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How small can you go? Miniscule ECS LIVA PCs pictured

Chris Smith | Computer Systems | Jun 3, 2015 9:38 PM CDT

Computex 2015 - "What could you possibly fit into such a small box?" This is the question that I am most commonly asked when I show my friends pictures of systems as small as this - quite a lot is the real answer.

How small can you go? Miniscule ECS LIVA PCs pictured

Introducing the ECS LIVA PC series. First is the Core, brandishing an Intel Core M-5Y10C SoC processor, 4GB of DDR3L memory, one M.2 SSD for storage, Gigabit LAN, a wireless card offering Wi-Fi 802.11 ac and Bluetooth 4.0 are just some of what this beast has to offer.

As for outputs you can expect two HDMI ports, one combo sound/microphone jack, two microphones, four USB 3.0 ports and a Micro SD card reader all bundled into this 136 x 84 x 38mm package.

Continue reading: How small can you go? Miniscule ECS LIVA PCs pictured (full post)

Mini PCs are out in force, here it BIOSTAR's Intel Celeron addition

Chris Smith | Computer Systems | Jun 3, 2015 9:25 PM CDT

Computex 2015 - Named the iDEAQ-T1 IN294KT1 and also known as the Karaoke, this product comes complete with an Intel Celeron N2940 processor and integrated Intel HD graphics and marks BIOSTAR's addition to the wide range of miniature PCs available from many different companies on display this year in Taiwan.

Mini PCs are out in force, here it BIOSTAR's Intel Celeron addition

Adding to the features list is Dual-Channel DDR3L memory support at 1333 MHz in the form of two bays housing up to 16GB total, a Realtek Gigabit 10/100/1000 controller, a Mini PCie WLAN connection provided and one bay for a 2.5" hard drive.

As for connections, expect one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, one Gigabit LAN port, one line-out and one mic-in on the rear I/O. The front I/O panel offers two USB 2.0 options.

Continue reading: Mini PCs are out in force, here it BIOSTAR's Intel Celeron addition (full post)

Colorful shows off its NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 iGame at Computex 2015

Anthony Garreffa | Graphics Cards | Jun 3, 2015 8:58 PM CDT

Computex 2015 - One of the companies that I'm most excited about reviewing video cards for is Colorful, a Chinese video card manufacturer that builds some of the craziest cards you have seen. Colorful recently said it was aiming to become the second largest VGA vendor in the world.

We went and introduced ourselves here at Computex in Taipei, and had a close look at their GeForce GTX 980 Ti iGame card, which is a beautiful card with an insane cooling setup on it.

We hope to get some samples of Colorful video cards in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled to TweakTown.

Continue reading: Colorful shows off its NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 iGame at Computex 2015 (full post)

Magic Leap wants developers to use its augmented reality platform

Michael Hatamoto | Extended Reality (XR) | Jun 3, 2015 6:31 PM CDT

Magic Leap has added a developers section to its website, as the company reportedly prepares to launch a development platform for augmented reality (AR) software engineers. There is no word when the software development kit (SDK) would be released, but it's expected to be compatible with the Unity and Unreal game engines.

"We're about having a completely open platform for every app developer, artist, writer, and filmmaker," said Rony Abovitz, CEO of Magic Leap, while speaking on stage at the MIT Technology Review's EmTech Digital conference. "We're going to open it up for the world."

It is a monumental step forward for Magic Leap, which has largely remained below the radar - despite its heavy emphasis on bringing objects or characters to life in the world around you. However, it seems a bit strange that developers will have the chance to begin creating apps using the Magic Leap SDK before actually interacting with the company's hardware. Even so, I look forward to seeing what AR developers can create using the tools given to them.

Continue reading: Magic Leap wants developers to use its augmented reality platform (full post)

Pictured: MSI gaming motherboards out in force

Chris Smith | Motherboards | Jun 3, 2015 6:23 PM CDT

Computex 2015 - The red MSI dragon has a strong showing this year in Taipei, seeing motherboards on display across the X99 and Z170A models.

Pictured: MSI gaming motherboards out in force

First up is the X99A GODLIKE GAMING motherboard, featuring support for Intel Core i7 LGA 2011-3 socket processors, eight RAM bays supporting Quad-Channel DDR4 RAM at 3300MHz (overclocked) up to 128GB total, five PCI-E 3.0 x16 slots supporting 4-way SLI or Crossfire, one M.2 SATA port (32G/bs) ten SATA ports (6G/bs) and two Killer Gigabit LAN cards coupled with one Killer Wi-Fi module. For the audio lovers there is also added support for a 6.3mm Hi-Fi audio jack.

The other X99 motherboard on display is the X99A GAMING 9 ACK, sporting similar features but with the addition of two USB 3.1 ports and one less Killer LAN card. This model motherboard also took home a BC award thanks to its cool looking design.

Continue reading: Pictured: MSI gaming motherboards out in force (full post)

NVIDIA pushes the boundaries of virtual reality, showing off demos

Michael Hatamoto | Extended Reality (XR) | Jun 3, 2015 6:15 PM CDT

Computex 2015 - NVIDIA wants to help gamers in Taiwan experience virtual reality, and brought its GeForce VR Experience to Computex 2015. The idea behind the effort is to allow consumers to enjoy VR for the first time, ahead of a likely onslaught of VR headsets in the coming years.

Gamers interested in VR will have to be ready to spend for it, especially if they need to purchase new PC components. However, it's expected gamers will see a drastic increase in VR-themed software releases in the coming years - and NVIDIA teamed up with CCP Games for a Tron-like VR experience, which you can read about here.

"VR changes the way you play and experience games by putting you in the game," NVIDIA said. "When you're in VR, you're directly in the action with a full 3D world all around you. Move your head and the view changes. Move your physical body and your virtual body moves with it."

Continue reading: NVIDIA pushes the boundaries of virtual reality, showing off demos (full post)

The product you never knew you needed - GIGABYTE's hands free selfie

Chris Smith | Business, Financial & Legal | Jun 3, 2015 6:04 PM CDT

Computex 2015 - Adding to the wacky lineup of products on display across multiple companies this year in Taipei is GIGABYTE's selfie generating product - the Selfie Assistant.

The product you never knew you needed - GIGABYTE's hands free selfie

Said to provide you with a great tool to record and track a speaker during an important meeting or class lecture, this product also takes group selfie pictures by using face tracking technology alongside 360-degree panorama support.

Featuring an infrared remote control and smart recording, this product is certainly more than the title may suggest.

Continue reading: The product you never knew you needed - GIGABYTE's hands free selfie (full post)

Breaking: More info on GIGABYTE's impressive Z170x-Gaming G1

Chris Smith | Motherboards | Jun 3, 2015 5:52 PM CDT

Adding to yesterday's exclusive release of the GIGABYTE Z170X-Gaming G1 motherboard, our man on the ground Steven Bassiri went for a closer look and this is what he discovered.

Breaking: More info on GIGABYTE's impressive Z170x-Gaming G1

Today GIGABYTE showed off its top of the line next generation gaming motherboard, the Z170X-Gaming G1. Off the bat you can tell that the board is totally different than anything GIAGBYTE has done before. To start things off GIGABYTE has added RGB LEDs to the board and through an application you can control them and make them whatever color your heart desires.

A nice mix of white shielding and red slots add to the aesthetic appeal of the product. While we don't know too much about the product, we do know a few things. First off the 20 phase (16+4) VRM is powered by IR components and PowIRstages. The memory also seems to use an IR PWM and powerstages. The heat sink has built in watercooling as well.

Continue reading: Breaking: More info on GIGABYTE's impressive Z170x-Gaming G1 (full post)

AORUS is at it again with the world's most poweful 15" laptop

Chris Smith | Laptops | Jun 3, 2015 5:23 PM CDT

Computex 2015 - Yesterday (local time) we covered the release of AUROS' new 17" slim laptop that boasts the most powerful performance in the world, including two NVIDIA GeForce 970m video cards and measuring just 0.9 inches thick. Today this new brand is at it again, making claim to having produced the "earth's most powerful 15 inch" laptop.

AORUS is at it again with the world's most poweful 15

Complete with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M SLI setup coupled with NVIDIA G-Sync, AUROS has presented us with a 3k IPS display running at 2880 x 1620 resolution, three SSDs in RAID boasting transfer speeds of up to 1500Mb/s and 25 sets of macro keys.

Adding to the pile of features, AUROS claims this is the first laptop in the world to be able to cast your game-play to the world in-house, boasting a live streaming engine located within. There's no telling if this is a third-party collaboration with someone like BlackMagic or AVeRMedia just yet, or pre-installed software like XSplit or OBS.

Continue reading: AORUS is at it again with the world's most poweful 15" laptop (full post)

Corsair revamps its logo - sails only from now on

Chris Smith | Business, Financial & Legal | Jun 3, 2015 5:03 PM CDT

Recently Corsair introduced a new logo to much consumer criticism, with people claiming it looked like a weird tribal tattoo or a 'tramp stamp' and now it seems that Corsair has listened to our woes by re-introducing the sails, with a twist.

Looking like they've thrown italics on the old sail design, Corsair said in a recent blog that "everything we've announced at Computex 2015 will ship with the new logo, including the Strafe keyboard, and our powerful Bulldog 4K living room PC." If you've been living under a rock and have missed the Computex 2015 news haul or are simply too overwhelmed with the sheer amount of content, you can check out all of our coverage through the Computex link at the top of our home page - we've already covered what Corsair has to offer.

The old "crossed swords Corsair Gaming logo" is being phased out in what Corsair claims to be part of a process in which it is "uniting into a new modernized Corsair brand."

Continue reading: Corsair revamps its logo - sails only from now on (full post)

Fire concern forces Apple to recall Beats Pill XL speaker

Michael Hatamoto | Audio | Jun 3, 2015 3:35 PM CDT

Apple is recalling more than 220,000 Beats Pill XL portable wireless speakers in the United States, following a fire risk, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). So far, eight suspected cases of overheating speakers have been reported, though Apple didn't offer a statement on how many complaints it has received.

"Because customer safety is the company's top priority, Apple is asking customers to stop using their Beats Pill XL speakers," according to a public notice from Apple. "Customers who purchased a Beats Pill XL speaker should visit www.apple.com/support/beats-pillxl-recall for details about how to return their product to Apple, and how to receive an Apple Store credit or electronic payment of $325."

Beats first introduced the speaker in November 2013, and Apple purchased the company in May 2014 for around $3 billion.

Continue reading: Fire concern forces Apple to recall Beats Pill XL speaker (full post)

IDC: 40% of wearables available for $100 or less

Do you want an affordable wearable? Forty percent of wearable devices are priced at less than $100, as the market quickly evolves.

The top five wearable manufacturers based on Q1 2015 market share: Fitbit (34.2 percent), Xiaomi (24.6 percent), Garmin (6.1 percent), Samsung (5.3 percent), and Jawbone (4.4 percent).

"As with any young market, price erosion has been quite drastic," said Jitesh Ubrani, senior research analyst of Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers at IDC. "We now see over 40 percent of the devices priced under $100, and that's one reason why the top 5 vendors have been able to grow their dominance from two thirds of the market in the first quarter of last year to three quarters this quarter."

Continue reading: IDC: 40% of wearables available for $100 or less (full post)

First look at Fallout 4, announced by Bethesda this morning

Michael Hatamoto | Gaming | Jun 3, 2015 1:29 PM CDT

Fallout 4 will take place in post-apocalyptic Boston, with all of us starting out trying to escape Vault 111. Bethesda Softworks teased Fallout by launching a website with a countdown clock on Tuesday, and hasn't disappointed. Here is Fallout 4's first new trailer:

Fallout 4 will be available for the PC, Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One. Interested gamers can pre-order the game, and some rumors predict the game available in time for Christmas this year.

Bethesda promised additional details during its showcase at E3 later this month.

Continue reading: First look at Fallout 4, announced by Bethesda this morning (full post)

MSI shows off the compact Nightblade MI gaming PC

Michael Hatamoto | Computer Systems | Jun 3, 2015 5:36 AM CDT

Computex 2015 - MSI has added to its popular Nightblade series, introducing the Nightblade MI at Computex 2015.

Even though the Nigthblade MI may look like a smaller form factor than a regular gaming PC, don't let its modest looks fool you.

Powered by the Intel Core i7 CPU and running full NVIDIA GeForce GTX 900 video cards, the Nightblade MI has serious gaming hardware in a compact form. The system has been designed for gaming, though the company didn't reveal full system specifications for the Nightblade MI.

Continue reading: MSI shows off the compact Nightblade MI gaming PC (full post)

Dell introduces Inspiron 20 & 24 3000 Series all-in-one PCs

Michael Hatamoto | Computer Systems | Jun 3, 2015 4:31 AM CDT

Computex 2015 - PC manufacturer Dell has introduced the new Inspiron 20 and 24 3000 Series All-in-One desktop PCs during Computex 2015. Both systems include USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, 4-in-1 MCR and Ethernet capabilities, and a pop-up easel stand with one-cord set up.

The Inspiron has a 19.5" HD+ display features the Intel Braswell processors, and consumers can choose a touchscreen to further complement the units.

Meanwhile, the Inspiron 24 has 23.8" Full HD wide-angle display with IPS technology with Intel processors. The all-in-one has a streamlined design so it can fit comfortably in the living room or a crowded office.

Continue reading: Dell introduces Inspiron 20 & 24 3000 Series all-in-one PCs (full post)

Hands on with one of PowerColor's next-gen Radeon R9 390X video cards

Anthony Garreffa | Graphics Cards | Jun 3, 2015 4:27 AM CDT

Computex 2015 - PowerColor has one of the best video cards on the market with its Devil 13 card, but we actually spotted their new Radeon R9 390X Devil 13... yeah, the R9 390X - the next-gen Radeon. We did report exclusively yesterday that the Radeon R9 390X won't be the flagship video card, but the Fury X will. Fury X will rock HBM, and come watercooled directly from AMD.

The PowerColor Radeon R9 390X Devil 13 uses a hybrid cooler, with the GPU itself watercooled while the VRMs and the end of the card is cooled by a traditional fan. It's a new look Devil 13 card, but personally I'm not a fan of the silver styling at the end. PowerColor did say this might not be a final design, so we could expect some tweaks before it hits the market in a couple of months time.

The fan up close.

Continue reading: Hands on with one of PowerColor's next-gen Radeon R9 390X video cards (full post)

GIGABYTE offers up GB-BXBT-3825 IoT gateway for the Internet of Things

Michael Hatamoto | Connectivity & Cloud | Jun 3, 2015 3:58 AM CDT

Computex 2015 - GIGABYTE wants to evolve into a hardware company known for supporting the Internet of Things (IoT), and has introduced its GB-BXBT-3825 IoT gateway. The gateway has been designed to provide connectivity between legacy devices and intelligence IoT infrastructures.

The new system is powered by the Intel Atom E3825 processor, and is being promoted by GIGABYTE as "the idea building block for a fast development of intelligence vending machines." The GB-BXBT-3825 provides connectivity that bridges legacy equipment to the cloud, and hardware security root that provides trust, data encryption, and software protection.

The GIGABYTE GB-BXBT-3825 has the following specifications: GIGABYTE MZBAYAD motherboard, 1.33GHz Intel Atom E3825 CPU, 1x BGA 1170, 1x SO-DIMM slot supporting up to 8GB RAM, 1x GbE LAN port, Intel HD graphics, Realtek ALC283 audio, 1x SATA III 6 Gb/s port, and 1x 2.5" HDD/SSD internal bay.

Continue reading: GIGABYTE offers up GB-BXBT-3825 IoT gateway for the Internet of Things (full post)

G.SKILL Ripjaws KM780 RGB and KM780 MX gaming keyboards pictured

Michael Hatamoto | Peripherals | Jun 3, 2015 2:39 AM CDT

Computex 2015 - After first reporting about the G.SKILL Ripjaws gaming keyboards, TweakTown got up close and personal with the new gaming peripherals.

G.SKILL Ripjaws KM780 RGB and KM780 MX gaming keyboards pictured

Here is the G.SKILL Ripjaws KM780 RGB up close:

The keyboard has two different light colors, and the keyboard has been designed with durability and practicality in mind while providing an enhanced gaming experience.

Continue reading: G.SKILL Ripjaws KM780 RGB and KM780 MX gaming keyboards pictured (full post)

Basemark teams up with TUV Rheinland for performance certification

Anthony Garreffa | Business, Financial & Legal | Jun 2, 2015 10:58 PM CDT

Basemark has announced a strategic partnership with TUV Rheinland which will see a new certification class for smartphones, tablets, notebooks and PCs.

Thanks to the collaboration, TUV Rheinland will secure an excellent service for product performance and evaluation at all stages of development, even at a component level like chipsets, GPUs or CPUs - right up to the final product. Basemark's suite of benchmarks like Basemark X, Basemark ES and Basemark OS allows TUV Rheinland to fine tune the devices speed, stability and overall performance.

Tero Sarkkinen, founder and CEO of Basemark explains: "We are thoroughly excited about this partnership, because it opens a whole new category of product-quality testing. Consumers, corporations, and government purchasers can now also choose products based on how fast a device performs various tasks. We firmly believe that our partnership results in better customer satisfaction. However, this is just the beginning of what we can do together with TÜV Rheinland, and I look forward to building a wide-ranging partnership that results in a wealth of new services for our combined roster of customers".

Continue reading: Basemark teams up with TUV Rheinland for performance certification (full post)

Exclusive: A look into the GIGABYTE Z170x Gaming G1 series

Chris Smith | Motherboards | Jun 2, 2015 10:39 PM CDT

Computex 2015 - Straight from the horse's mouth, we have been given an exclusive look into the new GIGABYTE Z170x Gaming G1 motherboard sporting some fantastic new features.

Exclusive: A look into the GIGABYTE Z170x Gaming G1 series

Complete with 20 phases of IR powered VRM (16+4 phases), the new Intel Thunderbolt and USB 3.1 controller as a two in one to provide USB Type-C on the back panel, an amazing new network setup and brand new metal shielding on the PCIe slots.

Delving into the network options, GIGABYTE is offering a unique and brand new setup with this motherboard model, seeing a three-way KILLER NIC setup (the KILLER Double Shot Duo or Pro) with two being wired and one wireless. What's even cooler is that the motherboard will dedicate the fastest connection to the most taxing process (for example, a game) and reserve the other two networks for background tasks like VoIP or downloads.

Continue reading: Exclusive: A look into the GIGABYTE Z170x Gaming G1 series (full post)

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