EVGA SR3 (Super Record 3) Cometh

It's been on the backdrops at this year's Computex event, where close to every motherboard maker showed off its LGA2011 wares. It had been written off after rumors spread of attrition among some of its "key" designers. Today EVGA has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. Its latest disclosure, of the EVGA Super Record 3 (SR3)  is more of a statement than anything, that EVGA is still very much the king of ultra-high end motherboards.


It's been on the backdrops at this year's Computex event, where close to every motherboard maker showed off its LGA2011 wares. It had been written off after rumors spread of attrition among some of its "key" designers. Today EVGA has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. Its latest disclosure, of the EVGA Super Record 3 (SR3)  is more of a statement than anything, that EVGA is still very much the king of ultra-high end motherboards.

The SR3, going with tradition, is a 2P high-end desktop/workstation motherboard in the E-ATX form-factor. It features two LGA2011 sockets, which can hold 2P-capable Xeon processors in the LGA2011 package, though we have to wait and see if at least the top-end Core i7 "Sandy Bridge-E" chips turn out to be 2P-capable. Socket 0 is wired to eight DDR3 DIMM slots (two per channel), while socket 1 has four (one per channel). This shows that the two sockets can be asymmetrically populated with DIMMs, like 2P LGA1366 systems.
There are two BGA chips, at least one of them is a platform controller hub (PCH). There are seven PCI-Express x16 slots, out of which, four are PCI-Express 3.0 x16 capable, every slot is PCI-Express 3.0 x8 capable. Of course, 4-way NVIDIA SLI is supported. In terms of storage connectivity, there are, according to EVGA, 14 SATA ports. Other connectivity includes 8+2 channel HD audio, two GbE connections, USB 3.0, eSATA, Bluetooth, and EVBot connections.
Moving on to things that actually make this an enthusiast product, umm...where do we start? Each CPU socket is powered by a 6+1 phase digital PWM power supply driven by CPL inductors, and Volterra PWM circuitry. The memory in turn is powered by 8-phase digital PWM circuitry. Apart from the 24-pin ATX connector, power is drawn in by two 8-pin EPS, and three 6-pin PCIe connectors, so you can imagine power delivery to be robust. There is every EVGA-exclusive feature you can imagine, starting from DIP switches that let you toggle PCI-Express slots and SATA ports, consolidated voltage measurement points, EVBot support (the module could even come bundled), full POSCAP design, and a UEFI firmware with every option a record-seeking overclocker could possibly tinker with.

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Epson launches world's smallest all-in-one printer

Epson this week launched the world's smallest all-in-one inkjet printer that offers outstanding business value through higher performance and lower running costs.  The company says that the ME Office 535 (Nicknamed the "small-in-one") has been specifically designed to help conserve valuable space with its ultra-compact and attractive chassis, a feature that should be welcomed by most SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) users.

"We live in a society where space constraints are a constant challenge and we wanted to address this by designing and developing a printer that was economical in size, and yet did not compromise on quality and performance," says Tan May Lin, General Manager, Epson Singapore. "We are confident that the new ME Office 535 fits that bill."
In terms of performance, the ME Office 535 delivers optimum quality prints using ME 141 inks at a low running cost of only $0.05 cents per page for monochrome printing.  When compared with its predecessor - the Epson Stylus TX22, Epson says the ME Office 535 uses 19% fewer components, is 39% smaller in overall size and 24% smaller in footprint.
All new printers from Epson consume up to 70% less power than conventional laser printers and are Energy Star certified.  This means that consumers not only save money on consumables, but can also do their part for the environment by choosing a product that result in a lower carbon footprint.
The key specifications of the Office 535 are summed up in the table below:

The Epson ME Office 535 Inkjet is available at all authorised retailers in Singapore for a recommended retail price of $148 from October 2011.

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The Bag of Holding Messenger Bag

You’re looking for a large messenger bag for your various essentials like laptop, tablet, notebook, documents and etc? Check out The Bag of Holding messenger bag, maybe it can meet your requirements.

The Bag of Holding is a multi functional messenger bag designed by ThinkGeek. The messenger bag is constructed of sturdy canvas, and comes with brass zippers and pop-rivets for durability and ensuring the bag holding enough items for you. Inside, the large grey canvas messenger bag has 4 compartments and 3 pockets. The main padded laptop compartment measures 16 x 13.5 x 3 inches in order to hold an 17-inch laptop, while other compartments and pockets are ready to hold your large 3-ring binder, iPad, two textbooks, iPhone, cables, business cards and more essentials. The d20 badge is on the front flap for decoration. Apart from that, the canvas bag has a backpack version.

The Bag of Holding messenger bag is priced at $59.99 USD, while the backpack version costs $69.99 USD. If you’re interested, jump to ThinkGeek for more details.

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SteriPEN Freedom offers USB-powered water purification

Water purifier manufacturer SteriPEN has updated its lineup of portable products, with a UV-based unit called the SteriPEN Freedom. Billed as the smallest, lightest and first rechargeable UV water purifier on the market, it disinfects up to 16 oz (0.5 L) of water in 48 seconds.


We've previously covered numerous water purification solutions for the developing world, with LifeStraw, Moringa tree seeds, or even banana peels being notable examples. The new SteriPEN device, however, is defined as hiking and camping equipment by its manufacturer, rather than as a life-saving tool.
The Freedom features a germicidal UV light which destroys 99.9 percent of bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Forty-eight seconds is enough for the Freedom to deal with half a liter of water, while a liter simply requires repeating this operation. A green light gauge indicates when it's safe to drink the water.
Recharged via a micro USB B port from a computer, AC outlet or a compatible solar charger, the Freedom offers up to 40 treatments on a single charge. The overall battery and UV lamp life is estimated to last for 8,000 treatments of 16 oz (0.5 L). The device also serves as a flashlight.

Equipped with a removable lamp cover, the new purifier weighs in at 2.6 oz (74 g) and measures 13 x 3.5 x 2.2 cm (5.1 x 1.4 x 0.8 in). Sold with a USB cable, AC adapter and neoprene case, the SteriPEN Freedom will be available starting this fall (northern hemisphere), priced at US$119.95.

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Sony Will Attempt to Release PlayStation 4 Ahead of Xbox Next.

After failing to release its PlayStation 3 video game system at the same timeframe as Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony Computer Entertainment will do its best to launch the next-generation PlayStation 4 game console ahead of its major rival. As a result, the PS4 may hit the market earlier than the Xbox Next.
"I doubt [Microsoft] will be ready for launch [the next Xbox] in 2013.  Between Sony and Microsoft, we expect Sony to be first to market perhaps as early as 2013, but more likely in 2014.  There is still a lot of investment for both companies to recoup in the current generation," said Colin Sebastian, an analyst with RW Baird, in a brief interview with IndustryGamers.

This week it transpired that many industry players, including hardware and software developers, expect Microsoft Corp. to release its next-generation Xbox sometimes in 2013.
While it is still two years from now, one should consider that in 2012 Nintendo, who won the current console generation with Wii, plans to release its high-definition Wii U game console with innovative controller, which will automatically make the current-generation video game systems look outdated. Not surprising that both Microsoft and Sony will attempt to convince their customers not to get Wii U by revealing or leaking plans for next-generation PlayStation  and Xbox.

“For this market, making people think you are going to launch could be as important as launching. If a new system seems to be on the horizon it could slow movement towards a PS3 or Wii U. Once the Wii U launches the Xbox 360 becomes the old system. If Microsoft has clear plans for a successor it could really help keep consumers from jumping ship to a competing system. This would even be true if for some reason the 720 was to slip to say 2014,” said David Cole, an analyst with DFC Intelligence.

Sony Computer Entertainment confirmed earlier this year that it had begun to develop the next-generation PlayStation 4. While Microsoft remains tight-lipped over next-generation console development, This spring rumours transpired that the successor to the Xbox 360 console is currently evaluated by an unnamed game design studio that belongs to Electronic Arts. EA reportedly received the systems back in April. At present, it is said, the hardware is installed inside typical computer cases. Besides, official Xbox magazine (OXM) published a comment from an AMD executive claiming that the next-gen consoles will have Avatar-like quality of graphics.

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BAE Systems to provide new helmet display for F-35 pilots

BAE Systems has been selected by Lockheed Martin to supply a Night Vision Goggle Helmet Mounted Display system for the F-35

When it enters service, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter will lay claim to the title of the most advanced warplane in the world. Its pilots will have the most advanced helmets as well ... and there's more to it than protecting the pilot's head against knocks. The F-35's Gen II Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) developed by Vision Systems International (VSI) may have the alarming appearance of a robot insect, but it will give F-35 pilots Superman-like vision. By gathering input from cameras scattered about the fighter plane, the HMDS effectively makes the aircraft invisible-at least, from the pilot's point of view. It even provides night vision, so the pilot doesn't have to wear cumbersome goggles. At least, that's the idea. Unfortunately, the gap between designing the helmet and building it has proven wider than originally thought and issues such as poor image quality are so severe that the F35's testing program faces serious delays, so F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin brought in BAE Systems to provide a substitute.

BAE Systems had developed a similar helmet for the Typhoon fighter. It, too, is state of the art and involves a massive forehead piece filled with computerized electronics that gives pilots a spherical view of the outside world as if the plane had vanished. The only fly in the ointment is that the Typhoon helmet isn't compatible with the F-35's systems, so all the electronics will be scooped out and a simpler solution found. The F-35 pilot will lose the giant fishbowl vision, but BAE systems plan to incorporate their Night Vision Goggle Helmet Mounted Display (NVG HMD) system, which incorporates the latest Q-SIGHT heads-up display of flight information and allows optical tracking of weapons. That's a bland way of saying that the missiles go where the pilot is looking. It also allows for night vision goggles to used without interfering with the displays or tracking function.

Of course, this substitute helmet is not intended as a replacement for the VSI version, but it does allow the testing program to go forward without being grounded by problems with what is essentially an information display system. However, if the BAE Systems substitute proves successful and the problems with the VSI helmet cannot be resolved, then it is possible that the imaging and other technologies of the VSI helmet will be incorporated into the BAE systems substitute.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus hits pre-order status

I am quite sure that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus will never get anywhere near the iPhone 4S’ sales figures in the first weekend, but that does not mean the tablet is a bad piece of engineering.
Its just that the iPhone has gotten its magical formula down pat, and it is an Apple product, after all. Samsung’s little tablet that can, the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, is now up for pre-order, where the 16GB model will retail for $399.99 while those who feel that they cannot do with nothing less than 32GB of storage space will have to fork out a Benjamin more.

No idea on the exact release date, but at least we do know these will not rock on to Ice Cream Sandwich, but will stick to Android 3.2 Honeycomb, being powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz processor that is by far and large far more capable than the original Galaxy Tab’s single 1GHz processor. Hopefully an Ice Cream Sandwich update is in the works, and soon.

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Seiran chassis arrives in North America

 

If you’re on the lookout for a new computer chassis, then you might be interested in what RAIDMAX has to offer – the Seiran, where it is slated to arrive in the US as well as Canada, making its mark as a non-compromising case which will live out its full potential by housing powerful PC components within. We are talking about easy access and tool-less installation, in addition to simple cable management and expandability, all rolled into a stunning design with a trio of color schemes to choose from.








One of the more outstanding features of the new Seiran case would be front panel controls that allow you to adjust the fan speed as well as internal LED brightness, making it easy to live with as you need not have your eyes and ears assaulted by noisy cooling fans, not to mention excessively bright LEDs.
There are handles located on both side panels that make it a snap to slide them out and back in whenever you want to make a hardware change inside. These handles can be folded away when they are not required, while RAIDMAX’s click-lock technology paves the way for easy installation or removal of disk drives sans tools.

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Sports Tracker ships Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor

Sports Tracker is now shipping its Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor, a chest-worn unit that pairs with a smartphone app for viewing stats in real-time as well as storing your data on the company website or sharing it with others through social media.



The heart rate monitor works via a Bluetooth belt that you must first wet before wrapping around your chest (under your shirt). Wetting the back of the monitor ensures that the electrodes read your heart rate properly. Once connected, grab your smartphone and choose "settings" and then "heart rate belt" on the Sports Tracker app. Once it finds the heart rate belt, click "connect" and then enter the pin code "0000" to begin tracking data. Once you see your heart rate on your phone, you are ready to go.

The system has an extended range of up to 20 meters (65.6-feet), so can store the phone in a back pocket, back-pack, or on an armband. Charges is via USB and the unit is claimed to be good for 40 hours of use on one charge.

As you run, your heart rate is tracked along with additional data such as speed, distance, time, number of steps, elevation, and even the musical playlist you were listening to while exercising. If you take photos along the route with your phone, they are automatically geo-tagged and show up on your map once you sync the device to the Sports Tracker website.
After you're finished exercising, you can view all of the data from your smartphone. When you return home, you can sync it to the Sports Tracker website, and view the data on the big screen, as well as share it with others on Facebook or Twitter.

The Sports Tracker app doesn't do anything mind-blowingly different to similar apps on the market like Nike+ and Run Keeper, but after testing the app and exploring the beautiful interface Sports Tracker uses, I'd say the difference is just how well it does them,

The Sports Tracker heart rate monitor costs EUR69.90 and the free app is available on iPhone, Android or Nokia Symbian platforms.

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Space Invaders Alarm Clock

Unlike other Space Invaders, the cute alien has two missions, one is invasion of your home, another is to wake you up. If you’re curious, let’s go on checking the Space Invaders alarm clock.

This is cute green alarm clock themed by the classic arcade game Space Invaders. The alarm clock measures 4 x 1.5 x 4 inches. As we can see from the images, the alarm clock is shaped as a space invader, and features pixelated style and nice details, while his month is a illuminated display to clearly show you the time, even in the dark. And the alarm clock comes with authentic ’80s arcade sounds, when the alarm sounds, the cute Space Invader will move from side to side. Apart from that, the alarm clock also supports snooze function by giving it a shake.

The Space Invaders alarm clock is priced at $18 USD. If you’re interested, jump to Urban Outfitters for more details.

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