Philips announces its first 5K monitor (5120x2880 pixels)

Philips launched its first 5K monitor that supports a native resolution of 5120x2880 @ 60Hz. With four times the number of pixels of the Quad HD standards and more than 50% compared to the Ultra HD resolution, the new Philips 275P4VYKEB panel is designed to meet the needs of graphics professionals and users. The monitor supports PerfectKolor technology that delivers a gamut Adobe RGB 99% and 100% with regard to the sRGB standard.

The 5K resolution provides the user with 1000 and 700 more pixels in the horizontal and vertical sides, respectively, delivering an extra space to use for example more and more windows in the foreground. The 27-inch panel boasts a 10-bit color support with 12-bit internal processing and uses PLS technology that allows viewing angles of 178 degrees both vertically and horizontally. The monitor also integrates two stereo speakers 2W each, webcam with LED indicator and microphone.
The maximum resolution is playable exclusively through dual DisplayPort connection, while using connection to a single port will not be able to overcome the traditional 4K, equal to 3840x2160 pixels. According to the technical specifications issued by the company on the panel has a maximum brightness of 300cd / m², support MHL connections and three USB 3.0 ports, one compatible with rapid charging technologies.

Philips 275P4VYKEB technical specifications
PLS panel LCD (Glare)
W-LED backlight
Diagonal 27 inches / 68.6 cm (16: 9)
Native Resolution 5120 x 2880 @ 60Hz (DP Dual Cable)
3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz (Single Davo DP)
viewing angle 178 ° (H) / 178 ° (V), @ C / R> 10
Brightness 300 cd / m²
Gamma 1,07G colors (True 10-bit)
Extra Speaker 2 x 2W
2 MP Webcam with microphone and LED
Kensington Lock, VESA 100x100mm Attack
Plug & Play Compatibility: DDC / CI, Mac OS X, sRGB
Connectivity 2 x DisplayPort
3 x USB 3.0 (one with Rapid Reload)
Sync Input: Separate Syng, Sync on Green Audio (In / Out), Headphone Out
Stand Height adjustment: 150 mm
articulation point: 90 °
Rotation: -65 / + 65 °
Tilt: -5/20 °

The monitor also uses some tricks to not tire the user's view even during extended use, such as an anti-flickering technology and the SmartErgoBase, the pedestal that allows to tilt, rotate and adjust the height of the device to increase the ' ergonomics and allow a comfortable posture during use. Not for all the money, as usual for a professional nature products: Philips 275P4VYKEB will sell for € 1,599, with the expected availability from next April.

Microsoft and Canonical ready to bring Ubuntu on Windows 10 | Rumor

The distance between the Windows and Linux operating system looks set to shrink in a consistent manner as a result of Microsoft's decision to integrate Canonical and Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, Windows 10. The news has not yet considered official, but it is It has been confirmed by sources close to Canonical to ZDnet site. Food for thought there, since no one would be the simplest option to use the BASH shell of Linux in Windows 10, but a genuine integration of Ubuntu in Windows 10.

According to reports from the source, in fact, the Ubuntu operating system will not simply running as a virtual machine, or it will be a simple command-line interface running BASH, it features already exploited through programs with Cygwin or MSYS. Full details will be revealed at the conference Build which will start today (but the announcement could take place in any of the three days of the conference). One of the hypotheses is that Ubuntu will be able to operate "on" Windows exploiting the new Linux subsystem spotted at the end of January in a build of Windows 10 Redstone.

E 'right to point out that, on the basis of the first description provided by the source, it seems that the novelty talk first to the community of developers and not the final user, since it defines how unlikely the Unity user interface integration Ubuntu; the focus, on the contrary, will be the interpreter of the Bash command and other CLI (command line interface tools). Theoretically, in the light of the new integration between Ubuntu and Windows, it might be possible to run a Linux GUI, such as Unity, GNOME or KDE, but would not this the essential purpose of the collaboration between Microsoft and Canonical.

For the moment, it should not go too far in the feedback of a partnership whose contours and whose purpose will emerge clearly in the course of waiting Build Conference in 2016.

Corsair detects new gaming mouse M65 PRO RGB optical sensor to 12,000 dpi

Corsair M65 PRO RGB is a new gaming mouse suitable for silver due to the technical specifications of its optical sensor that boasts quality materials assembled to last. The optical sensor as 12,000 dpi delivers pixel precision, while the integrated calibration software enables you to obtain the best possible reactivity based on any type of surface.

The chassis is made of aluminum for high strength aeronautical use and also welcomes the button for switching the dpi on the fly, allowing you to switch from one to another tracking mode based on the needs of the moment gaming. This button can be especially useful at times when you have to shoot from a distance with the sniper rifle, so it serves a different feeling compared to the fire with traditional weapons.

Do not miss an advanced weight-tuning system, allowing you to change the mouse's center of gravity. The mouse can be lighter for precision movements or heavier for those more determined. As to the wheel, instead, a rubberized outer surface surrounds the metal core in order to ensure accuracy and the right tactile feedback.

The Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) also allows you to change the button configuration to program macros and customize the backlight. Eight programmable buttons, in fact, have been included in a strategic position, while the two main buttons are based on the popular Omron switch. On the underlying surface were then placed two Teflon plates that reduce friction and ensure reliable performance.

The black dell'M65 PRO RGB version is available now at select retailers and on Corsair.com, while the white version will arrive over the next month.

Xiaomi presents the rice cooker pot that controled with smartphone

The market of Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to explode in the coming years; more and more companies are investing resources in the development of "smart" devices, interconnected by exploiting the cloud and network connectivity. Among the companies interested in being in the sector Figure Xiaomi, known name in the western market for Android smartphones that have caught the public's attention by virtue of the good value for money.

To achieve the purpose, Xiaomi presents "I Ecosystem", a new program through which the Chinese company will be responsible for marketing a wide range of gadgets connected to the Internet and be able to communicate with other devices. The first product does not fail to attract the attention of hardcore tecnofan ... and love cooking.

It's called MIJA, short for me Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker, and is essentially a pressure cooker for induction cooking rice. Its peculiarity is that it can be managed by smartphone and the app I'm Home, allowing the user to control every aspect of cooking rice. The project is the result of extensive development work lasted 18 months and d which was attended by about 30,000 testers. Xiaomi presents as follows the features that make smart what, otherwise, would be a simple kitchen utensil:
Users can scan their rice box to identify the type, brand and origin, and, based on those factors, the rice cooker can adjust its method of heated and adapting best to the type of rice. Currently it supports more than 200 brands of rice, destined to grow in the future, and in 2450 the heating mode.
The special "smart" device, which can also be set for baking cakes and other dishes, will be marketed as of April 6 next year in China at a price of 999 RMB (just under 140 Euros according to the current exchange rate). At the moment, there are no official confirmations on commercializing MIJIA pot in the international markets,
It is objectively a more directed to users Asian product, which can appreciate the benefits of a rice cooker pot - more so if "smart" - more than it does that of Europe. A device which, in Xiaomi hopes will compete with the innovative Japanese rice cooker, pointing at a price on average four times less than that of such products.

MIJA, beyond the events relating to the marketing in the European market, is equally deserving of attention, mainly because it adds another element to understanding how, thanks to the internet of Things, objects commonly used in our homes will change becoming more and more "intelligent" (or, at least, more easily programmable taking advantage of wide spread products such as smartphones).
To underline the fact that the Xiaomi projects in the field of the Internet of Things go well beyond a pot: the company has confirmed major investments in 55 companies that design smart devices and has plans in the future to further intensify the resources to produce devices in that category.

iOS, fixed a bug emerges another: opening links with crashes and freeze

Apple, as anticipated, has kicked off the release of a new update of iOS which, although without prejudice to the OS version to 9.3, introduced the build 13E5237. Upgrade purpose is to correct the problem highlighted in the process of upgrading to iOS 9.3 for devices from Cupertino older, including not only iPhone, but also iPad. Following the release of the new update, the previously emerged problems (see. HERE for more details) should have been completely solved: the iPhone and iPad users can thus proceed to upgrade to iOS 9.3 without problems. Filed a problem, however, another appears on the horizon and always has to do with a bug affecting iOS 9.x (not only the most recent release, but also the previous ones).

Several reports about it have taken place in the course of the weekend and make reference to a problem that causes crashes and freezes following the activation of a link in Safari and other apps. On this occasion, the response of the House of Cupertino has been rapid, at least in the confirmation profile on the development of a new corrective update, which could come in the form of iOS 9.3 .1 or new build of iOS 9.3. According to reports from earlier reports, to be interested in the bugs are not only native apps, like Safari, Messages and Mail, as well as other third-party app.

Apple, for the moment, did not provide a technical explanation that justifies the onset of the problem, but the developer community has advanced his hypothesis. Specifically, according to the developer Ben Collier, it would be linked to Universal Links, a feature introduced with iOS 9 that allows app developers to assocciare your app's website, so that the link to the web site can automatically open the app without having to Safari. The bug in question would prevent redirection sometimes causing the crash, sometimes the app freeze used.

The occurrence of the bug has been documented in detail in relation to an app very popular as Booking.com (but interesting app ranks could be extended), and therefore depends on which apps are installed on your system and how developers they handled the function of the Universal Links. Ben Collier indicates a temporary fix that is realized with a fairly complex procedure. These troubleshooting steps and waiting for the official fix from Apple:

If the app is still installed, remove the device from Booking.com
Activate the flight mode
Connect your device to your computer and launch iTunes
Turn on and off the device
Make sure you have the Booking.com app in iTunes on your computer (here for the download link)
Maintain active flight mode
In iTunes sync the app with the device Booking.com
Wait until the synchronization phase, then open the app on the device Booking.com
Forcibly closing the app Booking.com by a double press on the home button and swipe the top
Turn off airplane mode
Open Safari - the links should be working again. They will correct the problems onc other apps like Mail or Messages

The developer notes that might be necessary to repeat these steps. Booking.com, meanwhile, has released a quick update that fixes the problem (generated from the app together with the iOS bug) and that allows you to reinstall it after completing these steps. Please note that the instructions above are the result of an empirical procedure which, as such, might work or not. Other attempts to solve the problem go to switch on and switch off the device and disabling Javascript. No guarantee whether it remedies operating in all conditions. The final correction will come with the announced major update that Apple is preparing to release (lacking, however, an exact date for the start of the distribution).

Microsoft Build 2016, important new features coming to the Live Tiles

"The Live Tiles are evolving with two surprises in great demand and unmissable". It reads part of the description of "What's New for Tiles and Toast Notifications" which will start on April 1 next part of waiting Conference Build 2016, event organized by Microsoft and designed to ecosystem Windows developers often exploited from Redmond to present news concerning his entire line of products and services.

The Live Tiles, as always, are one of the main distinguishing features of the operating systems Windows 10 and Windows Mobile 8.1 / 10. Elements that have sought to overcome the traditional boundaries of static icons of iOS and widget of the Android operating system, offering a solution that, like it or not, continues to have its own specific identity. It is unclear at the moment how it will evolve the element that allows you to use a structured interface in the now well-known animated frames.

You can only make hypotheses about it, retracing the long trail of rumors, alternating with official material, which suggests what could be the development path of the Live Tiles by Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. A possible reference should be to so-called interactive Live Tiles, passed in the past the headlines thanks to places research projects in place by Microsoft in the past years.

Unlike current static Live Tiles that offer the option to display only the information, the new boxes allow you to interact with the app connected to the frame. For example, the calendar app could allow the insertion of an appointment via the corresponding tile, the alarm clock app to set an alarm and an app dedicated to the management of multimedia content to control the reproduction of the same.

And 'correct to specify that this is speculation waiting for official confirmation. To receive it, simply wait a few more days. Appreciable, in the first instance, Microsoft's will aim to bolster one of the most popular and characteristic elements of the mobile platform and the latest Windows release.

We will not fail to bring the main novelty of the three days dedicated to the Windows world, starting tomorrow March 30.

After April 11, the future of Yahoo may be a little 'lighter

Yahoo is the long search for a recovery is known, but the attempts made so far seem to have been successful.

The latest news is a kind of ultimatum, dated April 11: this is the date by which the companies interested to the purchase of the web activities of Yahoo and its shares in Asian companies (Alibaba head) must submit bids preliminary. Concerned, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, they will have to indicate what they are specifically interested in and what prices.

Yahoo also requires potential buyers other specific information, including the conditions under which a sales agreement will be concluded, how it will be funded and what solid reasons would lead them to continue the purchase negotiation.

It 'clear that many of Yahoo's assets may affect the market, but only a few companies are able to sustain the purchase and think to make the investment through a relay operation of all purchases. Yahoo in this way will probably see over the next few weeks, which companies are really interested and able to carry on a negotiation for the acquisition.

This operation is part of the activity announced in February by the company's CEO, Marissa Mayer, who had anticipated a cut of 1,700 employees, the closure of various online services and sites as well as sales operations in goods and patents. Anything not rule out more complex operations, with the sale of the company shares of the entire complex to potentially interested buyers.

Samsung updates the app Internet, Adblock and Secret Mode from Lollipop and next

During these last days, the Korean company Samsung has gradually released an update for its Internet browser that are pre-installed on all smartphones with proprietary TouchWiz interface. major update that seems to introduce a number of interesting innovations.

This is the version 4.0 of Samsung Internet, pre-installed natively on the latest devices and natively integrated in the product updated to TouchWiz Marshmallow. Among the novelties brought by this latest version of the software was without a doubt the introduction of adblock feature. A navigation mode, the latter, which allows you to browse your web pages without the banner ads interfere with our operations.

To make sure that the browser present this feature must not only update the same to version 4.0 but you must also install the Adblock Plus app for Samsung Browser that are free on the Play store.

Besides all'adblock the new browser update stock of Korean manufacturer brings some novelties also regarding your privacy. It is in fact introduced a new Secret Mode that allows to correct some bugs in the previous version as well as to make the most rapid navigation thanks to improved performance as regards the fluidity of the whole application.

Skype, first screenshots and details of the new universal app Windows 10

A short distance from the official announcement of the arrival of the new universal app for Skype for Windows 10, there's interesting platform indiscretions with the spread of the first screenshots and some info on the features included in the release is currently under development. To disclose it is the Thurrot.com site.

At the time, the source points out, the proven version works only with the build of Redstone Windows 10, or with newer versions that can be accessed participants in the Windows Insider program and, of course, members of the Microsoft development team. This circumstance suggests that the release of the new app will not be forthcoming and that, probably, could not take place before new major release of Windows 10.

The improved stability, as one might expect from a build in testing (reported a few crashes during the period of use) el'app not yet supports responsive design, but it is said that Microsoft does not correct such failure with subsequent releases. For the moment, the features included in the app faithfully reproduce those integrated in the desktop application, from which it differs only by the format adopted which is based on the Universal Windows Platform Windows 10.

Although users of a stable version of Windows 10 will have to reckon with a wait not properly contained to use the new UWP Skype, the Insider users may start doing it much earlier. It is possible that Microsoft will take advantage of the BUILD 2016, at the start from tomorrow (March 30), to release the first public build of the new Skype app within the Windows Insider program.

It is hoped that the new change of direction with respect to the previously adopted commercial policy about Skype is that decisive. Microsoft's new plan is to transfer all functions integrated in the desktop Skype in 10 new universal Windows app.

FBI, unlocked iPhone without Apple's help. Still mystery about the technique used

During the day yesterday the US Department of Justice has announced that it withdrew the lawsuit in which Apple has requested assistance circumvent security measures of the iPhone 5C Syed Farook properties, author of the San Bernardino shootout last December 5, claiming to be able to gain access to device data.

Having a technical measure able to circumvent the security of the Apple phone, the authorities no longer need Apple will aid 'to leverage on the All Wrist Act to compel Apple to provide assistance. "The government has had access to information stored on the iPhone for Farook and therefore does not need the assistance requested to Apple last February 16, 2016" have informed the authorities in a statement.

Melanie Newman, spokesman for the Justice Department, said: "It remains the government's priority to ensure that the authorities can obtain basic digital information at the national and public safety, protection of safety, both in collaboration with relevant parties or by the court system when not you can find a collaboration. We will continue to follow all the options available for this purpose, including research of the collaboration of producers or creaività the public and private sectors ".

The authorities have not yet determined whether to share with the Apple of the vulnerability details, and it is unclear whether the Cupertino company has in some way right to be able to be in possession of this information.

Apple, meanwhile, has issued an official statement on the matter: "From the beginning we have opposed the FBI's request to create a secondary access to the iPhone because we believed it was wrong and it would set a dangerous precedent. With the authorities' actions , this has not happened. This case would not even have taken place. we will continue to assist the authorities with their inquiries, as we always have, and will continue to improve the safety of our products before the threats and attacks on our information that becomes increasingly frequent and sophisticated. Apple strongly believes that people in the US and around the world deserve the protection, security and privacy of information. to sacrifice one for the other exposes people and countries at a greater risk. This case raised problems that require a national dialogue on our civil liberties and our collective security and privacy. Apple remains committed to participate in this debate. "

Currently there is no information on the methods used by the authorities to be able to access the information in the iPhone 5C Farook. In recent weeks, has circulated the news that the FBI would get the help of an Israeli company, Cellebrite, and that a possible way to break the iPhone's security could be the "NAND Mirroring" called technique that provides for the copy the contents of the NAND memory of the phone on an image file to operate and copy the contents deciphered on the chip, as explained by the forensic specialist Jonathan Zdziarski on his blog.

SOMA, sales have not yet covered the development costs

Frictional Games has announced that ARE interesting horror to sci-fi background firsthand, has sold over 250,000 copies since it was launched last September, with an average of about 125 units per day. However the figures achieved so far have not been sufficient to break even. It would be necessary to place other 20-30 thousand copies to fully recover costs and make the project profitable.
According to the developers the choice to mix the horror genre and the sci-fi does not intrigued enough the public, despite the SOMA reviews have been fairly positive. As a benchmark was quoted Firewatch, as the title of Campo Santo was able to reach and exceed 500,000 units in a very short time frame.
"This means that the game might be a bit 'too sci-fi for those seeking a purely horror, and vice versa. Although we thought that this would mix very well for the game, it seems likely that this factor has contributed to exclude potential buyers. "

The developers went even further, assuming that SOMA has also contributed to bend the sales of their previous project, Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

"Probably this choice has led to missed sales and is also the main reason why SOMA has cannibalized sales of Amnesia. The moment you came out SOMA sales of Amnesia: The Dark Descent fell and remained at low levels since then. We experienced the same phenomenon when it was published Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs, but since SOMA is in many ways different from Amnesia, we thought that this time it would not have happened. Instead it went like this, and the reason seems to be due to the fact that people brings both titles at Frictional Games ".

Having to deal with reality, and especially with the numbers, the team admitted that the experimental attempts have failed and that the future will try to differentiate their offerings, choosing only one kind at a time.

"With SOMA we made it clear that Frictional Games is not directed towards the horror experience the pure state, and we intend to take advantage of this consideration to diversify the experiences that we deal with."

SOMA debuted on PC and PlayStation 4 September 2015 and is set in a research facility located on the seabed. The game mechanics based on exploration and survival, immerse the player in a narrative context full of mysteries to solve.

Overclock Series for the GeForce GTX 960 from Gigabyte Xtreme

Waiting for the debut of video cards based on AMD and NVIDIA's next generation GPU, belonging respectively to the families Polaris and Pascal, there are announcements of new solutions from manufacturers engaged in this industry.

And 'the case of Gigabyte, who announced the GeForce GTX 960 Xtreme features a custom design and a budget of onboard video memory of 4 Gbytes. The video chip clock frequency has been increased to a considerable extent compared to NVIDIA specifications: 1,304 MHz and 1,367 MHz, respectively, for the default clock and boost clock, against 1,127 MHz and 1,178 MHz data specifications of NVIDIA.

Nothing changes with reference to the video memory, in a quantity of 4 Gbytes with actual frequency of 7,010 MHz as well as for the reference design. The PCB custom is surmounted by a massive cooling system of windforce 2X family, with two fans from 90 millimeters in diameter which rotate in the opposite direction with an orientation of the blades that is opposed.

The feeding of the sheet is ensured by a 6-pin connector flanked by a 8-pin: this feature, in combination with the power circuitry custom, ensures stable operation with overclock clock frequencies and leaves more space for the intervention in overclocking ' user. At present Gigabyte has not yet announced the price and availability for our market.

Holoportation, the virtual teleportation Microsoft weblog

Teleportation is actually, almost. We can not talk to physically transfer a person from one place to another, as happens in the best science fiction film, but if you want to teleport the limited activity to transfer a faithful virtual copy of an individual from one place to another, then it can be said that the project of Microsoft Research has made important steps forward in this respect.

It's called "holoportation" and is based on a new technology for the capture of 3D models of people, played with a high quality. The "virtual" models are then compressed and transmitted anywhere in the world in real time. When viewed with augmented reality viewers as Hololens, the models come to life in real space, giving the illusion that the people portrayed are really present.

The technology developed by Microsoft researchers allows users to watch, listen and interact with remote participants played in 3D, all as if they were physically present. An important communication tool that could improve in the future, remote communications, replicating the forms of interaction that usually have in the dialogue between two individuals who are face to face.

The demo video shows how the 3D model interacts with the real environment - it is not, then, a simple projection out of context - and how you can record the interaction between the user and holographic projections to review them below. The system uses a complex set of 3D video cameras and requires, probably, a considerable computing power. Early to hypothesize integration into a consumer product, but the road is drawn and part of research centers and Microsoft development.

It is still not know when and if systems for the transmission and the holographic projection of human figures will be usable by the user consumer, but research projects such as that described undoubtedly contribute to increase the hype for the arrival of the Hololens viewer, which in a few days, it will begin to reach the developers who chose to buy it at the price of $ 3,000.

DVR driver even from AMD: Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.3.2

AMD has also released a new software update for its Radeon family of video cards, with the package Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.3.2. Aligning itself with the deliveries of the first viewers VR Oculus Rift, waiting for commercialization in a few days of HTC Vive solutions, AMD has implemented these new drivers the supportoa Liquid VR in addition to the Radeon Pro Duo card recently announced at the GDC in San Francisco.

Not lacking among the new two new profiles for Crossfire configuration for securities Everybody's Gone to the Rapture and Hitman.

Below are the main notes Fortnite with drivers:
Resolved Issues:
Counter-Strike ™: Global Offensive fails to stretch on non-native display aspect ratios. As part of the new Display Scaling for game feature, users can set "GPU Scaling" to "On" and "Scaling Mode" to "Full Panel" in the options tab in the Display Settings Radeon ™ as well as setting "Scaling Display" to "Full Panel" in Their CSGO gaming profile under the "Gaming, Profile Options" tabs for this to take effect.
AMD Radeon ™ Fury Series may experience corruption on desktop When system is idle for an extended period of time.
FFXIV can experience black screen or experience an application hangs.
XCOM2 ™ may experience minor stutter while the camera is panning around a scene.
Radeon ™ Settings check for update may not display software the latest available drivers.
Known Issues:
A few game titles may fail to launch or crash if the AMD Gaming Evolved overlay is enabled. A temporary workaround is to disable the AMD Gaming Evolved "In Game Overlay"
Need For Speed ​​™ may experience poor scaling or flickering in the AMD Crossfire ™ mode. As a work around users can disable the profile through the Radeon ™ Settings manager game.
The Division ™ may experience flickering in the AMD Crossfire ™ mode.
Power efficiency toggle in Settings Radeon ™ is showing up for some unsupported products.
DOTA2 ™ may experience flickering game menu When entering full screen mode with AMD CrossFire ™ enabled.
League of Legends may experience some graphical corruption on characters death animation in the AMD Crossfire ™ mode.
XCOM2 ™ users may experience an application crash When using AMD Crossfire ™ mode. As a work around please disable AMD Crossfire ™ for the games profile in the Radeon ™ Gaming Settings tab.
Hitman ™ may experience flickering When played in DirectX 11 mode ™. As a work around users are recommended to either September the game to DirectX 12 mode ™ in the games settings launcher or simply set "Shadow Resolution" to "Low" in the game settings.

364.72WHQL driver GeForce, GeForce cards and VR viewers

In conjunction with the availability of Oculus Rift, the first viewer VR which today is delivered to buyers who have booked in the past few months, NVIDIA releases an updated driver for your video cards belonging to the family GeForce GTX. The new GeForce 364.72 WHQL drivers are therefore compatible with Oculus Rift and HTC Lives; introduces specific optimizations for titles EVE: Valkyrie, Chronos and Dangerous addition to implementing the latest support for NVIDIA VRWorks.

 The following are the main notes included with the drivers.
Prior to launching a new title, our driver team is working up until the last minute to Ensure every performance tweaks and bug fixes possible makes it into the Game Ready driver. As a result, you can be sure you'll have the best day-one gaming experience for your favorite new titles.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is here! This Game Ready driver brings full support for the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, optimizations and enhancements for virtual reality games such as EVE: Valkyrie, Chronos, and Elite Dangerous, and the latest support for NVIDIA VRWorks. Make sure your PC is GeForce GTX VR Ready before stepping into the Rift!
The new driver Also brings the latest support and enhancements for the upcoming HTC Vive headset.
Game Ready
Learn more about how to get the optimal experience for Quantum Break, Killer Instinct, Dark Souls III, and Paragon early-access
supported products
GeForce 900 Series
GeForce GTX TITAN X, GeForce GTX 980 Ti, GeForce GTX 980, GeForce GTX 970, GeForce GTX 960, GeForce GTX 950
GeForce 700 Series
GeForce GTX TITAN Z, GeForce GTX TITAN Black, GeForce GTX TITAN, GeForce GTX 780 Ti, GeForce GTX 780, GeForce GTX 770, GeForce GTX 760, GeForce GTX 760 Ti (OEM), the GeForce GTX 750 Ti, GeForce GTX 750, GeForce GTX 745, GeForce GT 740, GeForce GT 730, GeForce GT 720, GeForce GT 710, GeForce GT 705
GeForce 600 Series
GeForce GTX 690, GeForce GTX 680, GeForce GTX 670, GeForce GTX 660 Ti, GeForce GTX 660, GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST, GeForce GTX 650 Ti, GeForce GTX 650, GeForce GTX 645, GeForce GT 645, GeForce GT 640, GeForce GT 635, GeForce GT 630, GeForce GT 620, GeForce GT 610, GeForce 605
GeForce 500 Series
GeForce GTX 590, GeForce GTX 580, GeForce GTX 570, GeForce GTX 560 Ti, GeForce GTX 560 SE, GeForce GTX 560, GeForce GTX 555, GeForce GTX 550 Ti, GeForce GT 545, GeForce GT 530, GeForce GT 520, GeForce 510
GeForce 400 Series
GeForce GTX 480, GeForce GTX 470, GeForce GTX 465, GeForce GTX 460 SE v2, SE GeForce GTX 460, GeForce GTX 460, GeForce GTS 450, GeForce GT 440, GeForce GT 430, GeForce GT 420

Surface Hub, after several delays Microsoft starts shipments

Officially Microsoft start shipments of Surface Hub, the device which can be briefly described as a "mega tablet" based on the Windows 10 operating system and for corporate users. A condition of ending the long wait of the users interested in buying the product. Microsoft has confirmed the news with a recent post on the official site that reports the testimony of the first companies that have begun to use Surface Hub.

Surface Hub was initially announced early last year, pre-orders had started in the month of July, with an estimated date of order delivery scheduled for September Microsoft, had later informed that, due to high demand , deliveries had been postponed to January 2016. last December, however, the product to the market approach procedure, not only was characterized by a new delay, but not the price of two models amounted to $ 2,000 each ( $ 8,999 for the version with 55 "screen, and $ 21,900 for those with 84" screen).

The delay with which Microsoft has taken steps to initiate shipments has certainly not helped to keep the current hardware that equips the device, currently based on Intel Core processors fourth generation, based on Haswell architecture. It is, beyond all, of machinery for corporate users interested in renewing the meeting rooms with a device that offers the best of Windows 10, supporting input via stylus and touch screen, ability to use universal app Windows 10 and to take advantage of the integration with Skype for Business services.

Microsoft demonstrates a consistent series of apps that can be profitably used by the user company with the Surface Hub app ranging from visualization of 3D models and CAD files, to activities that facilitate brainstorming and interaction among members of the working group. Among many examples, Microsoft specifically mentions: Buzz Radar; FluidMath; Mediator by Interknowlogy; MURAL; Power BI; Sensavis The 3D Classroom; Portal Mindmap by HeadCandy; Stormboard for Surface Hub; TechSmith Loop; SharpCloud; tuServ by Black Marble; Virbeya; and XOS Thundercloud.

Sales of motherboards expected to fall in the second quarter 2016

The producers of the delay affected motherboards with which Intel will make available the new processors of the Core family, referred to by the name of Kaby Lake code. For the second quarter of the year they are in fact expected to be down sales volumes motherboard by about 10% as an average.

Asustek and Gigabyte, the two main producers in Taiwan, will close the first quarter with about 4.4 million sold motherboards each one: it is, as designed by Digitimes, a figure up 10% compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 but down compared to figures for the same period last year.

These two companies will benefit, during the second quarter, a shift in demand for motherboards in their favor over demand for the so-called second tier manufacturers models. For this reason, the contraction of 10% expected that average should prove to be lower for Asustek and Gigabyte, recording in excess of the remaining producers.

Intel will make available the Kaby Lake processors of new generation in the third quarter of the year, presumably between August and September. For this reason, manufacturers of Taiwanese motherboards will begin only in summer shipments of the new chipset-based models of the 200 family, from Z270 and H270 proposals positioned in the higher-end segment. The lack of these innovations is therefore the root cause of the small number of motherboards that will be sold during the second quarter of 2016; a recovery in volumes is not expected before August.

Playstation 4.5: hardware upgraded to 4K and HDR?

In recent days, from the GDC, rumors of a future evolution of the Sony Playstation 4 console have emerged: this would be a version with enhanced hardware configuration, and can handle a higher resolution than full HD games currently combined with the console the Japanese company. Sony has not officially spoken in any way; at the present time this product is indicated by the name of PS4.5.

There is also talk of a console capable of handling 4K resolution, mode which involves having to manage a total number of pixels which is 4 times higher than Full HD resolution. however difficult that Sony can achieve this kind of result with an expected debut of the new console version for the beginning of 2017: the GPU architectures currently available, in fact, they are struggling to ensure adequate frames per second at 4K resolution.

For this reason it is likely that a future evolution of the Playstation 4 console can introduce official support for 4K displays via HDMI connection implementation in 2.0 standard, allowing access even to the next broadcasting technologies on the market such as the HDR. An increase in processing power, achieved thanks to the transition to new production technologies at 14-16 nanometers for the CPU and GPU, would exploit the 4K resolution for less demanding titles graphically instead leaving those triple A still more complex anchored to the Full HD as with superior performance compared to the console currently on the market.

One could also imagine the introduction of a GPU based on Polaris architecture of AMD, in place of those adopted at the present time by Sony Playstation 4. This would allow the paper to obtain significant performance benefits but is not given at the time to know if such change could lead to major changes programmatically for developers than currently available with PlayStation 4. Sony could therefore choose to remain on the GPU architecture aligned to what is offered at the time and combine them with a more powerful chip, but without It requires a change of approach to low-level programming for developers.

This new Sony console, at a glance, will come in the course of 2017 and should lead to a better functioning with high-resolution screens while maintaining the overall user experience in line with what is available at the time with the Playstation 4.

AMD Vega 10: 4096 stream processors, with all-new architecture

Linkedin profiles of the experts in hardware can often reveal very interesting information. And 'the case of this profile, made public by 3DCenter site and in the meantime removed, an AMD R & D Manager in Shanghai, indicating that it operated within the project indicated by the code name of "Greenland".

With this name indicates AMD internally of the next-generation GPU architecture positioned in the top segment of the market range so we speak of the chip known as Vega 10, as indicated in the latest of AMD GPU roadmap shown by ' American company to coincide with the GDC in San Francisco in recent weeks.

In Linkedin profile indicates that the Greenland GPU integrates within itself up to 4,096 shader processors: this implies a given identical to the integrated GPU from AMD in Fiji used in Radeon cards of the Fury family. Changes little, then? An identical number says nothing of architecture at the base, and then the performance capabilities: AMD plan is already confirmed as the Vega solutions will use 14-nanometer production technology FinFET type allowing complexity levels well above those of 28-nanometer technology adopted for Fiji solutions.

AMD has also remarked as with Polaris solutions will be able to introduce significant improvements in terms of overall efficiency, thus achieving higher performance by balancing the overall consumption. With Vega 10 AMD will use the second generation of HBM or High Bandwidth Memory memory, able to offer a level of twice the theoretical maximum bandwidth than the first generation HBM memory coupled to the family Fiji GPU as well as increase the total amount of memory for each GPU.

More and more interest in technology and biometric applications

very positive future prospects for the technologies and biometric applications that in 2015 they represent a market worth $ 13.7 billion expected to grow at more than 30 billion in 2021.

Predictably will the demand for these technologies into consumer electronics devices, especially smartphones, to drive growth. Built-in sensors for fingerprints arrive by 2021 to two billion pieces per year, with an annual compound growth rate of 40% for the period: if last year were handed over 266 million sensors to the current year is prvede a volume of 372 million pieces deliveries.

Another interesting line, next to that of the protection of their personal data, is that of surveillance solutions: by 2021 a surveillance camera in three will be IP-based and prepared the analysis biometric subject movement.

Among the technologies that take hold they are integrated sensors in consumer devices and the credit and debit cards, iris recognition sensor and facial recognition in smartphones and fingerprint recognition solutions of the veins in the ATMs. Mastercard also is placing particular emphasis on facial recognition technology.

From a regional perspective will be the regions of North America and the Asia-Pacific region constitute the largest markets in terms of volumes, for the sale of biometric devices, but regions such as Latin America and the Middle East will know a boom biometric implementations for banking, personal finance, for administrative and security applications.

The most active companies in the field of biometric technologies are Gemalto, STMicroelectronics, Precise Biometrics and Fingerprint Cards.

Sony: PlayStation VR bookings beyond expectations

As recently stated by Jim Ryan, leader of PlayStation Europe, the PlayStation VR bookings have exceeded expectations initially budgeted by Sony's top management.

Copies available on the UK market ahead of day one are sold out on Amazon UK in less than an hour. However, reservations are still regularly open at the retailer GAME. The situation is basically the same in our country, where Amazon does not allow you to lock the product while GameStop him yet available signal.

"The news on pre-order are extremely encouraging, but I would still be careful to rely only on the first 24 hours to draw conclusions about how we are going to launch," said Ryan shortly after the opening of orders. "I will only say that the first bookings have exceeded our initial expectations. This portends that demand, and consequently the day one could be pretty significant. "

Last week Sony announced that PlayStation VR will be available starting next month of October at a market price of 399 Euros. In the initial package, however, it will not be included PlayStation Room, despite the device is mandatory in order to benefit properly experience.

During the Game Developers Conference, which was held earlier this month, the Japanese company has guaranteed that PlayStation VR fluidity framerate will play a key role and all securities will have to reach 60 frames per second to receive the ' approval.

Atari on Steam Vault: 100 games Atari 2600, even in multiplayer

Talk about Atari 2600, for lovers of video games and retrogaming with (more than) a few years on his shoulders, it means reliving probably one of the most carefree stages of childhood, and one of the most important periods for computer games which passed slowly being a chimera confined in arcades to a hobby that you could start to grow even in the home. Atari 2600, marketed in the late 70s of last century, in fact gave the "la" to a market that was particularly flourishing in the years to come, that of the home console that found their consecration with the arrival of the Nintendo NES.

To relive the immortal classics of video game history is newly available on Steam Atari Vault, a collection of 100 games for the Atari 2600 console It starts, of course, as long titles entered the Olympus of games like Asteroids, Centipede, and Missile Command. To quickly clear up doubts, it is emphasized at the same time, that love for retrogaming, in this case, has a price. Atari Atari proposes Vault to 19.99 euro, reduced amount to 16,99 EUR until 31 March. Why to purchase, taking into account that the emulators allow you to play the same titles at no cost? To find an answer you can move on to analyze the extras included in the package.

The first element to be taken into consideration is the support for unreleased multiplayer mode, either locally or online, which undoubtedly introduce additional stimulus to face again the Atari games, comparing their scores with those obtained from other players worldwide. Not lack of support for the Steam Controller and a new user interface that recreates the atmosphere of the original artwork of the covers and cabs. Rounding out the picture of the original soundtracks of the '70s and' 80s.

Evaluate fair and reasonable price of 19,99 / 16,99 euro in relation to what is offered is this always depends on individual retrogaming lover. Those interested in Atari Eval, but does not intend to support the initial outlay, can wait for the inevitable Steam offers that might make in the future, even buying more beneficial. For more information, please refer to the store Steam, while the list of 100 titles can be found in the description that accompanies the official video posted on the YouTube channel of Atari.

Steam Controller, users are now free to modify thanks to CAD files

The Steam Controller is a game controller introduced by Valve to give completeness to a gaming platform that runs on the concept contained in the Steam Machine: making the PC a bit 'more like the console in terms of convenience of use, while maintaining the points strengths that PCs can boast in direct confrontation with the console, from the higher computing power, but by moving the game environment from the desktop to the living room. An undoubtedly interesting project, thanks to a concept that is well suited not only to Steam Machine in the strict sense but to any PC suitable for gaming.

The task of the Steam Controller is certainly not easy since the interaction with the keyboard and mouse on the PC - with some essential titles - is not easily replicable with a gamepad, inevitably more simplified. Valve has outlined the salient features of the Stream Controller - which works in perfect symbiosis with the Big Screen mode of Steam - replacing the traditional second analog stick which is found in the console controller with a trackpad eligible to perform mouse functions.

interesting project, many firmware updates released to improve the efficiency of the gamepad from launch, but still possible refinements and room for improvement still present. Who better than the people who use the controller on a daily basis know how what are your weaknesses and how to improve them? To directly involve users in the process of perfecting the Steam Controller, Valve has recently published the CAD files, thanks to which anyone (with the requisite knowledge) can make changes to the original project or propose new accessories for the gamepad.

The original models were released with a Creative Commons license, they can be freely downloaded, edited and enriched with new features. Using CAD files, theoretically, you could then proceed to 3D printing controller variants, providing, to make one of many examples, a version with an arcade stick works best for fighting games. To offer some ideas to interested users, Valve has shared two models that alter the original design, by introducing a slot to place the USB dongle necessary for wirelesss connection to Steam machine or PC:

DiskStation Manager 6.0 version, the operating system of Synology NAS

Synology has announced the release of DiskStation Manager 6.0, the operating system developed by the company for use in its products for archiving data. The new release focuses on the need, more and more obvious, to provide tools for collaboration and sharing among users who are cloud based but at the same time not jeopardize the privacy and data ownership.

Using a Synology NAS compatible with the new version of DiskStation Manager is therefore possible to have access to a range of specific applications that enhance personal productivity and teamwork. An example comes from MailPlus packages and MailPlus Server, respectively mail client and the mail server, which can be run directly from Synology NAS offering the flexibility of access via the cloud security to have physically installed data in its NAS and then with full control direct.

The effort by the Synology DiskStation Manager 6.0 version to ensure superior productivity in team work is evident by looking at some of the packages provided as a free download. An example comes from SpreadSheet, spreadsheet that runs directly from our NAS ensuring that flexibility in team work which is made accessible in the cloud programs but which in this case has such strength guarantees that the data is physically close.

Very interesting also the business perspective the new packages Virtual Docker DSM and DSM, thanks to which you can run multiple instances of DSM on a single Synology NAS as well as multiple physical servers and build a reliable, flexible and multi-tenant. Cloud Station will sync files between different devices by creating a private cloud environment, providing the ability to synchronize data or perform scheduled backups of data to cloud storage services.

Thinking about the user needs a home NAS is increasingly the center of its library of multimedia content to be accessed with different types of devices. Video Station and DS video have been redesigned, allowing you to manage your video library can archive the content in an automated way and taking advantage, if the NAS in use allows, the transcoding functionality in hardware so as to reduce network traffic and can send video streaming even outside the local network using the web connectivity in your home.

With the 6.0 release of its operating system, Synology DiskStation Manager confirms the quality of its software component, an element that plays an increasingly important role in the process of choosing a NAS both domestic as for usage in the office. And if for domestic users a physical NAS installed in your home is the obvious choice when you need to store and protect a large amount of data, for the professional user the flexibility introduced by DiskStation Manager 6.0 allows the creation of hybrids use scenarios that give priority to local storage or in the private cloud, depending on the specific application needs.

Version 6.0 of DiskStaton Manager is a free download from your Synology NAS, by accessing the panel "refreshes and restores."

The main experience of Final Fantasy XV will last 50 hours

The game director of Final Fantasy XV, Hajime Tabata, has released some new information concerning the game's main campaign and the fluidity of the graphics engine. In the course of a video stream - carried out by Siliconera - Tabata assured that the main quest will require approximately 50 hours to complete, and it will be 10 hours longer than the estimates made by the earlier teams. It seems in fact that the game is more robust than had been originally planned.

Although developers are still not involved in the final stages of balance, Tabata ensures that the optimization has already been launched and the goal are the stable 30fps, but the engine could also guarantee threshold is exceeded.

Obviously further improvements will continue to be implemented until the Gold stage. Further information about the technical side will be made public during a specially dedicated event, to be held in Los Angeles next week.

The gameplay of Final Fantasy XV will be a derivation of the one of Kingdom Hearts with elements of third-person shooter. Visually, the new chapter will lose that magical connotation that we saw in the predecessors, with more realistic images. The fighting also look very different from the traditional Final Fantasy since the player can move freely around the monsters.

Players will have the ability to teleport both within the fighting during the exploration phase. Of course not miss the party, made up of characters with different characteristics and abilities. The party will be predetermined and consists of three characters, and the player can freely choose to switch between them whenever he wants.

The authors added that, although some cut-scenes will prerendered, others can accommodate within them the real-time events. During the narration, so the player could be called to account and having to prove ready to intervene. For example, you could suddenly trigger a fight.

Polaris, Vega, Ellesmere and Baffin here is the code names of future GPU AMD

The commercial debut of the next-generation video cards AMD is still at least several months away, but already some rumors emerge on those who might be the technical characteristics. AMD will present in the coming months 3 distinct new generation GPU, linked like this:

Vega 10: GPU is the higher end among those that AMD will make available on the market, intended to take the place currently occupied by the proposals of the Fiji family. Debut, according to the updated roadmap of AMD, at the beginning of 2017:
Polaris 10 is the most powerful GPU in the Polaris family, destined to be used in high-end cards but not top of the line;
Polaris 11: is the proposed smaller, the first that AMD showed in operation in December 2015 and that presumably will be used in mid-range video cards as well as mobile systems.
The naming scheme used by AMD has no performance references: the numbers 10 and 11 shall apply only to the design period, with the GPU Polaris 10 which was then developed internally before 11 Polaris solution.

Latest AMD drivers for linux systems also contain some information related to the next generation of Polaris family cards, and help to better identify the specific names of various family GPUs. The chip 10 has the name of Polaris Ellesemere, while that Polaris 11 is indicated as Baffin. For these chips we expect different variations, as occurred earlier for the various architectures developed by AMD: Ellesemere XT for the most complex GPU and Ellesemere Pro for the declination with fewer stream processors, and similar dynamic for the Baffin GPU.

We do not know at the present time the number of stream processors integrated in these GPUs, let alone the clock frequencies or other architectural features. And 'likely that some details might leak closer to the launch date, but without being able to have access to architectural specifications only know the number of stream processors does not allow to derive performance data, especially with architectures using for the first time a production technology as sophisticated as one to 14 nanometers. We just have to wait, therefore, because the debut of these solutions such as that of competitive offerings from NVIDIA will not happen before the second half of the year.

Pebble also confirms the difficulties to operate in the smartwatch market

It 'was one of the companies that helped, especially in the North American market, the development and dissemination of smartwatch among the general public. Let's talk about Pebble, a company that is experiencing at the moment a period of difficulties and has announced a reduction of 25% of its workforce to a total of 40 employees.

To justify this decision to CEO Eric Migicovsky, who reported that it is currently difficult for the company to be able to get investments from venture capitalists by which to proceed with its business development activities. The company has raised about $ 20 million through Kickstarter, by interested users to their Pebble Time, with a campaign that began in late February 2015. To this figure we must also add the $ 26 million achieved in the last eight months, partly from venture capitalists in part as credit lines.

The difficulties of the company, looking for ways to reduce their costs, can be a witness to the difficulties it is experiencing the smartwatch market. The interest in these products is very high but this has not yet turned into a fly on sales that is comparable to what happens with smartphones.

The recent announcement of Apple, who officially reduced admission price of your solution Watch, is a clear indicator of the difficulties he is experiencing this market and the need to make consumers switch by the appreciation of the purchase. FitBit, other brands that contributed to the spread of wearables among the general public, is going through a not easy being an important impact on the valuation on the stock exchange. Apple and FitBit have been able, over the course of 2015, to market a high volume of smartwatch solutions in average selling prices that are higher than those of Pebble products.

According to Eric Migicovsky the future Pebble must always spend more through the development of solutions that are related to the movement and physical well-being, bringing this on the smartwatch industry increasingly close to that of so-called SportWatch and leveraging the ability to record data related to their physical activities.

Google, tour in the data center with a video 360 ° in 4K

It is not the first time Google opens the doors of its data centers, allowing the public to technology enthusiasts and the simply curious to know what it looks like the place where, in all probability, a more or less substantial fraction of their personal data it is routinely guarded. The video recently posted on the Google Cloud Platform channel, however, presents some elements for certain new aspects, not so much for the substance, and by its architecture. It is, in fact, a 360 ° video with 4k resolution. We recommend wearing the VR low-cost Cardboard viewer to complete the best guided tour, or you can take action on the virtual pad in the upper left corner.

Google emphasizes the attention paid to the issues of privacy and security - with stringent checks carried out since the main entrance and continue inside by the use of biometrics - the commitment to manage in an efficient and sustainable the center, without missing to show, in concrete terms, the amount of servers and fiber optic cables that deal with custody and transfer data. A power of superabundant calculation, which ensures the possibility of maintaining the service unchanged even in case of loss of an entire cluster.

The environment shown from minute 2:00 and following, to make the idea, it's just a single cluster of a single plane, a single data center. Multiplied on a global scale, the cluster gives rise to a dense network of nodes customizable according to specific needs, for example by requiring the integration of multiple machines within the cluster. A computing power which is exploited in the first place, for the Google Cloud services management. Each data center, which can accommodate up to 75,000 machines and transfer over a data petabit the second is connected to other Google data centers located worldwide through B4, the private network managed by Bigg and constantly expanding.

From the minute 4:40 on you you can look at the place where the personal data of users who access Google services are physically stored: an army of HDD and SSD that is routinely monitored to correct the physiological malfunctions. Eventuality which, without causing data loss, thanks to the systems that allow you to clone them quickly, raises, at the same time, the problem of disposing and recycling of the storage unit, the activities to be carried out avoiding accidental spread user data. To achieve this, they format media in a safe manner and subsequently destroyed (see. Min 5:00 ff).

Towards the end of the movie you can take a look to the cooling system, a key element in ensuring the continuity of data center operation. An environment inside which, by means of two main circuits, the exchange occurs between the hot air coming from the plane in which are placed the server, and that fresh produced by the plant. Last stage is that the energy plant, which uses the energy produced by multiple hydroelectric plants and includes emergency generators to continue to power the servers in case of failure.

From April a new Sony Corporation, here is how it will change

Sony, for many months, has embarked on a corporate restructuring process which covered all the main sectors of activity. The Japanese giant has gradually separated the individual assigning them to specific business divisions that operate as subsidiaries of subsidiaries of Sony Corporation.

In a press release issued in the day today, Sony summarizes the changes to the company structure previously announced and implemented and explains what, in concrete terms, will Sony Corporation from April, after creating the autonomous legal entities that carry and will carry the various businesses.

Sony Corporation, after the transition, counted on five main points, transferring to the individual business units, starting from April 1, various operations, such as production, logistics and purchases, so far handled first. These activities which will occupy the top of the group:

Responsibility and control over the execution of the overall strategy and governance of the Sony group
Research and Development Activities
Creating new business opportunities, beyond those currently carried out by the individual group divisions
Brand Design, activities aimed at enhancing the value of marcho with horizontal initiatives across all product divisions
professional services to support the activities of the Sony group after you have completed the process of splitting the individual divisions
The month of April will be crucial to complete the phase separation of the individual divisions. Sony recalls the main steps in the process by which points to the management of a leaner, more efficient structure. In addition to the Game & Networks divisions, Mobile Communications, Pictures, Music, which were already operating as independent entities, in July 2014 Sony has separated the business of TV, in October 2015, the same solution was adopted for the sector Audio and Video, and by ' April 1 to operate independently will be the semiconductor division, in addition to the new business unit Sony Interactive Entertainment, which will carry on the activities formerly operated by Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Network Enertainement.

Always starting from 1 April will come into force some changes to the management structure with the appointment of four new directors, each of which will control one of the four main areas of activity assuming the post of "Corporate Excecutive Officers" of Sony Corporation. The four new executives, along with six existing Corporate Executive Officers, will have the responsibility of the measures taken to achieve the objectives outlined by the Board of Directors.

These are the last changes to the corporate structure which will outline Sony's new face. A conscious corporation having to rethink the way in which, up to recent years, was carried on the business activity.

SLI bridge with built-in fan for video cards MSI

We had seen this accessory shown by months at the CES in Las Vegas, last January. We speak of a series of bridge SLI configurations, required to use multiple NVIDIA GeForce family of graphics cards on a single system, combined with a massive cooling fan.

Products of this type are made specifically for SLI configurations with 3 or 4 cards in parallel, in which the proximity between the boards often poses limits to the optimal disposal of the heat generated during operation. A fan mounted above the tabs allows to better handle the heat, either by blowing cool air towards the cards is then aspirates away, depending on the chosen position for the fan.

The SLI bridge is rigid, technical choice which gives more stability to the whole structure as the fan is connected directly to the bridge. The products fall within the MSI G Series Gaming family and therefore use the same red color that MSI uses for its video card of the G. family Gaming

At present MSI has not yet announced pricing and availability of two new SLI bridge 3- and 4-way; They are flanked at SLI model for two cards which is already on the market for some time but which is devoid of the combined cooling fan.

Intel Core Broadwell-E: debut in Q2, probably at Computex

The debut of the Intel Xeon processor E5-2600 v4, solutions for servers up to 2 sockets, is expected by the end of the month with the availability of new systems which should be almost immediate. These proposals are based on the architecture known by the codename of Broadwell-EP code, able to offer top of the range in variations up to 18 cores per socket.

During the second quarter of 2016 will be the time of the debut of Broadwell-E solutions, destined instead to the enthusiast end desktop systems currently based on Haswell-E processors. For these processors the debut period should coincide with the Computex Taipei, an event which will open officially on Tuesday 31st May.

A confirmation, although not official, comes from ASRock that updated the bios of various own motherboards based on chipset Intel X99 in conjunction with this note:

Support new CPUs coming Q2 2016

The reference is obviously to the Broadwell-E proposals, while the Computex is deducted as it is an essential event for all the motherboard manufacturers who are engaged in the development of solutions for Intel's enthusiast range.

The new CPUs Broadwell-E will introduce for the first time the production technology to 14 nanometers in this end products, allowing to have available a number of cores that start from 6 of the most economic proposals of this family until the core 10 of the top version of range. The Haswell-E proposals currently on the market are equipped with a variable number of cores 6 to 8 depending on the model.

57 Mbps is on record for the optical fiber transmission speed

Researchers at the University of Illinois have set a new record in terms of data transmission speed of optical fiber. Thanks to the oxide-VCSEL technology developments the researchers were able to have a speed of 57Gbps without errors and, especially, at ambient temperature thus eliminating the need of having to use cooling systems for proper operation. Even at the temperature of 85 ° C, the technology is able to support a transmission speed of 50Gbps.
Milton Feng, professor of electrical engineering and computing, said: "Our challenge has always been to be able to transmit information faster. There are a lot of data in the world, but if the transmission is not fast enough you can not use the data collected, you can not use future technologies that use large data streams, such as virtual reality. the direction to the fiber optic communications will grow because there is a high data transfer rates, especially in the long run. "
The team of researchers led by Feng has been working for some time to the technology VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) and in 2014 was the first group in the United States to achieve a transmission speed of 40Gbps with no errors. It is a technology that allows the production of lasers on a single semiconductor wafer and that allows to produce a uniform radiation, coherent and single-mode, the ideal characteristics for the data transmission applications of optical fiber.
Being able to reach high speeds at high temperatures is rather difficult because of the nature of the materials used that behave better at low temperatures. "And 'why data centers are refrigerated and have cooling systems. For data centers and for commercial applications is preferable to a device that does not require a refrigerator to be used. The device must be operating at room temperature and up to 85 degrees without having to spend resources for cooling.
The researchers emphasize that it is a technology that can be used not only for the data center, but also for aeronautical use, since the optical fibers are much lighter than copper.

iOS 9.3: Suspended update for older iPhone and iPad. Fix coming soon

Less than a week away from the release and following the reports of iPad users who are experiencing problems being updated, Apple chooses to temporarily suspend the distribution of iOS 9.3 for iPhone and iPad older. Apple's statement to iMore site allows for a more detailed restrict the models affected.

The update of some iOS devices (iPhone 5s and earlier models, iPad Air and earlier models) to iPhone OS 9.3 may require you to enter the Apple ID and password used to set the device. In some cases, if customers do not remember the password, the device remains in the state not activated until they recover or reset their passwords. For these older devices, we have temporarily removed the update in the coming days we will release an updated version of iOS 9.3 that does not require this step.

For users who have already encountered the problem - for example by entering an incorrect password by mistake or if not possible to enter a password, Apple has posted a page on the official support site that contains a potential solution to break the deadlock. A mechanism which involves logging into iCloud, the device activation through iTunes or removing temporane dell'Activation Lock via the web. The steps are described in detail on this page of the official website.

If the interim solution does not have a positive effect, we have to wait the corrective update release - substantially less than iOS 9.3 release - which will upgrade to the latest version of the mobile operating system from Cupertino in a even more easily.

For completeness, we note that the new version of iOS 9.3 (Build 13E236) with adjustments intended to iPad 2 users has already been spotted on the network and is available for manual installation. To avoid any kind of problem, in any case, we recommend that you wait for the official set via OTA, along with those for the iPhone owners.

Project Escher more heads working simultaneously to minimize the time required for printing

Print times are certainly one of the critical points of the current filament printers, especially when the size of the pieces you are important or when there are many pieces printed on the same plate. Among Rates of extrusion of the extruder and travel time you can easily break through the roof of the tens of hours for especially large molded parts with high resolution and quality. For the production of pieces in series (then all equal) Italian company, the Tuscan i3D, he proposes his Sixer, able to print six equal pieces simultaneously on the same plate, thanks to the presence on the six print heads machine.

Now by Autodesk arrives a project, which always exploiting the presence of more printheads, pointing instead to minimize the time required for the production augmentation of large pieces. Autodesk is a software house and is not planning to build a new printer, but with its Escher Project aims to make available the software and technology to control a new generation of 3D printers in which individual extruders are able to work so simultaneously in the same piece.

The project is not limited to 3D printing, but wants to create the management software of manufacturing machines with different production technologies, enabling what is defined by one of Autodesk technicians as 'collaborative production' in which different tools are able to working simultaneously on the same piece. Autodesk sees the future machines like small orchestras made up of different instruments and is trying to create with its software the conductor who is able to direct them in unison.

Revive Yahoo? According to some investors it is possible, changing CDA and CEO

Starboard Value, an investment group which owns about 1.7% of the American Yahoo shares, would be promoting an action that issues of fact set in motion a radical action of change, separation of the internal parts of the company or their possible sale.

Starboard Value aims to completely change the company's board of directors, and possibly to replace the CEO Marissa Mayer, as responsible for the reduced performance recorded by the company over the past years.

The history of the last 10 years and Yahoo has made several changes of leadership, until the arrival of Marissa Mayer in the month of July 2012 from Google. Mayer was the fifth CEO of Yahoo in the previous 5 years, confirms that the company has been driven without the necessary managerial stability that is required in turbulent times such as at the turn of 2010 for the web industry.

Specifically Starboard Value argues that the current valuation of Yahoo greatly underestimates the actual value of the company: a replacement of the board can lead to those changes as necessary to show the real effective value of the company.

Hard not to think that if this goes in the direction indicated by Starboard Value, there will be no direct implications on Marisa Mayer and his position as CEO of the company. That this will allow Yahoo to recover it we can say only after the fact: for years now the company tries in some way to return to the glories of the past, but so far without success.

Razer BlackWidow X, the gaming keyboard line becomes more economical and minimalist

The award winning catalog of Razer gaming keyboards expands with the arrival of four new models BlackWidow X. Two major innovations: on the one hand a new estestica, characterized by the removal of the top cover of the original models Razer BlackWidow which leaves uncovered the keys on the other the introduction of models that further lowers the bar of the price.

A result achieved in part thanks to the introduction of the possibility to choose, on select models, the variant with Cherry MX Blue switches that take the place of the ones developed in person by Razer.

Particularly interesting is the version Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition X, which offers the chance to get hold of a mechanical keyboard Razer against the payment of the price equal to 69.99 euro, ten euro less of the similar version Razer switch.

The four new models are elaborated as a "standard" versions and "Tournament Edition", the latter having no numeric keypad, with or without programmable backlight Razer Chroma:

Razer BlackWidow X Chroma

Price: 189.99 €
Availability: available now at the Razer.com site and worldwide
Switch mechanical Razer
backlight Chroma
It keypad
Layout: US, UK, France, Germany, the Nordic countries, Japan

Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition X X Chroma:

Price: 159.99 €

Availability: April 2016 at the site Razer.com and worldwide

Switch mechanical Razer

backlight Chroma

No numeric keypad

Layout: US

Razer BlackWidow Ultimate X:

Price: 119.99 € with Razer switch, 109.99 Euros with Cherry MX Blue switches

Availability: now available at the website Razer.com

Razer mechanical switch or Cherry MX Blue

It keypad

Layout: US

Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition X:

Price: 79,99 € with Razer switch, 69,99 € with Cherry MX Blue switches

Availability: now available at the website Razer.com

Razer mechanical switch or Cherry MX Blue

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Mechanical keyboards are a product aimed at a niche of users who appreciate the benefits of using keyboards with mechanical switches, evaluated in terms of the resistance and the unmistakable feedback. A class of users including not only gamers, but also those who spend long hours at the PC composing texts. Appreciable Razer move with new versions make it economically more attractive this type of device.

HTC 10, the top range beats all in the first benchmarks | Rumor

HTC introduces HTC officially 10, its new top range smartphone based on the Android operating system, on April 12 next year. Meanwhile, in the wake of rumors concerning him no signs of easing. In the past few hours, a new image leaekd bounced quickly network has focuses on the appearance of performance recorded by the device, documented by AnTuTu benchmark.
worthy of mention results, while taking into account the relative value of instrumental measurements, unable to return a complete picture of the user experience. HTC beats, in fact, very powerful terminals and newly introduced, from Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and Xiaomi Mi 5.

HTC 10 easily exceeds 150,000 points in AnTuTu, pulling Xiaomi Mi 5 (136,875 points) and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (134,599 points). For reference, it is emphasized that it is not clear which of the two variants of the Galaxy S7 Edge has been taken as a reference in the benchmark (Snapdragon 820 or Exynos), in each case with previous tests AnTuTu collocavano performance recorded by both models in the order 13xxxx of points.

The HTC specifications 10 have not yet been made official - like the terminal itself - the unofficial identikit far emerged refers to the possible presence of SoC Snapdragon 820. This is the same integrated SoC in Xiaomi Mi 5, however, the benchmark in question appears trailing by almost 20,000 points. With the same SoC, the difference could be attributed to the integration work and activities of mail optimization software into by HTC.

The information just given must be taken with the benefit of the doubt until the official presentation of the device and is always correct to remember that not always the values ​​recorded by the benchmark translate directly into benefits perceived in terms of actual user experience. There is to say that HTC, by tradition, it has never disappointed in terms of capacity highlighting the features of the Android operating system by integrating them into a custom user interface Sense, all without ever undermine the fluidity and the pleasantness of use.

Skype, the new universal app for Windows 10 and W10M coming

Microsoft announced in recent hours the arrival of the new universal app for Skype for Windows 10 platform, which will then be followed by the version for Windows 10 Mobile smartphone. A change of course compared to the previous decision not to supply UWP version of Skype, preferring to offer its services through the new app Skype and Windows messages 10 or with the traditional desktop application.

It was the feedback received by Microsoft over the past months to determine the choice to release new versions of Skype. Skype messages and Windows 10 offers more limited functionality than the full version of Skype for desktop, which, at the same time, it is not so 'optimized for use with touch devices such as a universal app. The new universal app for Skype will expand the available functions, will be presented with clear and simple menus, while maintaining the advantages of universal app, starting with the ability to adapt optimally to the devices with the diagonal screens and many different resolutions.

Insider Windows users are the first to have the opportunity to try the new version of Skype (UWP) that provides a first major set of features:

Ability to log in with your Microsoft account and link to a Skype ID
Show and change the status
See the list of existing Skype contacts
Start a chat with any of the contact list
View other contacts that are composing the message
Log out
Make video calls and one-on-one voice and send messages
Use emoticons in conversations and Mojis
Sending photos
Display notifications for calls and incoming messages to the outside of the app
Participate in existing group chat
Microsoft already has plans to further expand the capabilities, improving the functions for sharing and functionalities related to the groups in the two subsequent releases. Future capabilities will include:
Start a chat with anyone, even those who are not using Skype
Creating a group and send group messages
Video voice calls and group
screen sharing, file and video messages
Manage notifications for chat singles
The app - adds the Redmond, but the figure is derived from the nature of universal app - has made special efforts to make the app fully responsive. Microsoft's goal is to transfer all of the app functions of Skype for Windows 10 in the new version.

The effects on the app, and the pre-existing platform

The official FAQ regarding the new Skype app provides two important insights.

The first is the confirmation that the new Skype app UWP will take the place of the app Skype and Windows 10. Microsoft Posts expressly specifies in relation to the app for PC and Windows tablet, while, for now, nothing says (specifically) to as for Windows 10 Mobile.

The application of Skype (the "classical") can still be used, but it will be completely replaced by the new Windows 10 app Skype UWP soon will be sufficiently mature and complete.

The Windows Mobile version of 10 is forecast, but it will come after the PC version. It is not clear, as mentioned earlier, if the arrival of the new app will be lost for the integration of Skype functions with those of messaging, both currently enclosed hub Skype and Messages.

The main news of Skype by Microsoft communicated that demonstrates, once again, of not having a clear strategy to provide access to the popular VoIP service and instant messaging. After stopping the development of the previous Universal App for Windows 8.1, he had indicated in the app Skype and Windows Messaging 10 the successor instrument to stand alongside traditional desktop application. completely changed the strategy from the choice of returning to centralize (on Windows 10) in a single universal app Skype's functionality.

The Banner Saga 2 will arrive next month

The Banner Saga 2 will be released on April 19 as can be seen in the product page on Steam. About preorder now also benefits from a discount of 10%, paying only € 17.99.

The Banner Saga is conceived as a trilogy that tells an exciting and innovative story to Viking environment. In this second chapter will return to the beautiful hand-drawn 2D backgrounds that we come to appreciate even in the first chapter, accompanied by the soundtrack composed by Austin Wintory.

The choices of the players will have consequences on the story, which depends at the same time by the choices made in the first The Banner Saga. There will also be new characters and a new race, the "Horseborn". Stoic promises greater strategic depth and fighting even more unpredictable, with the possibility of permanently losing their heroes. As in the first chapter, then, will the need to manage their own caravan, and the food supplies available for the handful of heroes.

Chatty Maps, a project to create the sound map of a city

The din of traffic, the rhythm of the music, the sounds of nature: it is undeniable that the urban sound texture has a significant impact on daily life. Chatty Maps is a fascinating project carried out by Daniele Quercia countrymen, Luca Maria Aiello and Rossano Schifanella which aims to show the map of the "sound composition" of some of the world's great cities.

Currently covers the cities of London, Barcelona, Madrid, New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Milan and Rome: their maps were created by probing the endless Flickr database, looking for pictures that were both geo-tagged, categorized both by words related to sounds. The list of related words in sounds has been derived from the tags used on Freesound, another public database of audio clips.

Thanks to a specially designed algorithm, it was possible to sift through thousands of photographs, looking for word matches. This operation made it possible to give rise to what the authors of the project called "Urban Dictionary sound" where various types of sounds are mapped over the entire city. The whole was then simplified by grouping the words into five main categories, displayed on the map: transport, nature, animals, humans, music and mechanical machines.

The maps are freely available: by clicking on a road you can see what the composition of its sound texture. In the context of the project we have also studied the correlation between the mapped sounds and emotions and perceptions of the people, in this case taken from photographs of the tag. It was discovered that the sounds related to humans, such as laughter or chatter, seem to be associated with joy or surprise, while traffic and mechanical sounds are mostly related to negative feelings such as fear and anger.

A similar approach was also used to create a whole other set of maps, this time to identify smells, aromas and stenches: Smelly Maps.

Forward Works, Sony tries again with PlayStation games for smartphones

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), Sony's subsidiary in charge of carrying out the business of PlayStation consoles, has announced it is working to structure "ForwardWorks", a new company that will develop new services to the market for smart devices , starting with those related to the development of games.

The new company will start operating from 1 April; the same day Sony Computer Entertainment will become Sony Interactive Entertainment, the new group will combine the activities carried out previously by the SCE divisions and Sony Network Entertainment.

Forward Works will operate in Japan and Asia and, for the moment, missing confirmations on the expansion of activities in other geographical areas. The signal given by Sony, at the same time, it is clear enough: it should return to explore a market segment, that of smart devices, which appears fertile ground to expand the business of video game distribution.
To achieve the goal, Sony will reuse the titles and the protagonists of the existing PlayStation video games creating games for "smart devices, including smartphones" (Android and iOS). "SIE will maximize corporate value and create new business opportunities through the creation of ForwardWorks," he emphasized are in the official press release from Sony.
Attempts to "export" in the smartphone arena the undoubted heritage PlayStation gaming are certainly not the result of an isolated attempt by Sony, which has tried on several occasions to reach the goal with mixed results. There were extreme attempts, such as the PlayStation Phone, now historical Xperia Play, along with other potentially able to reach a wider audience - think PlayStation Mobile on the Android platform - but equally shipwrecked after the initial enthusiasm.
The phenomenon of smartphones remains of such proportions that Sony is obviously aware that he could not ignore. An assessment shared by historic names the games industry: think of Nintendo that with Miitomo, his first game for the mobile devices, has managed to gain the top position in the ranking of the most popular games in the App Store for iOS just two days since launch. Both Nintendo, Sony is being activated new business strategies, starting from the Asian market, but it is said that the same will not follow in other markets, if the response from the public will be positive.

Microsoft off Tay, the chatbot Twitter became misanthropic and racist in 24 hours

Tay is a chatbot designed to interact with Twitter users turned to Microsoft in recent hours. It is a tool that is part of a study conducted by Microsoft Research on understanding of colloquial language that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to manage the relationships between bots and real users. important data that could be reused from Remdond home to make increasingly smart personal digital assistants such as Cortana.

"The more you chat with Tay, the more it becomes intelligent, learning to engage people through casual conversation and playful." This is the description provided by Microsoft in presenting the chatbot. Tay, in the original intentions of Microsoft, was designed to "dialogue" with US users aged between 18 and 24 years, from the answers of which would have to learn and take up the principles upon which an informal conversation between teenagers. The experiment, however, took an unexpected turn.

They took less than 24 to "bribe" the virtual teenager Tay that game by defining the human race "super cool", soon after, began to spread very reassuring messages that have highlighted his "new nature" racist and misanthropic. A succession of interventions, which have not gone unnoticed in the network, does not require special comments:

It could briefly conclude that the worst of humanity network has been absorbed by Tay in a few hours, but the representation offer does not correspond entirely to the truth. Among the various features supported by the chatbot, in fact, the figure "repeat after me" with which anyone can do to Tay repeating certain phrases. Most offensive messages, then, are the result of simple copy of the sentences pronounced by human users (wicked).

Not all messages, however, were mere replicas 1: 1 messages sent by users, in some cases, Tay has operated independently. The Guardian, for example, highlighted a case in which the question "Ricky Gervais is an atheist?" Tay said "Ricky Gervais has learned totalitarsimo by Adolf Hitler, the inventor of atheism". The worst part of humanity, on this occasion, it seems to actually be able to characterize the personality of Tay.

There is to say that the sentences - "ideas", to use an expression that is more suited to humans - manifested by Tay not held in the context of a coherent ideology: the chatbot took conflicting positions through, for example, condemnation exaltation of feminism. The figure that makes you think, and from this point of view the experiment is definitely interesting and anything but playful, is the need and the ability to guide the path of self-learning systems A.I. To use a parallel with the human qualities, the need to create a "moral", a set of rules that governs the act.

Microsoft, for the moment, has chosen to turn off Tay, waiting for the appropriate changes to prevent the spread of highly offensive and remember about it with a statement to Business Insider:

The chatbot Tay is a machine learning project, designed for human engagement, as we learned, most of his answers are inappropriate and indicative of the type of interaction that some people are having with it. We are making some changes to Tay.

Microsoft, in essence, states that Tay is the mirror of mankind that interacts with it (and fortunately not all of the numerous Tay messages have had the content of those reported). The concept of "morality" to which you alluded to earlier, applied to machine learning algorithms, resulting in content filters which are unlikely Microsoft is applying to Tay with the announced changes. A filter assembly / moral that evidently will be used to guide AI on the acquisition path and processing of public information, without assimilating, at the same time, the worst aspects of human personality.