AMD Richland APUs Appearing in Lenovo OEM Desktop PCs

AMD continues to hold back information on its Richland accelerated processing units, but that hasn't stopped all leaks from providing details.

On this particular occasion, Lenovo is the source, or rather its H535 and H535s computers. The A8-5500 and A10-5700 quad-core processors are listed, along with the A4-6300 and A6-6400K. Out of those, only that last one, with the K at the end, has an unlocked multiplier (is suited for overclocking, unlike the rest).

Which is surprising because, for all intents and purposes, the A8-5500 and A10-5700 are on a higher level.  On a related note, the specifications page mentions the AMD 240, a Trinity-based SKU for socket FM2. It has 2 cores, 1 MB L2 cache and a 65W TDP (no GPU speeds provided). It will probably sell in tray shipments only.

AMD A-Series Richland chips listed in PC specs
Image credits to AMD

Read more »

Next Android Release to Arrive at Google I/O as 4.3 Jelly Bean

Mountain View-based Internet giant Google is reportedly getting ready for the launch of the next flavor of the Android operating system, and might unveil it as Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, the latest reports on the matter suggest.

Previously, the new OS flavor was said to arrive on devices as Key Lime Pie, but it seems that Google might actually release it only as an incremental update when compared to the currently available Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. No official confirmation on the matter has emerged so far, but the guys over at Android Police claim to have found evidence on the platform’s existence over on Google’s servers. An Android 4.3 JWR23B build has started to emerge in server logs, clearly showing that it is still Jelly Bean, though no specific info on what it might include has been provided as of now. The news site also notes that the build emerged from two different IP addresses, both connected to Google, which suggests that the company already has employees working with the new OS flavor.

The JWR23B build was also spotted mentioned in the official Chromium bug tracker, which can be seen as further confirmation on its existence. For the time being, the OS has been spotted online on Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 devices, though it will certainly be delivered to other smartphones and tablet PCs out there as well, should it prove real. Rumor has it that the new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean platform release might be officially introduced as soon as next month during the Google I/O conference, given that it has already assigned a version number to it. Given that some of the recent reports on Google’s plans for the Android OS suggested that the major platform release called Key Lime Pie might have been delayed, the possible launch of Android 4.3 next month sounds increasingly plausible.

For the time being, however, no official confirmation on the platform release has been provided, and we should wait for Google to make a formal announcement on the matter to learn more on what it will have to offer.

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean spotted in logs, could arrive at Google I/O
Image credits to Google

Read more »

Intel Haswell Packaging Box Art

Intel has finally confirmed that the fourth-generation Core-Series central processing units, codenamed Haswell, will be launched in June, during Computex Taipei.

What it did not reveal, but VR-Zone discovered anyway, was the box art for the chips. The cardboard packages won't be any larger than those used for the other central processing units from the company. They'd probably be even smaller if they didn't need to accommodate the coolers. 

Anyway, the boxes have three sections at the front. The running theme is “creativity,” and Intel even asks buyers, “What will you make?” Oddly enough, no small case-badge art is present, though the top half might take its place. There's also a photo of a tablet for some reason, even though the box is for a Core i7 Haswell desktop chip.

Intel Haswell CPU box art
Image credits to VR-Zone

Read more »

Root Your Samsung Galaxy S4

Starting today, users in various markets around the world can purchase Samsung’s latest Android-based flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S 4, as the device becomes available through both carriers and third-party retailers.

In the US, for example, the smartphone landed at AT&T, Sprint, and US Cellular, and should be released on shelves at T-Mobile, Verizon, and others soon. For those users who would like to root their devices from day one, a solution is already available, as long as they purchase the Qualcomm-based flavor. A root exploit has been found for the smartphone, none other than the Motochopper root that emerged recently for Motorola devices. According to a thread on the XDA-Developers forum, the tool should work for AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile-branded models, but it might also be compatible with the Snapdragon Galaxy S 4 devices sold in other countries, including the UK.

Users interested in rooting their devices should head over to the aforementioned forum thread to download the necessary files for that, though they should keep in mind that they will be the only ones held responsible in the event that something happens with the device. Samsung has yet to make official stock images for the Galaxy S 4, which makes it nearly impossible to repair the handset in the event it is bricked. No custom recoveries are available for it either, though they might emerge soon. Those who would like to continue will have to follow some simple steps for that, starting with downloading the aforementioned files.

The process also includes the following:

• Extract the entire contents of the zip file.
• If you are using Windows, ensure you have installed the latest Samsung USB drivers available for your phone.
• Ensure USB Debugging mode is enabled on your device.
• Connect your device to your PC via USB.
• If you are using Windows, navigate to the extracted directory and execute “run.bat.” If you are using Linux or OS X, navigate to the extracted directory in a terminal and execute “./run.sh.”
• Approve the ADB connection from your PC on your device.

Samsung Galaxy S4
Image credits to Samsung

Read more »

Microsoft Coastal German Theme for Windows, Free Download

As we're sure you’ve noticed by now, Microsoft launches new Windows themes on quite a regular basis, trying to provide its users with as many customization options as possible.

Today, it's Coastal German theme's turn, a free Windows theme that packs 8 different wallpapers showing beautiful landscapes from Germany. “This free theme for Windows brings Prerow Lake, Warnow River, the Baltic Sea, and other treasures of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, to your desktop with images from photographer Frank Hojenski,” the theme description reads.

Just like the other themes, this new one works on both Windows 8 and Windows 7, but it's also important to note that Windows RT users can download and install it too. Basically, the included .themepack file takes care of everything, as it automatically deploys all files on every Windows device.

Download the Microsoft Coastal German theme for free (Microsoft direct link)

The theme supports Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows RT
Image credits to Microsoft

Read more »