HTC Vive, announced the final version for the public here is price and availability

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, HTC and Valve today announced the availability and prices of HTC in full version Lives for the consumer audience. The futuristic viewer for virtual reality also introduces a mode that the manufacturer defines hybrid between virtual reality and the "material". It's called Lives Phone Services, and allows you to receive and reply to incoming calls, view messages, send a quick response and control the agenda. All through the helmet.

In the new model the strap to the head has been redesigned to be more comfortable and stable, while the display is brighter than the model Lives Pre. Along with HTC Vive will be released two "experiences" dedicated: Job Simulator Owlchemy Labs that will experience the meaning of the word "work" in a world where robots have replaced humans in any production activities; and Fantastic Contraption, experience of game where you can wander around an island floating in the sky using the immersion guaranteed by virtual reality.

HTC and Valve does not speak exclusively of video games. The concept of virtual reality could also be expanded in various fields, from entertainment to sales, through design, healthcare and automotive. He commented Cher Wang, president and CEO of HTC. "Since the announcement of lives last year, we have worked tirelessly with Valve to offer the best VR experience in the market, we have won several awards and received praise from the media, by consumers and industry. With the consumer edition of lives we can finally realize our desire; take it in homes to try to reach people dive into a virtual reality that fires the imagination and radically change the way you see the world. "

But the most awaited news was related to the availability and price of HTC Lives for the public. The pre-orders of the Consumer Edition will start from February 29, while delivery and commercial availability is planned for 1 April. The price, however, will be $ 799 in the US market and probably slightly higher in the European market net of taxes and shipping costs.

It is a price certainly higher than Oculus Rift, which we believe still justified on the basis of the additional features available to the viewer HTC and Valve. If the former is more focused on the experience in video games, the second certainly gives the impression of greater immersion in the environment, for the most complete and realistic virtual experience.

Huawei MateBook, the alternative to iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4 from 799 €

At the Mobile World Congress 2016 which is held these days in Barcelona, Huawei has unveiled a new device aimed at the world of productivity. The new product, which is nothing more than a portable 2-in-1, introduces the company as part of the laptop, where the goal of the Chinese is to solve some of the historical problems of the category considered: excessive weight, poor quality the display, poor operational autonomy of single charge to name only a few.

Huawei MateBook, this is its name, is based on the experience gained by the company over the years in the more mobile blatantly areas (smartphone and smartwatch in the first place). As for the appearance, MateBook resembles a cross between an iPad Pro and one of the last of Surface Pro models. While maintaining exemplary lightness and thickness values thanks to a meticulous design and construction process, comes with Windows 10 (Home or Professional Edition), the same operating system you use on your desktop or notebook at work.

The design is perfectly symmetrical, and the metal shell can be protected by an enclosure keyboard optionally proposal, just as we saw with the "professional" tablet of Apple and Surface Pro. It is an accessory widely advocated for those who need a device able to meet the typical professional environments of productivity requirements, without which the new MateBook appears naturally very limited, just as the alternatives already on the market.

Let's move on to the technical specifications: the display used by Huawei on MateBook is an IPS LCD 12-inch 2160x1440 pixel resolution with higher gamut than the two more famous competitors in the industry. According to what is revealed by the Chairman of Huawei's Richard Yu device division, who presented the new device to the international audience, the panel should deliver great mixed color fidelity at a maximum brightness of 400 nits. Unparalleled in the category, even the screen-to-body ratio of 84% of the front surface.

It is this a significantly higher value than the two competitors, which do not exceed 77%. The whole is enclosed in a shell only 6,9mm thick and firm tip the scales at 640g. In other words, Huawei is keen to point out that the new MateBook, at least as regards the part tablet, is thinner and lighter than competitors, without, however, to compromise on the quality front of the display, performance or operational autonomy (which is about 10 hours, then superior to a typical working day).

Under the thin shell "roaring" Intel Core processors m3, m5 and m7 sixth generation with a maximum operating frequency of 3,1GHz, supported by 4 or 8 GB of RAM and a storage from 128GB up to a maximum of 512GB for higher versions range. Everything will be powered by a 33,7mAh battery that can be charged through the Type-C USB port located on the body. MateBook supports the rapid charging technologies and can be brought from 0 to 60% in just two hours.

Let's go back to accessories: Huawei provides the cover backlit keyboard, a stylus pen 2048 Call sensitivity levels MatePen with laser pointer and a MateDock to increase the availability of ports on the notebook. This includes two USB ports, one Ethernet, and also VGA and HDMI ports to connect the device to an external monitor (you can see in the gallery of images that we report the page). Along one of the sides it was also installed a sensor for fingerprint scanning, with which you can access a different account according to the finger used during log in. The speakers at the base of the tablet are two, stereo.

Prices and availability. Huawei MateBook will be available starting next month in Europe with both Windows 10 and Windows 10 Home Professional. The price starts from 799 € in the European market for the version with Intel Core m3, 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD.

 At this outlay, all things considered riparametrato reduced if the price of Surface Pro 4 and iPad Pro, you have to add at least one of the cover keyboard, which will be offered to additional 149 Euros. The MateDock is MatePen will instead be sold respectively to 99 and 69 €, with prices that have been reported including taxes also for the European market.

Spro Plus: video projector android ZTE built-in Tablet

ZTE at Mobile World Congress presents an evolution of its smart projectors family, products that integrate an internal projector with an active type display: it is, like the Spro Spro models and 2 of a small projector that mounts in the top housing a touch screen.

Sport Plus is the name of this new product, of course, focused on the Google Android operating system thanks to the integration of touch screen 8.4-inch diagonal with a resolution of 2.560x1600 pixels. Drive a small tablet and a projector requires a high capacity battery, and this is what ZTE has implemented: well 12.100mAh, can ensure high usage times of up to 6 hours of continuous play.

The projector is capable of projecting an image up to 80 inches diagonal, from a distance of 2.4 meters with WXGA resolution (1280x768 pixels); The used DLP technology allows to ensure a brightness of 500 lumens, while the integrated stereo audio subsystem developed by JBL audio system has a maximum of 4 watts sufficient to soundproof sized environments suitable for the maximum diagonal projection power.
ZTE indicates the use of a SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon family 810 \ 625, matched to 3 Gbytes of system memory and local variable storage from a minimum of 32 Gbytes to a maximum of 128 Gbytes. The overall dimensions are equal to 228,8x150x24.8mm, total contained except for the required thickness by both the projector lens is from the large battery.
Spro Plus will be available in Wi-Fi only version as well as 4G LTE; The sale is expected from summer to a list not yet announced by the company.

Idol 4 and Idol 4S: new smartphone Alcatel also for virtual reality

Alcatel is the first company to announce innovations at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, an event which will open officially tomorrow but Sunday 21 lives a day marked by numerous ads and press conferences. Alcatel has upgraded its smartphone Idol family by presenting two new models, Idol Idol 4 and 4S, respectively characterized by diagonal display of 5.2 and 5.5 inches.

Idol 4 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 SoC with 8-core Cortex A53 architecture, combined with 3 Gbytes of DDR3 memory LP. The 5.2-inch screen has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and uses IPS technology; the front camera is 8 megapixels and the rear 13-megapixel, while the battery has capacity to 2.610mAh. The onboard storage has 16 Gbytes of capacity, expandable through a MicroSD memory card.

For Idol 4S model we find 5.5-inch screen with 2560x1440 resolution, AMOLED type, SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 with four core Cortex A72 combined 4-core Cortex A53 always with 3 Gbytes of system memory. The front camera is 8 megapixels and the rear is a model to 16 Mpixels; the battery increases up to 3.000mAh so as to face the top of the screen diagonal, and also changes the GPU Adreno 405 from the solution integrated into Idol 4 passes to the Adreno 510. For both the operating system is Google Android, in release 6.0 Mashmellow

Alcatel has chosen to support with both terminals use as viewers for virtual reality, providing bundled a special plastic case similar in concept to Gear VR Samsung. This allows you to use the two new terminals Idol in a different form, and potentially more and more widespread, than traditional smartphone as well as we have been accustomed to using them.

Even in the face of different technical specifications the two terminals are characterized by the same thickness, 8.2 millimeters, and a weight of 142 grams. This choice is linked to the presence of the VR viewer developed by the company, which in this way can be adapted to both smartphones. The construction involves the use of aluminum for the chassis, while the Boom Key button can be configured by the user to perform different types of operations such as taking a picture or send a live streaming video. At present there is no information on the release schedule and the expected prices for the Italian market.

Revealed the location of the next DLC Rainbow Six Siege

Ubisoft has revealed that the next expansion pack for Rainbow Six Siege will take place in the United States, respectively, in Brazil and Japan. The three locations were revealed through a slide Ubisoft appeared during the Investor Day that took place yesterday, and their publication is indicated, respectively, for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2016.

Each of these additional packages introduces two new missions Operators regarding the task forces of each country and a new map. The redemption will be made by an in-game currency called "Renown". Alternatively, players can access the Operators also purchasing the Season Pass the game, priced at 29.99 €.
The first expansion, titled Operation Black Ice, was published in early February and has introduced two missions Operators regarding the Canadian unit Joint Task Force 2. We remain therefore waiting to know the exact date of publication of other content.

Toshiba's new SSD SG5, chip 15 nm and even with form factor M.2 2280

When talking about SSD Toshiba should always open a parenthesis, because the situation is quite smokey. After the acquisition by the Japanese company OCZ, it is difficult to understand what the strategy of Toshiba SSD field, signposted often in contradiction with each other within a few days while referring directly to interested companies.

We start from the certainties: Toshiba always has a very direct relationship with OEMs, why can be found within the different PC SSD Toshiba known brands, almost unknown to the public, since they are rarely sold directly to the consumer market . This consideration reinforces the belief that Toshiba has acquired OCZ just to have good cards to play where it was not present, although the issue is minimized by the parties, if questioned. Sometimes even denied.

With this premise, it is hard to understand for those who are targeted by the new Toshiba SG5, although we can assume that they can be targeted to OEM (Toshiba SSD client generally indicates on the site). Let us now turn to the description of the unit: interesting is the decision to offer two form factors, 2.5 "7mm thick and M.2 2280, the latter used in several 1 and 2 in ultra-portable.

All units are equipped with SATA interface, the performance claims of 545MB / s read and 388MB / s write. The 2.5-inch models are available in denominations of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, while for M.2 find unna version with chips on one side only (128GB, 256GB and 512GB), while the 1TB has chips on both sides.

Dying Light will continue to receive support until the end of 2016

Techland has reassured his fans by announcing that it will continue to support Dying Light until the end of 2016. The confirmation comes from an open letter written by CEO Pawel Marchewka, in which he thanked the public and the press for the support shown towards Enhanced Edition of the game and the expansion the Following, available since last February 9.

"We've always had faith in the project, but seeing so enthusiastic opinions among players and high marks in reviews written in the press is very touching. At the same time it is a clear signal that there is still high demand for this specific experience allowed by Dying Light ", writes Marchewka in his speech.

"To ensure that both new players that auditioned veterans the fun you deserve, we decided to continue our support for Dying Light least until the end of this year. We are already working on new content not yet announced, so stay tuned for future innovations. "

The Techland leaders also called on the players to share their ideas about the directions that the Dying Light franchise should take in the future, partly because it is clear that the opportunity to see a sequel are quite high.

Kojima: wrong to presume that my titles take too long to be developed

As I mentioned earlier Hideo Kojima spoke during the DICE 2016, and for the occasion he shared some personal opinions about the development of his work. According to the father of Metal Gear it would not be to be false that the securities to which works require Pharaonic resources and involve development time very diluted over time.

"Many people say that I spent too much money or helped me too much time, but they are mistaken beliefs. My latest project (Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain) was delayed by five or six months, but I've always kept my word about the timeline and budget. For example, I need three to four years to create my games, but this is also the plan from the beginning, "replied Kojima during an interview with GameSpot.

"I need a long time to create my teaser, posters, and I also work on the creation of boxes for sale. The Japanese makers are famous for being lengthened maturities, and I think the people I place it in this category, but it is not the reality. In my case I'm a director and a producer, so I have to be aware of both the production and the budget. "

In recent weeks, Kojima announced it had partnered with Sony for the publication of his next project only on PC and exclusive console PlayStation 4. For now were not shared details on the work but, according to statements made by the parties, it seemed to understand that Kojima will enjoy considerable creative freedom.

Microsoft patents the stylus that recognizes colors and textures of real objects

Microsoft has placed particular emphasis on the style of Surface devices, given that this is an accessory that, objectively, gives an edge to tablets and 2-in-1 Surface Book. Not surprising that the Redmond continues to carry on the path of refinement of this accessory patenting technologies that, in the future, could further enrich its capabilities. Yesterday the US USPTO has granted a new patent to Redmond (US Pub. No. 2016/0048221 A1) that relates to a new type of stylus can recognize colors and textures of real objects, turning them into digital representations .

The usage scenarios are manifold, starting from the most simple ones that provide the possibility of use in a graphics program the colors captured in the real world. Among the various use cases illustrated by Microsoft one concerns the possibility of associating the initiation of specific applications to the recognition of certain colors, but the same technique could be used to start the individual functions of an application, for example, the selection of a group of mails associated with a color. Easy to see that, after having metabolized the principle of operation, the execution of the tasks may be accelerated by using the special stylus and pad to a stylus or a mouse pad equipped with an articulated palette colors.

Even more complex and rich in practical implications is a second mode of use of the stylus, able not only to recognize the colors, but also the external appearance of the object, or the surface texture, operating in combination with a dense network of sensors, including accelerometers, gyroscopes and microphones. Swiping the stylus on the object, it would be possible to thereby determine and digitize the texture of the material acquiring resources for design studios or suitable for use in the field of 3D modeling.

The assignment of the patent does not translate in the confirmation of the development of a commercial product based on new technology. Microsoft has filed a patent application in 2014, but, in parallel, no product developed and marketed by Redmond has been equipped with a special system for color scanning and texture. Microsoft is always at the forefront of testing new and better forms of interaction "man-machine" and it is not impossible that, in the future, the principle summarized in the new patent will be made into consumer products.

Master of Orion in Early Access from next week

Mark Hamill and Alan Tudyk are part of the cast of actors who lend their voices to dub Master of Orion, the expected Wargaming spatial management, the software house of World of Tanks, and remake of the very celebrated title of 1993. The announcement comes via the official website of the game where you will find many more details on dubbing process of Master of Orion, and the complete list of voice actors.

Along with the trailer on the dubbing, also, it is revealed that Master of Orion will enter Steam Early Access next week (26 February), and will be playable for all those who buy the Collector's Edition of Master of Orion via GOG.com or Steam to price of € 45.99.

This version will include the legendary three titles of the original series, the skin in the rear version for vessels, a modern interpretation redone soundtrack and an exclusive race can not be obtained in other ways, the Terran Khanate.

In the new version of Master of Orion, players can choose from 10 playable races and the target for each of them will be the same: control the entire galaxy. Each species will benefit from their advisers and special benefits. Players will conquer and control other planets, which are located within 20 different solar systems with more than 100 distinct stars. There will be 100 technologies to search and 20 types of structures that can be built to improve the strength of their empire.

The smartwatch exceed for the first time Swiss watches, pulled by Apple Watch

The latest Strategy Analytics data shows that Apple Watch has remained the most popular model of smartwatch in the fourth quarter of 2015. The smartwatch of Apple has captured 63% of the global market with sales estimated at 5.1 million units. It follows, at a considerable distance, Samsung, with 1.3 million smartwatch sold and 16% of the market share. In total, according to figures of SA on 10 products sold in the Christmas season 8 they are Apple and Samsung.

Another interesting fact that we can read in the statistics is related to that of the Swiss watch market sales, the same as Jonathan Ive considered (of course, not officially) in trouble because of the arrival of Apple Watch. And, indeed, during the Christmas season the new category of smartwatch has done better, with 8.1 million devices placed on the market compared to 7.9 million Swiss watches sold in the same period.

On the smartwatch market it is growing by 316% from 1.9 million units sold in the last three months of 2014 to 8.1 million in the same quarter in 2015, while that of Swiss watches has seen a slight decline (-4, 8%). Comments on Strategy Analytics statistics released to the public:

The Swiss watch industry has been too slow to react to the development of the smartwatch. He preferred to bury their heads in the sand hoping that the fashion of the smartwatch pass unnoticed and go away. Brands such as Tag Heuer had a negligible market share in the fourth quarter of 2015, and are terribly behind Apple, Samsung and other leaders in the smartphone category that is growing. "

Unfortunately we have no official information from Apple so you can compare the numbers from Strategy Analytics. The company that fits inside the clock sales of "other products" along with iPod, Apple TV, Beats and other accessories. The Apple Watch sales are growing according to the analyst firm: 4 million in the second quarter, 4.5 million and 5.1 million in the third quarter. Apple sold a total, according to unofficial data, 13.6 million units in the year of the debut.

Garmin announces VivoActive HR and Vivofit 3

Garmin today announced, in anticipation of some days the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, two new products belonging to VivoActive and Vivofit families. Let's talk about VivoActive HR and Vivofit 3, both based on the products the company already offers on the market and which have been modified with some interesting additions.

VivoActive HR, as the name implies easily, integrates the heartbeat optical sensor that detects both during sports activities both in the use daily tick. The integrated GPS sensor can detect correctly the distances during sports activities and no shortage of ordinary notification feature of the messages coming from your smartphone. Like other Garmin models of medium to high-end HR VivoActive also supports Connect IQ, for the installation of App specifications developed by the community Garmin.

The autonomy of operation with activated GPS is increased compared to that of the VivoActive model, passing from the previous 8 hours to 13 hours declared. Cala instead that in 24x7 operation not in operation mode, which passes from the previous 3 weeks at about 8 days by virtue of the heartbeat of the optical sensor that detects the beat consumption in the course of the day.

Vivofit 3 is a fitness bracelet evolution of Vivofit 2 model by Garmin edition of the 2015 CES in Las Vegas. The main innovation is represented by a Car Activity Detection feature, which automatically determines what type of sporting activity takes place between running, swimming, cycling and elliptical in order to bring the calorie consumption and distance estimation accordingly. It remains unchanged one of the most interesting features of Vivofit range: we speak of autonomy which is guaranteed for 1 year with the supplied battery pack.

The two new models will be sold in the second quarter of the year, lists of respectively $ 249 and $ 99 in the North American market. Garmin officially will show these products at MWC in Barcelona from next week.

Seagate Introduces Mobile 2TB HDD, 2.5-inch high-capacity

News from Seagate with the presentation of the new 2.5-inch mechanical hard drives and 2TB HDD Mobile 7mm thick. The dimensions are typical of drives that can fit in most laptop PCs, although the use of this drive are also others.

The unit is part of a family that actually also includes a 1TB model, with which it shares the Shingled Magnetic Recording storage technology (SMR). Shingle in English means tile, and in fact the storage mode follows the typical layout that we see on the roofs, or part of an industry that goes to soprapporsi other. In the area of hard drives this allows greater use of the available surface, from which the record capacity of 1TB per platter (the 2TB version has two).

The engine speed is 5400 rpm, while on the front says Seagate performance transfer rates of around 100MB / s, or about 50% less than the best performing 2.5-inch mechanical commercially. The series is clearly to provide much space as possible, which is why it is not surprising if performance is not at the top.

In addition to using the notebook these units are presented as a great alternative to the so-called "cold storage" in the enterprise, or those up very low frequency of access which still require considerable space in TB. Whereas in a 5.25-inch bay can stay there up to eight of these units, here Seagate 2TB HDD Mobile can meet even in these areas.

Canon EOS 80D: here live on video

The renovation carried out by the new Canon EOS 80D compared to the previous model is definitely full-bodied result, going in two very specific directions. Photo on the front of the new AF module 45 to the cross points - 27 of which are also used to F8 (nine cross even at F8), one highly sensitive f / 2.8 and one dual cross f / 5.6 sensitivity - is a nice step forward compared to the EOS 70D.

 Moving on to the video department we find even more irons in the fire: the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system has been improved and coupled optics Nano USM promises focus in live view and video with fast and accurate tracking, but also adjustable in speed .

The touch screen support allows you to quickly and easily decide the point to be focused (and track), while the 3.5 mm connector for headphones (which is in addition to the one for the microphone) makes the machine usable in the field in the easiest way. Canon has finally then also implemented on prosumer movie recording at 60p Full HD.

Smartphone, global growth slows in the fourth quarter of 2015

Global sales of smartphones to end users was 403 million units in the fourth quarter of 2015, an increase of 9.7% over the same period of 2014. In any case it is the lowest growth rate since 2008. in 2015 as a whole have smartphones tottalizzato 1.4 billion units, up 14.4% compared to 2014.

"The low-cost smartphones in emerging markets and strong demand for premium smartphones, continue to be the driving factors. A strategy of aggressive price from local and Chinese brands in the mid-range and entry-level segments lead consumers to upgrade more rapidly toward more affordable smartphones "said Anshul Gupta, research director for Gartner, who conducted the analysis.

The 85% of users in emerging markets in the Asia / Pacific region are replacing their mid-range phones with devices in the same category. In addition, the devaluation of the currency against the dollar in many emerging markets is placing further pressure on margins of many vendors who import the devices. Current market conditions are pushing some vendors to consider establishing manufacturing operations in India and Indonesia to avoid being hit by unfavorable future devaluations and higher import taxes.

During the fourth quarter of 2015 Samsung and Huawei were the only two smartphone vendor to see increasing sales to end users. Apple has suffered the first decline ever in smartphone sales, down 4.4% el. Although Samsung has managed to place first, Gartner notes that there are major challenges before the company, "Samsung needs to introduce new reference smartphone to stop the decline in sales of premium models, and they can compete with the iPhone in order to disarm the shift to iOS devices "noted Gupta.

Samsung has maintained the first position, but its market share fell by 2.2 percentage points. In 2015, Apple has sold 225.9 million of the iPhone, with a market share close to 16%. Sales of Huawei are amontate untità to 104 million, up 53% and getting the best performance year on year. The increased visibility of the Huawei brand overseas, and its decision to sell almost solely smartphones, has given a major advantage on the sales price during 2015.

Looking at the situation on the front operating systems, Android is growing by 16.6% in the fourth quarter of 2015, constituting 80.7% of the total. "Android has benefited from continued demand for smarthpone affordable and the slowdown of iOS devices in the premium market" says Roberta Cozza, research director for Gartner.

Netflix updates the suggestion algorithms taking advantage of the global growth

During the use of the Netflix service used by the suggestion algorithms they may seem simple but in reality there is a specific science behind them, based on various characteristics. But today, with the company operating in 130 countries around the world, the code behind the suggestions has seen a remarkable revolution. They have spoken Yves Raimond and Justin Basilico last technical post on the official blog, explaining the difficulties in delivering specific content to users in different countries.

The new algorithm does not use more regional models, but analyzes the types of videos you like to users around the world relying on subscribers who share the same tastes. The data is then synchronized no longer considering the state in which they live Netflix members, but suggesting what is popular at a given time among fans of a certain category. In this way, the company claims that the tips can have a level of detail never before seen on Netflix.

The new algorithm is based on four elements: availability, culture, language and monitoring. When Netflix was available only in a few regions, the suggestions were based on specific country on the assumption that in the same geographical area catalog of works was the same. If Netflix had used the old algorithm to cross the data of the various nations, then, the suggestions made would not have been certainly very helpful for the viewer.

To solve the problem, the company has updated the algorithms to recognize that subscribers can have "access to different catalogs based on geographic data and time." In practice, the tip will appear only if the members share the same item in the catalog and the same habits with the service. The most obvious advantage is that the algorithm can now use the data for a number of users extremely higher than in the past, relying on the base of international customers.

The company will continue to consider local tastes in those countries where the service is more popular and widespread, and promised that will combine the personal tastes to those premises in the future. However, the tastes of horror fans, for example, will be very similar in the various countries, and it is in these cases that the suggestions of the new automated system will be more reliable. The software then learns what are the trends over time, incrociandone data with location, language and popularity.

To ensure the effectiveness of the tips in the course of time the new system is based on a specific monitoring technique able to understand how a work is accepted in a very precise locations. "But our journey is just beginning," admitted the two Netflix engineers. "And we will try to constantly improve ourselves to make our service better."

Here's how the App Store and Google Play Store would be in the 80's

The Ukrainian businessman Andrey Tkachenko published on Product Hunt a nice project undoubtedly nostalgic tones. It is a promotional tool for sites of "app ranking" Appstorio, Softwario and Androio, made using the theme Bootstra.386 for Bootstrap. The end result is the realization of a store of modern applications in garment typical graphics in the late 80s.

If the blue background embellished with low-resolution characters will not mean much to the younger generation, the other side will be much appreciated by those who have witnessed the technological evolution of the 80's in computer science, when MS-DOS is beginning to move on to in windows environments. The user interface is certainly not engaging on the graphic plan, however it is particularly functional.

Displaces a bit ', we admit, the cold contact with modern graphics that is slapped us with no frills when you try to download an application. The project is called App Store Retro is allows you to quickly and effectively find applications from various applications store. But when you click on an app, it is of course directed to the store real to start download.

Who wants to take a look to the project can do so on Product Hunt website, at this address by pressing the "Get It" button.

ASUS presents RT-AC88U, gaming router without compromise

Routers are sometimes one of the devices to which it gives less importance in the home. While analyze and discuss the performance of PCs, laptops, smartphones and tablets is an activity in which even the average user is dedicated from time to time, perceive the differences in performance between existing devices that make up the home network infrastructure it is not always so straightforward.

Yet, in some usage scenarios, the traditional modem / router provided by default by the various providers shows its limits suggesting the choice of the most adapted products to support the major workload in a domestic scenario characterized by the proliferation of connected devices.

ASUS, aiming to meet the needs of those who is looking for such kind of products, today enriches the router offering, presenting RT-AC88U, an 802.11ac wireless router AC3100 class. A product that promises not only speed, stability and wide coverage, but that does not neglect gamers, providing appropriate technical solutions to improve the gaming experience, from game integrated accelerator.

The router is equipped with four transmitting antennas and four receiving antennas in 4x4 MIMO configuration, a feature that enables fast data transmissions to different groups of clients and better manage the capacity of the WiFi network, even when the groups are distributed in many local and on different floors of the house. Not negligible in a smart home environment, also, the presence of 8 LAN ports from 8 Gibabit, double envelope compared to the average, and the presence of the 802.3ad Link Aggregation technology that is used in the professional field and which is particularly useful, for example, for the management of NAS that need a lot of bandwidth: the technology allows you to combine two Gigabit Ethernet ports getting a single wired connection to 2 Gbit / s with two network cable between the router and device.

As mentioned, one of the main target audience of the new router is represented by gamers who will benefit from the integration of Broadcom NitroQAM (1024-QAM) technology which allows you to reach a maximum speed of the data in a combined dual-band of 3167 Mbit / s - 2167 Mbit / s in the 5 GHz band and 1000 Mbit / s in the 2.4 GHz. Features which will be appreciated in online gaming sessions, as well as in the streaming video in 4k and, more generally, in phase of large files sharing.

Specifically dedicated to gamers is the integration of a gaming accelerator with GPN technology (Gamers Private Network) WFast. ASUS RT-AC88U is the first router in the world to offer such a solution that provides access to a global private network, with measurable benefits in terms of ping and latency, via a free subscription. In GPN concrete reduces the ping of 30-60% average time, the average speed deviations of 70-90% and 70-90% incorrect hop. Keep in mind the fact that GPN supports all online multiplayer titles with specific optimizations for the most popular games; the accelerator, is also integrated in the interface of the router and does not take away system resources for the gaming platform.

The price of the new ASUS RT-AC88U amounts to 399 euro. Following the detailed specifications of the product.

Wi-Fi

Networking standards: IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, IPv4, IPv6.

Two simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands

802.11ac (5GHz): up to 1734Mbit / s

1024QAM (5GHz): up to 2167Mbit / s

802.11n: up to 800Mbit / s

1024QAM (2.4GHz): up to 1000Mbit / s

Wi-Fi Features

MIMO:

2.4GHz 4 x 4

5GHz 4 x 4

Processor

Dual-core processor 1.4 GHz

Storage

128MB Flash / 512MB RAM

doors

1 x 10/100 / 1000Mbit / s WAN

8 x 10/100 / 1000Mbit / s Ethernet LAN

(1 user configurable as a second WAN port)

1 x USB 3.0

1 x USB 2.0

Features

Link Aggregation, Smart Connect, Traffic Analyzer, Adaptive QoS,

AiProtection, Parental Controls, Guest Network, VPN servers,

VPN client, Dual WAN, Roaming Assist

Additional features ASUS AiCloud personal cloud service, 3G / 4G data sharing

Weight

950 grams

Facebook and Twitter support Apple in the 'war on encryption'

He is coming very strong technological world response to the latest demands of American justice. After Google and WhatsApp, even Facebook and Twitter, who had previously responded with a terse no comment on the issue, took to the field spalleggiando Tim Cook in the "war on encryption." Sparked debate an open letter to the CEO of Apple, after the company had received a request from the FBI to penetrate encryption iPhone 5C Syed Farook.

"We will continue to fight aggressively against the weakening of the requests for information systems security," said Facebook, of which we give the full notice. "We condemn terrorism and we have total solidarity with the victims of terror. Those who seek to promote or planning terrorist acts have no place in our services. And we also appreciate the difficulties and the essential work of law enforcement to keep people safe. However, we will continue to aggressively fight against the demands that companies receive about the weakening of the adopted security systems. These requests would create a terrible precedent and would hinder the efforts of companies to secure their own products. "

Takes the field even Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO: "We are with Tim Cook and Apple (and we thank him for his stance)," he said through a tweet by inserting a link to the now famous open letter published by the CEO of Cupertino giant. Tepid support from Microsoft, who shared a note issued by the Reform Government Surveillance (RGS), which is part of Microsoft organization as a founding member, which supports the Apple choices.

The "war on encryption" is taking place currently between two camps: on one side the group that considers the FBI requests as a fundamental violation of user privacy, and is composed mainly by technology companies; the other group is instead composed of legal authorities and some US politicians, who consider Apple's refusal to comply with FBI requirements as a serious obstacle in the fight against terrorism. It is a case of fundamental importance nell'attualissimo debate on encryption.

From the user's point of view it is easy to support the choices of the giants of the technology industry, but also to consider the demands of legislators and of US policy. The Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said that his office has currently 175 iPhone involved in criminal cases that can not be unlocked because of strong encryption used. Vance argues that companies like Apple and Google are acting "as a teenager" not accepting orders from anyone.

"It has become the wild west of technology," he said. "And Apple and Google have self-proclaimed sheriff" in this wild environment. But there are those who - fortunately - the bureaucratic side appreciates the usefulness of encryption: "The government has no reason to make these requests to Apple, if they do not issue a policy proposal that has not gained any traction in Congress and is was rejected by the White House, "say the members of the Democratic House Judiciary Committee. "If encryption is used properly is our best defense against online criminals, including terrorist organizations. It is the backbone of the Internet economy and is vital to the protection of privacy is that of freedom of expression."

Apple corrects the error 53 with a new iOS update

In the past few hours Apple has released a new version of iOS 9.2.1 which allows you to restore the iPhone that had accused the Error 53. This presented itself for security reasons after replacing the Touch ID sensor through welfare services and third-party blocking the device could not be used in any function. The company has been accused in recent weeks of poor transparency and threatened with a class-action.

iOS 9.2.1 then goes to the build 13D15 13D20, with the latter will be granted only to a few select people. It is not a traditional update that will be in the OTA updates screen, in short, but a version designed exclusively to make possible the recovery of the victim dell'Error devices 53. It is the latter, of a long-standing problem in the environment iOS but that jumped to the honors of the chronicle in early February for an article in the Guardian.

According to an earlier statement released by Apple, the error concerned a security measure introduced to not allow malicious users to bypass the protections of Touch ID feature that integrates the numerous personal information. A missed match between the protected enclave where the data are entered and the Touch ID sensor code would cause the error 53 and consequently made the device unusable. This protects the user from any tampering with the sensor, but also prevents him to replace Touch ID autonomously in case of breakage.

The company released a new comment site TechCrunch, which is shown below, in which he explains that the Error 53 was not due to a security measure, but an internal measure for the operation of the sensor control.

"Some devices of our customers show a screen" Connect to iTunes "after trying to update iOS or restore it with iTunes for Mac or PC. This is referred to as Error 53 from iTunes and appears when a device fails a security test. The test it was designed to check the correct operation of Touch ID before the device left the manufacturing plant.

Apple has released a software update that allows our customers who have encountered this error message to successfully restore your device using iTunes on a Mac or PC.

We apologize for any inconvenience, the message was designed to be a test factory, and was not thought to involve our customers. Customers who have paid for out of warranty replacement of the device to respond to this problem should contact AppleCare for a refund. "

The company has also updated the online support document the Error 53 on iPhone. Remind you that the update does not restore the Touch ID operation, which in case of no pairing will remain disabled until an intervention on the device from the company.

Tomb Raider and other Square Enix titles arrive on NVIDIA GeForce NOW

Square Enix will make available some of its securities on the cloud gaming platform NVIDIA GeForce NOW. Starting today you can play Tomb Raider, the adventure of Crystal Dynamics with a young Lara Croft output in 2013, and later will also arrive Sleeping Dogs, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Quantum Conundrum, and Murdered: Soul Suspect, as to read on the NVIDIA blog.

Altogether GeForce NOW includes over 80 titles today and is available for free for the first three months, then move just 9.99 EUR per month. Who pays for the subscription, then, can freely access and no additional cost to Tomb Raider, which is a title currently sold at € 19.99 on Steam, as well as other Square Enix games.

Canon PowerShot G7x II, more power with the DIGIC 7

Canon announces the new compact PowerShot G7x Mark II, an evolution of the previous model that offers the same 1.0 CMOS sensor "and 20.1 megapixels of the Mark I, however, improving ergonomics and performance thanks to the new image processor DIGIC 7.

The vast computing power increases the focusing speed (improved recognition of the scene) and to manage a burst of 24 frames at 8 fps rate in RAW format in One Shot mode H (5.4 fps in Servo mode H) - a marked improvement over the 6.5 to 1.2 fps of the previous model.

Moreover, thanks to the greater computing power, the RAW is now 14-bit instead of 12, and the native ISO range (125 to 12,800) can be expanded to 25,600.

Also significantly refined ergonomics, which now benefits a handle more pronounced in non-slip material, a front bezel that can be stepless or "jerky" and a rear display support mechanism for them to tilt even 45 ° downwards, over that of 180 ° upward.

The goal is the same 4.2x zoom equivalent to 24-100mm f / 1.8-2.8 already seen on the previous model and the new G5 X. It is stabilized, integrates a 9-blade diaphragm and focus from 5cm.
The video recording is always full HD, but also video functions have been improved with the introduction of time-lapse function. Finally, improved control in-camera image, with a new dedicated to color, contrast and sharpness, and autonomy, which rises from 210 to 265 shots with the same battery.
PowerShot G7 X Mark II will be available from May at suggested retail price of 699.99 euros.

GSMA Announces SIM specifications: the traditional SIM will soon disappear?

It seems a matter of time because the traditional SIM disappears permanently. Last year they wanted to rumors that Apple, Samsung and other companies and the industry were collaborating to create a new standard for the production of SIM integrated in the device. Specifically, programmable SIM with which it would be possible to switch from one carrier to another without the need to replace physical boards inside the device.
The GSMA has announced new specifications for ESim smartwatch, fitness tracker and tablets, with Samsung S2 Gear Classic 3G will be the first device on the market to have the new technology. Notably absent, at least until next June, the category of smartphones, but also on that date the ESim not support multiple carriers on a single device. You can save multiple profiles for different players, but can only be used one.
Embedded SIM she now speaks for several years, but the first concrete measure of technology we had on some newer iPad models. Apple has, however, used a proprietary solution and not a standard like the one announced in the last few hours of the GSMA, which is currently supported by Samsung, LG, Microsoft and Huawei. Among the operators we are instead cited AT & T, Verizon, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica and EE.
Apple names missing in the list and at the moment we can not know if the company wants to focus on its SIM Apple introduced the iPad Air 2, or if you rely on the standard as the main competitors in the market. According items not yet formalized the Cupertino company has actively participated in the development of ESim GSMA, with both sides that showed interested in the past year to reach a formal agreement on the subject.
In addition to the convenience advantages ESim is 90% smaller than a traditional SIM card, and offers a chance to save significant additional space in which additional electronic components can be implemented.
Alex Sinclair, GSMA CTO, commented on the news: "This is the only common specification, interoperable and comprehensive that has received the support of the mobile industry and allows customers subscribing to a mobile plan to connect their devices to a network Mobile. the new specifications give consumers the freedom to connect remotely different devices such as wearable, and continue to evolve the connection process between new and innovative devices. "
Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G will be available in March, but it is likely that in the coming months many more devices of a different nature will add compatibility with ESim. We expect still awaiting the announcement of specific smartphones that should arrive in the second half of the year.

Windows 10, new build IP 14627 available in the Fast Ring

The Windows 10 operating system (desktop) is taking another step forward in the ongoing process of refining carried out from the house of Redmond with the release of build 14267 entered in recent hours in the fast ring. A release that is not limited to make the structural changes "under the body" but introduces refinements and new features that are immediately perceptible end user side.

It starts from its new interface personal digital assistant Cortana is now present the icon in the upper right that lets you quickly start the function for the recognition of the music tracks.

Three news for the Microsoft Edge browser. One concerns the improvements to the management of the bookmarks bar: you can now choose to display only the favicons and create a new folder. Both options are easily selected via the context menu called up by clicking the right mouse button on the bar.

You, too, can now choose to automatically delete the browsing cache as a result of the closing of the browser. The option requires activation via the browser settings menu. Also improved download management with the inclusion of a dialog box that lets you select the location where you will store the downloaded content (even in this case the option can be used at your own risk intervening in the boowser settings) .

The new build of Windows Insider Preview 10 introduces some welcome changes to the app Messages + Skype, changes that begin to more convincingly bridge the gap in terms of features with separate Skype client. Specifically, you can now attach photos to a Skype message, even taking advantage of the camera in your device, and location information.

Rounding out the picture of the novelties the inevitable series of fixes, including:

The "Reset your PC" now it works properly
After logging no longer appears the error message WSClient.dll
The front camera should return to function properly in PCs equipped with Intel Real Sense camera. Login with Windows Hello should be possible again
And 'Fixed a problem with the incorrect indication of the volume of the system storage capacity (hard disk or solid state drive where Windows is installed).
As usual, it is a test build, you should be aware of known bugs before downloading and installing. Microsoft will only highlights one concerning the possibility of losing network connectivity when using Hyper-V and you upgrade to the new build with more than one vswitch or more virtual network adapters. To work around the problem, simply remove all the virtual network adapters connected to the vswitch, vswitch delete and recreate it, then reconnect the virtual NIC to the new vswitch.

Upgrade to build 14627 can be carried out via Windows Update, recalling that this build was distributed exclusively in the fast ring. One of the three distribution circuits of the update which include, in addition, the Slow Ring and the recent Preview Release (see. Previous news).

Fallout 4 awarded best game of the year the 'Oscars of video games'

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has chosen Fallout 4 as the best video game. The title Bethesda has beaten other candidates scope prize games, namely Bloodborne, Ori and the Blind Forest, Rise of the Tomb Raider and The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt. Fallout 4 was also awarded the prize for direction of play and Best RPG. The main rival The Witcher 3, however, the awards went to the story, for the technical quality and the game design, but you will find the complete list at the bottom of news.

During the DICE Summit welcomes the Awards of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Bethesda also revealed it is working on three new games: "We are carrying out three long-term projects," he said Todd Howard, Bethesda Game Studios Director . "We'll talk in the future. They are very different from everything we have done so far, but at the same time respect the Bethesda style". Howard does not consider in this account the projects in the pipeline such as DLC for Fallout 4 and Doom.

Among the most significant awards posthumous lifetime achievement award to Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's former president who died prematurely last July. Iwata has been considered worthy to receive this award for having contributed to the launch of gaming platforms that have changed the history of industry, such as Wii and 3DS.

Hideo Kojima, thanks to a long career more than 30 years, was included in the Hall of Fame. Before the evening where the awards were presented held an important and awaited keynote along with Guillermo Del Toro, the Hollywood director with whom he should have realized P.T. First of disagreements with Konami that led to the separation of Kojima from Japanese publisher and docking at Sony.

"Hideo Kojima has been the standard bearer of the development of video games in recent years," said Del Toro. "His stories have never external contamination and for this there is never anything that he does not love. Like me, he believes that we must love this medium."

Del Toro seems to refer to what happened with Konami. "I feel extremely free now", she added the same Kojima. "I'm trying to build a big game with a small team and I'm doing exactly what I want to do."

"I do not care to change things in order to sell more. The only thing I want is to create games that I like to play," Kojima is another clear statement on the relationship with Konami.

Del Toro is back on the relationship between writers and producers: "It is the same in all industries: the storytellers always look forward to try to understand how you can innovate, people who have the money instead looks back to point it safe. Even in the cinema there are indie poetic products and that there are no limits. the only limit is represented by bastards with money. "

"We two are of the same generation," Del Toro is still talking. "We share a passion for big ideas melancholy performed in big action products. Hideo chose a medium that led him to work as a director and game makers, but at the same time as a film maker and writer. Players can always recognize his style when playing his title. "

Kojima also estimates the way of working of Del Toro: "Melts violent moments with something beautiful. This makes his only film," he said, referring in particular to the film The Devil's Spine.

Here is the complete list of the 2016 DICE Awards.

GAME OF THE YEAR

• Bloodborne
• Winner: Fallout 4
• Ori and the Blind Forest
• Rise of the Tomb Raider
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN GAME DIRECTION

• Winner: Fallout 4
• Life is Strange
• Rise of the Tomb Raider
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Undertale

ADVENTURE GAME OF THE YEAR

• Batman: Arkham Knight
• Life is Strange
• Winner: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
• Ori and the Blind Forest
• Rise of the Tomb Raider

ACTION GAME OF THE YEAR

• Destiny: The Taken King
• Helldivers
• Just Cause 3
• Winner: Star Wars Battlefront
• Splatoon

MOBILE GAME OF THE YEAR

• Dominations
• Winner: Fallout Shelter
• Lara Croft GO
• Pac-Man 256
• The Room Three

DICE SPRITE AWARD

• Her Story
• Galak-Z
• Kerbal Space Program
• Winner: Rocket League
• Undertale

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ANIMATION

• Assassin's Creed Syndicate
• Batman: Arkham Knight
• Winner: Ori and the Blind Forest
• Rise of the Tomb Raider
• The Order: 1886

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION

• Lara Croft Go
• Winner: Ori and the Blind Forest
• Rise of the Tomb Raider
• The Order: 1886
• Star Wars Battlefront

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHARACTER

• Assassin's Creed Syndicate — Evie Frye
• Her Story — Hannah Smith
• Life is Strange — Max
• Winner: Rise of the Tomb Raider — Lara Croft
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Geralt of Rivia

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC COMPOSITION

• Batman: Arkham Knight
• Everybody's Gone To The Rapture
• Winner: Ori and the Blind Forest
• Starcraft II: Legacy Of The Void
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DESIGN

• Destiny: The Taken King
• Ori and the Blind Forest
• Rise of the Tomb Raider
• Winner: Star Wars Battlefront
• The Order: 1886

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN STORY

• Fallout 4
• Her Story
• Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Game Series
• Rise of the Tomb Raider
• Winner: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

• Just Cause 3
• Rise of the Tomb Raider
• Star Wars Battlefront
• The Order: 1886
• Winner: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

FAMILY GAME OF THE YEAR

• Guitar Hero Live
• Lego Dimensions
• Rock Band 4
• Winner: Super Mario Maker
• Tearaway Unfolded

FIGHTING GAME OF THE YEAR

• Winner: Mortal Kombat X
• Dead or Alive 5 Last Round
• Rising Thunder

RACING GAME OF THE YEAR

• Winner: Forza Motorsport 6
• Need for Speed
• Project Cars

ROLE-PLAYING/MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER GAME OF THE YEAR

• Bloodborne
• Winner: Fallout 4
• Pillars of Eternity
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Undertale

SPORTS GAME OF THE YEAR

• FIFA 2016
• Madden NFL 2016
• MLB 15 The Show
• NBA 2K16
• Winner: Rocket League

STRATEGY/SIMULATION GAME OF THE YEAR

• Cities: Skylines
• Fallout Shelter
• Grey Goo
• Winner: Heroes of the Storm
• Kerbal Space Program

HANDHELD GAME OF THE YEAR

• Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space
• Winner: Helldivers
• Pokemon: Super Mystery Dungeon
• Yo-Kai Watch

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ONLINE GAMEPLAY

• Destiny: The Taken King
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
• Winner: Rocket League
• Splatoon

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN GAME DESIGN

• Fallout 4
• Her Story
• Lara Croft Go
• Massive Chalice
• Winner: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

HTC One M10, new photos of the top range with white body

HTC One M10, or the next top range of Taiwanese manufacturer, returns to the headlines following the spread of a new alleged real photo of the device, widespread network of exhaustive leaker Evan Blass (Evleaks).

The source had already spread at the beginning of February, what has been described as the first smartphone photo and chose to double the amount of rumors by publishing a second click. The new photo depicts the front of HTC One M10 in the variant with white shell, a circumstance that allows in an even clearer identification of the various elements that compose it.

The first difference from the canons of construction of the previous top of the line range One relates to the absence of the double front speaker facing BoomSound, replaced by a single speaker located in the upper part of the front. Absent also the HTC logo usual in the bottom of the front, but present a unique key that, in this second photo has a more rectangular shape than that of the previous photo leaked.

Overall, second photo of HTC One M10 confirmed a possibility that had already been proposed previously. HTC would actually chose to use the same design used with One A9 to give body to the new high-end model of the line of One and, without excessive turns of words, to use a "tested" style, which incorporates seen in a very narrow one used by Apple with the iPhone.

At the moment, the alleged actual photos of the new One will only dwell on the front, while the back cover is not shown. If the two photos of One M10 turn out to be real, it follows clearly from the HTC path chosen to push forward the development of its smartphone catalog: a risky approach, because if on the one hand to choose a proven and easily identifiable design can help achieve a wider audience than the one that forms the target audience of Taiwan, on the other hand this approach would result in abstain from using an original design. One A9 marked a breaking point in the HTC production, no refining and construction solutions employed with previous One models. The same could happen with the new top range 2016.

For final judgments will need to wait for the official launch of HTC One M10 which, as previously revealed, will not take place at the Mobile World Congress 2016, but in a subsequent event.

CAT S60 is the world's first smartphone with integrated thermal cam

CAT S60 is the latest in a catalog of rugged phone for Caterpillar products, for several years, is engaged in the commercialization of smartphones and feature phones for use in scenarios where reliability and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions represent elements essential. Products certainly not facing the consumer market, which, at the same time, integrate features that do not fail to excite the curiosity of the techno fans.

Are two specifications that allow the CAT S60 to switch to the headlines: it is, in fact, the first smartphone in the world equipped with a thermal camera and, secondly, a terminal which has a unique resistance to liquids in the category: it can stand immersed in the liquid at a maximum depth of five meters per hour.

CAT has substantially integrated into the smartphone body thermal camera developed by FLIR. Specifically, the camera lets you view real-time thermal representation of the scene framed by the objective, measure the temperature of the surface and capture the scene in both photos, both videos. The resolution of the captured material in thermal mode, limited to 640 x 480 pixels (VGA), suggests what is the main purpose of the cam assessable on utility practice plan. CAT illustrates some scenarios where the use of the thermal cam is very useful, regardless of the resolution of the sensor: think of the activity of a team engaged in the search for the missing in a rescue mission that takes place in inaccessible scenarios, the forces of police who may use it in the investigation by measuring, for example, the temperature of the tires or the engine of a car for feedback on the statements of the subjects involved in the case, to arrive to the use in the building sector, thermohydraulic, etc.

The rest of the hardware profile highlights the typical canons of construction of rugged products, designed to withstand any external stress. The CAT S60 incorporates a reinforced frame that allows him to overcome unscathed falls from a height of 1.8 meters, incorporates a touch screen protected by glass Gorilla Glass 4 - manageable even with gloves - and a large 3800 mAh battery. Software soul is the Android operating system Marshmallow. The detailed hardware report includes:

Display 4.7 "HD multitouch, 540 nits, Gorilla Glass 4
SoC Snapdragon 617 octa-core
3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage
13mp rear camera with dual LED flash
Front 5MP camera
4G LTE connectivity
3800 mAh battery
High quality sound (> 105dB)
App of the FLIR thermal camera management with MSX technology

Cat S60 will be exhibiting at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, appointment suitable to touch the product with hands, but the company has already announced the sale price and date of availability: 649 € and a timetable providing for its arrival within the end of the year.

ASUS ZenDrive U7M burn DVDs M-DISC and protects data for eternity

The cloud is a really great innovation and, in the future, the amount of data that will find the hotel in the "cloud" is set to grow. Despite the growing trend, not everyone is now willing to entrust to remote servers and to subjects cloud service providers the archiving task of valuable data that, as such, we tend to guard jealously. Pursuing the objective of maintaining safely and completely released from the web their data, traditional optical media appear in many respects one of the safest solutions, if only by their nature inherently offline. If the safety aspect is then combines that of duration, then the optical media still has a lot to say.

The M-DISC to Milleniata have been around for several years and focus the aspect of the duration of the support to provide something extra in the storage segment of data. According to the company, the M-DISC DVD and BR are designed to preserve the data stored for over 1000 years, the very near term to the concept of "eternity" (after all, it is humanly impossible to contradict Milleniata). To store data in the M-DISC requires special devices, such as the ASUS ZenDrive U7M announced today, with a DVD burner that supports (also) DVDs M-DISC.

In greater detail the characteristics of ASUS ZenDrive U7M (SDRW-08U7M-U) should clarify that it is a USB external CD writer, by the reduced thickness and marketed under a suite of applications that allow you to manage the product. CyberLink Power2Go 8 simplifies the burning process and offers an optional feature for encryption of data, while Nero BackItUp for Android is a complete backup solution for data stored in smartphones and Android tablet.

of the new ZenDrive strength is the ability to manage the M-DISC DVD, which adopt a special laser technology by which the data is etched in a very robust and durable storage layer to the lighting conditions, extreme temperature and humidity. A solution that has advantages not only compared to the cloud, but also taking into account the average duration of hard disks and other writable media. If you just can not help the cloud, Asus offers to buyers of ZenDrive U7M unlimited storage space on ASUS WebStorage free for six months.

Blank DVD M-DISC are on average more expensive than DVDs that do not use the patented technology from Millenniata; to have a benchmark, 15 DVD + R M-DISC are proposed at 55 euro via Amazon (can of course find more or less favorable prices). Appreciated the fact that ASUS has included in the package of U7M ZenDrive two DVDs M-DISC.

ASUS ZenDrive U7M

read speed

DVD ± R, DVD + R (M-DISC), DVD ± RW, DVD-ROM, DVD ± R (DL), DVD-ROM (DL): 8X

DVD-RAM: 5X

CD-R / RW / ROM: 24X

DVD video playback: 4X

VCD playback: 16X

Playing Audio CD: 10X

write speed

DVD ± R, DVD + RW: 8X

DVD-RW, DVD ± R (DL): 6X

DVD-RAM: 5X

CD-R / RW: 24X

DVD + R (M-DISC): 4X

Interface

USB 2.0

Operating System Compatibility

Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Mac® OS X® 10.6 or higher

software included

Cyberlink Power2Go 8

Cyberlink PowerBackup

E-Green

Minimum system requirements

CPU: Intel® Pentium® 4 2.0GHz or AMD Athlon ™ 2100+

RAM: 512MB

HDD: 10GB

Dimensions 142.5 x 135.5 x 13.9 mm

Weight

228 grams

Intel and Micron to work on a 10 TB SSD for the enterprise sector

Everyone knows, or at least the fans, what are the main differences between a traditional hard drive and solid state drive. The first offer large capacities at low prices, but compared to SSD are much slower and delicate. The cost per GB of hard drive is vastly lower than that reported to the SSD, which is why we must make a careful choice of which solution to choose as needed.

In the consumer sector, things are changing a bit 'if until a few years ago SSDs costing lot offering a few dozen GB capacity, now you can spend a lot less than 100 Euro for a 250GB model of quality, quantity which may be enough for many needs. The enterprise sector, that of servers and databases, is much more complex and difficult to classify in one type scenario.

There may be cases in which only counts the capacity and not the performance, and then mechanical hard drive without thinking. In other situations should a hybrid system, while in others there is a combination of demands on both the performance plan and on the capacity. To meet this need many companies are already moving with large capacity SSD solutions, at prices that only the enterprise sector can afford.

The recently emerged rumors that Intel and Micron are in the process of presenting enterprise SSDs up to 10TB, using 3D NAND memory chips in multiple layers, such as Samsung to speak. The collaboration between Intel and Micron is longstanding, and even in recent times have emerged about the work done in collaboration, such as for system memory based on XPoint 3D technology. It should not miss much in the launch of these new units, thus enriching the offer enterprise SSD drives to also run very high income.

The original Rayman on the iPhone and iPad

20 years have passed since the release of Rayman, the famous side-scrolling platformer that has redefined the genre. To celebrate the event, Ubisoft released Rayman Classic, gaming experience to mirror the original, but declined for iOS-based devices. Rayman Classic can be purchased for € 4.99.

They return the playing characteristics of the 1996 version, as well as famous levels like Forest of Wonders and the Gang Territory. There are also the magical powers of man-shaped eggplant as the telescopic fist or helicopter, as well as not miss the Electoon to try and free.

In this new version for iPhone and iPad, there are two game modes: Hardcore, where we will have to finish the whole adventure with a single life; and Casual, where we have endless attempts. Rayman Classic can also be played with the traditional gamepad as a result of the MFi support and is available in several languages, including Italian.

The download is 177 MB, and is required iOS 7.0. Apple recommends using at least one iPhone 4S for satisfying gaming experience. For the moment there is no trace of the Android version.

Fierce competition in the smartphone market: Asustek revised its estimates of deliveries to Zenfone

The tough competition in the smartphone market has pushed the Taiwanese Asustek Computer to review the estimates for 2016 deliveries ZenFone products: instead of the 30 million originally planned (for all markets excluding China), there is now talk of 25 million units. The downsizing of the estimates was made due to the increasing competition from Chinese producers in the markets of India, Brazil, Russia, Southeast Asia and Africa.

Asustek Computer has originally set a goal of deliveries 30 million ZenFone series of smartphones for all markets, except for China, for 2016. During a meeting with investors the company has, however, he retracted downward estimated at 25 million units. Market analyzes indicate that downsizing was done because of the increasing competition from Chinese producers of smartphones in India, Brazil, Russia, Southeast Asia and Africa.

The Asustek last year handed over 20 million smartphones recording a significant increase compared to 8.5 million units delivered in 2014, which made it possible to make profitable the turnover linked to smartphones. During the reporting period the company has, however, encountered some difficulties in the Chinese market, with results below the expected.

On the other hand the smartphone market was linked to the Celestial Empire is crossed by a very fierce competition. Huawei, for example, has decided to reduce orders for smartphones for the first quarter due to high inventory levels and Xiaomi in the fourth quarter of 2015 lost the second position in the market undermined by Apple. The market analyst firm IDC record market share of 15.2% for Huawei, by 14.6% to 14.4% for Apple and Xiaomi.

Tay Xiaohan, senior market analyst for IDC, commented: "Xiaomi has entered the Chinese smartphone market when it was still growing and has been able to capture significant market share with its unique sales model. Huawei, with investments in research and development, robust products, branding and channel connections has seen strong growth in 2015. Apple, in contrast, continues to be a strong and attractive brand to Chinese consumers. With the Chinese market slows down, it is unlikely that we will see new players exert a great impact on the smartphone market compared to how Xiaomi has done in previous years. "

Chinese producers of smartphones account for 40% of the world market of smartphones and seven of the top 10 manufacturers are Chinese: Asustek will find certainly a more complex challenge to be able to maintain profits in this market.

Samsung presents the series SSD 750 EVO, the entry level that shakes competition

We had already spoken of a possible presentation by Samsung of a new line of SSDs for the consumer sector, just below the name of the 750 EVO. They came, but with some very unexpected news, the first of which is that we are not facing a rotation with the popular 850 EVO, as a whole new set for the entry level market, it should be remembered. We will repeat it again.

Samsung 750 EVO is a "lighter" version than 850 EVO from controller: we are always in front of the MGX model homemade, but the cores used are two instead of the three present in the 850 EVO. Another key difference is found in the chip: 750 EVO uses the new Samsung 16nm TLC "planar", and not the 32-layer 128Gbit TLC V-NAND.

A move that is betting everything to save, in order to offer SSD at an extremely competitive price. Unfortunately have been announced so far only two models, 120GB and 250GB, equipped with 256MB of cache in both cases (about 850 EVO 250GB quantity is double, the same 120GB). Performances? In terms of transfer rate identical to the 850 EVO, or 540Mb / s read and 520MB / s write, IOPS with less but a negligible extent.

The move to 16nm seems to benefit the consumer according to data reported: the average consumption of 750 EVO is 2.1W, rising to 2.4W for 250GB model. 850 EVO, cutting 1TB, consumes 3,7W on average; We looked everywhere for a comparable figure for the same cut but Samsung does not indicate it in the specifications on the site, indicating only those cuts 1TB and 2TB (which for the record is 4,7W).

Also differences in duration and warranty: 750 EVO 120GB is credited with 35TB of writes, against the well-75TB unit 850 EVO equal capacity. For the 250GB model differences are dwindling, against 70TB 75TB, but all units are guaranteed 750 EVO 3 years instead of 5 enjoyed by the 850 EVO.

Some fans will be disappointed if the 750 EVO expected an upgrade of the 850 EVO, this is not the day. The situation is different for those who are still waiting to buy an inexpensive SSD: the two 750 EVO models are priced initial stated, in US dollars, of $ 54.99 (120GB) and $ 74.99 for 250GB. Starting from the consideration that already 850 EVO are cheap and go very well with the competition in trouble to keep the same prices, we can only imagine in a few months to what you can buy these new units. And the compromises outlined above could become much more tolerable.

Surface Book is sold in Europe, excluding only Italy for now

A few hours away from the firmware distribution, the intent of Microsoft, is expected to improve in an important way the performance of the 2-in-1 Surface line, multiply the net reports on the possibility of buying the Surface Book in several European markets. The news of the expansion of distribution channels is not surprising, since it had been anticipated by Microsoft in January and that, subsequently, the company kicked off the pre-orders in their Microsoft Store European Online. From the phase of pre-orders it has now switched to the actual availability of the product.

A quick survey of prices in the Swiss market, identifies the most cost-effective, considering that it comes after the change of the official prices expressed in Swiss francs at the official online store. To get hold of the model with configuration "basic" or with Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage required 1,699.00 Swiss francs, about 1537 euro exchange rate, while the most handsome model that integrates Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB of storage and dGPU is proposed to 2,999.00 Swiss francs, about 2,715 euro change.

Leveled, and higher, the prices reported in the Microsoft Store in Austria, France, Germany and the UK: it starts from 1649 Euros for the base version and you get to 2919 euro for the more handsome through the two intermediate configurations (a few tens euro more in the UK, taking into account the change from the pound). The distribution in Europe is not limited to Microsoft's online store, but extends to online retailers like Amazon UK (to be considered when evaluating the purchase abroad because the shipment is expected also in the Italian market) .

Italy, unfortunately, continues to remain excluded from the list of nations in which you have enabled the distribution of Surface Book, a product that has generated considerable interest in the presentation and the initial distribution in the States, in the light of technical solutions used by Microsoft for the realization of the construction level and which meets the standards of premium products. The price, in an absolute sense, it is certainly not content, especially if you take into account the high-end configurations that reach 3000 euro. It is true that, despite being in substance a 2-in-1, the Surface Book presents specificity such that does not allow you to easily equate it to other converged devices.

The wait for Italians interested users to make direct contact with the product before the purchase is not yet complete. It is not impossible that in the future, Surface Book will be officially distributed in Italy, but it is unclear when and under what circumstances this mode will occur. The Redmond could follow a model not too dissimilar from that for the marketing of the first Surface Pro, arrived in the Italian market for almost a year after its debut in the States. Something that would be better not to occur in order to avoid proposing an already "old" (in the hi-tech market, unfortunately, the commercial obsolescence can be reached in the range of a few months).