Events

Halo 4 makes an appearance at the Microsoft Spring Showcase

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

Halo 4 makes an appearance at the Microsoft Spring Showcase

Today was the Microsoft Spring Showcase, and during it Microsoft showed off a bit of Halo 4.

Halo 4 is the next blockbuster instalment in the iconic franchise that’s shaped entertainment history and defined a decade of gaming. Set in the aftermath of Halo 3, Master Chief returns to confront his own destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Halo 4 marks the start of a new trilogy that begins with its release in 2012.

How cool do the screenshots look above!

I want this game and I want it now!!!!

Get an exciting first look at this year’s most anticipated blockbuster, “Halo 4,” through a behind-the-scenes video on HaloWaypoint.com.

Facebook Messenger for Windows Released

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

0

The Facebook Messenger app for Windows has been released enabling you to chat while you do other things.

Chat while you do other stuff

See and respond to chats right from your desktop. Whether you’re browsing other websites or using another app, you don’t have to click away to stay connected.

Get notified instantly

Find out about new comments, photo tags and more as soon as they happen.

Download Facebook Messenger for Windows from here

Microsoft Flight adds Alaska DLC

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

2

My friend and fellow MVP Nick Whittome has some news on the first downloadable content (DLC) for Microsoft Flight.

This is what Nick posted:

Microsoft Flight have announced the very very excellent Alaska downloadable content pack that will be available for Microsoft Flight sometime in the future. I have to say that what I saw of this at the Game Studios simply amazed me, and it will amaze you too! The content is over 1.2 Million square miles of amazing scenery, with new missions and new aircraft!!!

Learn more from the Microsoft website

HIS Launch 7870 IceQ X 2GB, the HIS 7870 IceQ 2GB and the HIS 7850 IceQ 2GB Graphics Cards

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

0

HIS Launch 7870 IceQ X 2GB, the HIS 7870 IceQ 2GB and the HIS 7850 IceQ 2GB Graphics Cards

Hightech Information System (HIS) today launched three brand new graphics cards, the HIS 7870 IceQ X 2GB, the HIS 7870 IceQ 2GB and the HIS 7850 IceQ 2GB.

Equipped with the legendary IceQ cooling technology, the cards are up to 26°C cooler than the reference models as well as substantially quieter to create a silent atmosphere.

Additionally all three cards feature innovative overclocking software by HIS – iTurbo. The iTurbo software allows users to control the temperature, speed and power of the GPU, ensuring maximised OC capability and a longer lifespan of the card.

The 7870 IceQ X and the 7870 IceQ feature clock rates of 1000 MHz, offering superb quality for the most demanding games and applications.

Main Features:

Cooling

7870 IceQ X:

Up to 26°C cooler than the reference cooler due to a super large 9.2cm axial fan which is equipped with 2 ball bearings and is extremely durable with a life span of 70,000 hours. 2x 6mm plus 2x 8mm wide heatpipes optimise the cooling performance by removing heat from the core of the GPU.

7870 Ice Q:

Up to 20°C cooler than the reference cooler thanks to the super large 80 x 21.5mm single blower fan which is equipped with 2 ball bearings and is extremely durable with a life span of 50,000 hours! 4 wide heatpipes optimise the cooling performance by removing heat from the core of the GPU and the extra large 35 x 30mm copper heatsink provides a large heat dissipation area. The card also features fan control and fan monitoring, which allows users to read the fan speed & Asic temperature.

7850 IceQ:

IceQ X is significantly cooler than the Reference Cooler. Thanks to the 9.2cm silent fan large amounts of cool air is drawn from the central fan to cool down graphics card directly. 2 wide heatpipes optimise cooling performance by removing heat from the core area, providing ultimate solution for professional gamers and HTCP users.

Quieter

IceQ X is one of the quietest coolers, which means that all three cards are below 28dB. Whether surfing the web, watching movies or gaming, the cards will always remain quiet.

iTurbo

The iTurbo’s Fan Control and Fan Monitoring allow easy adjustment to achieve maximum cooling performance. By using the powerful Overclocking software you can run your card quietly and environmentally friendly. With the smart auto overclocking function, users can experience a performance boost with just one click.

HIS 7870 IceQ X 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP

http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-689.shtml

HIS 7870 IceQ 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP

http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-684.shtml

HIS 7850 IceQ X 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E DVI/HDMI/2xMini DP

http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-690.shtml

Apple Release Mac OS X 10.7.3 Supplemental Update 1.0

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

0

Apple Release Mac OS X 10.7.3 Supplemental Update 1.0

Apple has released what it is calling a Supplemental Update to Mac OS X 10.7.3 which is designed to resolve issues with Time Machine.

This is what Apple say about the update:

This update resolves an issue when restoring a Mac from a Time Machine backup.

This update is recommended for users running 10.7.3 with Time Machine backups.

WHS 2011 Add-in: WebDAV for WHS

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

4

A new add-in for Windows Home Server 2011 has been released which enables the IIS webdav feature for the server folders.

Microsoft Home Server 2011 Add-in to enable WebDAV access to the server folders.

Features

Installs and configures the IIS WebDAV feature
Choosable alias name for the virtual directory
Folder permissions are granted
HTTPS access only

Learn more and download from here

MyFord Touch Upgrades Ship Today

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

0

Last year I spent time at Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn. One of things I saw was MyFord Touch. Late last year Ford announced upgrades to MyFord Touch and starting this week they are shipping.

Ford is delivering on the promise of the “Upgradeable Car” – more than 300,000 current MyFord Touch owners will be receiving upgrade packages in the mail this week that include a USB flash drive with updated software for at-home installation, all free of charge.

The MyFord Touch upgrade provides an improved user experience based on feedback from owners, dealers and employees and includes simpler graphics and text, faster touch screen response and better phone pairing and compatibility. In addition, Ford continues to migrate MyFord Touch across its product line; the 2013 Ford Taurus and Ford Flex will be the first two of seven new models launching this year with the new system

New features

Ford also took the opportunity to update the performance of the system and add new features for customers to help them keep pace with the fast-moving consumer electronics market.

Faster touch-screen response time, for example, was a key request from owners. Initial testing shows that touch and voice response is at least two times faster than the current system.

Also, the software upgrade includes the following enhancements:

· Improved voice recognition experience powered by Nuance

– Quicker voice recognition upon startup and faster command prompt when the voice button is pushed

– Voice commands used in conjunction with navigation are simplified through elimination of the need to provide street direction, e.g., “Main Street” instead of “North Main Street”

– Music requests are simpler by removing the need to include the additional song, album or artist information often found at the end of a name in (parenthesis) or [brackets]

– Customers can find their favorite sports team in action via new Sirius Game Finder simply by saying a command such as “Tune to Detroit Lions game”

· Tablet device compatibility

– Music and other media content from most popular tablet computers like the Apple iPad can now be accessed through a simple USB connection

· Audible.com audiobook support

– Listen to Audible.com content using voice commands or the easy-to-use touch-screen controls

· Connected navigation powered by TeleNav features new map data by NAVTEQ

– Updated map views are richer and feature more 3D landmarks

– Views of freeway junctions and signs are enhanced through photorealistic screen images

– Smart routing options are provided based on a database of historical traffic patterns

· Phone compatibility

– Automatic Bluetooth^® connection upon vehicle entry has been improved

– Noise and echo cancelation during phone calls has been improved to enhance call quality

· Gracenote^® album cover art database

– Inclusion of the latest music metadata available enhancing the music playback experience

– Improved voice recognition for music search allowing drivers to pinpoint artists with hard-to-pronounce names or nicknames

And a short video showing it as well:

Enter video caption here

Icy Dock introduces the MB082SP SSD/HDD Bracket

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

0

Icy Dock introduces the MB082SP SSD/HDD Bracket

Icy Dock has introduced the MB082SP, the newest product in their SSD/HDD bracket & converter line. Easy installation and Durability is the key to this product, perfect for users that require the best physical protection of their data, with the least amount of hassle of installation.

The MB082SP made of metal and has a matte black finish, eloquently made to protect your SSDs or hard drives, while allowing one to use it in most PC cases. The screw placement is on both the sides and bottom of the bracket, which are of the exact locations of a 3.5” hard drive. The tool-less drive installation creates a simple way to install your SSD/HDD. Once that is done, then install as you would normally do with a 3.5” hard drive. All that is needed is to slide the SSDs or hard drives in and the drives will automatically lock into place and secured by an EZ-Lock mechanism. The EZ-Lock works just like the way you install a battery in a compact digital camera. The EZ-Lock design not only benefits when you first install a drive, but also when you need to replace a failed SSD or hard drive. Unlike other brand’s bracket, you are no longer forced to deal with 12 small tiny screws, with the EZ-Lock system, simply toggle the EZ-Lock, pop up the drive and replace the failed drive in no time. This is perfect for a system that uses RAID. To reduce the amount of vibration in the drives and the case the MB082SP has a built in unique anti-vibration technology for each bay of the device.

For system builders installing drives using the traditional screw mounting method can really slow your production down. The MB082SP features a quick screw less drive installation that cuts assembly time down. System builders, gamers, and DIY users, would benefit greatly from the MB082SP. The heavy duty solid metal construction and the simplicity of the drive installation make protecting and swapping your hard drives as easy as 1 2 3.

Feature:

* EZ-Lock mechanism for tool-less drive installation
* Heavy Duty Full metal construction with matte black finish
* Fits 2 x 2.5” SSD/HDD into one 3.5” device bay
* Compatible with SSD or hard drives up to 9.5mm height
* Anti-Vibration design for improved reliability
* Universally designed screw placement for maximum compatibility

Compatible Drive Type:

2.5″ IDE Hard Drive
2.5” SATA Hard Drive
2.5” SATA Solid State Drive
2.5” IDE Solid State Drive
Fits any 9.5mm height drive

Learn more from the Icy Dock website

Arch Linux ARM available for download for Raspberry Pi

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

0

Raspberry Pi was finally made available for pre-order last week, and there are already downloads available.

Arch Linux ARM is based on Arch Linux, which aims for simplicity and full control to the end user. It provides a lightweight base structure that allows you to shape the system to your needs. For this reason, the Arch Linux ARM image for the Raspberry Pi does not come with a graphical user interface, though you can easily install one yourself. Please note that this distribution may not be suitable for beginners.

Arch Linux ARM is on a rolling-release cycle that can be updated daily through small packages instead of huge updates every few months.

Check out the available downloads here

Did you manage to get one order? Let us know! We did and we can’t wait to try it!

Condusiv Technologies Introduces Undelete 10 for File Protection With Instant Recovery

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 5, 2012

0

Condusiv Technologies Introduces Undelete 10 for File Protection With Instant Recovery

Condusiv Technologies today announced the release of Undelete 10, real time data protection and instant data recovery.

The Server, Professional and Client editions of Undelete let you see the contents of Recovery Bins on remote computers like file servers, allowing IT or users to recover their deleted files across the network with a single click of a button. It’s no longer necessary to search backup tapes or Windows Shadow copies when a user accidentally deletes a file from the server.

Undelete can also restore files previously purged from the Recycle Bin or the Undelete Recovery Bin – even if they were deleted before Undelete was installed

When a file is deleted, it is automatically captured and stored in the Undelete Recovery Bin. Undelete 10 captures all the files the Windows Recycle Bin misses, such as those deleted from shared network folders, deleted from commonly used applications, deleted by the Windows command prompt, or replaced when newer versions of a file are saved. Also, if a file is modified several times between a backup or shadow copy, it will not be saved. With Undelete, these file versions will be saved and are recoverable.

Undelete 10 features

· One-button Search for Recent Files, which allows the user to locate a file deleted within a 24-hour period or one week period with one click.

· New Search Wizard, a single pane view that provides fast and easy way to find a lost file.

· New User Interface for ease of use, quality of experience.

· Undelete 10 Server – Protects server files including those deleted by network clients from a centralized management console.

· Undelete 10 Desktop Client – Allows connected laptops, workstations and VMs to recover their own files from remote Undelete 10 Server recovery bins.

· Undelete 10 Professional – Protects locally stored files and allows files to be recovered from remote Undelete Server recovery bins.

· Undelete 10 Home – Provides comprehensive protection of locally stored files.

Condusiv Undelete 10 “Set it and Forget It” file recovery system runs on all Windows platforms, including those on VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V environments.

Undelete 10 Server, Professional and Home Editions support Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 and Windows 7.

In compliance with corporate governance or governmental regulatory requirements for secure data deletion, Undelete provides an electronic data shedder: SecureDelete 2.0. Using a bit pattern specified by the National Security Agency (NSA) for the Department of Defense, SecureDelete not only deletes a file but overwrites the disk space the file previously occupied making it virtually impossible for anyone to access.

For more information see www.undelete.com