What is Windows Home Server?

CES 2013 : Pure announces the Jongo A140B wireless hi-fi adapter

Andrew Edney

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Jan 15, 2013

Last week at CES Pure announced two new products – the second one being the A140B wireless hi-fi adapter, and we got to see it up close.

Pure’s new Jongo A140B wireless hi-fi adapter costs just £99.99 and allows users to transform any audio system, from a simple micro to a high-end hi-fi, into a music streamer and bring it into their multiroom system. Like all Jongo family products, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are integrated, and Jongo A140B comes with a high-quality 24-bit DAC (digital to analogue converter), optical and coaxial digital and dual phono analogue audio outputs.

For more information visit www.pure.com

CES 2013 : Pure announces the Jongo T640B wireless stereo speaker

Andrew Edney

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Jan 15, 2013

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Last week at CES Pure announced two new products – the first one being the Jongo T640B wireless stereo speaker, and we got to see it up close.

Pure is adding Jongo T640B, a powerful, wireless stereo speaker to its Jongo multiroom music system. The Jong T640B will be available in the first half of 2013 and will sit alongside the Jongo S340B portable wireless speaker.

The world’s first family of affordable multiroom audio products, the Pure Jongo system allows the user to start with a single speaker and add more Jongo products for perfectly synchronised audio all around their home.

Costing just £249.99, Jongo T640B comes with built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and packs 100 Watts of room-filling, stereo sound. Ideal as the main audio system in a large living room, Jongo T640B delivers rich, detailed and expansive audio using two custom designed, five inch full-range drive units with dual-concentric tweeters. An optional stand is available to position the speaker in a landscape or portrait orientation to suit any environment and there is also a bracket accessory kit that can be used to mount the speaker on the wall.

For more information visit www.pure.com

Drive Bender v.1.4.6.5 (Tomcat) for Windows Home Server 2011 available now

Andrew Edney

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Jan 15, 2013

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There is an update to the beta of Drive Bender for Windows Home Server 2011, taking it to version v1.4.6.5, also known as the Tomcat release.

Release v1.4.6.5

Update: Improved license validation to prevent license activation issues.
Bug fix: BSOD can occur under some extreme conditions.
Update: Upon boot, Drive Bender now forces a refresh of the Windows volume symbolic link. This is to prevent the drive not found issue some users experience.
Update: Added a number of logging improvements to the balancing operation and increased the default range from 2% to 4% (i.e. drives must be 4% out of balance before balancing will occur).

Update: A number of performance improvements with regards to how pool free space is calculated and reported

Downoad the beta from here

What do you think of Drive Bender? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

PlayStation Network to be Taken Offline This Week for Maintenance

Chris Hare

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Jan 15, 2013

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PlayStation Network will be taken offline later this week, Sony has announced.

Scheduled maintenance will take place from 4pm UK time on 17th January through to 4am the following morning (Friday, 18th January).

As with previous periods of downtime, the PlayStation Store, customer account management and user registration will be unavailable on PS3, PSP, Vita and the official website.

Players will be able to continue collecting Trophies, which will be updated on profiles once PSN is back up and running.

Users signed into PSN before the maintenance begins are advised to remain signed in for the duration, although the aforementioned services will still not be available.

Sony recently released a patch improving the navigation speeds of its redesigned PlayStation Store.

Several new features for the PlayStation Store were introduced in 2012, including the launch of PlayStation Mobile and PS Plus for Vita.

Xtreamer Aiki Mobile Reviewed (Video)

Chris Hare

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Jan 15, 2013

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Here is the review of the Xtreamer Aiki Mobile running Android ICS version 4.0.3. Thanks to RockTechDaily for doing the video.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTKCOhZmkYc?feature=player_embedded%5D

Pokemon X and Pokemon Y illustrations and starter types revealed

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Jan 15, 2013

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Official illustrations and confirmation of the types of the three ‘starter’ Pokémon in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y are now revealed.

Official illustrations of the two Legendary Pokémon from the promotion video and details on their height and weight also revealed.

Heights and weights for the two legendary Pokémon are:

Xerneus, 3.0 m (9’10”), 215.0 Kg (474 lbs.)
Yveltal, 5.8 m (19’00”), 203.0 Kg (447.5 lbs.)

Here’s a helpful infographic showing the types of the starter Pokémon and how their types match-up against each other:

Grass-type is strong against Water-type, but weak against Fire. Fire-type is strong against Grass-type and weak against Water. While Water-type is strong against Fire-type Pokémon, but weak against Grass.

CES 2013 : A video preview of CyberLink PowerDVD Mobile on Windows RT running on a Microsoft Surface

Andrew Edney

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Jan 15, 2013

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Last week at CES, I was given a behind closed doors preview of CyberLinks forthcoming PowerDVD Mobile app for Windows RT running on a Microsoft Surface.

One of the biggest issues I have with the Microsoft Surface is that I can’t playback whatever media files I want without having to convert some of them first, well CyberLink have just solved this problem for me!

Over to the demo:

What do you think? Are you going to get it? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

CES 2013 : A video preview of CyberLink Power Director Mobile on Windows RT running on a Microsoft Surface

Andrew Edney

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Jan 15, 2013

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Last week at CES, I was given a behind closed doors preview of CyberLinks forthcoming Power Director Mobile app for Windows RT running on a Microsoft Surface.

One of the biggest issues I have with the Microsoft Surface is that I can’t edit my videos on it, well CyberLink have just solved this problem for me!

Over to the demo:

What do you think? Are you going to get it? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

CES 2013 : Mad Catz video preview

Andrew Edney

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Jan 15, 2013

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Last week at CES we caught up with old friend Alex Verrey and showed us some new things for 2013.

Mad Catz announced a new range of products featuring the Company’s new GameSmart technology. Initial products in the range include the R.A.T.^M mobile gaming mouse, the F.R.E.Q.^M headset, the M.O.U.S.⁹ wireless mouse, and the C.T.R.L.^R wireless gamepad.

In addition to delivering leading edge gaming performance on PC, Mac and in some instances consoles, GameSmart products are designed to extend the core gaming experience to supporting smart devices. GameSmart offers mobile game developers and publishers standardization, ease of implementation and scalability when enabling controller and console-like accessory functionality in mobile games. GameSmart control products will function through the Bluetooth Smart stack, will be game and hardware independent, and will feature simplified setup, longer battery life and universal compatibility.

Over to Alex:

So what do you think of the Mad Catz stuff? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

App Update: Twitter app for iOS updated to version 5.2.1

Apple

Andrew Edney

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Jan 15, 2013

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The official Twitter app for the iPhone and iPad has been updated to version 5.2.1.

What’s New in Version 5.2

Bug fixes

Download now from the Apple App Store

Synology announces DiskStation Manager (DSM) 4.2 beta

Andrew Edney

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Jan 14, 2013

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Synology have announced their DiskStation Manager (DSM) 4.2 beta program, and you can join!

DSM 4.2 beta advantages include:

· Bringing storage efficiency to virtualised environment

· Elevate productivity on a budget and streamline IT administration

· Offer enterprise-ready Cloud Station and take the lead to support Amazon Glacier

· Increase reliability with a multitude of protection mechanisms

· Deliver the full-blast of multimedia streaming

· Provide the ultimate mobile experience

DSM 4.2 delivers greater productivity and streamlines admin on a budget. RADIUS Server offers individualised credentials and centralised control over access to a wireless network. DNS Server allows users to host and manage various domains and services, all in one place, through an easy-to-use interface. Furthermore, Disk Usage Report offers the ease to visualise storage usage over time, benefitting businesses in developing retention strategies.

With TFTP and PXE support, users can boot up multiple clients or servers remotely. Task Scheduler enables users to manage all tasks’ schedules on a single interface.
Cloud Station is now enterprise-ready. System admin can enable as many user accounts as they demand, keep all their shared folders in sync, and share files of up to 10GB. LDAP and AD support additionally grants users with easy account management. Among the first to support Amazon Glacier, DSM 4.2 provides a cost-effective solution for data restoration and backup, all on an intuitive interface. On File Station users can manage files efficiently with hot keys and switch between List View and Thumbnail View.

DSM 4.2 comes with a multitude of protection mechanisms. Synology High Availability (SHA) extends its coverage to more economical DiskStation/RackStation to ensure the continuity of critical services. RAID disk groups or volume can share the common hot spare disk, allowing users to utilise the least number of disk to maximise protection. Two-step verification enhances security. In addition to a predefined password, a 6-digit one time code is required.
Video Station lets users watch and record multiple channels simultaneously and supports HDHomeRun DVB-T TV tuner. It also allows movie streaming to AirPlay device. Audio Station features a sleek, streamlined interface and a revamped mini player. Users can now enjoy high-quality audio streaming with full mobility with a Bluetooth A2DP adapter. The new Photo Station Uploader and drag-n-drop feature make it simple to upload photos in a snap.

Optimized to work seamlessly with mobile devices, DSM 4.2 ushers in a touch-friendly generation by supporting gesture controls. The all new DS cloud is an easy yet secure way to sync files across computers and iOS/Android devices over SSL encryption. Users can specify sync rules by file type and size, as well as the option to sync only on Wifi connection. In addition, DS video is brought to Android™ and Windows Phone® users, with multiple channel streaming and recording as well as AirPlay support. DS photo+ can automatically backup and share iOS users’ photos onto Photo Station in real time. Despite no access to the Internet, users can still browse the photos downloaded in their iOS devices. Besides, QuickConnect is now available on DS cloud, DS audio and DS photo+, helping users to access files remotely without port forwarding.

Synology DSM 4.2 Beta Reward Program

Synology will hand out a DS213air to three beta testers who provide the most valuable assistance and feedback. Please visit http://www.synology.com/support/beta_dsm4.2.php for more details.

Availability

DSM 4.2 beta is free to download for users who own a DiskStation or RackStation x09 series and onward. Supported models include:

DS213+, DS413, DS213, DS413j, DS213air, DS2413+, DS713+, RS10613xs+, RS3413xs+, DS712+, DS212, DS212+, DS212j, RS212, RS812, DS1512+, DS1812+, DS3612xs, RS3412xs, RS3412RPxs, DS112j, DS112, DS412+, RS812+, RS812RP+, RS2212+, RS2212RP+, DS112+, DS3611xs, RS3411xs, RS3411RPxs, DS2411+, RS2211+, RS2211RP+, DS1511+, RS411, DS411, DS411+II, DS411+, DS411j, DS411slim, DS211+, DS211, DS211j, DS111, DS1010+, RS810+, RS810RP+, DS410, DS410j, DS710+, DS210+, DS210j, DS110+, DS110j, DS509+, RS409+, RS409RP+, RS409, DS409+, DS409, DS209+II, DS209+, DS209, DS209j, DS109+, DS109, DS109j, and DS409slim

Download is available at http://www.synology.com/support/beta_dsm4.2.php

Live demo site is available at http://www.synology.com/products/dsm_livedemo.php

Let us know if you do join and what you think of it.

Last Chance to get early access to the Dead Space 3 Xbox 360 demo on January 15th

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Jan 14, 2013

1

If you have an Xbox 360 and you would like to get early access to a demo of Dead Space 3 then register your interest now to be in with a chance.

Dead Space 3 cuts to the heart of deep space terror with award-winning suspense, horror, action and sound. Slated for release in the dead of winter, players will embark on a thrilling ride through space that takes them to a hostile new planet, Tau Volantis. There, they must battle violent, subzero conditions and deadly, highly-evolved enemies including new Necromorphs, gigantic boss creatures and – for the first time in the series – a faction of Unitologist soldiers on a misguided mission.

Fortunately, they are not alone this time around. Players can choose to team-up with a friend anytime in Dead Space 3 with the fully integrated drop- in/drop-out co-op feature. Players that choose to take down the terror together will experience additional story details, side missions and gameplay mechanics only found when playing as the co-op character, John Carver.

So if you want to get access to the demo, register now for a chance to be selected:

With an all-new ice planet, drop-in/drop-out co-op, and exhilarating action, Dead Space 3 will re-set the bar for epic thrills in February 2013.

Does Dead Space 3 interest you? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

DUST 514 Open Beta starts January 22nd 2013

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Jan 14, 2013

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CCP Games today announced that on January 22, 2013, DUST 514 will officially move into Open Beta, free to download and play for anyone with a PlayStation 3.

The path for the DUST 514 Open Beta was paved when, on January 10^th, CCP achieved the major milestone of merging DUST 514 with EVE Online on the Tranquility server hosting the EVE Universe.

By uniting DUST 514 and EVE Online on the same single-shard server, CCP has accomplished something unprecedented in videogame history: a single persistent online universe of incredible depth and scale that bridges the PC and console platforms in real time. Furthermore, this marks the first time two games from different genres, a space combat simulator and a first-person shooter, have been linked together into one, massive online experience.

“The launch of the DUST 514 Open Beta is another step towards our long-term vision for CCP and EVE,” said Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP. “But this is just the beginning. As we have done with EVE Online, in the coming weeks, and for years to come, we will continually improve upon and add to the DUST 514 experience, as well as add deeper integration between the two games and their communities.”

Now Eve Online’s New Eden is an even bigger and more diversified universe where two games of interstellar combat exist concurrently and impact each other constantly.

DUST 514 Open Beta Begins January 22, 2013.

On January 22^nd the wait will be over when Open Beta begins, but for DUST 514 mercenaries currently in the closed beta test, careers truly begin as of today. With no further character resets planned, every shot, every battle and every contract now counts.

More details about what happens to the existing mercenaries, load-outs, and corporations of DUST 514 during the brief migration period can be found at http://community.eveonline.com/devblog.asp?a=blog&nbid=74180

Players not currently in the DUST 514 closed beta still have a chance to get a head start before Open Beta officially begins.

Available now through the PlayStation Store, the DUST 514 Mercenary Pack grants closed beta access, 40,000 Aurum and a host of in-game items for $19.99 (a $50 value), all of which will remain intact as DUST 514 rolls into the Open Beta. In addition, as a special bonus for players in the Closed Beta test, anyone who plays a match before January 22 will receive a 100,000 Skill Point bonus to take into the Open Beta.

Let us know if you plan on playing by leaving a comment below.

Check out our interview with Jon Lander about EVE Online and DUST 514

A preview and video of NVIDIA Project SHIELD in action at CES 2013

Andrew Edney

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Jan 14, 2013

0

Last week at CES NVIDIA announced their handheld gaming console codename Project SHIELD. Later at CES we got a behind closed doors look at it.

Created with the philosophy that gaming should be open and flexible, Project SHIELD flawlessly plays both Android and PC titles. As a pure Android device, it gives access to any game on Google Play. And as a wireless receiver and controller, it can stream games from a PC powered by NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPUs, accessing titles on its STEAM game library from anywhere in the home.

Project SHIELD combines the advanced processing power of NVIDIA Tegra 4, breakthrough game-speed Wi-Fi technology and stunning HD video and audio built into a console-grade controller. It can be used to play on its own integrated screen or on a big screen, and on the couch or on the go.

Brilliant gameplay and video are provided by Project SHIELD’s integrated 5-inch, 1280×720 HD retinal multitouch display, with 294 dpi. Plus, Tegra 4 with Direct Touch technology gives it touch responsiveness that is a more consistent, accurate and smooth-flowing touch input experience than a standard touch device.

Here is a short video of Project SHIELD in action I took:

What do you think of Project SHIELD? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

More information is available at shield.nvidia.com.