PS4’s few feature – 8GB RAM was kept secret from third-party developers, but not anymore

It was not before the unveiling of Sony’s PlayStation 4 that third-party developers discovered that there is 8GB of GDDR5 RAM inside of the machine. Previously they were told that the PS4 would come out with 4GB of GDDR5 when they received development kits long before the unveiling.

Just Add Water’s CEO Stewart Gilray, who is developing a title for PlayStation 4, revealed that the third-parties were initially told that the console would feature only 4GB of RAM, and were happily shocked to see the console’s specs discussed on stage. He told:

We were told [PS4] was 4GB originally. And we first knew it had 8GBs when Mark said at the event’s stage, ‘And it has 8GB of memory.’ We’d had kits at that point for a good while.

He suspects that a few of the bigger, first-party developers knew the correct specification of PS4 before the PS4 unveiling. He continues:

It’s a fantastic amount of memory. especially DDR5 memory, because it’s so fast you don’t have to have everything there at once. You can swap it in and out instantly, effectively. But when they said 8GB it was like, ‘Ooookay.

 

Source: http://www.videogamer.com/news/ps4s_8gb_ram_was_kept_secret_from_third-party_devs_until_console_reveal.html

CCleaner 4.0 released – includes vital performance improvements

Piriform have just released latest CCleaner v4.0. It includes many new features and their usual periodical improvements.
Two new tools are available with this version 4.0:
1. Duplicate File Finder
2. System and Browser Monitoring

Duplicate File Finder
One may not realize how many duplicate files are stored on the computer – taking up valuable hard drive space. CCleaner now includes a duplicate file finder tool, which can quickly find these files, and allow the user to choose which ones to delete – freeing up more space on the PC.

System and Browser Monitoring
As a CCleaner Professional user, one can now set CCleaner to run every time you shut down your browser, or you can set it to monitor your entire system as a background process and detect what and when to Clean based on saveable disk space.

 

Other improvements:

• New improved graphics and icon.
• Improved internal architecture for better performance.
• New Duplicate File Finder tool.
• New System and Browser Monitoring (Pro Version).
• Optimized and improved Registry Cleaning.
• Added cleaning for Avast Antivirus 8, Adobe Photoshop CS6, Samsung Kies and Real Player 16.
• Improved Drive Wiper performance.
• Optimized Startup item detection algorithm.
• Optimized 64-bit builds on Windows 7 and 8.
• Many performance improvements and bug fixes.

It can be downloaded from here: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Amazon acquires Goodread, plans to make better recommendations for Kindle users

Amazon have acquired Goodreads, who have a platform that is excellent at suggesting to users when it comes to reading materials – books. Amazon have previously announced that they have plain to acquire one or more popular recommendation engines. But that was without any clear plan on their acquisition path.

Amazon’s vice president of Kindle, Russ Grandinetti said

Goodreads has helped change how we discover and discuss books and, with Kindle, Amazon has helped expand reading around the world — together, we intend to build many new ways to delight readers and authors alike.

These two companies are expecting the deal to be finalized in Q2, 2014.

 

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/28/amazon-acquires-goodreads-kindle-recommendation-engine/

Minox launches new 14MP retro mini digital camera

Minox, one of the famous camera manufacturer, have just unveiled the Minox Retro DCC 14.0. This new micro camera is designed to a scale of 1:3 and above all, it is small enough to hide in the palm of your hand. It has a 14 MegaPixel sensor, fixed lens and optical viewfinder.

The Retro DCC 14.0 features a 14MP CMOS image sensor and combined with the fixed 7.4mm lens. The camera has an effective focal length of around 45mm, which is slightly wider than a human’s natural vision. The lens features an f-stop of 2.0, means that the camera should perform well in low light situations.

The camera will come in silver and black and will be available for $240. It will ship in a wooden box with availible optional accessories – a wide angle converter, camera flash and tele converter.

 

Source: http://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/carl/minox-showcase-new-14mp-mini-retro-digital-camera

Microsoft changes Windows 8 specs, provides way to 7, 8-inch tablets

Microsoft have just altered the specification requirements for Windows 8 tablets which could pave a new way for 7, 8-inch Windows tablets. And the OEMs can begin developing smaller Windows 8 based devices. It could also be possible that Microsoft’s long-rumored Reader will make debut with the new Windows Blue.

Microsoft says that the specification change will allow “partners exploring designs for certain markets could find greater design flexibility helpful,”
a strog hint which suggests that new form factors are on their way. At present, Windows 8 devices typically have been 10-inches or larger. The growing popularity of small form factor tablets like Google Nexus 7 and the iPad mini suggests that the market of smaller form factors are growing. And this move of Microsoft will definitely help all the OEM who are looking to increase sales of their Windows 8 devices.

 

Source: http://www.zdnet.com/new-windows-8-hardware-specs-hint-at-7-inch-tablets-and-a-microsoft-reader-7000013271/

Intel change plan – To continue with upgradeable LGA platforms till Skylake chips

Intel Corporation has reportedly updated its long-term roadmap with its plans concerning microprocessor packaging and the future of desktop platforms. As it appears, they have decided not to aggressively push chips in BGA packaging
into the desktop market. Instead, they will continue to sell LGA form-factor processors for the foreseeable future.

 

 

According to unidentified sources from Taiwan-based motherboard manufacturers, Intel will retain LGA packaging for 95% of desktop central processing units until, at least, the first half of 2015, when the Intel releaseses processor based on Skylake micro-architecture. There will be entry-level chips for desktops based on Broadwell and Skylake architectures in BGA packaging. Still the majority of mainstream desktop chips will come in LGA packaging, allowing interchangeability of chips for users.

 

Source: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20130322PD200.html

[Rumor] FCC chairman to step down tomorrow

Merely a day after FCC commissioner Robert McDowell announced his resignation, it appears that chairman Julius Genachowski is going to walk in the same way.

The news is coming from an FCC official, who says Genachowski is stepping down from the agency after a four-year term. In his term, he focused on improving Internet access across the United States. The FCC chairman told FCC staff of his plans earlier today. His exit from the FCC has been rumored for weeks, with his term set to expire in June.

Possible replacements for Genachowski are Lawrence Strickling, the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Karen Kornbluh, the recent ambassador for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development,  and Blair Levin, who is a former FCC staff member and now industry analyst.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/22/us-usa-fcc-genachowski-idUSBRE92L01L20130322

[Rumor]AMD prepares for significant price-cut on current products

Advanced Micro Devices, commonly known as AMD – reportedly plans to lower the price of its current Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) and CPUs significantly somethime in next month. This price-cut in coming when they are preparing for the launch of products with better performance in June.

The rumor is that AMD will reduce the price of its multi-core FX-series CPUs aimed at performance-mainstream desktops
as well as A-series Fusion APUs for mainstream PCs  in April. DigiTimes website reports that such chips as AMD A8-5600K (Trinity), FX-8320, FX-6300 and FX-4300 (Vishera) will see 8-15% price-cuts.

This month AMD started to sell several Fusion A-series code-named Richland APUs which is also known as Trinity 2.0 for notebooks. It is believed that AMD intends to unveil new APUs for desktops in late May or early June.

The price-cuts are also expected to help AMD slightly boost its market share.

 

 

Source: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20130320PD216.html

Corsair relelases Vengeance Extreme – the fastest PC memory kit in the world

Corsair have just released their new flagship RAM – the Vengeance Extreme RAM. The Vengeance Extreme which have rated speed of 3000MHz is the new fastest rated PC memory kits in the world.

They are available as dual-channel kits of 8GB and have the low profile “racing red” heat spreaders – removing the corsair’s trend of releasing high heat-sinks with their flagship RAM models.

The full specification:

•Tested Latency: 12-14-14-36

•Memory Type: DDR3

•Speed Rating: PC3-24000 (3000MHz)

•Tested Voltage: 1.65Volt

•SPD Voltage: 1.5Volt

The kit is priced at $749.99 and will be available exclusively from Corsair.com later this month.

Source: http://www.corsair.com/us/pressrelease/corsair-unleashes-vengeance-extreme-the-worlds-fastest-rated-pc-memory-kits

[Rumor]Facebook may add hashtag support soon, Twiter won’t be pleased at all

Twitter’s infamous hash-tag – one of it’s iconic and unique feature won’t be unique any more. According to Wall Street Journal reports Facebook is looking to integrate the hashtag into it the site.

It’s totally unclear how much work Facebook has put into the integration of future hash-tag feature – assuming the reports as correct. Instagram users already uses hashtag to sort photos. Given that last year Facebook acquired Instagram, hash-tags concept could bring both of them close.

Now the question is What would Facebook do with the hash-tag? May be they can spread any latest news quickly or some announcement. At this point of time we can only wait for the surprise.

 

Source: http://thenextweb.com/facebook/2013/03/14/facebook-could-soon-add-hashtag-support-one-of-rival-twitters-most-iconic-features/