The world's largest BitTorrent site, The Pirate Bay, as reported previously, will stop linking to .torrent files shortly and replace them with magnet links. Magnet links have a pretty big advantage over .torrent files, where they're much more portable, and easier to copy. On top of this, a new torrent link on TPB lists all titles and magnet links, where the public can download a copy that would fit onto even the smallest USB flash drive, or if you're still rocking those floppies, a few of them, too.
TPB told TorrentFreak that one of the advantages to a "magnet site" is that it requires little bandwidth to host a proxy site. A proxy site is required as TPB is blocked in many countries, and is of course, going to increase. Think it can't happen? Well, Pirate Bay user "allisfine" was intrigued by this idea, and has decided to find out just how small a copy of TPB would be. He told TorrentFreak:
I did a complete snapshot of ALL the Pirate Bay torrents, in case somebody wants to close it or something similarly crazy.
Continue reading 'Got 90MB spare on your Internet cap, you could download the entire Pirate Bay if you wanted' (full post) Everyone is going to want to combat the upcoming slaughterhouse that will be the iPad 3, but Amazon has enjoyed great success with their Kindle Fire tablet. Pacific Crest analyst Char Bartley said this week that:
We are raising our 2012 sales forecasts to 14.9 million from 12.7 million, but we believe there is an upward bias, particularly from the new 7- and 9-inch models, which we expect to launch in mid-2012.
Amazon have already said they're making more Kindle Fire's to meet demand, as well as reports of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich rocking on the Fire. It seems that the fire the Kindle has burning, just can't be put out.
Continue reading 'Amazon could launch a 9-inch Kindle by mid-2012' (full post) We literally just reported that Diablo III is coming in Q2, but in the same financial report from Activision, Bobby Kotick also announced a new Call of Duty title. I was going to wrap it into a single news post, but seriously, these game franchises are big enough to deserve their own special spot of news.
Kotick has said that the company wants to expand the new 'Call of Duty: Elite' service throughout 2012, by introducing "Elite 2.0". Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision has said that new "features (are) to be included in the next Call of Duty release."
Are you excited for another Call of Duty title? I think they should just call them "Call of Duty 2012, Call of Duty 2013", it's easier than thinking of something to follow it. If the next Call of Duty comes out and looks the same (which it will, I doubt they'll opt for a new graphics engine since it still sells better than ice cream on a hot day, it will look worse than the 2011-released Battlefield 3.
Sad. But, exciting. Will Activision pull a rabbit from their Call of Duty hat? Only a few months until we find out I guess!
Activision have just given their quarterly financial report, with Bobby Kotick taking the time to announce that a new Call of Duty title is in the works (SURPRISE!) and also, a new launch window for the ever-so-delicious Diablo III.
Kotick has said that Diablo III will in fact launch this year, and with a slideshow shown (pictured above) it could launch in Q2. The slideshow says "targeting Q2 launch", which means we could see some delays, but it's nice to see that they're expecting a launch, very soon.
Kotick added:
Blizzard Entertainment plans to have multiple highly-anticipated titles to release, including Diablo 3, and Activision Publishing expects to release a new Call of Duty game. In addition, Activision Publishing expects to continue to grow Call of Duty Elite and launch Skylanders Giants.
The latest happenings in the technology world, February 9th, 2012.
GPUs:
Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB OC - Hardware Canucks
Motherboards & CPUs:
ASUS Rampage IV Formula BF3 Edition Motherboard - Hi Tech Legion
ASRock X79 Extreme6/GB Motherboard - Hardware Secrets
GIGABYTE GA-X79-UD7 Motherboard - Legit Reviews
ASRock Z68 Extreme 7 - PureOverclock
Audio:
RHA SA-850 Headphones and MA-350 Earphones - Hardware Heaven
Continue reading 'Thursday Morning Roundup' (full post) Our Deal of the Day is Dell Small Business - Dual 20" Dell LCD Monitor equipped Dell Vostro 260ST Desktop with 2nd Gen Intel Core i3, 4GB Memory, 500GB HD, DVD Burner, Wireless-N, Media Card Reader, Win 7 Pro, and More for $599 with FREE Shipping!
Deeper discount and upgraded configuration! $599 after a massive $472.99 instant discount buys this originally $1049 Dell Vostro 260 slim tower desktop with TWO 20" Dell E2011H LCD monitors. This computer also comes with a 2nd gen 3.3Ghz Intel Core i3-2120 processor, 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, 16x DVD+/-RW DL, Dell Wireless 1501 802.11n card, 8-in-1 media card reader, Windows 7 Professional x64, 15-month antivirus, and a 1 year warranty, plus a TrippLite HDMI to DVI gold video cable. Shipping is FREE. Unknown expiration date, may expire at any time (original expiration was 2/3/12 at 7AM CT).
DELL VOSTRO 260 SLIM TOWER DESKTOP DEAL
Our Download of the Day is Google Chrome 17.
With today's Stable release, Chrome now does the same thing. Except not with sandwiches. When you start typing in the omnibox and the URL autocompletes to a site you're very likely to visit, Chrome will prerender the page, so it will appear faster--sometimes, even instantly--as soon as you hit Enter. To learn more, check out the post from our latest Beta release.
On the security front, Chrome now does even more to help protect you from malicious downloads. In addition to checking a list of known bad files, Chrome also does checks on executable files (like ".exe" and ".msi" files). If the executable doesn't match a whitelist, Chrome checks with Google for more information, such as whether the website you're accessing hosts a high number of malicious downloads.
In the near future, we will also begin rolling out updates to Chrome OS to further simplify the Chromebook experience. With a new image editor, Chromebook users will be able to quickly view, edit and share photos on the web. Users will also see an improved Verizon 3G activation portal, which includes the ability to set up a recurring purchase of mobile data.
If you don't have Chrome, download it now to check out the latest features!
NVIDIA and Rambus have been fighting it out for a while now, with four years of lawsuits and fighting, have resolved the matter privately. They've inked a new deal that is valid for the next five years, but other than that, no other details are provided.
The PR statement is vague, just pointing out that the two companies have settled, and that there's a five-year agreement now:
The agreement covers the use of Rambus patented innovations in a broad range of integrated circuit (IC) products offered by NVIDIA. In addition, the two companies have settled all outstanding claims, including resolution of past use of Rambus' patented innovations. The term of this agreement is five years; other details are confidential.
"This is an important license agreement as it settles our differences and allows us to move forward with NVIDIA, the leader in visual and parallel computing," said Harold Hughes, president and chief executive officer at Rambus. "Looking forward, we have the opportunity to focus on developing innovative solutions in concert with our licensees to help bring compelling, innovative products to market."
It's good to see the issues resolved, now they can get back to business.
I'm sick of writing about Ice Cream Sandwich/Android 4.0 and not rocking it on my Samsung Galaxy S II, boo. Boo! Well, Android 4.0.4 has found its way onto the tubes this week, first hitting Sprint's Nexus S 4G, and now has hit the CDMA/LTE-powered Galaxy Nexus from Verizon.
Obviously this isn't available over-the-air (OTA), but it's available to those who have unlocked their bootloader. The ROM is said to be very fast, with speed gains also reaching the web browser, and the device's boot times, too.
The release includes a new radio file that offers more seamless transitions between the CDMA and LTE networks. Most of the other baked-in changes are relatively minor, so this is only for those of you who want to live on the edge. If you too, want to live on the edge, check it out here.
Intel have just released some new drivers for their Intel HD-series of integrated graphics processors, including the newer Sandy Bridge, but not leaving out the older Nehalem-based chips in both notebook and desktop parts. The drivers have been made available for all versions of Windows Vista and 7.
The drivers support the Core i3 desktop and mobile processors, Core i5 desktop and mobile processors, Core i7 mobile processors, and the Intel Pentium processors. There are a few resolved issues which should help some people, but is a driver release, finally, with the last one arriving in September of 2011.
The two drivers you can grab, are listed below:
15.22.54.2622 (32-bit)
15.22.54.64.2622 (64-bit)
Direct from the Google Fiber Blog is news that they've starting laying the fiber for their 1Gbps Internet backbone. Google will be packing their bags and bringing thousands of miles of cables and connecting two cities together with a 1Gbps backbone.
The two cities? Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. Google have said that each cable contains "many thin glass fibers, each about the width of a human hair." Google will take these cables and weave them into a fiber backbone, which is a completely new high-speed infrastructure that will catapult Kansas Citians' data at more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have today.
Google have said as soon as the infrastructure is complete they'll be connecting Google Fiber into the homes across Kansas City.
So, if you're a Kansas-based Internet user, you should be just a little bit excited right about now. Your Internet speed is going bye-bye.
Google have released a new version of Google Voice for Android, which sports an Ice Cream Sandwich-style UI and icon, as well as a few of the usual minor changes and fixes. On top of this, is the addition of asynchronous SMS sending.
Asynchronous SMS sending lets you send messages while users are offline, queueing them for later delivery. On each screen is now an official user feedback menu. The app is available directly from the Android Market, or you can download it here.
If you're running an Android-based device and don't see the option to update the app from your device, try visiting the Android Market on your computer's browser and send the app to your device, this should force the update for you. Once you've tried it, let us know how you go. I'm interested to see how the ICS-style UI looks within the app itself.
The first two words of hearing this news to me in my mind were, 'do want!' NERF have just announced the revolutionary new Lazer Tag system, which "combining the power, precision and excitement of live-action blaster battles with the high-action, strategic, augmented reality gameplay of traditional video games."
Players can download the free Lazer Tag app from the App Store onto their iPhone or iPod touch device, connect it to their Lazer Tag blaster, and immerse themselves in a world where "video games and real life connect". You can play in both single and multi-player, where players can engage in a Lazer Tag match featuring friends (or foes?) or virtual opponents.
Each Lazer Tag blaster has a virtual firing range of over 250 feet, and contains a Heads Up Display (HUD), which lets players keep track of their gear and remaining power, as well as providing a view of the augmented reality targets and enemies in the area. On top of this, a virtual leaderboard also keeps tabs on each player's profile, with every successful mission, players gain access to in-game upgradeable attacks, missions and gear.
The first issue for 2012 of The Overclocker is now out, Issue 18, and available for your pleasure to read through. Issue 18 covers which X79-based board you should buy, Leeghoofd dons his investigative hat and takes a look at ASUS' Crosshair V inefficiency, and they also take a seat with Andrew "DrWeez" Roberts for a one-on-one.
This is jut scratching the surface of what Issue 18 has to offer. Review-wise, we have reviews of GeIL's EVO TWO PC3-19200 Quad-Channel RAM, Patriot's Pyro SE 240GB SSD, ASUS' Radeon HD 7970, GIGABYTE's G1.Assassin2, and G.Skills' RipJaws Z 2400MHz CL9 RAM.
Also covered, is a review of Skyrim, Cooler Master's Cosmos II, ASUS' VG278 monitor and both the Vengeance K90 and M90 from Corsair.
Check out The Overclocker Issue 18, here.
Google have been hard at work, where they've released Google Chrome for Android Beta for Android 4.0-based devices, as well as a few other cool announcements, today brings the latest stable build of Chrome, Chrome 17.
Chrome 17 includes a serious speed bump, if it wasn't already fast enough. Google reckons you'll be surfing quicker than ever before with a new feature that lets pages start loading in the background before you've even finished typing a URL into the Omnibox. If the URL auto-completes to an address you'll most likely visit, Chrome will begin prerendering the page. Nifty, huh?
Security-wise, Chrome 17 includes a new security feature. Chrome 17 now runs executables through additional reputation checks that ensures that you're safe. This means that if you attempt to download a Windows installation file (EXE or MSI) that isn't on a whitelist, Google analyzes the file to determine its reputation and trustworthiness based on files previously seen from the same publisher, and site.
Suspicious files would then be tagged and if found malicious, you'll be alerted.
Continue reading 'Google release Chrome 17, sports "instant" browsing, improved security' (full post) Get ready to dust off your OS, people, Windows 8 Consumer Preview is nearly upon us, and according to CNet News, Microsoft have now revealed the date and time of the launch (excusing the time zone weirdness as its launching in Barcelona): February 29 between 3:00 and 5:00 PM CET (or 9:00 and 11:00 AM EST).
Microsoft are set to host at event at Mobile World Congress, in the aforementioned Barcelona, Spain. MWC is a mobile conference, but then again, Windows 8 is not solely for desktops and notebooks anymore, with the OS set to land on mobile devices as well. The Verge have said that some Metro apps will feature on the Consumer Preview, with Calendar, Camera, Mail, Messaging, Music, "People," Photos, SkyDrive, and Video being included.
The Verge's information comes from "sources familiar with Microsoft's plans" so there's a few grains of salt thrown in there. Will you be trying out the Consumer Preview? I want to try it out, I hope it installs in Boot Camp on my Apple MacBook Pro. Ha.
Sony have just announced through their PlayStation Blog that they've released a new system software update which brings the PlayStation 3 to v4.10. Included in v4.10 are some minor changes, but one surprising one, too.
The new system software update requires you to accept a change in Sony's Terms of Service (ToS), and in an "effort for more unity" between PlayStation Network (PSN) and other Sony Entertainment Network services, all "PSN Accounts" will now be named "Sony Entertainment Network Account".
This change is by name only, and does not change the PSN in any form. Games can still be played online, and access to the latest downloadable games and add-ons are still available. System software update v4.10 includes an improved PS3 Internet Browser, with improved display speed. More details on the firmware can be found, here.
We've talked about the Kinect Star Wars bundle before, when it was teased at last years Comic-Con, but now, we're closer than ever to having the Kinect Star Wars Bundle in our hands. Included in the bundle is "Kinect Star Wars", where the game teasing "With no controller in the way you can live out the ultimate "Star Wars" fantasy".
There are five dynamic modes available, Jedi Destiny: Dark Side Rising, Podracing, Rancor Rampage, Galactic Dance Off and Duels of Fate. Also included, and only announced today by Xbox 360 and LucasArts, are new additions to the game, including:
New experiences within Jedi Destiny Mode, including:
o Space battles: As you travel the Galaxy to face an evil that threatens to undermine the fabric of the Republic, you'll engage with forces of the Empire in intense space battles
o Speeder Bikes and Landspeeders: Pilot iconic Speeder Bikes and Landspeeders on your epic journey
Continue reading 'Xbox 360 Kinect Star Wars Bundle & Game arrives April 3rd' (full post) PowerColor have teased everyone on their Facebook page with a glimpse of their new AMD Radeon HD 7970 GPU. Nothing more than it's "our new HD 7970 design posing for the camera" has been said from PowerColor.
What we can see though, are multiple video outputs, looks like the new HD 7970 from PowerColor sports dual DVI, HDMI, and dual DisplayPort. The card is still a dual-slot card, with two big fans on the front of it and a decently thick heatpipe design behind it.
More information on this bad boy as it comes. I do like the black/blue design of it. Reminds me of getting a bruise. This could could be powerful enough to punch the lights out of other HD 7970s, and give them... bruises? We'll find out soon enough. Hopefully our VGA editor is out of hospital by then, but I'm sure he's enjoying his Razer Blade gaming laptop too much, eh? ;)
The latest happenings in the technology world, February 8th, 2012.
Storage:
Intel 520 Series 240GB Solid State Drive - eTeknix
OCZ Synapse Cache 64GB Solid State Drive - ThinkComputing.org
OCZ Synapse Cache 64GB - ocaholic
Cases & Cooling:
Azza Fusion 3000 Full Tower Chassis - OCIA.net
Antec Eleven Hundred - Neoseeker | Hardware Heaven
Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus - Techreaction.net
Continue reading 'Wednesday Morning Roundup' (full post) 
