 for the Singapore market. It is also expected that this highly anticipated phone will go on the shelves on 15th May which is a Saturday.

So, if you intend to purchase an Android phone, you would probably want to take a closer look at this futuristic phone before deciding to part with your money.

3D TV is not news anymore but 3D mobile phone is. This clamshell phone is capable of displaying 3D and you do not need special glasses to view it.

The Ming is a clam-shell phone with a 2D screen in each half of the handset. Close the phone, and the screens on top of each other present a 3D image. It’s all to do with auto-stereoscopic technology, according to a recent patent.

The MT820 is set to pack Android — which means Ming could soon get Flash after all. These leaked shots show the handset branded with the China Mobile logo.

Source : Cnet UK

Good news for Android users. MOTOROLA and SINGTEL jointly announce the Motorola BackFlip for the Singapore market just an hour ago. This device is the 2nd phone that comes with Motoblur, allowing users to have real time updates of Facebook, twitter on their handsets.

Availability 1st May 2010, Price ranges from S$0 onward for high end plans.

Today Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced the latest addition to its Android™ portfolio: BACKFLIP™ with MOTOBLUR™.   The unique reverse flip design makes it easy to enjoy videos, music and photos, and the QWERTY keyboard allows you to blast through e-mails, texts, news feeds, social network messages and more.

“Since introducing our first MOTOBLUR-based device, we’ve remained focused on differentiating the Android experience and bringing it to new carrier partners around the globe,” said Sanjay Jha, co-CEO of Motorola and CEO of Motorola Mobile Devices. “BACKFLIP maximizes the multi-tasking and multi-functional potential of MOTOBLUR with its unique design elements, making it as smart as it is social.”

MOTOBLUR is Motorola’s Android-powered content delivery service created to make phones more personal and socially smart. It is the first and only solution to sync contacts, posts, messages, photos and much more—from sources such as Facebook®, MySpace, Twitter, Gmail™, work and personal e-mail, and LastFM—and automatically deliver them to the home screen. Content is fed into easy-to-manage streams allowing you to spend less time managing your life and more time living it.

BACKFLIP is designed around the MOTOBLUR experience and provides multiple features to keep phone conversations moving. Multi-tasking has never been easier with BACKFLIP’s reverse-flip QWERTY keyboard and high-res 3.1” HVGA screen—letting you see more and respond faster.  Navigate quickly and easily through menus and features with the new and unique BACKTRACK™ feature. BACKTRACK is a touch panel located on the other side of the device, offering you a new way to scroll through—the Web, texts, e-mails and news feeds without obscuring the home screen.

The truly original design allows BACKFLIP to create new ways to enjoy photos, music and more. In the reverse-flip, tabletop mode, listen to music or view videos hands free. The digital picture frame mode lets you show off your latest adventures. You can even turn BACKFLIP into a bedside alarm clock for your morning wake up call.

BACKFLIP comes fully equipped with the MOTOBLUR features you know and love. The full HTML browser on BACKFLIP’s 3.1” high-res, touch display will be sure to impress, and, with 3G speed and Wi Fi access, you will never be out of the loop. Android Market™ gives you access to more than 18,000 apps and widgets, so you are free to customize BACKFLIP to your liking. Capture the moment with BACKFLIP’s 5 MP camera with flash and easily upload to your favorite photo sharing or social site. Additional extras such as aGPS and stereo Bluetooth¹ make BACKFLIP the complete package.

Finally, MOTOBLUR provides end-users with convenience and peace of mind, as lost devices can be located from a secure personal information portal and even remotely erased if necessary.  Then, one user name and password brings back your contacts, messages and connectivity to your previously configured networks and email providers.

(Singapore, 28 April 2010) – As a leader in innovative technology, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific presents two new Blu-ray disc players, BDP-S470 and BDP-S370, offering consumers incredible Full HD experience like never before. Featuring Internet connectivity with Wi-Fi and access to full-screen Internet videos through Sony BRAVIA Internet Video platform, users can enjoy multimedia entertainment in the comforts of home. And with the BDP-S470 the dream of enjoying 3D Blu-ray movies is now a reality. Both the new Blu-ray disc players also feature an Entertainment Database Browser that allows users to browse details like actor and production information from a Blu-ray disc and access related content found on BRAVIA Internet Video.
“Only Sony can leverage expertise in hardware and content creation to deliver unique entertainment experiences such as 3D and Internet streaming,” says Mr. Maejima Hiromitsu, Senior Manager, Product Planning, Sony Corporation. “Our new Blu-ray disc players bring entertainment to life with a high-quality, innovative design that is stylish enough to enhance any décor.”
 
Immerse in the next dimension with 3DTM-ready Blu-ray
The BDP-S470 is Sony’s first 3D ready Blu-ray disc player, capable of playing 3D Blu-ray disc movies on 3D-enabled TVs. Forget about blurry, colored pictures and cut-out cardboard glasses: 3D from Sony uses advanced picture technology and specialist Active Shutter glasses to create incredibly realistic depth and crisp, vivid Full HD 3D images.
Enjoy extensive multimedia entertainment in Full HD
Expanding the Full HD content available to Blu-ray disc players, the new BDP-S470 and BDP-S370 are able to instantly stream movies, videos and music when connected to a broadband Internet network. Users can enjoy a variety of popular online content from YouTube™, DailyMotion, eHow, and over 18 providers[2] through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video platform. The new models also feature Sony’s Entertainment Database Browser using Gracenote™ technologies that allow users to conveniently browse details like actor and production information from a Blu-ray disc and access related content found on BRAVIA Internet Video platform. For accessing online content wirelessly, both the BDP-S470 and BDP-S370 require an optional Wi-Fi dongle which is sold separately.
 
Additionally, users can simply plug an external Hard Disk Drive or any USB-enabled device into the front or rear USB ports of the Blu-ray disc players to enjoy movies, music or photos through the TV or home theatre system. With Blu-ray compatibility extended to an even larger range of file types, including DivX HD, SA-CD and MKV format, users will find it easier than ever to share personal entertainment throughout the home.
 
Indulge in convenience with “BD Remote”, Quick Start, and faster loading speeds
Unique to the BDP-S470 and BDP-S370, the Blu-ray disc players can be easily controlled with an iPhone® or iPod®[3] Touch device, using a free app called “BD Remote” that can be downloaded from the Apple App store. The app allows an iPhone/iPod Touch to function as a remote control that includes the ability to access a Blu-ray Disc’s details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for additional video clips online.
 
The new Blu-ray disc players also offer improved boot up and disc loading performance. When the Quick Start feature is turned on, the Blu-ray disc players are able to boot up in three seconds and, depending on the particular disc, the players loading time has been significantly reduced compared to previous models.
 
Show off home interior with elegant, minimalist-designed home entertainment system
Sony’s new range of Blu-ray disc players is designed in the impressive Monolithic Design style. Composed of luxurious materials and a beautiful surface finish, the Monolithic Design concept is a distinctive feature of Sony’s new home entertainment line-up for 2010. The new Blu-ray disc players are made to blend in gracefully with interior design and create a sense of space.
The new BDP-S470 and BDP-S370 will be available in selected Asia Pacific countries from June 2010 (BDP-S470) and May 2010 (BDP-S370)

iTunes 9.1.1

About iTunes 9.1.1

iTunes 9.1.1 provides a number of important bug fixes, including:

• Addresses several stability issues with VoiceOver
• Addresses a usability issue with VoiceOver and Genius Mixes
• Addresses issues with converting songs to 128 kbps AAC while syncing 
• Addresses other issues that improve stability and performance

SHA1 Mac = d240d0326941592b21b0303a65c8a266092c6faa

SHA1 Windows = ad740fb89cef03743e698dba0dd6370b8c4bb677

SHA1 Windows (64bit) = f33c2ab507844cec611b02202110f50f2baae302

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

iTunes 9.1 comes with several new features and improvements, including:

• Sync with iPad to enjoy your favorite music, movies, TV shows, books and more on the go
• Organize and sync books you’ve downloaded from iBooks on iPad or added to your iTunes library
• Rename, rearrange, or remove Genius Mixes

Exclusive : ASRock AMD 785G+SB750 boards can enabled the hidden cores on Phenom II X4 960T turning it into a 6 core processor ?

Is that possible with ACC enabled since SB750 still supports ACC AOD which in turn enabled hidden cores no Phenom II 550BE or Phenom II X3 710.

The answer is … stay tuned to OCWORKBENCH and discuss it in our forums at http://forums.ocworkbench.com

– GIGABYTE Unveils Industry-leading AMD 800 Series Motherboards –  
– Featuring 4-Way CrossfireX, CPU Core Auto Unlock, On/Off Charge for iPhones, USB 3.0, 3x USB Power and more… –
 
Taipei, Taiwan, April 27, 2010 – GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards and other computing hardware solutions today unveiled an exciting range of motherboards based on the highly anticipated AMD 890FX, 880G and 870 chipsets. The new models are the GA-890FXA-UD7, GA-880GMA-UD2H and GA-870A-UD3, all of which support the AMD Phenom™ II X6 six-core processors, native SATA 6Gb/s (via the SB850 Chipset) and ATI CrossFireX™/Hybrid CrossFireX™ multi-GPU technologies. The new additions also boast unique GIGABYTE technologies such as Auto Unlock that enables hidden CPU cores, On/Off Charge for enhanced iPhone/ iPad/iPod Touch charging, USB 3.0 and 3x USB power that distinguish them as industry leaders in this market segment.
 
As the flagship model for the series, the GA-890FXA-UD7 is designed to appeal to extreme overclockers, gamers and tech enthusiasts who demand only the latest, most advanced equipment. It features the AMD 890FX + SB850 chipset combination with support for 4-way ATI CrossFireX™ on an XL-ATX form factor and the highest quality 8+2 CPU VRM power phase design that handles 140W CPU power requirements with ease. In addition, the GA-890FXA-UD7 comes with the unique Hybrid Silent Pipe that allows for highly efficient system cooling without generating fan noise. Other noteworthy features include GIGABYTE 333 Onboard Acceleration technologies, onboard debug LEDs, and support for DDR3 1866.
 
For media center enthusiasts, the GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-UD2H motherboard features ATI Radeon™ HD 4250 integrated graphics that offers exceptional power efficiency and versatile high definition graphics configurations for the living room. ATI Radeon™ HD 4250 graphics includes support for Microsoft® DirectX® 10.1, for next generation features and performance that make this solution a leader in its class. The GA-880GMA-UD2H can also accommodate discrete VGA cards with ATI Hybrid CrossFireX™ for those enthusiasts who want to play demanding games on their media centers.
 
Auto Unlock GIGABYTE Auto Unlock technology features a unique Core Boost micro-processor that enables the CPU’s hidden cores (when available), effectively providing a CPU upgrade while running multi-threaded applications or multi-tasking. More information is available from the official GIGABYTE motherboard web page. 
“The GIGABYTE 800 series motherboard line-up is one of the most exciting launches we’ve had in a while due to the sheer number of unique new features, from both AMD and GIGABYTE, that make their debut on these products,” commented Tim Handley, Deputy Director of Motherboard Marketing at GIGABYTE Technology Co. Ltd. “Perhaps the most interesting of these is On/Off Charge, the first of many unique features derived from GIGABYTE 3x USB Power technology. On/Off Charge USB ports will make their way onto a majority of GIGABYTE motherboard models in the coming months as a standard feature that iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users can look for when they upgrade their PCs.” 
On/Off Charge GIGABYTE On/Off Charge allows iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users to charge their devices from the USB ports of their PC regardless of whether it is on or off. This capability is enabled by the On/Off driver utility combined with a dedicated white and red On/Off Charge USB port connector that connects to two front panel USB ports for user convenience. In addition, GIGABYTE 3x USB Power technology allows these users to enjoy faster device recharging by tripling the current that is available from all USB ports.
 
USB 3.0 Support
The GIGABYTE AMD 800 series motherboards support USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed USB) via an onboard NEC uPD720200 host controller. With superfast transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps, users are able to experience an almost 10x improvement over USB 2.0. Additionally, backwards compatibility with USB 2.0 assures users of continued use of their legacy USB 2.0 devices. The onboard NEC SuperSpeed USB technology also provides new power management features that include increased maximum bus power and device current draw to better accommodate power-hungry devices.
 
3x USB Power Boost
The GIGABYTE AMD 800 series motherboards feature a 3x USB power boost, delivering greater compatibility and extra power for USB bus powered devices. GIGABYTE’s unique USB power design is also able to efficiently regulate output over the full voltage range, which greatly enhances USB device operation and compatibility. In addition, dedicated lower resistance fuses ensure lower voltage drops, and provide more stable and plentiful power delivery.
 
SATA 6 Gbps Support
GIGABYTE AMD 800 series motherboards feature 6 ports of high-speed native SATA Revision 3.0 with 6 Gbps link speeds for twice the data transfer rates of SATA Revision 2.0 (3 Gbps). Moreover, they support multiple RAID configurations that include RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 that provide users with a range of choices for high performance or high reliability data storage. 
 
A list of XL-ATX suitable cases is available on the GA-890FXA-UD7 web page. More information about the GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD7, GA-880GMA-UD2H and GA-870A-UD3 motherboards is available from their respective product web pages. More information about GIGABYTE On/Off Charge and 3x USB Power is available from http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/WebPage/mb_on-off-charge/on-off-charge.htm and www.usb3motherboard.com.

A few months ago, Motorola launched the Milestone in Hong Kong and Singapore (Mar).  Motorola will launch a new Android phone tomorrow in Hong Kong. We also have word that there is a launch event in Singapore tomorrow but we suspect they will launch the BackFlip instead.

It is suspected that the new phone is the XT701. The XT701 is very similar to the Milestone except that it doesn’t come with a slide out keyboard. It has a 3.7″ screen with 5 mega pixel camera. For Milestone users who have been complaining about the lack of a Chinese interface, the XT701 comes with a full Chinese interface and it is preloaded with Android 2.1

We anticipate that the Milestone XT701 to be an exclusive deal with Hong Kong’s Vodaphone-Smartone, the suggested retail price in HK is HKD 3980.

ASUS Unveils New 890FX Based Motherboards
Motherboard Innovator Extends Its Leading Expertise to Enabling Full CPU Potential with Turbo Unlocker and Core Unlocker
 
ASUS once again provides timely, optimized solutions to utilize incoming technology from AMD, supporting the chip maker’s new six-core CPU design. Exclusive features added to ASUS 890FX motherboards realize the hexa-core architecture’s capabilities to the fullest degree.
 

ASUS ROG Crosshair IV Formula

 
Better Performance Achieved
Both ROG Crosshair IV Formula and M4A89TD PRO include the AMD 890FX chipset and deliver thrilling PC performance through award-winning ASUS exclusives Core Unlocker and Turbo Unlocker, empowering users with on-demand overclocking and performance boosts for greater CPU capabilities in real time. Combined with the potential of the new design from AMD, these motherboards provide an experience like no other.
 

ASUS M4A89TD PRO

 
Unrivalled CPU Unlocking Leadership
ASUS shows the way in extreme PC performance with the inclusion of Core Unlocker on new 890FX boards. This technology has garnered much acclaim from international media since its inception, and remains the most reliable and successful way to unlock additional cores for performance improvements on motherboards using the AMD 800-series chipset. Core Unlocker makes it possible to turn a budget quad-core version of a CPU into a full six-cores for significant computing gains*.
 
It is accompanied by Turbo Unlocker, an intelligent overclocking engine that opens up CPU performance instantly by CPU core ratio when engaged in heavy computing or intensive tasks, including gaming.
 
Speaking on the inclusion of these two unique tools, Joe Hsieh, General Manager of Motherboard Business with ASUS, said: “ASUS will never stop developing the friendliest and most performance-boosting features available to consumers, whether enthusiasts, beginners or anyone else. Both Core Unlocker and Turbo Unlocker realize CPU potential, making them ideal for users looking for the best value on the best performance motherboards around.”
 
Real Time Boost on All Phenom II Black Edition CPUs (2/3/4/6 Cores)
Turbo Unlocker represents the next evolution of performance tuning from ASUS. Designed for AMD Black Edition and 6-core processors equipped with an unlockable multiplier, it intelligently adjusts CPU clock speeds with one-click input from users to attain even more computing power. When running single-core optimized applications, Turbo Unlocker dynamically adjusts resources and ensures maximum performance on dedicated cores. For multi-threaded applications, all cores supercharge to the highest performance available. Performance gains occur dynamically and instantly based on actual system conditions, so overclocking is always safe and stable.
 
Turning Four Cores into Six
Using a switch on both new motherboards, award-winning Core Unlocker is an ASUS exclusive that leads to fast and easy performance gains through the activation of latent CPU cores. One press sets Core Unlocker going as it scans the CPU for additional cores and puts them to work for major computational gains. Heavy multitasking, rendering and gaming go faster and better with additional cores available, as Core Unlocker can turn a dual-core CPU into a tri or quad, or turn quad-core versions into a full six-cores for significant computing gains*. In many cases Core Unlocker has demonstrated up to 103% in added performance—it is a supremely capable technology that injects great value into these motherboards.
 
Faster than Ever Connectivity
Both ROG Crosshair IV Formula and the M4A89TD PRO boast native next-generation data USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s. These super-fast connections bring users into the HD era with the speed and reliability needed to handle large files quickly. The motherboards feature two USB 3.0 ports each, transferring data at up to ten times the speed of USB 2.0, so moving an entire Blu-ray disc (25GB) takes just 70 seconds. SATA 6Gb/s offers twice the throughput of its predecessor, making hard drives noticeably more expedient.
 
With the performance and speed demanded by users constantly rising, these technologies could not have come at a better time.
 
Specifications
ModelASUS ROG Crosshair IV FormulaASUS M4A89TD PRO/USB3
CPUPhenom II/Athlon II/Sempron 100
Socket AM3 Phenom II/Athlon II/Sempron 100
Socket AM3
ChipsetAMD® 890FX/SB850AMD® 890FX/SB850
Memory4 DIMM max 16GB
dual channel DDR3 2000 (OC)/1600/1333/1066 4 DIMM max 16GB
dual channel DDR3 2000(OC)/1600/1333/1066
Power phase8+2 phase6+2 phase
PCIe x16 slots3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (dual x16, triple x16 x8 x8)2 dual x16
Multi-GPUCrossFireXCrossFireX
Gigabit LAN11
AudioSupremeFX X-Fi 8-channel HD8-channel HD
Storage2 x USB 3.0
12x USB 2.02 x USB 3.0
12x USB 2.0
Exclusive featuresCore Unlocker
Turbo Unlocker
ROG Connect
Game First
Turbo Key II
TurboV EVO
EPU
MemOK!
CPU Level Up
SupremeFX X-Fi built-inCore Unlocker
Turbo Unlocker
Turbo Key II
TurboV EVO
TurboV
Express Gate
EPU
Stack Cool 3
MemOK!
CPU Level Up

* Core unlocking results may vary with the CPU used.
 
Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Please visit www.asus.com for more details.

Getting lost in Singapore, you can now use Google Earth view to check out the 3D view of buildings using Google Earth View on your PC. To start viewing, you would need the Earth plugin is currently supported on most Windows and Mac web browsers.

Check out the link for the picture. http://forums.ocworkbench.com/showthread.php?p=462422#post462422

April. 26, 2010, Taipei, Taiwan – ASRock Inc., the global leading motherboard manufacturer today proudly announced its first AMD 890FX motherboard, 890FX Deluxe3, now supporting AMD’s upcoming PhenomII X6 processor. This board comes with everything essential, excellent features include the ASRock unique Turbo UCC function, system performance Turbo 60 technology, UCC function, and it is also a True333 edition that provides USB3.0 (5 Gb/s), SATA3 (6 Gb/s) and eSATA3 technologies. Equipped with luxury components, ASRock 890FX Deluxe3 supports ultimate software solutions and brings you the industry’s most extreme level for gaming, computing and overclocking enthusiasts!

890FX Deluxe3 is an AMD 890FX–based release, with a compact design and exceptional performance! As the global leading motherboard provider, ASRock sets the highest standard of building its first 890FX motherboard – 890FX Deluxe3. Exclusively integrated with an ASRock unique UCC chip, this board is able to support the UCC [Unlock CPU Core] function in BIOS which helps you to upgrade your CPU cores from X2/X3 to X4 and even from X4 to X6 effortlessly. Keep the customization business concept in mind, ASRock 890FX Deluxe3 is designed on the basis of brining zero-cost upgradeability and the unparalleled computing performance!

Carried with AMD 890FX + SB 850 chipsets, 890FX Deluxe3 provides the 8 X SATA3 (6.0 Gb/s) ports ( 6 from SB850, 2 from Marvell), USB 3.0 (5.0 Gb/s) from the industry-leading NEC manufacturer, and eSATA connector is also available on the real I/O. As a lineup of True333 series motherboard, 890FX Deluxe3 can also satisfy you by the faster data transfer speed, storage capability and true computing experience.

Output quality is the key strength in ASRock 890FX Deluxe3. This board adopts 100% Japan-made high-quality conductive polymer capacitors which can extend the motherboard life to at least 2.5 longer. Exclusively equipped with the Cool Heatpipe Design, 890FX Deluxe3 can dissipate heat from CPU power mosfet and northbridge rapidly and make your system running much cooler. If you make the settings in default mode, the Cool Heatpipe fan will be running at the most appropriate speed to reduce the noise automatically. If you were the extreme gamer, don’t worry, you may tune the Cool Heatpipe Fan running speed in BIOS to match your most desired settings as well! For memory aspect, it supports dual channel DDR3 1800(OC) non-ECC, un-buffered memory, with max. capacity up to 16GB. For extreme gaming enthusiasts, 890FX Deluxe3 provides 3 x PCI Express 2.0 X16 slots that could apply ATI Quad CrossFireX, 3-Way CrossFireX and CrossFireX. The rear panel includes connectors for 7.1 ch HD audio (VIA 2020 audio codec with Premium Blu-ray audio support), Coaxial/Optical SPDIF output port, clear CMOS switch with LED, IEEE 1394 port, eSATA3 connector and even available for 4 x NEC SuperSpeed USB3.0 ports.

Other excellent components include 8 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors, 2 x SATA3 are sourced from AMD SB850, support RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and RAID 5), the remaining 2 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s are from Marvell, 1 x Powered eSATAIII/USB2.0 connector, smart switch design (power/reset/clear CMOS switch with LED), Dr. Debug and CPU/Chassis Fan Multi-Speed Control. Additionally, 890FX Deluxe3 has bundled with all ASRock unique software tools include OC DNA, OC Tuner, Instant Boot, Instant Flash, Intelligent Energy Saver, Multi-Speed Fan Control and ASRock Software Suite. Specially introduce here is our newly performance boost technology – Turbo UCC, just simply enabling this function, you can easily enjoy an instant performance boost by our 890FX Deluxe3!

Unlock CPU Cores, Get the Instant Performance Boost and Energy-Saving Overclocking!

Your All-in-one Solution Only with ASRock Turbo UCC Technology!

The ASRock Turbo UCC function literally tells you what it is capable of. ‘Turbo’ means the auto-overclocking function which allows you to get the instant performance boost effortlessly. ‘UCC’ undoubtedly refers to the unlock CPU core function that helps you to upgrade your CPU cores. And the new Turbo UCC function is just the magic combination of these two functions and even brings you one most important key point that is energy-saving feature!

Turbo UCC technology, exclusive from ASRock, can provide you an all-in-one solution to unlock the hidden cpu cores in the CPU, get the amazing system performance boost by auto-overclocking, and running the system in a certainly lower power consumption level as well. When you press “X” when switch on the computer, the system will automatically reboot itself, after that, the system will execute the Turbo UCC function. Enabling Turbo UCC, it will automatically help you to unlock the extra CPU core to enjoy an instant performance boost, and the system performance will boost up by overclocking CPU frequency, memory frequency and all related voltage settings!

Many people will think that it is normal for the high-energy consumption for overlocking or system upgrading process. However, ASRock is now providing something different for you. Our newly Turbo UCC can allow an energy-saving overlocking and CPU upgrading process. As such, ASRock exclusive Turbo UCC technology can satisfy you not only with the ultimate computing performance as well as an energy-saving computing operation!

ASRock 890FX Deluxe3 Makes Unlocking Phenom Cores So Easy

Featuring a unique UCC chip which enables the processor’s hidden cores, 890FX Deluxe3 allows you to enjoy an instant boost and surely “Free” CPU upgrade benefits! ASRock UCC technology revamps a new standard of CPU upgrade revolution. Just a simple switch of the BIOS option ‘UCC’, users can unlock the extra CPU core to enjoy an instant performance boost! Enabling the UCC feature in BIOS, the CPU cores might be upgraded from X2/X3 to X4, X4 to X6, and even some of the CPUs could increase L3 cache size up to 6MB. From performance level to entry level of AMD and NVIDIA motherboards, ASRock has successfully integrated the UCC function onboard! This boost in CPU upgrade will enable unprecedented improvements in the user experience for all series motherboards! (*The success rate of this enhancement depends on the individual CPU.)

ASRock SuperSpeed True333 Technology – Fully deliver USB3.0 and SATA3 bandwidth without sacrificing graphics PCI-E X16 slot bandwidth

890FX Deluxe3 is also belonging to ASRock True333 Series Motherboard. It delivers awesome features for bandwidth-hungry users including faster data transfer speed and better storage capability. Utilizing the world’s best-known computer peripheral interface – SuperSpeed USB3.0 supplied by industry’s leading NEC manufacturer, this board is able to assured users to experience the zero-barrier data transfer computing environment. ASRock True 333 Series Motherboards provide the unparalleled performance with the onboard acceleration of the latest SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (5 Gb/s) technology from NEC with advanced 10X faster speed than USB2.0 device; SATA3 technology from Marvell with up to 6Gbps data transfer speed, and the most convenient connectivity of eSATA3 devices, this series will be the outright performance leader of its class.

Boost Your PC Up to 60% Performance Increase by ASRock Turbo 60

Turbo60, a newly record-breaking technology from ASRock, is able to offer the performance boost up to 60%! ASRock 890FX Deluxe3 provides you everything needed for a system performance. Simply click the Turbo 60 button in BIOS, the system performance will boost up to 60% increase by automatically overclocking CPU frequency, Memory frequency and all related voltage settings! Boost your PC for free? ASRock 890FX Deluxe3 comes with exclusive Turbo UCC, UCC, Turbo 60 and True333 technologies that provides you an all-rounder motherboard solution! (Note: The overclocking performance depends on the system configuration you adopt. We do not guarantee the overclocking performance.)

Save ! save ! save! If really need the maximum performance out of the ASRock 880G Extreme3 board, you can also pair it up with the Phenom II X4 960T.

Similar to the UCC on ASRock 890GX Extreme3 board, the 880G Extreme3 can also do the same trick.

Below is a picture of the CPU-Z, images of it running 3Dmark Vantge, hyperPI etc can be found here in the forum. You can also read the review here.

– GIGABYTE First With iPhone On/Off Charge from 40 Motherboard Models –

– GIGABYTE On/Off Charge Technology Enables iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch Quick Charge While PC is On or Off –

Taipei, Taiwan, April 23, 2010 – GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards and computing hardware solutions demonstrated their continued industry leadership today with the official release of GIGABYTE On/Off Charge technology that enables faster iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch charging. A derivative of GIGABYTE’s highly acclaimed 3x USB Power feature, On/Off Charge technology allows iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices to draw more current from GIGABYTE motherboard USB ports than standard USB ports allow, with the added benefit that the PC can be on, in standby mode or even off.

Many mobile devices can be charged via a desktop PC’s USB ports as long as the system is connected to an active power source, however this is not the case with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Even when the PC is being used and charging is enabled, these devices usually only draw a mere 0.5A for a trickle charge that can take 3 hours or more to fully charge the device. The benefits of GIGABYTE On/Off Charge are that users can reduce their charge time by around 40% while also acting responsibly and shutting down their PC system while it is not in use, e.g. while they sleep.

“We aim to offer our customers the best possible user experience through innovation and superior quality products, and we believe that On/Off Charge will benefit millions of Apple mobile device users around the world,” commented Tim Handley, Deputy Director of Motherboard Marketing at GIGABYTE Technology Co. Ltd. “At GIGABYTE, we are big believers in the convenience and usefulness of USB ports, and that’s why we put so many resources into innovations such as GIGABYTE 3x USB power. Look for more USB innovations from GIGABYTE in the near future!”

GIGABYTE On/Off Charge comes in two flavors: a backwards compatible On/Off Charge driver* that was made available on March 10^th, 2010, from the official GIGABYTE utility web page, and an On/Off Charge front panel connector that will be available on selected soon-to-be-released GIGABYTE motherboards. The On/Off Charge front panel connector features a special controller combined with the On/Off Charge driver that allows the computer to detect the current required by iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch products. The device dictates the current it draws, so there is no threat of overcharging from GIGABYTE 3x USB Power technology. Tests conducted in the GIGABYTE labs have shown various charging speeds with an average charging time saving of around 40%.

GIGABYTE Motherboards Supporting ON/OFF Charge

GIGABYTE will hold a brief technology demo on Tuesday April 27^th at their head office in Taipei to demonstrate On/Off Charge from the On/Off Charge driver and also the On/Off Charge USB port connector. A demonstration video will be available from: http://www.youtube.com/user/MoboTV2010.

The On/Off Charge video as below, please release or share this video, thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN3uVeNIts4

 ASRock 880G Extreme3 Mainboard
Bluetooth 23 Apr 2010

Today, AMD introduces a newer chipset for it’s AMD series of processors, the Phenom II X6 6 core processors. This new chipset AMD 880G / SB850 isn’t something new to most of our readers. If you have been following our news, you would probably aware that this chipset is very similar to the AMD 890GX but with a lower GPU clock speed at 560MHz. Although it is slightly slower, you will be surprised by the GPU stability ~1GHz which most of the 890GX have issues attaining stability without proper cooling.

Anyway, overclocking aside, let’s take a look at what ASRock 880G Extreme3 has to offer. Firstly, this board is Phenom II X6 ready. It supports ATI™ Quad CrossFire™, 3-Way CrossFireX™, CrossFireX™ and Hybrid CrossFireX™ with its Integrated AMD Radeon HD 4250 graphics, DX10.1 Class iGPU, Shader Model 4.1, Max. shared memory 512MB. For connectivity, it has 1 x eSATAIII connector, 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 2 x IEEE1394 ports.

The ASRock 880G Extreme, shares something similar to the 890GX Extreme3. Both supports the ASRock UCC chip unlocking feature. Throw in a Phenom II X3 710 and it becomes a quad core with the feature turned on in BIOS. Likewise a Phenom II 550BE will become a quad core too. This is only made possible with the UCC chip has the ACC feature found in SB750 no longer works on the SB850.

Other than this unique feature, the board also uses 100% Japan-made high-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors. It also supports  Turbo 50 Technology, ASRock Instant Boot, Instant Flash, OC DNA, OC Tuner, IES, Multi-Speed Fan Control.

For the multimedia buffs, this board is suitable for your bluray needs. It has a 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection, DAC with 110dB dynamic range (VIA® VT2020 Audio Codec with QSound) , Premium Blu-ray audio support and it has a free Software: CyberLink DVD Suite – OEM and Trial; Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB – Trial.

Below are pictures of the packaging and on next pages, we present you the mainboard layout, chipests on board and BIOS options available.

Go to page 2 >>>

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Earlier this month, HTC Legend goes on sale in Singapore. There were already speculations that the higher specification phone HTC Desire should reach Singapore as early as May.

An invitation has been sent out to media of an impending press event to be held on the 14th May 2010. It is speculated that the event should be the launch event of HTC Desire. No price information is available right now but we expect the telecom operators will be gearing up for another war for the Android fans.

So will you go for the HTC Desire or wait for the HTC Incredible ? Post your views here.