At it’s pre-E3 2016 conference, Microsoft announced the long awaited shift of its console model. In a nutshell, Xbox is becoming an regularly-refreshed product just like the Surface line of tablets and convertible PCs. Future Xbox refreshes will occur in an annual cycle, moving to a strategy that Intel used to call “Tick-Tock”. Just like Intel, Microsoft plans to release a high-end version of the console first, followed by a slimmed down version. Microsoft did not disclose the exact refresh cycle strategy, but we would not be surprised if the company decides to use E3 as the place where their annual or bi-annual refreshes will be announced. The exact
From HPC to HTPC: Can HTPC Become Your Main PC?
In the world of computing, the big iron – workstations, servers and HPC, were my main focus for the most of the past three decades. However, something on the opposite end of the spectrum from HPC, the kind of uber-mini desktop device, even smaller than HTPC – attracted my attention. This miniature box platform, using laptop CPU and chipset platforms & integration, but desktop peripherals and connectivity, is called many names: from NUC (Next Unit of Computing) by Intel, whose ex-desktop mainboard division is in charge is this product line; to Gigabyte’s BRIX line, likely named in the honor of their ex director and our
LG Launches FreeSync’ed 4K Display with Quad Split Screen
While all the attention is being spread between Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti and the upcoming AMD Radeon Fury series of graphics cards, perhaps the most important question for computer users, be them gamers or professionals is – what is the ideal display form them? The answer (at least for AMD users) might come from South Korea, in a form of brand new LG 27MU67, a 27-inch, 68.5cm diagonal 4K panel intended for gamers. According to the press release, the manufacturer claims this display is “intended for graphics-intensive gaming and the fast-paced action of the latest first person shooter (FPS) games and Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
Intel’s 2015 Roadmap Conundrum: Tick-Tock is Not a Swiss Clock
In my 30-year career as an IT hardware expert, I’ve seen thousands of roadmaps, leaked, manage-leaked and official alike. Many were on target, yet still quite a few headed for the “failed” dustbin. Among all of them, Intel’s “tick-tock” plan was probably the most ambitious one in terms of attempted consistency and predictability. Knowing the multiple interlinked uncertainties of semiconductor process, CPU architecture, ecosystem changes and others, it was a wonder in itself that it lasted for several years, until the major slippages occurred in the Sandy Bridge generation. From then on, not only there were major delays introduced to the high end lines as the
Vizio Releases Low-Priced 4K TV Series
LG Goes With Quantum Dot Technology For Its 4K TVs in 2015
LG’s 4K TV with quantum dot technology will provide a higher color gamut and wider viewing angles.
Get an Acer 4K Monitor for $349
Newegg is running a crazy good deal right now where they are selling an Acer 4K monitor for under $350, which is half of its original sale price.
AMD Partners With Samsung for FreeSync Displays
Today at AMD’s Future of Compute event in Singapore AMD announced that it has partnered with Samsung to put out FreeSync displays.
DirecTV to Deliver 4K Content to Samsung Customers
DirecTV has launched their new 4K content delivery service through their Geniue HD DVR service allowing Samsung owners to watch some 4K content over DirecTV
Qualcomm Wants to Lead Us to 4K
Last week, Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) held a press and analyst event in New York City, spread across the Plaza Hotel and the Hayden Planetarium. It was a combination of a wireless modem workshop with a 4K content push. The day began with presentations from Verizon, Ovum, JPR and Qualcomm. These presentations were followed up by a demo session showing off Qualcomm’s various wireless technological capabilities including their LTE Broadcast capabilities as well as WiGig, which was one of the focal technologies of the day. Later in the evening, Qualcomm held a press event with film makers to talk about 4K as well as the CTO of
Futuremark Releases Fire Strike Ultra 4K Gaming Benchmark
Futuremark has released a new 4K gaming benchmark based on their popular Fire Strike test inside of their 3DMark graphics benchmark suite.
Samsung Outs Amazon 4K UHD Video Service
In an announcement for next month’s for IFA Berlin, Samsung [KRX:005930] has unveiled a slew of 4K UHD streaming video content partners to strengthen its 4K UHD content offerings. As of right now, if you buy a Samsung 4K TV that isn’t one of the curved displays, you won’t get any 4K content at all with your TV. However, if you do buy one of Samsung’s new curved 4K TVs then you get a $300 1TB hard drive filled with 4K content containing five movies. In the announcement, the company announced multiple partners to help expand its 4K content library through streaming capabilities. The services include: Amazon, Netflix, maxdome, Wuaki.tv, and
Samsung's Curved 105" UHD TV is $120,000
No, we didn’t make a typo. Samsung has actually released a 105″ curved UHD TV that will retail for $120,000. This enormous curved UHD TV set is actually not a standard aspect ratio as it actually has a higher resolution than cinematic 4K. Currently, most ‘4K’ TVs are really UltraHD or QuadHD (3840 x 2160 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio). Cinematic 4K, also known as true 4K is 4096×2160 (1.9:1) which is what many in the film industry believe to truly be 4K. However, this new Samsung Smart UN105S9 TV has an astounding resolution of 5,120 x 2,160 which has an aspect ratio of 2.39:1. In addition to