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Asus introduces first Intel Thunderbolt certified motherboard

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22 May 2012

Asus introduces first Intel Thunderbolt certified motherboard

Envious of the lighting fast transfer speeds of the Thunderbolt packing Macbooks that’s been floating around? Well, you’re in luck. Asus has just introduced the first Intel Thunderbolt certified motherboard in the form of the P8Z77-V PREMIUM. Thunderbolt is a new high speed, I/O technology that promises speeds that is twice as fast as USB 3.0 and twenty times as fast as USB 2.0. Asus also announced that they are closely working with three brands that have been creating Thunderbolt products – Elgato, LaCie, and PROMISE.

The P8Z77-V PREMIUM also has a couple of features that rig builders will enjoy. True 4-way NVIDIA SLI and 4-way AMD CrossFireX on the latest PCIe Gen 3.0 slots for maximum graphics performance, as well as SSD Caching II. A 32GB mSATA based SSD is also onboard, enabling Intel Smart Response and Rapid Start Technology for super-fast boot up and resume times.

Available Models

Models	P8Z77-V PREMIUM	P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT
CPU Socket	Intel® Socket 1155 for 3rd/2nd Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors
Chipset	Intel® Z77 Express Chipset
Memory	DDR3 2800(O.C.) MHz	DDR3 2600(O.C.) MHz
Digital CPU Power Design	Dual Intelligent Processors 3 – SMART DIGI+ Power Control
Digital CPU Power Design	Digital 20-Phase Power (16-Phase for CPU & 4-Phase for iGPU)	Digital 12-Phase Power (8-Phase for CPU & 4-Phase for iGPU)
Digital DRAM Power Design	V	V
PCIex16 Slots	4*PCIe 3.0 x16	3*PCIe 3.0 x16;
Multi-GPU	4-Way CrossFireX™/SLI	CrossFireX™/SLI
Graphics	Thunderbolt/DisplayPort/HDMI	Thunderbolt/HDMI/DVI-D/RGB
Gb LAN	2 (Intel)	1 (Intel)
Wireless Connection	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n Dual band 2.4/5GHz & Bluetooth v4.0	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Audio	8-ch HD, DTS	8-ch HD, DTS
Storage	1mSATA 3.0 Gb/s with 32GB SSD onboard 6SATA 6Gb/s 3SATA 3Gb/s 2eSATA 6Gb/s	4SATA 6Gb/s 4SATA 3Gb/s 1*eSATA (with bracket support)
USB 3.0	6*USB 3.0 (4 ports at back panel, 2 ports at mid-board)	6*USB 3.0 (4 ports at back panel, 2 ports at mid-board)
TPU/EPU (with onboard switch)	V	V
ASUS SSD Caching II	V
ASUS Wi-Fi GO!	V	V
ASUS Fan Xpert 2	V	V
USB BIOS Flashback	V	V
USB 3.0 Boost	V	V
Network iControl	V	V
LucidLogix Virtu MVP	V	V

[album: https://gadgetsmagazine.com.ph/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/[email protected]/Asus_thunderbolt/]

Android malware Android.Opfake uses dummy sites for games to infect smartphones

Technology

Gadgets Team

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21 May 2012

0

Android malware Android.Opfake uses dummy sites for games to infect smartphones

We’ve spoken about the merits of only downloading apps and games from official sources before, but it’s something that bears repeating, especially since there are a lot of folks out there that prey on unwitting and uninformed. Symantec is reporting that the creators of the Android.Opfake, a particularly nasty type of malware created for Android, has just changed their tactics for the worse. Symantec recently discovered several dummy sites being used to peddle the malware, which is being disguised as games such as Temple Run and Cut the Rope. The attackers have even gone so far as to include imagesof actual devices playing the games in an attempt to convince unsuspecting users that the malicious versions are actually legitimate.

The creators of Android.Opfake have even gone to the trouble of creating dummy sites that act as a distribution points for dummy games. Symantec says that all of the front-end sites connect back to a central back-endsite that acts as a file generator or repository. The games that are included in the dummy sites include Fruit Ninja, Cut the Rope, Temple Run and Angry Birds.

The best defence against being infected? Only download Android games and apps through the Google Play store, and always keep an eye on the permissions a certain app asks from you when being installed in your device. And as always, keep a healthy dose of common sense when downloading anything from the internet.

Review: ASUS RoG Vulcan ANC

GadgetsLab

Gadgets Team

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21 May 2012

0

By Steven Vea

It’s not hard to be impressed with the Vulcan ANC (Active-Noise-Canceling) once it’s out of the box, but this isn’t a surprise since products from ASUS’ Republic of Gamers (RoG) line always have that swagger. These gaming headphones fit the bill—it has the distinct design of stealth and suave that grabs your attention.

The first thing you’ll notice when unpacking the Vulcan is the uniquely shaped travel case. Although you may associate it with an oversized guitar pick, make no mistake—the case is well designed and will protect the headset. Once you unzip it open, you will see that it snugly holds the headphones in its folded fetal-like position, ready to be uncoupled for your pleasure.

Once it was out of its travel case, I was pretty amazed at the Vulcan’s light weight. Floating in at only 325g, this is by far one of the lightest headphones (of similar size) that I’ve ever picked up. Once I unfolded the headphones, I was initially alarmed at how the collapsible hinges snapped in, which caused a fleeting doubt in its durability. After several times of locking and unlocking the hinges in place, I was thoroughly assured that they were strong and firm, despite the loud click it makes.

Taking a look at the Vulcan’s aesthetic quality, the black headband is excellently complemented by the “carbon fiber” ear cups, which is partnered with a crimson trim. The design gives the headphones an imbued sense of authority and strength, which is perfect for raising your confidence before an intense clash on the virtual battlefield.

Once I finally adorned the Vulcan, I was completely captivated by how comfortable it was. The cushioned pads felt like pillows on my ears, so rest assured that you will be able to wear these headphones for an extremely long time. I had the Vulcan ANC on for eight hours straight and did not experience the slightest hint of listener’s fatigue. ASUS definitely did their homework on this area, ensuring that you can allow yourself to be completely immersed in your experience. As a matter of fact, the only reason I took off the Vulcan was to replace the battery, which is cleverly located behind a concealed slot in the right ear cup.

The battery is required for activating the ANC mode, which as the name implies, reduces ambient noise. This is done by identifying the noise’s frequency, and then replicating it with an out of phase sound wave, thereby cancelling it. ANC was originally conceived to block out the rumble of jet engines on planes while traveling, but it’s also invaluable for gamers with tricked out desktops that emit quite a bit of electric hum. It’s also useful for blocking out ambient noise such as crowd murmurs and cooling fans.

Since ANC affects the muddy end of the lower frequencies, switching it on produces a noticeable result. The lessened bass will result in increased perception of high frequencies, which will slightly affect vocal tracks. This however, is a fair tradeoff to subscribe for a reduction in background noise. In the end, ANC is an indispensable tool once you have access to it, and it will prove its value down the road. One useful application would be to enjoy silence in a chaotic atmosphere, since just putting the Vulcan’s on without listening to anything proves its capability to filter out higher ambient frequencies.

For multiplayer games or simple video chat, the Vulcan’s microphone performed quite well. The resulting vocals are clear and crisp, even when used in an environment with background noise. Making the microphone detachable was one of ASUS’ best choices regarding the design of this headset, allowing you to use the Vulcan strictly as a pair of headphones. I personally did find the main detachable cord to be quite long, which might be cumbersome if you’re out and about with your MP3 player. However, the cord’s length is extremely useful when the Vulcan is used with a desktop computer.

One slight issue I had with the Vulcan is that when not fastened securely, the earc ups tend to squeak whenever you move your head. Moreover, the main cable that connects to the computer also picks up vibrations whenever it is touched or tapped, resulting in a hollow echoed sound emanating in the left earcup. These are simply my personal preferences though, and it does not degrade the Vulcan’s performance in any way.

Under normal listening conditions (ANC off), I was extremely impressed at the sonic quality of the Vulcan. All frequencies sound clean and clear, stereo imaging is very distinct, and the illusionary depth of field is achieved quite well. The Vulcan will have no problem standing up to the critiques of any audiophile, and should satisfy the sound demands of just about everybody.

In short, for an early entry in this genre, ASUS comes close to achieving pristine sound, considering the Vulcan is marketed as a gaming headset and not as headphones. As its first Active-Noise-Canceling unit, it did an impressive job and offered it at a rather fair price. It is a solid product, and should find a good response among ASUS’ loyal and strong following.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Dimensions: 8.1” x 7.7” (HxW)
Weight: 320g
Drivers Diameter: 40mm
Impedance: 48 Ohms
Frequency Response: 10 – 20 kHz
ANC (noise cancelling) Performance: Maximum > 15 dB, Effective Bandwidth > 600 Hz
PNC (noise isolation) Performance: Maximum > 15 dB
Battery Life: Up to 40 hours (with one AAA battery)

What’s Hot:
• Stealthy design
• Lightweight
• Extremely comfortable
• Great sound
• Detachable cord and mic

What’s Not:
• Loud sound when snapped into place
• Long cord

Bottomline:
The ASUS RoG Vulcan ANC looks remarkable and sounds even better. Whether you’re a gamer or just looking for a great pair of cans, you should definitely put these headphones on your list.

Buy Meter: 9.0

[This review originally appeared in the October 2011 issue of Gadgets Magazine]

Samsung Galaxy S III launching on May 28 in the Philippines

Technology

Gadgets Team

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21 May 2012

0

Samsung Galaxy S III launching on May 28 in the Philippines

We just got word from Samsung’s PR that they’ll be hosting the official Philippine launch of the Galaxy S III on May 28 (Monday). This might mean that the newest flagship device from the electronics giant might go on sale around the beginning of June, which ties in nicely with the pre-order period of both Smart and Globe come May 23. So like always, you can expect us to be there with bells on (or failing that, live-tweeting the entire event on our Twitter account, right here, and publishing on-site photos of the festivities on our Facebook.

WP7 has bigger market share than iOS in China

Technology

Gadgets Team

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20 May 2012

0

WP7 has bigger market share than iOS in China

In the world’s most populous country, it’s not surprising that Android is no. 1. What is surprising however, is that the second place goes to Microsoft and their WP7, with Apple trailing closely behind. Michel van der Bel, COO Greater China Region at Microsoft broke the news himself, saying that after only a mere 2 months after launch, Windows Phone 7 handsets already has 7% of the market, compared to Apple’s 6%.

“We have only just begun,”, he said. “Our smartphone and tablet-pc are hybrid, making them suitable for the consumer, but also easy to insert within an existing company infrastructure. This will allow us to better anticipate the consumerization of IT than many competitors. ” The biggest share of the OS pie belonged to Android, accounting for about 69% of the market.

Source: WM Power User

HTC Desire C revealed, classy budget Android phone

Technology

Gadgets Team

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20 May 2012

2

HTC Desire C revealed, classy budget Android phone

Remember that HTC Golf that was leaked by Pocket Now? Well, turns out that particularly gorgeous piece of budget Android has been officially dubbed as the HTC Desire C. The folks at Engadget managed to score some hands-time with it recently, and have detailed the specs of the device that was previously unknown. The Desire C will come with a 600MHz processor paired with 512MB of RAM, 3.5-inch 320 x 480 resolution touchscreen and a 5-megapixel camera. The tech outfit says that the 12mm thickness of the device was a “very comfortable fit” in the hands, and that the Desire C will come with Android 4.0 out of the gate, along with some sort of Sense UI treatment. Engadget says that the Desire C will fall into the sub-$300 smartphone category, though we think that’s a bit too much to ask for a smartphone that’s only running packing a 600MHz processor.

Source: Engadget

New iPad officially coming to the Philippines on May 29

Technology

Gadgets Team

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20 May 2012

0

New iPad officially coming to the Philippines on May 29

While there are some folks out there that managed to grab the new iPad through, uh, “creative” channels, Apple has not yet made the newest iteration of their tablet officially available to the Philippines. Well, the wait is almost over – according to the official site of Apple, the revolutionary device will hit our shores come May 29, giving people roughly a week and a half to try and scrounge up enough cash to get it. Like the previous iPads before it, the new iPad will be made available through partner stores and telecoms like Globe and Smart come May 29. While the price for the new iPad starts at $499 for the base, 16GB WiFi only model, it’s not guaranteed that local retailers will stick to that price as there will be different factors affecting the final, landed cost of the tablet, with taxes being a major one.

Source: Apple

Nokia’s Lumia smartphones invade the Philippines, bring crazy PAL promo

Gadgets Team

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19 May 2012

1

Nokia’s Lumia smartphones invade the Philippines, bring crazy PAL promo

Nokia has officially launched their Lumia line last night at the Lumination party held at the Amphitheater at Bonifacio High Street yesterday. Owners of Lumia phones were in for a treat as Nokia Philippines allowed them to party with free flowing booze and food during the entire launch. International DJs Jumpsmokers were present at the event, as well as numerous personalities and power users. The event marked the official launch of the Nokia Lumia family of phones into the country – the Lumia 610, Lumia 710, Lumia 800 and Lumia 900 – and the start of a new chapter in Nokia’s smartphone strategy locally. We also managed to get confirmation that the highest end device on the Lumia lineup, the Lumia 900, will be exclusive to Smart for one month, before being offered by Globe.

Nokia also took the opportunity to announce a new promo for the new series of phones. They have teamed up with local carrier Philippine Airlines to offer unlimited roundtrip PAL flights all over the country. The promo is open to all Lumia owners in the Philippines and runs from May 18 to June 15, 2012. To join, users need to retrieve their IMEI number by typing #*06# on the homescreen and then text I CAN LUMIA <IMEI>/<Full Name>/<Address> and send to 2960 for Globe and Smart subscribers.

You can read up on our review of Nokia’s Lumia 710 here: https://gadgetsmagazine.com.ph/gadgets/review-nokia-lumia-710.html

New miniature thumb-drive-sized computer sells for $74

Gadgets Team

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18 May 2012

0

New miniature thumb-drive-sized computer sells for $74

It’s in the news again—another miniature computer about the size of a USB thumb drive is out in the market.

Last year we wrote about something similar called Raspberry Pi, which was running on Linux and packing a 700MHz ARM11 processor, 128 MB of ram, and 1080p output capability while including a USB 2.0 hub and 10/100 Ethernet controller. The device was designed to run educational apps but we found out that it was powerful enough to run the video game, Quake 3.

Later on, we were introduced to another miniature fully fledged PC called Cotton Candy, which weighed a mere 21 g and was equipped with a dual-core 1.2 GHz Samsung Exynos ARM CPU, Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth, 1080p video capability, an HDMI-out, and a microSD card slot for storage—all while running on Android Gingerbread 2.3.

This new one that we speak of is currently being sold by Chinese retailers online and is housed in a 3.5-inch plastic case. We don’t know the exact name of this mini PC, but we can call it the AllWinner mini PC due to its AllWinner A10 single-core 1.5GHz ARM CPU. It’s also fitted with a Mali 400 GPU, 512 MB of RAM, an HDMI port for plugging into a screen, a microSD slot, Wi-Fi capability, and Android 4.0 as its operating system.

At $74, it’s less expensive than the Cotton Candy ($199), but more pricey than the Raspberry Pi ($35).

Sony and Panasonic in talks to team-up to produce OLED displays

Technology

Gadgets Team

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18 May 2012

0

Sony and Panasonic in talks to team-up to produce OLED displays

Both Sony and Panasonic are in dire financial straits – the former posted a $5.7 billion loss and the latter suffered about $9 billion loss because of the damage done to its supply chain by the Japanese earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Of course, that doesn’t mean that innovation will stop, and both companies have found a way to develop next generation displays without having suffering the huge cost of developing the technology. Both firms are supposedly in talks to forge an alliance whose aim is to produce OLED panels, the next logical step when it comes to displays. While Sony was the first manufacturer to offer an OLED TV (the XEL-1), the low production yield meant that the price of OLED TVs was still sky high (the XEL-1 was only 11-inches but retailed for about $2,500). Reuters notes that if the agreement goes through, it would mark a watershed moment in Japanese consumer-electronics industry.

Source: Reuters

Study finds that 44% of users never click on Facebook ads

Technology

Gadgets Team

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18 May 2012

0

Study finds that 44% of users never click on Facebook ads

Here’s something to ponder for marketing guys: a study by marketing agency Greenlight suggests that nearly half of Facebook users don’t click on sponsored Facebook ads. According to Venturebeat, the research was conducted with about 500 people which included students, medical staff, accountants, lawyers, and others. The study revealed that 44% of people never clicked on Facebook ads, with only 3 percent of respondents reporting that they regularly clicked on ads, with only 1o percent saying they often clicked on ads.

Additional tidbits from the study say that of the 500 people polled by the study, 30% say that they ‘strongly distrust’ Facebook with their personal data. “With over 30% of respondents saying they ‘strongly distrust’ Facebook with their personal data, Facebook’s advertising program has an upward struggle,” Hannah Kimuyu, director of paid media at Greenlight, said in a statement. “Facebook’s advertising program allows brands to connect with more than 800 million potential customers, through targeting their age, gender, location, and interests — in other words, personal data.”

Source: VentureBeat

Samsung Galaxy S III gets 9 million pre-orders

Technology

Gadgets Team

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18 May 2012

0

Samsung Galaxy S III gets 9 million pre-orders

Seems like Samsung has something to celebrate today – though their latest smartphone, the Galaxy S III hasn’t officially gone on sale yet, Reuters is reporting that the device has garnered 9 million pre-orders around the globe from more than 100 global carriers. This puts Samsung on the right track to beat the 10 million sales milestone that the previous Galaxy, the S II managed to rack up after a few months of being made available to the public. Reuters reports that the Korean based factory that’s churning out the Galaxy S III is running at full capacity and is on track to deliver 5 million units per month. How’s that for a warm reception? The Samsung Galaxy S III is going up for pre-order here in the Philippines on May 23.

Source: Reuters

HP Expands Virtual Application Networks for Enterprises

Technology

Gadgets Team

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18 May 2012

0

Here’s some good news for organizations that utilize networks—HP recently announced their Virtual Application Networks last May 15, 2012 at the Intercontinental Hotel Manila. It’s essentially a new cloud function that aims to improve cloud service.

By 2020, 50 billion devices will be connected to wireless networks. More and more users are bringing their own devices to work, and 60 percent of enterprises don’t even know what mobile devices are on their network. This provides risk to the enterprise’s operations. At the same time, there’s also an increase in rich-media communications (such as web conferencing) and cloud applications connected to networks that slow down application performance due to limited bandwidth and network delays.

HP’s Virtual Application Networks provides a virtualized view of a network to turn complicated physical enterprise networks into programmable, multitenant, and app-aware virtual networks. Firstly, there’s the HP Intelligent Management Center (IMC), which simplifies the management and use of employee-owned devices across networks. It provides visibility of every device on the network with an easy single-pane-of-glass management platform. Secondly, there’s the HP Dynamic Virtual Private Network (DVPN), which allows the automation of secure network connectivity to any location, saving on operational costs and making the deployment process a lot faster. It reduces IT complexity by 93% and IT staff can set up new cloud apps in a matter of minutes, unlike outdated networks that take weeks. Thirdly, there’s the HP 10500 campus core switch that delivers industry-leading throughput for rich media applications.

For more information on these products and services of HP, you can visit www.hp.com/go/networking.

Meet Croslite Guy

Mika Fernandez-David

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18 May 2012

0

Crocs Philippines recently launched the new face of its kids line in the form of a life-size mascot called Croslite Guy. Revealed to selected guests in an intimate gathering at their Glorietta Branch, Croslite Guy will be touring various Crocs outlets to promote the brand’s newest styles, as well as serve as reminder that Crocs shoes are comfy, colorful and filled with fun.

From clogs to Mary Janes, to sandals, slip-ons and sling-backs, these are all-time favorites that never go out of style. Crocs’ freshest kids line now comes in a whole range of colors, all made to suit the boys and the girls’ fun and fierce personalities. Also available are patented-design shoes with favorite characters like the Toy Story gang, Dora the explorer, the characters from Cars, as well as Spongebob and Patrick straight from Bikini Bottom.

Every pair of Crocs shoes are powered by the Croslite technology, making the shoes comfy, ultra lightweight, and slip-resistant; plus they have non-marking soles. The footbed also supports and protects kids’ feet for their daily adventure. It has circulation nubs for a massage feel and a hug-like comfort all day long.

Review: AOC T2242we

GadgetsLab

Gadgets Team

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18 May 2012

0

By Steven Vea

What good is high-definition media without a high-quality display panel? The AOC T2242we not only aims to complement your computer setup, but it functions as a television as well, embodying an all-in-one display to deliver a great viewing experience.

This AOC monitor is very easy to assemble. You simply connect the base, plug it in an outlet and it’s pretty much ready to go. One thing that’s great about connecting the desktop base is that you don’t need a screwdriver.

Taking a look at AOC’s LED TV, you’ll notice that even though it has a 21.5-inch screen, it is very slim, which means you won’t have any trouble finding a place for it. If having it on a table isn’t your style, you can also mount it on a wall, but you have to purchase the bracket separately.

The first thing I noticed about the AOC T2242we was its great “Piano Polish,” which is a non-reflective matte screen. The advantage of this surface type is that it reflects significantly less of both your self-image and the irritating glare from wayward sunlight. It also repels latent fingerprints efficiently, although you will still want to wipe the screen clean occasionally to prevent dust buildup and overheating.

The T2242we comes packaged with its own remote control, which has a refreshingly simple layout and is wonderfully simple to operate. If you prefer a more hands-on experience, there are touch controls on the display itself which blends in seamlessly with the rest of the design, but it is not backlit so it will be difficult to operate in low light. The touch controls allows you to change the volume and channels, as well as access the menu and choose your source input.

Taking a look at the back of the LED TV, AOC has made sure that it has all the common connections present. There are slots for HDMI, VGA, Component Video Input/Output (YPbPr), Composite Video Input/Output, S-Video Input, PC Audio Input (or AUX) and a headphone jack. The T2242we has built-in speakers that are satisfyingly loud, although you may want to hook it up to external speakers.

After powering on the T2242 and selecting your source input, you have a total of five picture modes to choose from: Personal, Standard, Movie, Vivid and Eco. Curiously, all the presets modes were set to the maximum brightness of 100 (even in Eco mode), which I personally found to be harsh to the eyes. I would recommend a brightness setting of about 50-70, especially when you’re using the display at a close proximity, such as an extended display for your computer.

When used alternatively as a television, even when you’re at the prescribed viewing distance, the maximum setting for brightness is still too harsh, whether it’s in a sunlit room or late at night in the dark. This unkind brightness resulted in a lack of dynamic contrast, and so blacks would appear closer to gray when the setting was at full.

With that said, you will want to use the Personal mode to create your own adjustments. AOC only offers one “saved” preset at a time, which is quite disappointing. Nevertheless, its addition is very useful and may be the most commonly used. If you decide to use the presets, the Standard and Movie modes do have a slight hint of blue to it, with Eco mode hinting a little towards the warm end of the spectrum.

Once you’ve adjusted the T2242we to cater to your preferences however, it performs excellently. Colors are natural but excitingly rich, leading up to a great viewing experience. I tested the T2242we with Deus Ex: Human Revolution as well as a Blu-ray rip of Source Code, and in both instances, AOC stayed true to its brand’s name—providing great colors with equally great definition and detail.

I found the 21.5-inch display just the right size in a dual-monitor setup, and if used as a TV, it’s a little small for more than two people to truly enjoy. If you decide to have a group of people huddle around this TV though, you can rest assured that there are no issues with volume and viewing angles on the T2242we—the images displayed were visible at all times even at extreme positions and distances.

While I would have liked to see the provision for a USB thumb drive and a card reader to be able to view pictures directly on the monitor, the AOC T2242we is nevertheless an excellent LED TV/display. It features all the common connections, is easy to setup and operate, and most of all, has great image quality.

Specifications
Panel Type, Size: LED, 21.5-inches
Resolution: 1920×1080
View angle: Horizontal 170°, Vertical 160° (Typ.)
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 20million to 1
Size with base and stand (W X H X D): 521 x 401.5 x 179.4mm

What’s Hot:
• Non-reflective screen
• Rich colors

What’s Not:
• Preset modes

Bottomline:
The AOC T2242WE is a great monitor—colors are rich and vibrant, even though you may have to tweak its settings to get the optimal result.

Buy Meter: 8.5

[This review originally appeared in the October 2011 issue of Gadgets Magazine]