Intel Sandy Bridge-E 6-Core in Q3 2013, New 4-Core Inbound

Though not precisely in official capacity, a few of the rumors we have reported and speculated on recently, concerning Intel's processor plans, have been confirmed.

For one, last week we mentioned how the Haswell-EP processors were scheduled for release in 2014, allowing Sandy Bridge-E a longer market life. Secondly, we learned that a Sandy Bridge-E SKU was in the making, called Core i7- 3970X, but we did not have all relevant info on it and could only guess at when it would be available. The folks at VR-Zone are the people responsible for clarifying most things concerning these two matters, having published a roadmap slide. The Core i7-3970X, being a Sandy Bridge E with 6 cores, will have 12 threads, a clock speed of 3.5 GHz, a Turbo Boost frequency of 4 GHz and a cache memory of 15 MB. It is compatible with the LGA 2011 socket (X79 motherboards, present and future) and needs 150W of energy to work. Its release is set for the fourth quarter of the year.

All in all, it is essentially a stronger incarnation of the Core i7-3960X, which comes with 3.3 GHz / 3.4 GHz Turbo performance, albeit lower energy requirements (130W). There is one last thing we need to talk about here, and that is the Core i5-3350P CPU, based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. It will have the integrated GPU disabled but more than decent computing prowess, with its 4 cores, 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading), 3.1 GHz frequency, 3.3 GHz Turbo Boost overclocking and 6 MB of L3 cache. Intel's chip will be compatible with socket LGA 1155 mainboards and will need 69W of energy.

It is interesting to see that Intel's roadmap labels the Core i5-3350P as a Q4 product. Due to fiscal/calendar year incongruity, however, fourth quarter doesn't mean the same period of time for everyone. Long story short, it is most likely that, like Ivy Bridge-E, the i5-3350P will be released in the third quarter.

Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 and Sandy Bridge-E scheduled for Q3
Image credits to Intel

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Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Multiple-User Support

One of the features that Google’s latest Android release (4.1 Jelly Bean) comes with is support for multiple users, a feature that can be enabled in AOSP builds, it seems.

Some enthusiasts over at XDA-Developers have already played with the capability a bit, and provided us with more info on what secondary accounts on the phone have access to. Apparently, they are not able to access data from the first account, including photos, contacts, music, shared app data and home screen layouts.

However, it appears that they will be able to access SMS messages from the first account, as well as recent apps and the default applications, which might be seen as a major privacy issue. For the time being, the multi-user capability of Android is not ready for deployment, it seems, but users can have a look at how it works in the video embedded above.

[HOWTO] Enable Multiple User Accounts in Jellybean: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1807751 

Video credits to zanderman112

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Plextor M5P Series Benchmark

The next generation of SSDs from Plextor, the highly anticipated M5P series have finally been tested and the results confirm that the performance is quite a bit better the new Intel-based M5S and the Toshiba-based favorite M3P series.

Plextor’s M5P series is the new top preforming SSD line from the Japanese company and, like many expected, this marks a new collaboration with Japanese NAND manufacturer Toshiba. Technologically speaking, Toshiba’s Toggle DDR MLC NAND is the fastest NAND widely available tech. The new drives feature large amounts of DDR3-1333Mhz DRAM cache and the 256 GB model tested by the hardware experts at expreview.com has 256 MB of such DRAM on board. The top of the line 512 GB model comes with 768 MB or DDR3-1333Mhz DRAM, but it’s the 256 GB model that’s being dissected in this testing session. Plextor’s M5P series uses the newer Marvell  88SS9187 chipset that offers better IOPS random 4K performance and this is the same chip used in OCZ’s famous Vertex 4 series.

The results confirm that the performance is considerably better than what the Plextor M3P was able to offer and supposedly better than the current mid-range M5S series using Intel-made NAND. The new drive uses 19nm NAND and we would really like to know a P/E cycle rating for the M5P series, but such information is not available yet. However, buyers shouldn’t worry about Plextor’s new drive failing too soon as the company is bold enough to back their new products with an impressive 5-year warranty. The pricing is expected to be right in line with what the M3P was priced initially, but at the moment there is no definite info on the official pricing. Make sure you check out here all the benchmark results obtained by the guys at expreview.com.

Plextor M5P Performance SSDs Powered by Marvell 88SS9187 Controller
Images credits to Expreview

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Mahjong, Minesweeper, and Solitaire Screenshots in Windows 8 RTM

The final flavor of Windows 8, set to become commercially available on October 26th and currently released to manufacturing, will arrive with a variety of software packed inside.

We have already had the chance to have a look at some of the applications that Microsoft will include inside the platform, but it appears that there will be more software for users to enjoy. Windows 8 is expected to hit shelves with support for various Xbox LIVE and non-Xbox LIVE games, many of which will be available for download through the Windows Store. Microsoft did include some games in the pre-release flavors of Windows 8, but only few of them were actually available for users to enjoy.

In the upcoming platform release, however, there will be more games for users to take advantage of; at least this is what recently leaked screenshots unveiled. At least three games that should already be highly familiar to Windows users appear set to make it to Windows 8 when it hits the market, namely Mahjong, Minesweeper, and Solitaire. The aforementioned screenshots were taken from the Windows Store, yet they emerged over at the Neowin forums. All three games look pretty appealing, that's for sure. Of course, these are only some of the games that Windows 8 users would be able to take advantage of, even on Windows RT devices, which won’t allow for legacy applications to be installed.

While leading game publishers deem Windows 8 as a failure when it comes to gaming, most probably seeing the new WinRT development environment as limiting their possibilities, it seems that users would still have a lot of options when it comes to leisure. For Windows 8 users, games will be easily findable through apps such as Xbox Live, allowing them to get the most out of their spare time. In the meantime, have a look at how the aforementioned Mahjong, Minesweeper, and Solitaire games will look like in Windows 8 and let us know what you think of them.

Microsoft Solitaire
Image credits to Neowin forums

Microsoft Solitaire
Image credits to Neowin forums

Microsoft Minesweeper
Image credits to Neowin forums

Microsoft Minesweeper
Image credits to Neowin forums

Microsoft Mahjong
Image credits to Neowin forums

Microsoft Mahjong
Image credits to Neowin forums

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HTC One X+ with 1.7 Ghz CPU and Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, Confirmed

Previously known as HTC Era 42, the One X+ leaked about a week ago along with some of its specs. Unfortunately, there was no confirmation on the smartphone's hardware and software configuration until today.

The folks over at LandOfDroid have just discovered a NenaMark2 benchmark of an unannounced Android smartphone, the HTC PM63100. This PM63100 is also known as HTC One X+, the same device that leaked several days ago. Initial rumors claimed the smartphone will be equipped with an Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset that packs a 1.7 GHz processor. No word on the amount of memory and storage, but we expect to come with at least 1GB of RAM and, hopefully, microSD card slot for memory expansion. The benchmark score is the first confirmation that the One X+ is an improved version of the HTC One X, which is now among the most popular Android smartphones available in the United States. We also know that One X+ will boast an HD display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution and 16 million colors support.

There's more to it, as the smartphone won't be shipped with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich platform out of the box, as we previously thought. According to this NenaMark2 benchmark, the HTC One X+ will be powered by Google's latest Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean operating system. So far, that's about all info we have on the upcoming HTC One X+, but we expect more details on the phone's specs sheet will emerge soon. It is also worth mentioning that the device is expected to arrive at T-Mobile USA, but LandOfDroid also claims the smartphone will make its way to AT&T's airwaves as HTC Evitaire (or Evita). While we don't have any confirmation on this one, we can safely assume the Taiwanese handset maker would want to release this high-end device through as many retail channels as possible.

HTC One X+ benchmark results
Image credits to LandofDroid

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Windows Server 2012 RTM Leaks Too

A few days ago, Windows 8 was announced to have reached RTM status, and the final code of the platform leaked on the web shortly after.

Today, we learn that the same has happened with the RTM flavor of Windows Server 2012 as well, and that it can already be found on various sharing websites out there. The Windows Server 2012 build that was spotted online weighs 3.23 GB and is compatible only with x64 systems. The build includes both Standard and Datacenter editions of Windows Server 2012, a recent article on Neowin reports. Microsoft announced four different Windows Server 2012 SKUs set to hit the market in the coming months, namely Foundation, Essentials, Standard and Datacenter. With the availability of the RTM flavor of the OS, OEMs can start building server products that can take full advantage of the features and capabilities packed inside the new platform.

The final flavor of the operating system will become available on September 4th, the Redmond-based software giant announced. In fact, the company also unveiled that it planned on holding a special launch event on that day, for all those who are interested in learning more on the new product to attend. The same as Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 will come to the market with a series of Metro UI elements packed inside. There are also a series of screenshots available with the leaked Windows Server 2012 build for your viewing pleasure. You can find them on wzcat.info.

It’s yet uncertain how the final code of for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 leaked online, but the move is not surprising, that’s for sure. After all, the two new platform releases promise a complete new experience and a new way for people all around the world to look at their computers, especially with the wide range of touch optimizations that Microsoft has packed them with.

Windows Server 2012 RTM
Images credits to WZCat.info

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IBM Dominates High-Speed Multi-Core Computing with 5.5 GHz System Z

IBM is the company whose processors are found in many of the world's supercomputers, including the greatest ever, thanks largely to the System z and Power7 platforms.

If what we are reading here is true, we have something massive to look forward to this month. Long story short, IBM will demonstrate the System “zNext” processor capable of operating at 5.5 GHz, above even the 5.2GHz z196 that has been IBM's best since its launch in 2010. Moreover, there will be Power7+ processors up to 20 percent faster than the long-running and famous Power7 (whose limit is of 4.14 GHz peak clock rate).

We'll learn more about the architecture, the different models and their number of cores once the conference begins on August 27 (it ends on August 29), 2012.  That said, Intel and AMD might want to overhaul their Xeon and Opteron series if they mean to stay in the game.

IBM has come far since it made these 5 MB HDD
Image credits to IBM

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ClearOS Community 6.3.0 Available for Download

Peter Baldwin from the ClearFoundation announced yesterday, August 3, that ClearOS Community 6.3.0 is now available for download.

After ClearFoundation renamed their distribution, just a few weeks ago, to ClearOS Community, now they released a new version, 6.3.0. ClearOS 6.3.0 comes primarily with new applications that focus on mail server stack. Based on Zarafa for ClearOS solution, users can now implement a private cloud mail server using this distribution. Among the new applications added to the operating system we can enumerate the following: Zarafa Community for ClearOS, Mail Antivirus, Mail Antispam, Antispam Updates, Greylisting, and more.

The commercial version, ClearOS Professional 6.3.0 includes a series of important applications as well: Zarafa Professional for ClearOS, Mail Antimalware Premium powered by Kaspersky and Gateway Antimalware Premium powered by Kaspersky. A complete changelog can be found in the official announcement. Download ClearOS Community 6.3.0 right now via links below.


ClearOS 6.3.0 (ISO) 32-bit [596 MB]
ClearOS 6.3.0 (ISO) 64-bit [633 MB]

ClearOS Community 6.3.0 interface
Image credits to ClearOS

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Windows 8 RTM Apps in New Screenshots

With Windows 8 already released to manufacturing, all that we need to do is to sit tight and wait for the Redmond-based software giant and its hardware partners to start pushing new products out on October 26th.

In the meantime, however, we’re somehow left wondering of the latest changes that the platform has suffered since the delivery of the Release Preview. We already knew that there would be a series of performance improvements included in the final bits, along with various graphical changes, and, of course, updated applications. These are apps built by Microsoft themselves using the Windows 8 style (apparently, the company is no longer using the Metro-style term when referring to them) and some of them have been included in the platform since Consumer Preview, although they did not actually work. In Windows 8 Release Preview, we had the chance to have a better look at some of these applications, including Bing, Photos, Videos, Music, or Mail, Calendar, People, and Messaging.

Today, screenshots of the updated flavors of these applications, which have been included in the Windows 8 RTM and which will make it in the final flavor of the OS, have made an appearance online. Apparently, they come from the official software portal that accompanies the platform, and were found by some members of the Neowin forum. In the two months that passed between the launch of Windows 8 as a Release Preview and the availability of the RTM flavor, Microsoft appears to have been hard at work polishing these “Windows 8 style” apps. In the screenshots attached to this post, you’ll be able to have a look at the new face of Microsoft’s Xbox Music, Video, and SmartGlass software, as well as at the new built-in Bing app, and at some of the changes that were brought to the Mail, Calendar, People and Messaging apps.

Although built-in into the final flavor of Windows 8, these will also be present in the Windows Store, which was upgraded to RTM status as well, and which is now accepting both paid apps and software coming from businesses.

Windows 8 RTM apps  (Windows Store )
Image credits to Neowin forums

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ASUS New S Series UltraBook with Hybrid Storage and Nvidia Optimus

ASUS is very popular in the mobile space after making history with its well-known and highly appreciated Transformer tablets and Zen line of UltraBooks. What we were missing in the Zen UltraBook ASUS brings in the new S UltraBook Series.

The new mobile computers from the well-known mainboard manufacturer are quite a bit thicker than the popular Zen and Transformer devices, but they bring the much needed extra performance, functionality and screen size. We would all like to see 17” notebooks as thin as ASUS’ Zen, but we believe we’ll have to wait for another decade for something like that. The new S series is just 21 mm thick (0.827 inches) and currently only has two members, the S46 and the S56. Both models have the same thickness and we have to commend ASUS for that.

Probably the most important aspect related to functionality is the fact that these UltraBooks, despite being quite thin and light, both come with an optical disc drive (ODD). This is one issue where we will never agree with Intel about UltraBooks. Maybe in tablets or netbooks the ODD can be left out of the configuration, but a notebook is a versatile productivity device and there’s not much versatility if you can’t listen to your CD or watch a DVD. Productivity is also lacking, for example, if you need to make some CDs for your business meeting so that everybody attending can work with the same material. If the ODD is missing how could you achieve that? It’s not practical to hand out ten or more USB thumb drives and it’s quite unprofessional not to be able to backup your data on the go without having to carry around a 2 kg external HDD or upload sensitive data through unsecured networks onto online virtual drives.

A notebook without an ODD is not a notebook in our opinion and, to ASUS’ credit, the S series are true notebooks. The processor is, of course, Intel’s Ivy Bridge and the GPU is Nvidia’s GeForce 600M. The screen has a mediocre 1366 by 768 pixel resolution and the whole thing is made of plastic. The reader should not take this as a negative aspect, as the S series are quite sturdy devices and the looks are appealing.  The palm rest is made of aluminum, and we’re hoping that underneath it there is no more plastic so that the aluminum could help with the heat dissipation. ASUS says that the storage system is a “fast-response hybrid SSD/hard drive storage system,” but it doesn’t give any more details in the official press release. There is no official information on pricing yet.

ASUS New S Series UltraBook Powered by Intel Ivy Bridge and Nvidia GeForce 600M
Images credits to NotebookCheck

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Apple iPhone 5 Using Insane Glass

Part supplier ETrade Supply has obtained the front glass part of Apple’s next-generation iPhone and, after putting it through a series of tests, concluded that it’s almost impossible to break or scratch.

The supplier did some exhaustive measurements and found that the iPhone 5 glass lens is 90.25mm long, 51.60mm wide, while the iPhone 4S part is 76.65mm and 51.60mm. The display area is larger, from 3.61 inches in the iPhone 4S to 4.065 inches in the iPhone 5. Because the glass is thinner in the iPhone 5, “the transmittance of iPhone 5 glass lens is higher than that of iPhone 4S,” says ETrade Supply.

The camera hole has been moved from the left side to the right middle above the speaker and, compared to the iPhone 4S, it narrows a little bit. The light sensor hole also moves from the top to the left side of receiver, and the diameter of home button hole of iPhone 5 glass lens has narrowed by 0.3mm, says the company.

Article of iphone5 glass lens at http://blog.etradesupply.com/new-video-of-iphone-5-glass-lens-leaks/  Those are called "finger cots". They're used in the medical field and also in any industry where fine machinery is assembled, like mechanical watches or compact electronics. They allow for more dexterity than a whole glove, while stopping skin oils from contaminating the parts. 

This video show the detailed comparison between iPhone 5 glass lens and iPhone 4s glass lens, for more info of this video and iPhone 5 parts, please visit http://www.etradesupply.com

Some changes in iPhone 5 compared with iPhone 4s

1. Size:   
• iPhone 4s: Height: 76.65mm Width: 51.60mm Display area: 3.6 inches Thickness: 0.9mm
• iPhone 5: Height: 90.25mm Width: 51.60mm Display area: 4.065 inches Thickness: 1.00mm
2. Transmittance:  iPhone 5 is better compared with iPhone 4s
3. The camera hole of iPhone 5 glass lens moves from the left side to the right middle above the receiver. 
4. The light sensor hole moves from the top to the left side of receiver. Also, it becomes very small.
5. Home button
• The diameter of home button hole of iPhone 5 glass lens is narrowed 0.3mm. That is to say the iPhone 5 home button will become smaller and the iPhone 4S home button will not fit for iPhone 
6. Anti scratch ability:  The anti-scratch ability of iPhone 5 is better than iPhone 4s

Cited from http://www.iphone5parts.net

Video credits to etradesupply

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