Toshiba shows off new PCIe NVMe-based SSDs, and more at FMS 2015
Toshiba is one of the largest presences here at FMS 2015. Today, we got a chance to check out their newest gear.
First up are Toshiba's client-side SATA SSDs. Toshiba's HG6 Series SSDs are designed for read-intensive applications ranging from Ultrabook's, to low endurance data center deployments. These SATA-based SSDs employ cost effective and durable A19nm Toggle 2.0 MLC flash and Toshiba's proprietary QSBC ECC technology.
Next up we have Toshiba's XG3 Series client side high-performance PCIe NVMe SSDs for PCs and read intensive data center applications. The XG3 series is available in an M.2 Gen 3 x4 and the first of its kind SATA Express form factor. The drives will be available in capacities of up to 1024GB. Also announced is Toshiba's BG1 Series SSD on a chip. This tiny SSD is designed for ultra-thin mobile PCs and tablets. The drive is available as a single BGA package or an M.2-2230 removable module. The BG1 series is available in capacities up to 256GB.
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HTC announces 15% reduction of its global workforce
It's not a secret that HTC is struggling right now, but the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer has just announced that it will be culling 15% of its workforce after continued struggles with sales.
The company just released its Q2 results, with a forecast for Q3 that is even worse than the previous three months. Cher Wang, CEO of HTC, said: "Now, as we diversify beyond smartphones, we need a flexible and dynamic organization to ensure we can take advantage of all of the exciting opportunities in the connected lifestyle space".
Personally, I think HTC has a future in VR headsets if it can successfully launch and sell considerable units of its upcoming Vive headset, something it collaborated with Valve on. But, it's a risk, as anything is, and HTC isn't in the position for more continued losses.
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Samsung announces the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ smartphones
In a not-so-surprising move, Samsung has just made its Galaxy Note 5 smartphone official. The new Galaxy Note 5 features the same 5.7-inch display, with an identical 2560x1440 or QHD resolution, but with improved colors and sharpness.
Inside, the Galaxy Note 5 we have an 8-core Exynos 7420 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, a non-removable 3000mAh battery, support for LTE category 9 and LoopPay's wireless credit card imitating MST technology, and much more. The Galaxy Note 5 includes the usual S Pen for your stylus action.
Moving over to the Galaxy S6 edge+, which is a spruced up Galaxy S6 edge with a larger dual-edge display, we have the same 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display which is more gorgeous than ever. Inside of the S6 edge+ we have the same Exynos 7420 processor, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, 3000mAh non-removable battery, and Android 5.1 Lollipop powering both handsets. The two new smartphones come in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB options.
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'Rick and Morty' third season ordered by Adult Swim
Premiering last year and with only 13 episodes aired since, Adult Swim's 'Back to the Future' riffing 'Rick and Morty' has amassed a huge following, with envelope-pushin humour and smart storylines. So confident is the network in the future of the show they've now greenlit a third series, just as the second begins airing.
According to Deadline, the deal will ensure that the Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland created show will extend to at least 31 episodes and 11 hours of play time.
The next episode of episode 2; 'Total Rickall' airs in the United States in a few days time and the first season Blu-ray is now available to purchase.
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Analyst: 2-in-1 tablet sales surging, despite market struggles
The tablet market is dragging along in 2015, but manufacturers can appreciate rising interest in 2-in-1 tablets. Shipment volume of 2-in-1 products will increase from 11.5 million in 2015 up to 22 million in 2019, according to the Strategy Analytics research group.
"The timing could not be better for 2-in-1 Tablets as Windows 10 makes the multi-mode computing experience smoother, Intel's Skylake processors hit the market at the end of 2015, and Windows Tablets have become more cost-competitive with Android Tablets," said Peter King, service director of tablet & touchscreen strategies at Strategy Analytics.
Even though Google and Apple have found success in the tablet market, Windows offers a more familiar experience: "Windows provides a familiar environment for traditional PC vendors to compete in the Tablet market and also gives CIOs a higher level of comfort when considering higher-end Tablets in the commercial setting."
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Xbox boss says no timetable on launch of Microsoft HoloLens
Microsoft is pushing forward with its HoloLens wearable smart glasses, but there is no timetable when it will be launched. Instead, the company wants to make sure developers have a proper chance to create apps and services, while Microsoft listens to feedback.
"What we know with HoloLens is we need to get it into the hands of developers, that's where you're going to get the best feedback early on," Spencer told Eurogamer. "I don't think we're far away from that - I'm not announcing dates - but we're not far from that. In terms of it being too good to be true - the technology will evolve."
Microsoft wants holograms to become more practical, for consumers and in the workplace, hopefully providing a full immersive experience. Don't expect Microsoft to overhype HoloLens, with the company planning "to be deliberate about what it is," according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
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Xbox chief focused on his product, not what PlayStation 4 is doing
The Sony PlayStation 4 has sold more than 25 million units across the world since launch, and the Microsoft Xbox One is still looking for ways to close the sales gap. However, Xbox chief Phil Spencer understands what it will take to try and close the gap, even if the Xbox One can't topple the PS4.
"Honestly, I think it's about growing Xbox. Sony's had great success with PlayStation, they've earned that success over multiple decades of building a great product. Kudos to them for their market position. All I can do is focus on Xbox, and I love that," Spencer told Eurogamer.
The PS4 has a healthy sales lead over the Xbox One, but Spencer is looking at the entire Xbox gaming ecosystem instead of Xbox One vs. PS4 sales.
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Poll: 53% of Americans want to see Edward Snowden prosecuted
Just mentioning Edward Snowden tends to elicit a lot of emotion from Americans, and while many of you applaud what he did, it looks like many Americans would like to see the former NSA contractor prosecuted.
Fifty-three percent of Americans believe the federal government should prosecute Snowden, while 26 percent don't want to see the American face charges if he comes home, according to a poll from Morning Consult. Meanwhile, 29 percent would "strongly support a criminal case" if American authorities detain Snowden.
It doesn't look like politics are playing much of a roll, with 64 percent of Republicans, 56 percent of Democrats, and 44 percent of independents supporting charges.
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Watching eSports on YouTube is popular, turning into big business
Twitch may be the king of eSports live streams, but YouTube is proving to be a popular outlet to watch previously recorded gaming matches. The No. 1 video website has billions of hours of eSports and video game footage viewed by users every month, despite increasing popularity of livestreaming sites.
League of Legends, Counter-Strike, FIFA, and Call of Duty - four popular eSports titles - make up the top 10 list of all-time game videos viewed on YouTube. Some viewers prefer to watch events live, but there is plenty of previously-aired eSports footage available on YouTube and other video sharing websites.
"Twitch clearly has the lead in video game livestreaming and eSports, but if all game-related YouTubers start using YouTube to do livestreaming, they could be back in the game soon," said Peter Warman, CEO of the Newzoo global market research firm, in a statement to Fortune. "Often gamers can choose between Twitch or YouTube streams when it comes to eSports events."
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eSports is so big in Sweden that high schools add it to curriculum
With the rise of professional eSports, games like League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive would not have taken off, at least not to the point where they are today. These games have tens of millions of very, very dedicated gamers with tournaments that have tens of millions of dollars being thrown at gamers.
This means it shouldn't come as a surprise to most that some Swedish high schools are now introducing eSports into their curriculum, just like some physical sports are. The eSports subjects will be handled just like physical education subjects, with rooms dedicated to practicing games like DOTA 2 and League of Legends, with guest lectures being given by professional gamers and personalities from within the eSports community.
Magnus Alehed, a principal at one of the high schools offering eSports as a subject said that the idea behind it was to get rid of the negative stigma behind video games and mainstream society. You know, how they think gamers all sit around with a controller in their hands blasting expletives at their TV. Alehed said: "We're looking to dispel the myth that this would be a bad thing and it is about respect for this group of students".
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