The Blog: January 2014

Friday 31 January 2014

Mantle gets a PC debut with Catalyst 14.1 beta driver and 'Battlefield 4'

AMD”s Mantle API will soon be available for PC users, and with Battlefield 4 on Windows also getting a Mantle update, users with AMD hardware should start seeing a marked increase in performance — at least that is what AMD claims.

After lengthy delays, AMD is finally set to launch the Mantle API on the PC later today. When AMD announced Mantle late last year, it was with an intention to enable low-level access to hardware, better utilization of resources, and a “console-like” development environment — which many assumed to mean the ability to write common code for any GCN platform. Mantle was also touted as an alternative to DirectX (Direct3D) and OpenGL, two high-level APIs that can be used across a wide range of hardware.

However, while Direct3D and OpenGL enable broad access to hardware, Mantle has been tailored for AMD’s hardware. In fact, it is now being seen that Mantle will provide better performance not by tweaking the GPU, but by reducing the workload of the CPU. AMD claims that APIs like Direct3D have limitations when it comes to scaling out to CPUs with many-core configurations, and that Mantle would be ideally suited “for the majority of PC gamers that have entry-level and mid-range processors.”

Therefore, if you’re running a high-end configuration already, there isn’t much that can be gained from Mantle. AMD has released information regarding how much of a difference Mantle makes in various use cases, and based on the data, it is clear that the most amount of difference will be seen in the entry-level section.

AMD has decided to cobble a FX-8350 CPU with the high-end R9 290X to demonstrate the benefits Mantle would have. In Battlefield 4, there was a 23.8 percent increase in performance when using Mantle. EA has similarly made a chart detailing how much of a difference Mantle would make in Battlefield 4:

While these numbers do show a marked difference, these are likely controlled tests. We will be running the latest Catalyst drivers and running our own test suite to see if the gains are as huge as AMD claims.

Source: AMD

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[Netbook] Any shops still selling 1st hand netbook?

Please list here or anyone selling one?

Thanks!

;)

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Lenovo acquisition will not affect Motorola’s device release schedule

Motorola will continue to work on its devices, which include a second generation Moto X, after the Lenovo acquisition.

Yesterday, it was revealed that Lenovo was acquiring Motorola Mobility from Google for $2.91 billion. It has been learnt that even after the deal goes through, after regulatory signoff (of which there is to be a considerable amount), Motorola will continue to finish working on devices that are already underway.

Among the devices rumoured to be launched include the second generation Moto X, which might launch later this year or earlier next year. There is also talk of a 6-inch phablet device that will be announced in 2015. In addition, Motorola is said to be working on a smartwatch. It has been alleged that Lenovo will let Motorola release all these devices, and then focus on launching Lenovo-designed Motorola handsets. It has also been rumoured that Lenovo will allow users to customize future Motorola handsets through the Moto Maker customization utility, but the facility which undertakes these customized orders will likely change.

While the device release schedule might still remain unchanged, the manufacturing of these devices might. Lenovo’s acquisition of Motorola works in its favor in this regard, as the Chinese manufacturer has an established base in most emerging countries. In Brazil, Lenovo is investing $100 million in research efforts, and the manufacturer has an established distribution hub in India. For the next year at least, Motorola will function as an individual entity. Lenovo has issued a challenge to the likes of Samsung after the acquisition, so it should be interesting to see the direction the Chinese manufacturer envisages for Motorola.

Source: Sina Weibo (registration required)

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Advice on how much can this fetch?

Hi All,

Can anyone advise roughly how much this set able to fetch in the marketplace?

Casing: Antec P280

Motherboard : MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3) (PCI 2.0)

CPU = Intel I5-2500K (1155) Sandybridge

HSF = Noctua NH-U12P SE2 CPU Cooler

GFX = Sapphire HD7850 2GB

Ram = 2 x 4GB GSkill RipJaw DDR3 F3-12800CL9 Kit.

PSU = Cosair 620W

Fan = 4 x 120mm Artic Cooling Fan

1 x DVDRW

1 x Toshiba 1GB HDD

Thanks.

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Upcoming Samsung SM-W750V Windows Phone expected to don 4.3-inch Full HD screen

Samsung’s alleged next Windows Phone 8 effort, model numbered SM-W750V, may revolutionize the mobile market as we know it, sporting a 4.3-inch Full HD display with unequaled pixel density.

It’s a near guarantee, the leader of the mobile tech world will abandon the Tizen project before long (and before it can take off), focusing almost entirely on Android. “Almost” being the key word, as apparently Samsung hasn’t completely turned its back on Windows Phone.

Remember the SM-W750V that surfaced online a couple of weeks ago with a 1,080p panel? According to Ad Duplex, this thing is looming large on the horizon, so a Mobile World Congress intro is in the cards, but it might not be a direct rival for the Samsung Galaxy S4, LG G2 or Nokia Lumia 1520.

Instead, it could take on diminutive versions of flagships such as Sony’s Xperia Z1 Compact, the GS4 mini or HTC One mini. Wait, so what about 1,080p? Well, if Ad Duplex is right, the top-notch resolution isn’t going anywhere, and it’s to be plastered all over a tiny 4.3-inch piece of glass.

Resulting pixel density? 512 ppi. Breathtaking. Also, a little impractical, some say. Overkill I guess is the term many prefer. Oh, stop fretting, it’s just a rumor for now. Also a rumor – it’s headed straight for Verizon and no other carriers. Both stateside and worldwide.

Nah, I don’t buy it. Big Red can’t have two high-end WP handhelds in the pipeline, this and Nokia’s Lumia Icon, and hold them off for nigh launches in February. Can it?

More importantly, is a 4.3-inch Full HD, presumably quad-core and 2 GB RAM-toting state-of-the-art slab of silicon practical? Could it be the beginning of the end for Android or a desperate, unlikely to succeed move to make Windows Phone 8 popular?

Sources: AdDuplex Blog, Phone Arena

Apple 9L0-412 OS X Support Essentials Mountain Lion 10.8 Exam

I've taken this and passed. :songdah:

Head over to my blog to find out more. :thumb2:

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Best Buy discounts 128 GB Microsoft Surface Pro to $500 for limited time

For two days only, Best Buy sells the first-gen Microsoft Surface Pro with 128 GB built-in storage space at just $499.99, a whopping $400 less than the tablet’s list price.

So you say Surface sales are on the rise but still unable to drive profits or challenge Apple’s iPads in any way. Classic good news-bad news scenario for MS, though Redmond’s head honchos and partners appear to be less interested in profits than actual sales or brand awareness.

Voluntarily or compelled by lack of interest from hardware buyers, Microsoft has heavily relied on promotions to boost demand for 2012 Surface models of late, going down the same road today, alongside Best Buy.

The retailer has a pretty unbelievable deal going on right now both on and offline, as the 128 GB Surface Pro costs $499.99. Technically, that’s a $400 price cut. In reality, Amazon’s been selling it for a while at $599.99. Via Microsoft’s online store, it’s also $599, albeit through Sunday every purchase comes bundled with free $50 credit on NFLShop.com. You know, since the Super Bowl is on February 2.

However you look at it, BB’s promo is clearly the most lucrative, so at the end of the day they’re your men. Hurry though, the special offer expires Saturday night.

Again, this is the 2012 Surface Pro, so its overall performance and battery life aren’t stellar. On the bright side, the 10.6-inch display is, with 1,920 x 1,080 pixels resolution, plus you get 4 GB RAM and the “full” Windows 8 Pro experience.

On a somewhat unrelated note, Best Buy’s annual yellow tag sale event also includes savings on other types of electronic gear, like MacBooks (all models are $100 off), AT&T and Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy S4 (free with contracts), and select Sony Vaio laptops at $200 discounts. So yeah, it’s the Surface Pro or nothing.

Source: Best Buy*

‘Titanfall’ Xbox One console spotted, ‘Halo 5’ coming in 2015

Another batch of Microsoft leaks reveal a Titanfall edition Xbox One console, along with Halo 5 release information.

Microsoft is considering launching a Titanfall limited edition Xbox One console that should be available at the same time the game launches. While the news regarding the console is still a rumor at this stage, Microsoft has revealed a Titanfall edition controller for the Xbox One earlier this month that features a similar design.

In other Microsoft-related news, it has been revealed that Halo 5 is set to launch in 2015, and that Halo 2 will get an Anniversary edition that will feature 1080p content. A limited edition Halo war bundle will see ports of Halo 3 and Halo 4 for Xbox One. 343 Industries will be making the Halo 2 Anniversary edition. In addition, Microsoft is also making a live-action Halo TV series that will debut alongside the next Halo game.

The only news that has been corroborated thus far is the information that the white color variant of the Xbox One would launch sometime in October.

Source:*NeoGAF*

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[Mac] Windows to Mac

Hi...

I would like to ask about the instructions on the tonymacx86 website..... I follow all the intructions from there to install Mac in my Acer R7... But it will only stuck at that boot screen with the white background as well as a loading circle... What should i do to resolve the problem???

Thanks

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo goes official with hexa-core CPU and Android 4.3

Following a recent bundle of leaks, Galaxy Note 3 Neo’s formal announcement looked like a mere formality, so Samsung finally decided to go for it, but not make a huge fuss about it.

Look, there’s nothing wrong with choice. Diversity, variety. In fact, it’s what makes the Android décor special, compared with, oh I don’t know, iOS. But one has to draw the line somewhere. Unless Samsung plans to soon roll out a different device for every particular customer.

Which would be totally cool as long as the gizmos were actually different. But look at the Galaxy Note 3 Neo. Outed by Samsung Poland (?), this thing is a toned-down Note 3. It’s also basically a redesigned Note 2.

No, seriously, it’s got almost the exact same specs and features as 2012’s “big thing”. A 5.5-inch Super AMOLED 1,280 x 720 pix res display, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB on-board storage, microSD card slot, 8 MP rear-facing camera, 2 MP front snapper, S Pen support and 3,100 mAh battery.

In theory, you should notice an upgrade in the processing speed department, as the LTE-enabled Note 3 Neo model packs a one-of-a-kind hexa-core Exynos chip, comprised of four Cortex A7 1.3 GHz cores and two A15 clocked at 1.7 GHz.

Solid upgrade, if we’re to trust unofficial benchmarks. However, as far as the 3G-only Note 3 Neo is concerned, it sounds like Samsung truly recycled old hardware, branding it as new. Quad-core 1.6 GHz CPU? It’s what the Note 2 packed back in the fall of 2012.

Besides, the Note 3 Neo isn’t even completely up to date software-wise. It runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and, while it’ll surely score a 4.4 KitKat bump before long, it’s never ideal to start off behind the times.

Lastly, from a design standpoint, it’s obvious from a mile away what the inspiration is. Shave 0.2 inches off Note 3 Neo’s screen real estate, and voila, you get this faux leather back cover-touting copycat. Worst thing? Rumor has it the recommended retail price in Europe will be roughly $820 (€600) off-contract. Thanks, but no thanks, Samsung.

Sources: Sammy Today , Samsung Poland

Modding and Painting NZXT 410

Hi everyone, I have a nzxt 410 white. I'm into a blue and white theme, I am thinking of painting all the black lines to blue and the black mesh on the font to white. I am also not using any cd/dvd drive so I was thinking of modding to put a 120 or 140mm fan on the 3.5 bays at the top and also I am currently only using 1 HDD so I took out the removable cage so there is quite alot of ventilation and not sure what to do, So guidance what to do would be great. :)

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Thursday 30 January 2014

The iPod might not be dead just yet

It is quite possible that Apple might not be killing off the iconic iPod in the near future, contrary to popular belief.*

Earlier this week Apple announced its Q1 2014 earnings. It was a record quarter for the company, almost all devices posted record sales, all except the entire iPod lineup. Year over year shipments were down 53 percent, with the company only being able to sell six million iPod units around the world in the last quarter. iPod sales contributed just $973 million to Apple’s over $57 billion revenue in Q1 2014. This lead many publications to speculate that the iPod lineup will be riding off in the sunset, since its brutally being cannibalized by none other than the iPhone itself.

That might not entirely be the case though. 9to5Mac has discovered various job listings at Apple that hint the iPod division is going to be around for a bit longer. The company is seeking New Product Introduction Operations Program Managers who will be tasked with managing an iPod launch by working with OEMs, component suppliers as well as ensuring supply chain responsiveness. It is also seeking a Product Quality engineer for the iPod Product Operations team as well as a Plastics Tooling Eng. Program Mgr., who will be responsible for ensuring operational technical readiness and development of tooling and new material for new Apple products, respectively. The latter might lead to speculation that the next generation iPod could come with a plastic body similar to that of the iPhone 5C, even if Apple is contemplating killing it due to lacklustre response.

This could very well mean that a new iPod product launch is on the cards for 2014. Perhaps what Apple needs to revive sales is a completely new product. The flagship model, iPod touch, hasn’t been radically changed since the fourth generation model came out. In fact, the iPod lineup hasn’t been radically changed in a couple of years, which means that its about time that Apple went down this road. Can be said for sure that new iPods are in bound? Absolutely not, mere job listings can’t simply be taken as confirmation of the company’s future plans, even if they specifically deal with the iPod team at Cupertino.

Source: 9to5Mac

PayPal wants to collaborate with Apple on new mobile payments service

Rumor has it that eBay owned PayPal wants Apple to bring it on board as a partner for its new mobile payments service.

Earlier this week it was rumored that Apple is working on a new mobile payments service, the company is said to have made up its mind about facilitating purchase of physical goods through its mobile devices. The iPhone is believed to be the focal point of this new service, which would presumably leverage millions of existing customers who already purchase virtual content through Apple, content like music, movies, TV shows, books and applications. It was also said that top Apple executives have started meeting with industry executives to discuss the company’s plans.

Re/code claims to have heard from three payments industry executives that PayPal has been pitching Apple to bring it onboard as a partner. Moreover, PayPal is apparently willing to white-label its part of the service, working away in the background on things such as fraud detection, infrastructure and even payments processing.*Two of these executives believe that its unlikely Apple will feel the need to join forces with PayPal, but its too soon to rule out the possibility at this point in time.

Time and again it has been rumored that Apple has its sights set on the mobile payments industry, with some even viewing the Touch ID fingerprint scanner on iPhone 5S as a gateway into an improved payments experience through the mobile device. The company itself has hinted that it could play a much bigger part in the future, but it hasn’t said anything about a new mobile payments service just yet.

Source: re/code

This day in history: Inventor of the mouse Douglas Engelbart was born

On this day, January 30th, 1925, Douglas Engelbart, pioneer of the personal computer, developer of the NLS computer system and inventor of the computer mouse, was born.

An obscure figure

Not many people will be wishing the late Douglas Engelbart a happy birthday today. Overshadowed by the giants who popularized personal computing, such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Steve Wozniak, Engelbart may just be the most important computer scientist that nobody has ever heard of, and a fundamental force behind the modern personal computer.

When to most people computers were boxes of 1s and 0s that did nothing but crunch numbers, Engelbart foresaw the potential for computers to become a force to focus mankind’s intellect, which would bring the body of human knowledge together in a way that would revolutionize the world.

Thinking beyond even the most forward in his field, Engelbart saw the future of computing in networked computers, anticipating the advent of the Internet.

At a famous demonstration in the 1960s, Engelbart showcased a computer system that had all the trappings of a modern PC. But his influence over the development of computers slowly faded into obscurity, and he is now remembered best for one of his many brilliant inventions: the mouse.

Humble beginnings

Born on January 30th of 1925, Engelbart grew up in a world shaken by war, brimming with thinkers, and developing technologies. It was a time ripe for the seeds of new ideas – but the real thrust for Engelbart’s career did not come until the second great war. While he was serving as a radar technician in the Phillipines during World War II, Engelbart sat down in a library and read Vannevar Bush’s ‘As We May Think’. The article described a prototype of hypertext: the memex. The memex was a hypothetical device that could store information; people’s books, records, and communications, where they could all be easily stored and accessed. This shockingly anticipatory piece had been written in 1945.

In the article, Bush poured out his war-driven fear: that science was being used as a force for destruction instead of understanding.

Engelbart went back to Oregon State college, and received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. There he met Ballard Fish, who he married two years later.

The hero’s journey

Engelbart soon hit a crisis: he realized that despite his stable job, he didn’t have any career plans or ambitions for the future, other than to live a happily married, and financially stable life.

In the next few months, he developed a simple philosophy for his future: he would devote his career to making the world a better place.

Needless to say, the way Engelbart chose to do it was with computers.

In 1956, he accepted a position at the Standford Research Institute (SRI), where he founded a research team called the Augmentation Research Center (ARC). ARC became the driving force behind Engelbart’s most lasting legacies.

The mother of all demos

To his peers, Engelbart was quixotic and embarrassing. Many computer scientists chose to distance themselves from him, and his ridiculously ambitious ideas. But everybody stopped laughing on December 9th of 1968 at the Fall Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco, when Engelbart delivered what would come to be known as the mother of all demos.

He called it ‘A research center for augmenting human intellect’. Here, Engelbart introduced what he had been developing at the ARC: the oN-Line System, or NLS. This computer system boasted all the commodities associated with modern computers. With a mouse, keyboard, graphical user interface, text editor, resizable windows, and a modem connected to ARC’s computer in Menlo Park for desktop sharing and video conferencing, it was a PC in the 1960s.

The NLS was a prototype for modern computing, and influenced great computer companies to follow, such as Xerox, Microsoft and Apple.

The mouse

Along with all the technology he showcased at the mother of all demos, Engelbart used a computer mouse, something he had invented five years earlier in 1964.

While the version he used at the demo was nicely polished, it was a far cry from the first, pine wood prototype developed by William English, a member of ARC.

It’s not hard to recognize a mouse, and the concept has not changed much: then, and now, it is simply a device that reads two dimensional movement, and translates it into corresponding x/y dimensions on a digital display.

The first mouse, made out of pine wood

Three buttons were put into early versions of the mouse, because at the time, nothing more would fit. Engelbart thought that up to ten buttons would be useful, and CEO of Apple Steve Jobs later tried to reduce the number to one. But three was apparently the magic number, and lives on to this day.

According to Engelbart, the word ‘mouse’ was chosen for the device, because the wire connecting it to a computer resembled a rodent’s tail. Apparently, researchers at ARC also called the on-screen cursor a ‘bug’. But mouse won out, and ‘bug’ died off.

Legacy

Engelbart died of kidney failure on July 2, 2013

It was a rare chance to watch the dawn of the digital era, the rise of the personal computer, and the advent of the Internet. But it is an even rarer thing to influence it, and make it happen.

Engelbart lived to see his ideas, once thought to be eccentric and crazy, become a reality. And while the rest of the world remembers him only dimly for his contribution of the computer mouse, his dream to improve the world lingers in all the corners of the modern age, and drives us to remember that the world we live in today was dreamed up by people who lived half a century ago.

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Microsoft offers Xbox One for $399 when you trade in your PS3

Microsoft is offering a unique trade-in program for gamers who are looking to make the jump from the PS3 to the Xbox One.

Many gamers are clamoring for Microsoft to lower the price of their premium new console to match the price point set by Sony’s PS4, and now the company is offering a discount–sort of.

To take advantage of the offer, you’ll need to relinquish ownership of your PlayStation 3 to a local Microsoft Store, and you’ll receive $100 store credit, which can be put towards an Xbox One–effectively making the console the same price as Sony’s $399 PS4.

Microsoft doesn’t stop there; they’ll accept Xbox 360′s as well, although only certain models like the Xbox 360 S or Xbox 360 E are applicable. Oh and you won’t be able to trade in a busted console to get credit, as it needs to work properly in order to be eligible.

The deal is a surprising one for Microsoft, in terms of making the terms more flexible to include Xbox 360′s, and the offer could be quite opportune for more than a few potential Xbox One owners. If you plan to jump ship and cross over to Microsoft’s playing field, now would be a good time to do so.

The offer ends March 2 in the U.S., and additional terms and conditions apply.

It’ll be interesting to see what Microsoft does with all of those traded in PS3′s…maybe they have some nefarious intent planned for the rival units?

Be sure to visit the Microsoft Store’s official page for more info

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ASUS wishes everyone a happy and joyful Lunar New Year!

ASUS wishes everyone a happy and joyful Lunar New Year, may endless happiness, fortunes and peace in years to come.

華碩祝大家新年快乐, 马到成功, 身体健康, 阖家欢乐,恭喜发财!

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[AMD] AMD: Time to test AMD's Mantle with Star Swarm

you can download Star Swarn in Steam, it is a benchmark tool made to test Mantle API

Star Swarm Benchmark on Steam

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Encrypted search will enable NSA to analyze phone records stored on telco servers

The National Security Agency is developing an encrypted search technology to prevent third parties from spying on the agency’s queries made via third-party servers. Oh, the irony!

Privacy has become one of the biggest concerns in the recent months, with the ubiquity of mobile devices (which can all be used to spy on users), plus the disclosures of whistleblower Edward Snowden regarding the National Security Agency’s activities that target both US citizens and foreign individuals. With these disclosures have come the clamor for government to ensure that the privacy of innocent people is kept intact.

Eavesdropping and espionage do have their place in the world. The ideal is for authorities to use intelligence to spot potential trouble ahead of time. This can even prevent any untoward incidents in which innocent lives might be lost or adversely affected. But the concern here is how to find a balance between freedom and security. With our dependence on online services like communication and social networking applications, these service providers have grown to become Big Brother-esque.

The NSA — along with spy agencies like the British GCHQ — has become the target of criticism of late, with exposés left and right about how these government agencies are taking advantage of mobile networks, mobile applications and even device assets like the microphone and camera, in executing their espionage work. There is also concern that government agents’ activities might be vulnerable to eavesdropping or leakages, too.

To address this,*government has funded research into how spy agencies can, themselves, avoid being spied upon. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has employed at least five research teams to develop a system that can enable a third-party to store records that are accessible to government on demand, but will evade discovery and access by third parties, even by the owners of the data centers themselves.

One such project is the*Security and Privacy Assurance Research project. While the project does not specifically cite NSA use, the DNI has confirmed that the research is relevant to the agency’s phone records program.

Such records can include communication records, content and other information that the NSA can use in keeping track of target individuals. At present, such data is stored on the agency’s datacenters. In government’s aim to resolve legal and privacy concerns, President Obama has ordered the agency to offload storage of this data onto third-party datacenters. Information can then be accessed through encrypted searches.

Other parallel projects are being undertaken at other university-based teams: one from UC Irvine, a team from*University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Texas at Austin, another team from*MIT, Yale and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and LA-based firm*Stealth Software*Technologies.

Some officials are concerned that storing data offsite might make it vulnerable to attacks. Meanwhile, an encrypted search would require more resources than an un-encrypted one. However, this would make it possible for government to simply let telephone companies hold the call, messaging and IP-based data within their own datacenters. Intelligence agenies can then conduct its own searches, without the telcos knowing which records are being searched.

In short, the NSA wants a way to avoid having to store data in its own turf, but wants technology that can sift through data stored elsewhere without being snooped upon. Still, there is no assurance that the concerned agencies will be able to access only the records that they intend to access, and that there will be adequate oversight on the actual use of data.

Source: Associated Press*/ Image credit: Shutterstock

[Mac] Apple Mail App Connection Error

Hey guys, some of my hotmail accounts I added into Apple Mail app for Mac using IMAP starts to pop out error messages saying connection error, unable to connect to port... Anyone experiencing this too?

____________________________________________________________________________

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How is Abraresto going to spend the $1.5M raised in funding

Ankur Mehrotra, CEO, Abraresto, in an interview with e27 talks about future plans and how the company is going to spend the US$1.5 million raised in funding Indonesia’s restaurant discovery and review site Abraresto announced that it has closed an investment of US$ 1.5 million from Indonesian investors. The website owned by Abratable Pte Ltd Read the full article...

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Sony makes plans to phase out existing PS Vita's in the U.K. in favor of PS Vita Slim

Sony has recently unveiled a new leaner design for their flagship handheld, coined as the PS Vita Slim, which will be available starting next month and replace the current stock of PS Vita units.

Earlier today in an official press conference in London, Sony revealed that Japan’s slenderized PlayStation Vita handheld–the PS Vita 2000–will cross over into Europe under the banner of the PS Vita Slim.

The slimmer, more lithe model is 20% thinner and 15% lighter than the current PS Vita, and emphasizes the system’s penchant for lightweight portability. The new PS Vita Slim is priced at*£180 and will ultimately replace the current PCH-1000 PS Vita handhelds, Sony has recently confirmed.

Along with being lighter and trim, the new PS Vita Slim units swap the PCH-1000′s OLED screen for a cheaper LCD screen, and Sony affirms that gamers can get 6 hours of play time with a single battery charge. Sadly this reduction in pricing also means a reduction in quality, as the slim model maintains its*£180 price tag due to the LCD screen swap.

Additionally the newer models will come with 1GB of internal memory for game saves, alleviating some of the frustrations in purchasing the handheld’s infamously expensive memory cards.

The PS Vita Slim will reportedly be available for pre-order starting tomorrow, however we’re still not sure if Sony will offer the vibrant rainbow colored options akin to the Japanese handheld.

Furthermore there was no announcement of an overseas release for North America, but given time we should hear something–but Sony’s phasing-out trend wouldn’t be very welcome news to some gamers.

While some gamers might prefer the bulk of the PCH-1000 Vitas, the internal memory is a nice addition. The LCD replacement screen, however, has been seen as a big drawback as it provides a noticeable difference in quality. The latter is a shame, considering the PCH-1000 models will eventually be phased out in favor of the newer, slimmer and cheaper units, which only goes to show that the cheapest option isn’t always the best one.

Earlier this month Sony had sent out invites for a mysterious press event focused on a “slim” announcement, so this unveiling isn’t much of a surprise. The PS Vita Slim will hit retail shelves in the U.K. on Feb. 7, 2014 for a price point of*£180.

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Vroom Vroom! Race your car to the cloud to make it smarter

Want to make your car more powerful?*Clickdrive claims it can link cars to the cloud via apps to make them more efficient Click Drive from 36frames on Vimeo With the spectre of global climate change and increasing carbon dioxide emissions, there has been a race among car makers to make more efficient vehicles. At the Read the full article...

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5 technology trends that will shape 2014

As an expert in data centre and co-location services, Clement Goh, Managing Director, Equinix South Asia, highlights five key technology trends to note in 2014 The Asia-Pacific data centre markets have enjoyed a year of robust growth and 2014 is poised to be another season of data-driven acceleration. Singapore’s prime geographical location and advanced technological Read the full article...

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Need for Malaysian SMEs to hire freelancers

A wage hike proposal in Malaysia is pushing for a minimum salary increase from RM900 to RM1,100. Can Malaysian SMEs survive? A Malaysian Insider article which came out this month reported that Democratic Action Party (DAP) Party-General and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is proposing a wage hike for local workers, from RM900 to Read the full article...

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Rumor: Google Nexus line to get Lenovo-made addition this year

Less than 24 hours after Google made Motorola’s unloading to Lenovo official, the first rumors of how exactly the Chinese intend to use the new assets and connections to their advantage have surfaced, pointing to an imminent Lenovo-built Nexus.

Hold on to your hats, boys and girls with an infatuation for technology, as the mobile décor may be in for some drastic changes. No, Tizen won’t likely disrupt the Android-iOS duopoly, but when it comes to the Samsung-Apple domination, we might finally have the name of a worthy adversary.

It’s Lenovo, I mean Motorola, I mean Lenovorola. It’s Lenovo + Motorola, as we’re a little unclear whether the Chinese OEM intends to ditch the established but struggling Moto brand, or keep it around for transitional purposes.

Either way, look out, Sammy, look out, Cupertino, as these ambitious, aggressive, wealthy guys are coming after you. How? Well, the first step would be a Google-Lenovo co-branded Nexus device. Maybe the family’s swan song and therefore its sure-fire biggest hit ever.

The word comes from somewhat controversial Russian journalist Eldar Murtazin, whose track record wasn’t exactly stellar until not long ago. Then again, with the recent Google-Samsung and Google-Lenovo deals, his prediction for the end of Nexus as we know it is actually starting to sound plausible.

And if Murtazin is right about that, why wouldn’t he also be in regards to the last members of the “pure Google” line? Too bad he’s not ready to share any specifics, like should we expect a Lenovo Nexus 6, 8 or 10, or when might a formal announcement happen.

Oh, yeah, and will this thing strut around with a Lenovo logo on its chassis, or Moto’s emblem? Well, since it’s believed to land in 2014, and the Google-Lenovo-Moto deal may face regulatory hurdles until next year, odds are it’s the former. Or so does common sense dictate, as technically Big G shall still be in control of Motorola for a while.

So no details and no specifics yet on Lenovo’s Nexus, just a promise that “volume will be huge” and “it will be focused on the US market”. Damn straight, the least Google could do to honor the Nexus memory would be to go out with a bang.

Source: Twitter

Lamudi strengthens mobile play; sees Myanmar as critical growth market

Rocket Internet-backed Lamudi optimises its site for mobile; says wants to facilitate the “inevitable channel shift” to online in Myanmar Rocket Internet-backed real estate classifieds platform Lamudi today announced that it has launched a mobile-optimised site for iOS and Android devices. The redesign features a more visual navigation route aimed at boosting user experience. Against Read the full article...

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Asus’ Essence III is a USB DAC that delivers incredible sound

The Essence III is a $399 USB digital-to-analouge converter that is targeted at audio enthusiasts.

The Essence III is a digital-to-audio-converter that is based on the design of the Xonar Essence ST/STX sound cards. The DAC is a flagship unit that caters to the needs of even the staunchest of audio enthusiasts.

The Essence III is loaded with features, and comes with a signal-to-noise ratio of 123 dB and dual mono AD1955 DACs that provide unmatched audio quality. It also accommodates native DSD64 and DSD128 encoding through the inclusion of an ASIO driver. Then there is an amplifier that has two unique mini-XLR ports and six single-channel headphone amplifiers to minimize any distortion and isolate the signals that emanate from the DAC.

The amplifier delivers an impedance of 600ohms, and comes with a headphone gain switch that lets users choose from between high and low gain. The DAC is ideal with headsets like Sennheiser HD 580/600/650/800.the Essence III features the LME4562 and LME49720 op-amps, which are some of the best amps available. It also has a high frequency response of 10 Hz to 48 KHz.

The PCB features a segregated design that allows different components, like the power module, to be totally isolated from the analog and digital circuitry. Jitter is also mitigated by the inclusion of crystal oscillators that feature high-precision clocks to deliver high fidelity. The DAC comes with a toroidal transformer that delivers power consistently without any noise or distortion. It is further augmented with a layer of silicon steel to ensure that energy loss is minimized. Also included is independent power delivery to both left and right channels to minimize crosstalk.

In terms of connectivity, the Essence III features a 6.3 mm headphone out, 2 stereo RCA out, 2 XLR and 2 mini-XLR out. In addition, there is one S/PDIF co-axial out, and an S/PDIF in port, along with 2 3.5 mm Aux in jacks. In addition to the stellar hardware, Asus also has a great software monitoring solution in the form of the Xonar Audio Center.

Asus is selling the Essence III for $399 in the North America.

Source: Asus

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Solar powered iPhone 6 and iPod touch predicted

An analyst predicts that iPhone 6 as well as the next generation iPod touch will both have solar charging capabilities.

The prediction might seem a bit too far-fetched, but it warrants mentioning here that a few of the company’s recent moves do hint at this possibility. Apple contracted GT Advanced Technologies, paying over half a billion dollars for sapphire materials. The company also recently hired talent with experience in this field, and apart from that, it also holds patents required to turn this into reality.

According to Matt Margolis of Seeking Alpha, the next generation iPhone and iPod touch will both have sapphire covered displays instead of Gorilla Glass. This has already been rumored, Foxconn has recently produced 100 units of a next generation iPhone with a sapphire covered display. The sapphire glass panels will reportedly have solar panels in them, enabling the smartphone to harness the sun’s energy to charge itself.

While it might make sense on paper to have solar charging capability on an iPhone, the theoretical implications are vast. First and foremost, swapping Gorilla Glass for sapphire will complicate the manufacturing process. Apple would need sufficient yield rates to ensure that mass production can take place without any issues prior to launch, it won’t risk launching its next generation flagship with insufficient supply. Moreover, the iPod’s future is not confirmed. Apple’s Q1 2014 earnings reveal that iPod sales are down over 50 percent year-over-year, with just six million units being sold from the entire lineup during the last quarter. So even if this is an interesting prediction, one that’s bound to surface again in the coming months, it appears quite unlikely that the iPhone 6 as well as the next iPod touch will be capable of charging under the sun.

Source: Seeking Alpha

Indian e-comm giant Flipkart proposes merger to arch rival Myntra

The idea of the merger began as Myntra was sealing a US$50M fund from a consortium of investors led by PremjiInvest, says an industry report Just when we thought that the Indian e-commerce battle could not heat up any more, a merger proposition from Flipkart to a leading fashion and lifestyle portal has changed the Read the full article...

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iOS 7.0.5 fixes iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C Chinese 'network provisioning' issues

Apple today rolled out iOS 7.0.5, an incremental firmware update for iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C.

It may be an incremental update, but iOS 7.0.5 is unique in its own way. The firmware has only been rolled out for the two new iPhones that Apple released last year, and not for any other supported device. Moreover, iOS 7.0.5 is region specific, with the update bringing fixes for unspecified “network provisioning” issues faced by various Chinese iPhone models.*Apple hasn’t revealed what caused these provisioning issues, certainly the cause was big enough to warrant its own firmware iteration.

Usually Apple bakes in such fixes in major firmware updates, or even those incremental updates that are rolled out globally. For Apple to specifically release a region specific update, which has happened in the past as well, hints at the possibility that the provisioning issues might have needed urgent attention, which the company has now provided.

As far as the next major platform update is concerned, Apple is rumored to release iOS 7.1 in the very near future. iOS 7.1 beta 4 was seeded to developers about a week back, public release is expected over the next few weeks. Apart from various tweaks and enhancements, the new update is expected to bring a few new features as well.

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Love model cars? Honda lets 3D printing hobbyists recreate some of their own

Honda publicly releases the 3D data for their past concept vehicles online for 3D printing.

Honda model car fans and 3D printing enthusiasts may be delighted to hear that the Japanese car company has just openly released some of the 3D data for its past concept cars.

The data has been made public on a Creative Commons 4.0 license, and anyone with free time can see, download and use the data at their Honda 3D Design Archives. Yes, that means that you can use their 3D model data to print a detailed small scale (or large scale, even full-scale, depending on your resources) version of a Honda concept vehicle.

The announcement was made last Thursday, with the starting model data available for download including: FSR Concept (1994), FUYA-JO (1999), KIWAMI (2003), PUYO (2007) and the NSX Concept (2013). Under the Creative Commons license, everyone is free to update or improve the model data that are available at the Honda 3D Design Archives, as long as the enthusiasts and hobbyists do not profit from them.

Of course, aside from being a clever (and cost-effective) marketing strategy, Honda aims to inspire creativity and design with the public release of their concept car 3D model data. They hope to make people understand the gears and workings of the car designing process, from making separate ideas work, to finally developing the model to be feasible for mass production.

Source: Honda (JP), Honda 3D Design Archives

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Visa payWave contributes to 3 in 5 Visa transactions at NTUC Fairprice

Are Singaporeans becoming increasingly receptive towards contactless payment options like Visa payWave? A recent announcement nods yes Wave and go. No pin number or signature needed! When Visa payWave was first launched in Singapore, the news was met with skepticism that security (or the lack thereof) would be a deterrent to quick adoption. However, the Read the full article...

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Samsung is going to dial back on Android tweaks and customizations

Following a deal with Google over cross-licensing patents, it has been revealed that Samsung is working with the search giant in modifying its user interface considerably.

Samsung’s TouchWiz has been a mainstay on its Android mobiles and tablets for a while now. The South Korean manufacturer has been oft-criticised for the unnecessary amount of customization it undertakes with TouchWiz, and the sheer amount of bloatware it includes in its handsets. For instance, the Galaxy S4 came with a total of 118 Samsung exclusive utilities. The end result was that the device, which came with 2 GB RAM, was often laggy when it came to UI transitions.

However, that might all change very soon if Google has anything to say about it. The search giant has been working with manufacturers in dialling down the amount of customizations they offer in their devices, and it looks like it is Samsung’s turn to do so now. With utilities like WatchON, ChatON, Air View, Air Gestures, S Health and S Voice, Samsung has either made its own version of a different service that is already available, or created a feature that is gimmicky in nature. The real-world usage of a utility like Air Gestures is limited at best, and it only works on Samsung-made utilities like the stock browser. With Google’s urging, these features might be axed in future versions of Samsung handsets.

Samsung did unveil a new UI dubbed the Magazine UX at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month on the Galaxy Tab Pro series. The widget-based UI looks much more modern and cleaner than TouchWiz, and a series of leaked screenshots indicate that the South Korean manufacturer is working on a similar UI for its next flagship, the Galaxy S5.

The Galaxy S5 might ditch all Samsung made software utilities in lieu of Google’s offerings. Samsung has created its own store and ecosystem within Android, which is redundant considering the wide variety of content available through Google’s services. Now it looks like Google will be working with Samsung in de-cluttering the user interface, and axing all utilities that are unnecessary.

The end-result would be a Samsung device that features a modern UI, with more of Google’s services. Samsung’s software efforts have clearly not been successful, as it had admitted, and axing them in favor of Google’s own services might be a concession that Samsung is willing to make. Such an undertaking is a win-win for both Google and Samsung. Samsung will finally have a user interface that isn’t bloated, and Google will see its services being used by a much wider audience. Samsung is by far the biggest Android manufacturer, with it accounting for over one-third of all device sales last year.

The user interface was one of the few areas that Samsung was lacking in, and with that set for a major overhaul, the South Korean manufacturer will likely extend its lead in the Android segment.

Source: Re/code*

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Guide: cpu-z rated fsb

why the rated fsb higher than core speed? Normal?

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Superman saves freefalling skydiver from certain death [Video]

Superman isn’t an alien, and he certainly doesn’t need a cape to fly.* Check out this amazing video of an Earth-born superman zipping past a freefalling person, and saving his life.

A group of skydivers in England were out doing what they normally do—jumping out of planes, but when a freak accident left one skydiver unconscious in mid-air and freefalling, the group was left wondering who would be valiant enough to save the falling civilian.

James Lee and his buddies leapt out of a plane at 12,500 feet from the ground, and everything seemed normal (as they were all experienced divers) until one of Lee’s comrade accidently kicked him in the back of his head.* Passed out and free-falling, the chances of anyone being able to reach his chute and deploying it were slim to none.* Luckily, there was a Superman amongst the group with some amazing vision and gliding skills, and in a blink of an eye Lee’s chute popped open and his dangling body slowly descended into the English countryside.

“Well, it’s pretty incredible.* When someone is unconscious and tumbling, it’s virtually impossible to catch them,” said Ed Scott, an Executive Director for the United States Parachute Association (USPA).

Lee came to before landing, but had no recollection of a man that was faster than a speeding bullet had come to his aid.

See more US News from ABC|ABC World News

New screenshots for 'The Order: 1886' show off the Knights of the Round Table

Two new screenshots have been spotted for The Order: 1886, the upcoming PS4 exclusive that melds the worlds of fantasy and steampunk action.

With The Order: 1886 , Ready At Dawn studios is crafting a unique spectacle of next-gen gaming; with impeccable graphics and an alluring visual style, the game is shaping up to be one of the major releases for Sony’s PlayStation 4 console.

The mysterious shroud over the game’s story arc has recently been lifted, shedding light on key plot details. The Order: 1886 blends the classic Arthurian legends with a distinct steampunk sentiments, with a stalwart band of knights who serve The Queen under the banner of the British Empire.

The two new screens were taken from a cinematic sequence, showing off the Knights of the Round Table in action. It’s not a huge reveal–not like the game’s official teaser trailer that showcased in-game footage, explosive action, and the dark style–but it’s something new.

For a closer look at the Knights and the game’s superb animations/lighting effects in The Order: 1886, be sure to check out our early coverage of Ready At Dawn’s presence at SIGGRAPH 2013.

The Order: 1886 is scheduled for a tentative release date of Q3 2014 exclusively for Sony’s PlayStation 4, but this could change without warning. For more information be sure to head on over to the game’s official website.

Via NeoGAF

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Google gives up on Motorola Mobility, Lenovo swoops in to save it

Google has sold off Motorola Mobility to Lenovo for $2.91 billion in cash and stock.

What the next Moto X(YZ) phone may look like.

Last week, it was reported that Lenovo took another chunk out of International Business Machine Corporation’s (IBM) by taking over the company’s x86 server unit for $2.3 billion.* Now the China-based tech juggernaut is at it again, this time it’s cutting for itself a big piece of the mobile pie.

You get the brand, I keep the IPs

Motorola Mobility will go to Lenovo for $2.91 billion in cash and shares, as Google doesn’t want to continue to hemorrhage money from its mobile pet.* Google will get $660 million in cash and $750 million in ordinary Lenovo shares when the deal closes, and the rest of the $1.5 billion will trickle in a three-year payment term.

Although Motorola Mobility will operate under the Lenovo brand, Google is still strongly attached to the patent portfolio that it invested over $12 billion into in 2011.* By strongly attached, we mean Google still owns many of these patents, even if they’re not bringing in as much royalties as the search giant was hoping they would.

Drop it like it’s hot… (in this case, cold)

Internal sources reported on a few occasions that Google wanted to get rid of the underperforming division, but held off on doing so due to tax reasons.* Just last quarter alone the company said its Motorola Mobility unit lost $248 million, and that trend doesn’t seem like it’s going to change—at least not under the leadership of Google.

Customizeable, ‘assembled in the USA’, and was not profitable.

Lenovo has been pushing hard for the mobile space, and the Motorola Mobility acquisition may become a crucial part of that move.* If history is of any indication, Lenovo will likely make use of Motorola Mobility—more so than what Google has been doing with it within the last two years.

What you can*do, I can do better

In 2005, Lenovo shotgun its PC business by buying IBM’s personal computer division for $1.25 billion.* After a decade of brand leveraging, Lenovo edged out Hewlett-Packard (HP) to become the largest shipper of PCs in the world.

What’s in store for Motorola Mobility?* Hopefully, with Lenovo’s proven track record, we’ll see something good from the ‘M’ within a few months.

Via: Techcrunch

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HP desperate for Android love, 10-inch tablet heads to India

HP is taking full advantage of the fact that there are no good 10-inch tablets in India by launching a mid-range tablet with decent hardware and cellular connectivity.

Back in December, it was revealed that HP is considering making a comeback in the tablet segment, and after announcing the affordable Slate 6 Voice Tab and Slate 7 Voice Tab phablets in India, HP has now launched the HP 10 tablet in the country.

HP has said that India would be its target market, and as such has unveiled its wares only in the sub-continent as of now. Its latest offering, the HP 10, is a mid-tier device that comes with cellular connectivity. It features a 10-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 x 800, a 1.2GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor, 1 GB RAM, 2 MP camera, 0.3 MP front shooter, 8 GB internal storage along with a micro-SD slot, 3G, Wi-Fi b/g/n, micro-HDMI, micro-USB, Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity and a 4,600 mAh battery.

The low battery size might be a concern considering the screen size of the tablet, but otherwise it is a decent offering in this segment. In addition to the decent hardware, the tablet features Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with full access to Google’s services like the Play Store and Gmail.

The tablet is listed on various online retailers, and is currently available for $320. While the Slate 6 and Slate 7 Voice Tabs are devices that might not see a lot of consumer interest, the HP 10 is sure to be one of the better selling tablets in the country. HP has a clear advantage in that there is a clear dearth of good 10-inch tablets available in India. While Google sells the Nexus 7 2013 directly from the Play Store, the Nexus 10 is not available in the country. The only other viable contender to HP in the Android segment is Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, which is costlier.

Source: Flipkart

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Less silly and more epic tablet cameras with Sony's new accessory

Sony gives the much needed upgrade that our tablet cameras have always needed: a high-quality lens camera attachment.

Let’s admit it; we do tend to ignore tablet camera specs nowadays. That’s because though they’re good for point-and-click shots, professionals are still definitely better off using a DSLR, not to mention that we look a bit silly trying to take pictures with our huge 10-inch tablet. Thankfully, Sony seems to have bridged this issue for us, by releasing a tablet version of their previous smartphone camera attachment.

The SPA-TA1 Cybershot QX lens camera attachment is, as what you might expect, an accessory that is intended to take near-DSLR quality pictures to a tablet. The dimensions of the attachment itself are at 65.6 x 33.9mm, nearly the same as its smartphone version. Unlike the smartphone version though, it has a set of six adjusters, from 85mm to 190mm, that you can use to fix the camera lens firmly onto the tablet regardless of the size of the tablet or it’s camera’s position.

Sony has yet to reveal specifications for the tablet version of their camera lens attachment. However, it would most likely have the same overall technical specs and adjustment features as the smartphone version.

In Japan, it will be available as early as April 4, 2014, with an estimated price that is equivalent to $36.00.

Source: MyNavi (JP)

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Report: PS4 supports PS1/PS2 game emulation, HD upgrades a possibility

An anonymous source at Sony claims that the company will use local emulation to support PS1 and PS2 titles on the PS4, and visual upgrades are a real possibility.

A “well placed” source at Sony has recently informed Eurogamer about the specifics of the Japanese console-maker’s backwards compatibility solutions for the PlayStation 4.

According to the source, Sony’s cloud-based service PlayStation Now will only stream PS3 games onto the PS4; original PlayStation and PS2 classics will be available via a more traditional avenue: emulation.

Sony’s last-gen PS3 contains emulation code for PS1, PS2 and PSP titles within its firmware, and with time, Sony has made considerable strides in expanding the emulation procedures, as the PS Vita has extensive functionality when it comes to PS1 game playback.

Could the PlayStation 4 have this same emulation code within its firmware? The reports suggest that this is indeed the case, and with the PS4′s beefy and flexible specs, Sony will be able to tap a wide array of potential improvements for emulation performance.

The source goes on to say that Sony is working on bringing high-def visuals to emulated titles, and that we may see classic games refined for optimum graphical fidelity on the PS4–with the possibility of full HD *That means less blurry edges, jaggies, and other visual imperfections you see when hooking up a PS1 or even PS2 into an HDTV.

Arguably some of the charm of those yesteryear classics may be lost if the graphics are enhanced, however it appears that Sony aims to improve emulation in terms of overall quality, and that actual content will be preserved.

Furthermore there are many benefits to local emulation versus cloud-based streaming, one of the obvious being the effects of latency issues on gameplay–disconnections, lag spikes, etc. Also Sony would save a lot of bandwidth with a one-time download versus a continual stream of content.

It will be interesting to see how the PlayStation Now service develops over time, and if Sony confirms or dis-confirms the claim of emulation code in the PS4′s firmware. Sony has also recently started sending off beta invites for the PS Now service,

In any case, this possibility only goes to show that Sony has a long-winding strategy in the ever-evolving gaming war, and we’ll likely see more detailed reports of their future plans in the next coming months–especially at this year’s E3 Expo.

Via Eurogamer

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Having awarded US$15K to beta users, free app Spark Profit goes live

Real-time market trends prediction app Spark Profit is finally live after a year of playtesting. How will it fare? You might not be a clairvoyant, but new free app Spark Profit developed by Tokyo-based startup Nous.net might just be your thing. Dubbed by its CEO Justin Short as “totally free trading”, the platform pays its Read the full article...

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Asus PQ321 4K display review

Asus makes monitors exciting again with its new 4K display.

It seems just about everyone has gotten on the 4K bandwagon recently. Nvidia and AMD both emphasized 4K compatibility with their most recent cards, and one of the most talked announcements at CES was Netflix’s plan to start streaming content in 4K.

With the supply of 4K content steadily increasing so are 4K displays. Sony was first to the market with such a device, but now nearly every manufacturer is joining the ranks: LG, Samsung and others all have displays on the market.

But what about 4K displays specifically designed for PC users? Well then, the market gets more narrow.

Right now there are only a handful of 4K PC displays available, and even less in the APAC region, thus Asus is making a big push with its PQ321. Let’s take a look at what this display has to offer.

Plenty of pixels to go around

Before taking a closer look at the PQ321, it is important to understand what 4K actually means. Colloquially, 4K refers to Ultra High Definition which at a resolution 3840 x 2160 is four times the resolution of 1080p HD.

As to be expected, the content that’s available at this resolution — limited as it is — looks pretty great.

Asus gave the public a first look at the PQ321 during Computex 2013. Like other 4K computer screens on the market, it uses the Sharp IZGO panel.

The PQ321 has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and has two HDMI 1.4a connectors and one DisplayPort 1.2 connector.

The screen itself seems quite heavy compared to standard resolution screens, but it comes with a sturdy stand that is rugged enough to support it.

For power users, the PQ321 offers a plethora of options to those who want to tweak their display. Users that are planning to attach a content source to the monitor via DisplayPort should note that the DisplayPort Stream option should be set to MST not SST to ensure that 60Hz is used. Also, users should ensure that the HDMI dual input mode is selected to take advantage of that capability if they intend to use it.

Is it worth it?

While 4K is still a young, emerging technology it’s already here in full force. Those gamers that want to spend to embrace its high-resolution beauty won’t have a problem building or buying a system that can play games at that resolution.

Both Nvidia and AMD offer cards such as the Geforce 780 Ti and Radeon R9 290 that can make light work of games such as Battlefield 4 at 4K.

Right now the only downside to embracing 4K is the sticker shock, but as the technology matures that is sure to come down in price. Playing a game in 4K or watching 4K content is an amazing experience and for gamers with a budget that could accommodate such a purchase, a monitor like this is a necessity.

The Asus PQ321 gets 8.5/10

Pros:

4K content looks phenomenal on the display.

Plenty of options available for users to tweak the monitor to their liking.

Cons:

The sticker shock is more than enough to deter most gamers.