Archive for April, 2016

By April 29, 2016 Read More →

Vivitek adds new model to bring sports and games alive

medium_Vivitek_H1060_FrontVivitek has announced the immediate availability of the H1060 projector.  With 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and a contrast ratio of 15,000:1, the new H1060 is a perfect entry level projector for those who want to enjoy the upcoming Qatar World Cup or the Olympic Games on a large screen in the comfort of their home.

The Texas Instruments’ DLP® and BrilliantColor™ technologies included ensure brilliant and rich digital picture quality with full colour saturation thanks to its 6-segment (GYRWCB) colour wheel. The Vivitek H1060 offers Full HD 3D directly via an HDMI port while its native 1080p resolution allows users to enjoy the top 3D and 2D video games.

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“With its attractive price positioning, the new H1060 perfectly complements our existing range of home cinema projectors. It delivers an unrivalled price-performance ratio at a smaller budget and boosts very modest operational costs as the H1060 is equipped with an energy efficient lamp. This allows the user to enjoy a great image for up to 10,000 hours making it the ideal solution for enjoying many great entertainment moments at home,” comments Holger Graeff, General Manager EMEA of Vivitek Corporation.

The new model features a complete set of connectivity options including dual HDMI v1.4 inputs to allow users to connect their cable/satellite receiver, Blu-Ray disc player or video gaming console. The H1060 provides MHL support for easy streaming of video and audio content from any compatible mobile device. It includes several additional I/O ports including an audio in port to use the built-in 2 watt speaker or audio out port to connect to the external sound system. Nintronics are a trusted provider of high quality speakers. Moreover, thanks to its new energy efficient lamp, the lamp lifetime in dynamic eco mode is extended up to 10,000 hours and its position on the top of the projector also facilitates easy replacement by the user. The compact size and weight of only 2.3 kg ensures that the H1060 is easy to store and carry in order to enjoy sports events or games sessions with friends everywhere.

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Positioned as an ideal projector for anyone who wants to enjoy the big picture, the H1060 is a great budget choice that complements the existing range of Full HD home theatre projectors launched last year which already includes the Vivitek H1186 and H1188.

Key features / Specifications of the Vivitek H1060

–          High definition 1080p resolution (1920×1080) for clear and crisp visuals

–          DLP® technology with BrilliantColor™ for vibrant and rich picture quality

–          Powerful 3,000 ANSI lumens brightness with a 15,000 high contrast ratio to display sharp images even when the lights are on

–          6-segment colour wheel for outstanding colour reproduction (GYRWCB)

–          A long lamp life up to 10,000 hours for low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

–          Compact and lightweight at only 2.3kg for easy portability

–          Audio ready with built-in 2 watt speaker and audio out port

–          Dual HDMI inputs and MHL compatibility for streaming of video and audio content from any compatible mobile device

Pricing and Availability

The Vivitek H1060 is immediately available and is priced at £629 including VAT. It benefits from a three year warranty on the projector and one year on the lamp (or 1,000 hours, whichever comes first).

By April 29, 2016 Read More →

An AOC AGON Series Premium Gaming Monitor

2016-04-29 (2)AOC, one of the top global brands in the display market, recently presented their premium line of gaming monitors – the AGON series. Its first model is the 27″ (68.6 cm) AG271QX powered by a high-speed TN panel at a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. It delivers ultra-smooth images with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a response time of 1 ms, supported by Adaptive-Sync Technology (FreeSync™ compatible, at a 30-144 Hz range) that reduces stuttering and tearing – focusing on the best gaming performance.

Gamers that play competitively not only rely on fast and smooth images, but also on instantaneously-executed commands and perfect vision in every situation. The AOC Low Input Lag mode disables picture post-processing on the monitor’s electronics and, therefore, accelerates the command pass-through from mouse, keyboard and gamepad to result in immediate actions while the AOC Shadow Control enables gamers to quickly adjust contrast in overly dark or bright areas without sacrificing the quality of well-balanced areas across the rest of the screen.

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Gamers that never run out of steam would also want perfect ergonomics and to be able to rely on convenient features to adjust their monitor. The AOC AGON ergonomic base provides plenty of comfort when enabling adjustments of height, tilt and swivel, and is accurately marked by a scale, so gamers can always jump back to their preferred settings. What is more, the stand is equipped with a carry-handle for easy transportation of the monitor. For example to and from eSports events like casino games, especially slots games, on sites like draftkings ny that are available online. When not using the headset, there is a practical holder at the side of the display to hook it over. Even more comfort is delivered by the eye-protecting AOC Flicker-Free Technology and the AOC Low Blue Light mode, both reducing eye strain, discomfort and fatigue during long gaming sessions. Monitor settings are key features when it comes to individuality, and they need to be easily accessible. Adjustable gaming presets will grant gamers exactly that. AOC has not just implemented changeable Game Mode Presets, but also added the AOC QuickSwitch Controller, enabling the user to switch effortlessly between modes and adjust brightness, contrast and other gaming features.

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The AOC AGON AG271QX premium gaming monitor, clearly addressing competitive gamers, will be available in June 2016 for an MSRP of £479.

By April 29, 2016 Read More →

Touching the Panasonic DX902

21371_TX_65DX902_1Recently I was  invited along to experience the new Panasonic DX902, a television that Panasonic are extremely proud of. Instead of getting distracted with all the latest Smart TV features Panasonic is focusing entirely on the best picture quality they can get from a panel. With the DX902 they are proud to point out it is receiving some of the best reviews across the Internet of any LED TV.

Previously Panasonic have spent a lot of time concentrating on plasma however they are having to keep up with the times as people are wanting thinner televisions with better power usage ratings. Pushing the LED technology as far as they can Panasonic has put in a vibrant 4K panel that handles HDR better than most. Additionally the Firefox TV operating system is in play here and gives a fast, responsive and easy to use experience for any TV user. This new model can be hanging from the ceiling by using a ceiling tv mount to hold it.

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Around the back of a panel are 4 HDMI ports with Audio Return Channel (ARC) and thankfully each of these is compliant with the high definition copy protocol (HDCP) 2.2 standard. Three USBs have been installed one of which is USB 3.0, and Panasonic have thankfully added set of optical audio outputs alongside the standard ethernet and tuner for Freeview and Freesat. As usual with the last few incarnations of Panasonic Viera TV’s we have two remote controls, a standard IR remote and a Bluetooth TouchPad that adds voice control.

The real star of the show year however is the new backlight technique Panasonic are employing, utilising local dimming. This screen is not lit from the edge, instead it uses a very specific structure with seven by seven clusters creating isolated areas of the screen to minimise any leakage. This allows the panel to have exceptionally deep blacks. We witnessed a test of Mad Max: Fury Road from a 4k disk and the results for stunning. IPTV Prueba España definitely has the best collection of shows.

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What we’re seeing here is one of the first televisions with 10-bit HDR, a new standard supported by Ultra HD Blu-ray. The loss of detail and clipping is astonishing however Mad Max: Fury Road actually has dropped frames integrated into the original negative and some may mistaken this for performance problems. The DX902 has a new HCX+ (Hollywood Cinema eXperience plus) processing chipset, an improvement on the 4K Studio Master Processor, that helps produce pre-HDR Rec 709. This has earned 4K Certification from the renowned independent quality assurance group, THX.

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The Award-winning cinematographer Vanja Cernjul, known from TV series such as Marco Polo and Orange Is The New Black, noted: “I think when consumers see a 4K HDR image, they will get used to it very quickly, and then just start demanding it”. Panasonic utilised Vanja to create a cinematic short film to demonstrate Panasonic’s VIERA Ultra HD Premium TV’s ability to reproduce the director’s vision.

When all this is put together this TV really is one of the top TVs for the regular consumer,  certainly experts may be able to see problems however for the average customer the combination of outstanding colour, ease of use, to the point feature set and elegant look really make for a winner. Whilst pricey you really are getting what you pay for here and if you’re entertaining a 4K screen this summer then the DX902 is one to look at.

The DX902 comes in two sizes, 58-inch for around £2700 and 65-inch costing around £3200.

More information is available on Panasonic’s website.

Posted in: News, TV & Home Cinema
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By April 28, 2016 Read More →

Innovative Vehicles on Display at The London Motor Show

car4The London Motor Show will be arriving at Battersea Evolution from the 5th– 8th May to showcase more than 40 car brands and 130 models to visitors from around the world and 2.0TDI mods. As the ultimate event in the automotive calendar the Show will provide the perfect platform to exhibitors wanting to launch their latest must-have models and display their vehicles in the UK for the very first time. Cars will range in price from £8,000 to in excess of £200,000 to suit everyone’s pockets. Discover extended warranty for BMW to protect your BMW car investments.

Alongside dealerships representing manufacturers such as Volvo, Vauxhall, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and MINI, visitors will also have access to a selection of innovative cars such as; the Riversimple RASA, the VUHL 05 Lightweight Supercar, the MG GS and many more…

The lecture theatre will play host to a fantastic line-up of honoured speakers including, Sir Stirling Moss, Tiff Needell, Ben Collins, Nigel Mansell and Afzal Kahn who’ll be focussing on a number of major motoring issues.

Stephen Maitland-Oxley, Events Director at The London Motor Show says: “The London Motor Show is a Mecca for all fans of the motoring world. Whether you’re a teenager looking for your first car or an avid car collector, there really is something for everyone. We have more than 40 car brands who allow visitors to ask any questions before they make a decision to buy, making it the ideal shopping experience!”

The London Motor Show and HR Owen are delighted to announce that, for the first time in the UK, the Bentley Bentayga, Ferrari 488 Spider, Rolls-Royce Dawn and Lamborghini Huracán Spyder will be on display all together. Tom King, H.R. Owen’s marketing director, said: “The London Motor Show looks set to be a fantastic occasion, and we are delighted to be able to bring such a stunning range of headline new cars like the Bentley Bentayga, Ferrari 488 Spider, Rolls-Royce Dawn and Lamborghini Huracán Spyder to this new event for fans to enjoy. It is very exciting for motoring enthusiasts to be able to get up close and engage with these cars at one time. Get informed with Effuel reviews and learn how it can help you reduce the usage of fuel. As the UK’s premier luxury and supercar dealer, H.R. Owen was perfectly placed to be able to supply such a rare and exotic group of cars to the show.”

Here is your sneak peek of the cars on display at The London Motor Show…

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VUHL 05 Lightweight Supercar

This Mexican designed and produced newcomer was first seen in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2013 and will use The London Motor Show to kick-start a packed global programme for this exciting new marque.

The VUHL 05 is powered by Ford’s award-winning turbocharged 2 litre EcoBoost engine, which is sufficiently potent to endow the two-seater with a mighty impressive power-to-weight ratio of 410bhp/ton. It’s currently for sale at a price of £59,995 from specialist dealer, Bespoke Performance.

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Riversimple RASA

This innovative, two-seater hydrogen cell powered car, developed and built in Wales, will be on display at The London Motor Show. The Riversimple RASA is a lightweight and highly efficient, “network” electric car powered by innovative hydrogen fuel cell technology and it’s the first road legal, engineering prototype. This car perfectly reflects the objectives of The London Motor Show, which is to showcase not just the wide range of exciting new cars currently available to the public, but also to provide the opportunity of promoting significant developments in automotive technology and innovation initiated here in the UK, this kind of car are amazing and if you learn more about this you can check the 15 Surprising Stats About New Electric Vans For Sale.

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Mitsuoka Brooklands Roadster

Mitsuoka Motor will be showcasing their limited edition “Brooklands” Roadster at The London Motor Show. Featuring a British sporting design of elegant flowing lines, the Brooklands Roadster combines timeless styling with advanced levels of modern technology, safety and comfort. Finished in true British Racing Green, the Brooklands uses the standard Roadster as a base, trimming the cabin in rich cream leather with green contrasting stitching on the seats, gear and handbrake gaiters and centre armrest. In keeping with classic British heritage, a burr walnut veneer dashboard panel has been fitted, as well as a headrest embroidered with the Brooklands logo.

To complete the Brooklands, Mitsuoka commissioned special sports hand crafted wire style wheels, synonymous with classic British sports cars of the early twentieth century. Rear wheel drive with an admirable high power to weight ratio, the Brooklands Roadster is fully equipped with the latest technology, advanced safety features and modern conveniences. Four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Traction Control System (TCS) are all naturally standard, as are the front and side airbags. Power Retractable Hard Top is standard – available with either 6 speed manual or 6 speed powershift transmission with paddle controls. The Brooklands is priced at £57,500.

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Infiniti Q60

The new Infiniti Q60 is a premium sports coupe that combines expressive design with exhilarating performance and dynamics and will be on display for the first time in the UK at The London Motor Show. Daring proportions and taut, muscular lines provide the Q60’s impulsive exterior – lower and wider than predecessors. Dynamic enhancements, including an all-new lightweight and sophisticated 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine, together with new adaptive steering and digital suspension system, result in a premium sports coupe designed and engineered to perform. As standard for this version, power is channelled through the Q60’s rear wheels for optimal dynamic response and to benefit steering feel.  The Q60’s aggressive stance gives a greater impression of stability and in-control driving potential, while its lower centre of gravity has a positive overall effect on driving dynamics.

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MG GS

Dynamic. Sporty. Modern – three words that perfectly describe the MG GS that’s launching in the UK in June and will be on display for the very first time at The London Motor Show. The new SUV from MG exudes confidence and dynamism that sets it apart from the other models. This competitive car shows MG as a forward-thinking, consumer-conscious brand that produces great cars that appeal to anyone at any point in their life. This highly anticipated car is a real turning point in the history of MG.

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McLAREN 570GT

Following its global unveiling at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the new McLaren 570GT will be making its UK debut at The London Motor Show. Practical enough for everyday use and long-distance journeys, the car features a unique side-opening rear glass hatch offering additional 220 litres of storage on the leather-upholstered Touring Deck. The light and airy cabin is specified with the highest quality materials throughout and includes a standard fixed glass Panoramic Roof creating the most luxurious and relaxing driving environment. The car is fitted with the McLaren-developed 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 M838TE engine which generates 570PS (562 bhp) and 600 Nm (443 lb ft) of torque. The power is delivered via

a seven-speed seamless-shift transmission with adjustment through Normal, Sport and Track settings to produce one of the most rewarding driving experiences. The McLaren 570GT will be on display on stand L63 at The London Motor Show. The UK pricing starts from £154,000 and customer deliveries are scheduled for July 2016.

The general early bird admission ticket is £15 from 6th-8th May and children under 10 go free. On the door ticket price is £20. For more information visit www.thelondonmotorshow.co.uk/

Opening times:

Press & Trade Afternoon – Thursday 5th May: 3pm-6pm

Consumers – Friday 6th May: 10.00am – 6.00pm, Saturday 7th May: 10.00am – 6.00pm, Sunday 8th May: 10.00am-5.00pm.

Posted in: GPS/Sat Nav, News, Promotion
By April 28, 2016 Read More →

Gigabyte announces 4 New BRIX Systems

gigGigabyte has announced the launch of four new models joining the company’s extensive list of Intel® Thunderbolt™ 3 certified devices: the BRIX GB-BSi5T-6200, GB-BSi5HT-6200, GB-BSi7T-6500 and GB-BSi7HT-6500Featuring the latest Intel® 6th generation Core™ processors, and now official support for the world’s fastest transfer protocol with Thunderbolt 3 over USB Type-C™ port, these new BRIX enter a new category of their own as a powerfully compact high-end PC.

Redefining the Desktop PC

Challenging the essence of how we define a desktop PC, GIGABYTE engineers have developed an ultra-compact PC with a brushed aluminum surface chassis design. Ideal for a broad range of computing applications at home or in the office, the BRIX expounds sheer simplicity and convenience. With a comprehensive choice of processors covering the entire performance spectrum, the BRIX sets a new standard for desktop miniaturization that makes it perfect as a discreet HTPC/multimedia hub, an ultra-low power PC for the family, an office PC or as a digital signage unit.

Intel® Thunderbolt™ 3 Controller, Opening a World of New Possibilities

The new Thunderbolt™ 3 protocol, which is available over a USB Type-C™ connector on the back panel of the GIGABYTE BRIX T models, brings an unprecedented single-wire bandwidth of up to 40 Gb/s — twice more than the previous generation of Thunderbolt! This incredible increase in bandwidth is also accompanied with support for different protocols such as DisplayPort 1.2, which is able to drive a 4K resolution display at 60 FPS, and USB 3.1, also backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, opening up a world of new possibilities. Additionally, Thunderbolt 3 over USB Type-C has the ability to daisy-chain up to 6 devices, helping you to declutter your desktop and have a true one-cable solution.

Reversible USB Type-C™ with USB 3.1

GIGABYTE introduces the ultra-fast 10Gb/s USB3.1 Gen. 2 protocol to its BRIX units over the new reversible USB Type-C™ port. Powered by the Intel® USB3.1 controller which utilizes 4 PCIe Gen. 3 lanes, the GIGABYTE BRIX Type-C port is presented with a wide and uncompromised bandwidth to reach the limits of the USB 3.1 protocol and make back-ups or file transfers as quick as possible. 

Multiple Display Support

Without the need for an additional graphics card, the BRIX offers support for multiple displays via the Mini-DP and HDMI 2.0 ports. Thanks to Thunderbolt 3, you can alternatively configure your multi-display setup from the Mini-DP to the Type-C port. The BRIX offers a variety of configurations which makes it the perfect choice as a high productivity PC in a professional and a home environment. Other use case scenarios may include industrial and commercial multi-display applications.

 

Connectivity Worthy of a Desktop Tower

The BRIX is truly a one of a kind, versatile and flexible PC. Despite its compact footprint and slim profile, the BRIX offers plenty of connectivity with four USB 3.0 ports, one USB Type-C port (USB3.1 and Thunderbolt 3), one SD card slot, an HDMI 2.0, a Mini-DP (DisplayPort 1.2), gigabit LAN as well as headset and microphone jacks. Additionally with its bundled VESA bracket, it offers a simple and elegant way to turn any VESA compliant display or TV into a full-featured PC or digital signage unit.

 

 

By April 27, 2016 Read More →

Prepare for a massive 43-inch 4K IPS PC monitor from Philips

BDM4350UC_00-RTP-global-001While most of us are used to monitors ranging in 24-inches to 30 or even 32-inches in size, once you step up to Ultra-HD, there is more benefit to having an even larger display hooked up to your PC. This is where Philips comes in, with its new 43-inch PC monitor, offering 4K Ultra-HD resolution and promising excellent colour accuracy.

The new BDM4350UC Philips display uses high performance panels to deliver UltraClear 4K UHD images: at 3840 x 2160 pixels. With 43 inches of 4K UHD screen space available, there is plenty of room to work on multiple windows and applications side-by-side. Philips also has a feature known as MultiView, which allows you to display four separate 1080p video sources on the screen at once.

This is an IPS screen, which ensures colour accuracy and wider viewing angles compared to TN. It also offers a 60Hz refresh rate and multiple connections including HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort and MHL for streaming from a mobile device. Unfortunately the monitor lacks Freesync.

Philips’ new 43-inch Ultra-HD IPS monitor will be available from May onwards at around £1169.99. You can find the full specifications below:

  • IPS LCD panel.
  • Panel size 42.51 inches / 108 cm.
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz.
  • Viewing angle: 178º (H) / 178° (V), @ C/R > 20.
  • Brightness: 300 cd/m².
  • Brightness uniformity: 96% ~ 105%.
  • 1.07 billion colours (10 bit)
  • MultiView
  • PiP (two devices), PBP (four devices)
  • USB: USB 3.0 x 4 (1 w/ fast charging)
  • Signal Input: VGA (Analog), DisplayPort x 2, HDMI (2.0), MHL x 2
  • Sync Input: Separate Sync, Sync on Green
  • Audio (In/Out): PC audio-in, Headphone out

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Press Release follows:

MMD, the leading technology company and brand license partner for Philips Monitors, announces a new addition to the line-up of Philips 4K Ultra HD displays. At 43 inches, the latest display is the largest in the range to date, and delivers the same brilliant 4K UHD viewing experience, detail and precision as its siblings. This extra-large desktop provides professionals with more space than ever to work. With MultiView 4K support, it is also possible to stream input from four different sources simultaneously without compromising on the sense of space that a display of this size creates on the desktop.

Quadruple clarity and extra productivity

The new BDM4350UC Philips display uses high performance panels to deliver UltraClear 4K UHD images: at 3840 x 2160 pixels, this is four times the resolution of Full HD, and four times the clarity. The display makes images and graphics come alive, whatever the application. CAD engineers can zoom in on the fine detail of intricate designs. In geo-exploration, the scientific images are presented with more clarity than ever. Financial experts pulling together data into vast, complex spreadsheets can keep everything in view without having to decipher miniature cells. And creative professionals will also appreciate the ultrafine detail and generous screen space provided by this superb display.

 

Space to spread out: 43-inch desktop

“The latest addition to the 4K line-up testifies to the ongoing commitment of Philips and MMD to making the viewing experience more productive and brilliant than ever. With this 43-inch display on their desk, users have more space to enjoy the clarity and brilliance of the 4K UHD viewing experience,” comments Albert Ulfman, Product Manager Philips monitors Europe at MMD.

No matter whether people are working alone or wish to get half a dozen colleagues round the table to collaborate on a task, everyone has a great view of the screen. The advanced panel technology ensures details and colours stay true from any viewing angle, even almost side-on. For an even wider perspective, the ultra-narrow bezel design makes it possible to line up two 43-inch displays side-by-side, creating a huge wide panorama without the distraction of physical bezels.

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MultiView technology for 4K
With 43 inches of 4K UHD screen space available, there is plenty of room to work on multiple windows and applications side-by-side. Ideal for situations when information has to be viewed and processed simultaneously from multiple sources, the MultiView feature enables users to stream input from up to four systems, and show four Full HD windows on the screen at one time. The Picture-by-Picture (PbP) feature provides a vital overview of data in control centres – traffic and weather monitoring, for instance, air traffic control and facility security. Four camera streams from different sources can be monitored on one and the same screen. In the office, team members can view content from four notebooks, delivering greater ease and productivity for team meetings with input from multiple sources under discussion. Others might prefer to combine work with pleasure – with Picture-in-Picture mode (PiP), which supports two devices, users can keep tabs e.g. on a live football feed from a set-top box, while working on the PC.

 

Supersized connectivity

With a range of connectivity options including HDMI, DisplayPort and MHL for streaming from mobile devices (while charging the device at the same time), the new 43-inch 4K Ultra HD display is engineered to offer freedom of choice for both work and leisure use. Super-speed USB 3.0 (at 5.0 Gbit/s, the transfer rate is around 10 times faster than USB 2.0) enables users to experience their content in 4K Ultra HD brilliance at 60Hz on the 43-inch screen.

The new Philips 43-inch BDM4350UC display will be available in the beginning of May at a recommended retail price of £1169,99.

More information on Philips monitors: www.philips.com/monitors

Posted in: Desktop Computing, News
By April 25, 2016 Read More →

Without a doubt, eSports are a GLOBAL market

In the last decade or so, the rise of eSports has been impressive to say the least. While video and social media platforms such as Youtube and Facebook have both helped to spread the word of eSports and competitive gaming, the ‘sport’ in general is booming thanks to key personalities who have left their mark on the world of online gaming.

The likes of Syndicate, KSIOlajidebt and Felix Kjellberg have helped to enhance the appeal of online gaming – largely down to their publicity and likeable personalities. Nowadays, there are plenty of vloggers who attempt to follow in their footsteps and commentate over their gameplay whilst playing FIFA, Call of Duty and more.

But behind the scenes, eSports have been growing and it’s now much more than a few famous faces on the internet. ESports ARE a global brand. They are huge. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake in their daily tournaments and the best players in the world are making an absolute fortune on a weekly basis.

In fact, you can now place bets on eSports – THAT’S how big they are. Betway have a growing market dedicated specifically to eSports and punters can place bets on tournaments, individual games and team competitions. And best of all, eSports are only going to get bigger in the future as more money is invested.

The latest partnership deal with both Yahoo and Twitch, which will see major competitions broadcast all over the world, is just the next step for what is perhaps the fastest growing market on the planet. Most people believe that Youtube is a gold mine but eSports is much more impressive – the scale of money involved is frightening.

Earlier this year, the 2016 FIFA Interactive World Cup was held in New York City – with the top 32 players in the world travelling to the United States’ East Coast for the competition. On that occasion, Denmark’s Mohamad Al Bacha came up trumps as he defeated England’s Sean Allen in the final of the competition.

For that, Al Bacha emerged with £20,000, the trophy presented by Franck Ribery and a ticket to the next FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony. And while the cash incentives are much greater for other competitions, it’s quickly becoming more about the perks of the job and the potential achievements for being one of the top players in the world.

As eSports continue to grow, the global audience and market will also increase. This year, the FIWC final was broadcast live on Sky Sports and it’s only a matter of time before a dedicated eSports television channel springs up. Then, and only then, will people start to accept it for what it is: a corporate, money-making machine.

Posted in: Editorial
By April 24, 2016 Read More →

Acer Chromebook 14 in 1 minute

One of the most exciting products Acer announced this year in New York was of their Chromebook line. The Acer Chromebook 14 is a beautiful example of how luxuriant a Chromebook can be for not a lot of money. Featuring an attractive Full HD IPS display at 1920 x 1080 with some interesting modifications from Acer concerning the LED backlight.

A Chromebook 14 for Work has been added to the line and features a less attractive build, loosing the aluminium exterior and introducing Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for the top cover material. Something of a first for a maintream product however a bit of a fingerprint magnet. Acer have also subjected the “Work” to stringent U.S. Military standard testing to ensure durability and reliability.

Both feature options of Intel i5 and I3U or the smaller Celeron RAM options max out at 8gb, an incredible amount for Chrome, some may even say overkill. The battery is said to last for 12 hours and there are 16gb and 32gb storage options.

 

Acer today debuts its new Chromebook 14 for Work, the industry’s first Chromebook with 6th Generation Intel® Core™ processors, available with a durable design to meet the demanding needs of enterprise, government, small business and institutional users.
The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work is powered by a 6th Generation Intel Core processor to provide exceptional performance and long battery life of up to 12 hours2.

It is also the world’s first notebook to feature Vibrant Corning® Gorilla® Glass, providing corporate customers with the flexibility to design the top cover with photorealistic images that are highly durable and scratch-resistant.
The new Chromebook is compliant with Google’s Chrome for Work initiative, providing businessclass security, manageability and durability to enterprise, government, institutional and small businesses customers. The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work is easy to deploy and manage over a wide range of employees and offices. Also, IT administrators will find it easy to make updates, configure apps, utilize extensions and more. Plus, Chromebooks protect company employee and company data with the latest security protocols and auto-updates.
“Our commercial customers have an abundance of reasons to choose the new Acer Chromebook 14 for Work,” said Jerry Hou, general manager, Commercial & Detachable Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer. “Its first-rate performance and robust design provides businesses with a powerful and flexible product that delivers topnotch reliability and reduced total cost of ownership. In addition, the Chromebook 14 for Work can be efficiently deployed and managed, while maintaining excellent security for its employees.”
According to data from Gartner3, Acer Group is the world’s leading Chromebook brand with over 33 percent market share in 2015.

High Performance; Long Battery Life
The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work is the first Chromebook featuring 6th Generation Intel Core processors, providing customers with a considerable performance improvement over previous generations. As a result, the Chromebook 14 for Work allows customers to multi-task with ease through multiple apps and documents to boost productivity. It also provides up to 12 hours of battery life on models with the HD display; Full HD models provide up to 10 hours of battery life2. Two keyboard options are available: standard and backlit models for improved efficiency in low-light areas.

Durable, Robust Design Meets Military Standard
The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work has enhanced durability features. The spill-resistant keyboard provides protection against spills of up to 11 fluid ounces (330ml). Its unique gutter system under the keyboard and touchpad drains liquid through two drain holes to route water away from internal components and out the bottom of the chassis. The Chromebook 14 for Work has been tested to withstand up to 132 pounds (60kg) of downward force as well as drops of up to 48 inches (122cm).
The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work endured rigorous testing to meet the demanding U.S. MIL-STD 810G military standard1. This military specification testing validates the ruggedness, durability and quality of the Chromebook 14 for Work, as it tested 8 parameters: drop from the height of 48 inches (122 cm), high temperature, low temperature, humidity, vibration, rain, sand and dust.
With incredibly tough and damage-resistant Vibrant Corning Gorilla Glass, corporate customers can design the top covers of their Chromebook 14 for Work across the organization with vibrant and photorealistic images, at a resolution equivalent to high quality prints on paper, for a unique and consistent look across the organization.
“Corning is excited to collaborate with Acer to launch the world’s first notebook with Vibrant Corning Gorilla Glass,” said Scott Forester, director, Gorilla Innovations, Corning Gorilla Glass. “With Corning’s proprietary technology, Acer’s corporate customers now have the opportunity to move beyond the limited chromatic options available today with multi-color, photo quality images on the Chromebook 14 for Work. What’s more, because the image is printed on Corning’s industry leading cover glass, the images will remain as durable, vivid and beautiful as the glass it is printed on.”

Large Display in a Compact Design, Features to Boost Collaboration, Productivity
The large 14-inch display was designed to fit into a chassis typically used for 13-inch displays. The extremely narrow bezel gives customers an immersive experience when enjoying the display while reducing the overall size of the device. The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work makes the most of its compact design, it weighs only 3.2 pounds (1.45kg) and measuring just 13.03W x 8.94D x 0.88H inches (330.9 x 227 x 22.4 mm) thin.

The display will be available with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) or HD (1366 x 768) resolution display. Both ensure clarity in text and graphics as well as wide viewing angles of up to 170 degrees. The Chromebook 14 for Work is easy on the eyes thanks to the display’s ComfyView low-reflection and anti-glare properties.
Group video conferences are effective with the Acer Chromebook 14 for Work’s 720p webcam with 1280 x 720 resolution as well as HD audio and video recording. The webcam provides High Dynamic Range imaging as well as a wide field of view, top-notch audio, dual stereo speakers and an integrated digital microphone.
Administrators Can Keep Acer Chromebooks Secure, Managed
Chrome OS software is automatically updated and guards against ever-changing online threats, such as viruses and malware. This is especially useful for IT administrators who are responsible for protecting invaluable company data and network security. Administrators will find setting up and managing Acer Chromebooks to be intuitive and efficient. The web-based Chrome Device Management allows remote management of apps and over 200 policies across all Chrome devices on the network4.
The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work has a Trusted Platform Module solution integrated to protect files, documents, and photos securely in the cloud with 100GB of free storage5 on Google Drive. This ensures that the most current file version is always available even if the Chromebook is lost or stolen. The device can even be shared by multiple employees within a business or organization, allowing each to have a unique account login. Customers can also access files offline, and even open and edit Microsoft® Office documents as well as Google Documents.

Keeps Employees Connected, Available in Several Configurations
The Chromebook 14 for Work has a USB 3.0 Type-C port that allows the fast transfer of data, audio and video up to 5Gbps. In addition, the port provides extra convenience for customers since it can charge the Chromebook 14 for Work or use the power from the Chromebook to charge other external devices. The Chromebook can be used to share HD video and audio onto an external display with its HDMI port.
Employees will stay connected and in touch using the device’s fast dual-band 802.11ac6 Wi-Fi featuring 2×2 MIMO technology. The Chromebook also connects to peripherals via Bluetooth 4.2.
The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work will be available in several configurations, either with 32GB or 16GB eMMC storage and either 8GB, 4GB or 2GB of dual channel LPDDR3 SDRAM7.

Optional USB Type-C Dock Extends Capabilities
To extend the capabilities of the Chromebook 14 for Work, customers can connect it with a single cable to the Acer USB-Type-C Dock, easily transforming it into a powerful workstation. This convenient and compact dock enables high-speed video, audio and data transfer and keeps the work area clutter-free with immediate connectivity to multiple displays and other devices simultaneously. It also has all the connections business users need, including DisplayPort, HDMI, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports and three USB 3.1 Type-A ports, as well as audio input for microphone and audio output for speakers.

Pricing and Availability
Several models in the Acer Chromebook 14 for Work line (CP5-471) will be available in May through Acer authorized resellers starting at $349 in the United States and €249 in EMEA.

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via www.acer.com.
6 Based on IEEE 802.11ac draft specification. An 802.11ac wireless equipped computer requires an 802.11ac router to work properly. Actual speed will vary based on range, connection rate, site conditions, size of network and other factors. Up to three times faster comparing 802.11ac with 802.11n. 7 Accessible capacity varies: (MB = 1 million bytes; GB = 1 billion bytes)

The new Chromebook 14 for Work was unveiled today at the next@acer press event at 4 World Trade Center in New York, where the company announced a range of new devices and solutions for high-performance and style-conscious users, families, students and professionals. For more information, visit acer.com/nextatacer.

By April 24, 2016 Read More →

Acer Aspire S 13 in 1 minute

Acer Aspire s 13Acer has recently announced their latest addition to its ultra-slim S series notebooks, the Aspire S 13. This Ultrabook style device is a high end yet still respectively priced notebook with a premium finish, sleek chassis with  a promise to be able to handle the demands of  work and play. 

“Demonstrating the equilibrium between form and function, the Aspire S 13’s powerful components come together to strike a perfect balance in size, weight and performance,” said James Lin, general manager, Consumer Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Currently there is no other branded device on the market that can offer such design excellence at this desirable price.” 

Running Windows 10 with the option of a 10-point touch display, the Aspire S 13 is powered by 6th Generation Intel® Core™ processors and up to 8 GB of LPDDR3 system memory, not only enabling fast performance and enhanced graphics, but also low power consumption. The optional 54 Wh 3-cell Li-ion battery lasts up to 13 hours, enabling users to get the most out of their machine every day.

Wired connectivity comes in the form of a USB 3.1 Type-C reversible port which supports ultrafast transfer of data (up to 5Gbps) and also a USB 3.0 port which supports power-off charging for mobile devices, even when the Aspire S 13 is switched off. Wirelessly, the laptop enables users to utilize 802.11ac to its maximum effect with 2×2 MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO) for up to three times faster performance over single-user MIMO 802.11ac.
Meanwhile, the Precision Touchpad enables an accurate, smooth and responsive navigation experience, and supports Windows 10 Precision Touchpad gestures.

The Aspire S 13 offers the best of both worlds when it comes to work and entertainment capabilities. The Full HD touchscreen display with wide-viewing angle IPS technology brings immersive experiences for both movies and presentations, while Acer “BluelightShield” can be enabled to reduce the blue-light emission from the LED backlit module. In low light, the two stage adjustable backlit keyboard provides more options to suit the circumstances: first stage turns on the backlit keyboard, the second stage turns on the lighting to full luminance.

Yhe Aspire S 13 is ultra-thin and lightweight, measuring 327W x 228D x 14.58H mm (0.57 inches) and weighing 1.30 kg (2.86 pounds). Available in Obsidian Black or Pearl White. Availability in North America in May with prices starting at $699; in EMEA this month with prices starting at €699; and in China in May with prices starting at ¥5,499. 

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region.

By April 21, 2016 Read More →

Acer Switch Alpha 12 in 1 minute

New ImageAcer today announced the new Switch Alpha 12 2-in-1 notebook with Windows 10, which delivers a heightened level of mobility with Acer LiquidLoop cooling, excellent performance, and an ultra-slim, flexible notebook-to-tablet design.
The new Switch Alpha 12 is the industry’s first fanless 2-in-1 notebook to use a 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i7, Core i5 or Core i3 processor. It is powered by Windows 10.

Fanless design featuring Acer LiquidLoop™ cooling technology for silent and reliable operation 
Industry’s first fanless 2-in-1 notebook to use 6th Generation Intel® Core™ processors; delivers exceptional performance and 8-hour battery life1 
Versatile design with multi-position kickstand for flexibility 
12-inch display boasts 2160×1440 resolution, optional Acer Active Pen takes advantage of the best Windows Ink has to offer 
Several optional docks extend the capabilities of the Switch Alpha 12

 

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