| BAPCo Releases Cross-Platform Benchmarking Tool TabletMark v3 Posted: 18 Nov 2014 05:41 PM PST  Easy-to-use, cross-platform benchmarking tool at your service
Those looking for benchmarking tools capable of working across iOS, Andoid, and Windows tablet devices need look no further. The non-profit consortium BAPCo has released TabletMark v3, the latest iteration of the benchmarking tool that features cross-architecture and cross-platform performance and battery life benchmarks for tablet devices. TabletMark v3 offers results that can be compared across Android, iOS, and Windows 8.1 devices and built so that the test results reflect features and optimizations native to each platform. The benchmarking tool automates activities into three separate usage scenarios: web and email; photo and video sharing; and video playback, with the results being displayed at the end of the run. It also supports 64-bit versions of iOS and Windows 8.1. According to BAPCo, the benchmark makes use of a variety of workloads and data sets in an effort to closely reflect the performance a user could expect when they are performing comparable workloads over a number of real-world applications. It will be interesting to see the results and see how accurately the tests will reflect how a person uses their tablet. TabletMark v3 is currently available for free and can be downloaded from Google Play and the Windows Store. Meanwhile, the iOS version will be coming soon though no date was provided. Follow Sean on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Asus Radeon R9 290 Graphics Card, Intel Core i5 4670K, and More! Posted: 18 Nov 2014 02:41 PM PST |
| HP Gives Envy x2 a Surface-Like Makeover Posted: 18 Nov 2014 12:26 PM PST  HP's take on Microsoft's Surface design
HP's Envy x2 is back, only this time it looks less like a traditional laptop and is more powerful than before. Taking a page from Microsoft's Surface design, the Envy x2 now comes with a kickstand. HP is billing it as a detachable PC with mutiple modes, including an all-in-one mode (detached from the keyboard), notebook mode (attached to the keyboard), and tablet mode (detached from the keyboard and used as a tablet). There are two different models available -- 13t Touch with a 13.3-inch display (1366x768 or 1920x1080) starting at $800 and 15t Touch with a 15-inch display (1920x1080) starting at $750. That's not a typo, the smaller version costs $50 more, though both sport an Intel Core M-5Y10 dual-core processor and 4GB of memory. Other standard features include a 500GB 5400 RPM hybrid hard drive (the 13t comes standard with a 128GB SSD, hence the price difference), 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, backlit wireless keyboard, Beats Audio, Full HD webcam, headphone/microphone combo port, two USB 3.0 ports, SD card reader, HDMI output, and Windows 8.1. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| OCZ Trots Out Vertex 460A SSD Series Using Toshiba A19 NAND Flash Posted: 18 Nov 2014 11:52 AM PST  New NAND chips means a new SSD line
OCZ may have learned a lesson from its competitors that swapping NAND flash memory in an existing solid state drive line tends to irritate customers. Rather than go that route with its Vertex 460 line and risk a public outcry, OCZ this week announced its new Vertex 460A SSD family using newer A19 Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND flash memory chips provided by its parent company, Toshiba. Though no MSRPs were mentioned in the press release, OCZ's intention is to provide a high performance product at a competitive price point. Indeed, the Vertex 460A line sports speed ratings on the upper end of the spectrum for SATA 6Gbps-based drives. Here's a look: - 120GB: 530MB/s read; 420MB/s write; 80,000 IOPS (random read); 90,000 IOPS (random write)
- 240GB: 540MB/s read; 525MB/s write; 85,000 IOPS (random read); 90,000 IOPS (random write)
- 480GB: 545MB/s read; 525MB/s write; 95,000 IOPS (random read); 90,000 IOPS (random write)
The drives feature OCZ's Barefoot 3 controller. According to OCZ, the controller and NAND flash memory combination help the Vertex 460A SSD line stand out from the competition by focusing on real world metrics like sustained performance and mixed workloads OCZ rates the drives as being able to handle 20GB of host writes per day, which it backs with a 3-year ShieldPlus warranty -- if a drive goes bad, OCZ will send an advance replacement with a paid return shipping label. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Meet MICA, Intel's Smart Bracelet for Highly Connected Women Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:38 AM PST  A feminine communications accessory
Intel apparently thinks that geeks get too far lost into the technology of things without thinking about fashion. The solution? MICA, or My Intelligent Communication Accessory, which is Intel's fancy name for a smart bracelet intended for highly connected women. Described by Intel as a "fashionable luxury accessory," the bracelet is composed of precious gems and Ayers snakeskin. Like your typical smartwatch, MICA extends the functionality of a smartphone onto the wrist. It provides access to text messages and notifications of incoming mails from "important contacts" (as designed by Gmail), displays Google Calendar and Facebook event notifications, offers intelligent reminders, and more. "Our pioneering collaboration with Opening Ceremony and the introduction of this category-defining smart jewelry piece advances wearable technology as a distinctively stylish accessory that places importance on both aesthetics and functionality," said Ayse Ildeniz, vice president and general manager for business development and strategy, New Devices Group at Intel Corporation. "MICA captures Intel's philosophy that technology should enhance jewelry in order to make wearable technology truly 'wantable,' in addition to seamless and productive." 
MICA was designed by Opening Ceremony and of course is powered by Intel. It features an 18K gold coating and a curved sapphire glass touchscreen display. Intel says the internal battery can last up to two days, after which you'll need to juice it up via micro USB. So, what about price? Brace yourself -- Intel's asking $495 for MICA, though that also includes a two-year wireless service plan through AT&T. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Nvidia GeForce 344.75 WHQL Drivers Now Available to Download Posted: 18 Nov 2014 09:06 AM PST  Incremental update boosts performance in Far Cry 4
Nvidia's been on a driver-releasing frenzy lately. Following two prior GeForce driver releases already this month, Nvidia has now made available its GeForce 344.75 WHQL driver, its third release in as many weeks. As with previous versions, the focus here is on new games --specifically, installing the GeForce 344.75 driver is supposed to offer the best gaming performance for Far Cry 4, Dragon Age: Inquisition, The Crew, and World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor. According to the release notes (PDF), the driver also introduces support for Multi-Frame Sampled Anti-Aliasing (MFAA) mode. Bug fixes are plentiful, too. The latest driver is supposed to fix an issue that was causing choppy video playback of 3D Blu-ray moves, which is just one of many fixes. However, there are still some open issues that need to be resolved, like video picture-in-picture content not being played within Internet Explorer in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. You can download the latest driver here. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Intel's New Year's Resolution is to Merge PC and Mobile Divisions Posted: 18 Nov 2014 08:35 AM PST  Intel's mobile business hasn't been booming
Intel, the world's largest semiconductor company, is planning to combine its mobile and tablet operations with its personal computers division as part of a reorganization process that will kick off next year. The plan was announced internally through an email sent to employees by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. In it, Krzanich talks about a rapidly evolving market place and the need to "change even faster to stay ahead." The changes will go into effect in early 2015 and expand the role of Kirk Skaugen, a senior vice president in charge of Intel's PC Client Group. Once the merger takes place, Skaugen will oversee a newly created unit called the Client Computing Group responsible for sales of processors and modem chips used in mobile devices, The Wall Street Journal reports. Mobile hasn't been all that kind to Intel. The Santa Clara chip maker's mobile and communications group posted a $1 billion operating loss in the third quarter, with revenues dropping to just $1 million, down from $353 million in the same period a year prior. In stark contrast, Intel's PC client group reporting an operating profit of $4.12 billion, with revenue jumping 9 percent to $9.19 billion. Now that the lines between the two categories are beginning to blur, Intel feels it's necessary to combine its PC and mobile business so it can be more efficient and react faster to market conditions. "We are seeing a blending of the lines between various devices. The idea is to accelerate our efforts for tablets and create greater efficiency," Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy said, according to Wall Street OTC. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
