AMD revealed its new generation of APU (Accelerated Processing Units) under the code name Trinity. According to the manufacturer, the new APU doubles the performance per watt, in respect to the first generation, and the efficiency is enhanced by 29% for general processing and 56% for graphics processing.
The improvements were made possible by implementing design changes to the “Piledriver” processor and the graphic GPU core, which both aimed at working with a TDP (power consumption) of only 17W instead of 35W specific to the previous generation.
The new design allows the use of the Turbo Core function by both the processor as well as the graphics cores. Initially the possibility of increasing chip’s automatic frequency was only limited to the processor.
If we consider that manufacturers may choose to add a separate graphics card and it can work with APU increasing the graphics performance, Trinity is a worthy solution to consider when talking about laptops and systems all in one.
Practically new AMD APU A-Series is a step forward, but we should not forget that also Intel improves its integrated graphics by adopting DX11, and that only means a tougher competition.
To what extent will the new APU Trinity provide the desired performance? And, above all, how many portable PC manufacturers will adopt the new solution at the expense of the Intel?
New SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS models glowed at New York Auto Show
New York Auto Show is the place where the new Viper SRT and SRT Viper GTS were presented for first time (scroll down for video & photos).
After production of the previous model – Dodge Viper – was stopped in 2010, it was believed that a successor will not seen soon. Fortunately things turned different as SRT manager Ralph Gilles said they could not let the most advanced model of the Chrysler Group die.
The new model is one that targets the current top standards imposed to world’s super sport cars. For this purpose, Viper SRT was prepared both aesthetically and technically. Attention has been paid to materials used, e.g. the roof and trunk lid are made of carbon fiber, while the doors are made of aluminum and that makes the car 55 kilogrammes lighter than the predecessor, Viper SRT dropping to 1455 kg in weight. Anyway even if the bolide would be heavier than 1.5 ton, that wouldn’t make it lazy, given the monster under its hood …
Chrysler unveils its new SRT Viper model
What engine is hidden under SRT’s hood?
However, tradition has been preserved in terms of motorisation: Viper SRT is powered by a 8.4-liter V10 engine made of aluminum, which is able to deliver 640 hp and 813 Nm of torque. Yes, you read right well, 813 Nm. Yes, it’s highest torque obtained from a aspirated engine.
Video: 2013 SRT Viper GTS
Power is transmitted to the rear axle wheels through a manual six-speed Tremec TR6060 gearbox. To improve fiability, SRT Viper has a stiffer chassis, but also easier. In addition, standard equipment includes electronic traction system, ESP and ABS. Compared to the 1991 model which you could drive if your balls were bigger than those of bowling, the new SRT Viper can be simply called… progress.
The new SRT Viper features an absolutely modern dashboard
How is the inside?
Important changes were made to the interior of the new generation, where premium materials are offered in abundance for both versions – SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS – which show off identical external appearance.
Inside view: SRT Viper's cockpit
The center console houses an 8.4 inches touch screen. According to the manufacturer, the interior space is now the most generous in comparison with previous models.
SRT Viper GTS is somehow different from SRT Viper, featuring more advanced technological systems, such as the suspension with two settings, for running either on public roads or racetracks.
Both models have daytime-LED headlights and their form as well as the front grid are completely different than the previous generations. However, this does not mean that they have lost the specific aggressivity or hypnotic power. Anyway probably none of us would mind if being a “prey to such vipers”. Source: topgear.ro
Supersport 2013 models: SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS
The hybrid sport division of the Bavarian carmaker came up also with the roadster version now. Here are the first pictures of BMW i8 Spyder.
In order to convert i8 into a roadster, besides the removal of the rear seats and the hard top, some other changes were required: the transparent doors were replaced with solid ones, mirrors were repositioned and windshield (delimited by a black frame) won’t plunge over the roof as the classic version.
Information about the powering system have not been announced yet, but Top Gear predicts that Spyder’s engine will be most likely built on the platform of the initial concept I8: 1.5 liter petrol engine coupled with an electric one, which together provide the magic numbers – 353 hp 550 Nm.
Detailed information (along with more images and possibly some videos) will be revealed at the latest in April during the Beijing Auto Show where “i8 Spyder” announced its presence.
BMW i8 spyder, the roadster version of the bavarian hybrid.Photo:topgear.ro
Inside view of hybrid roadster BMW I8. Credit:topgear.ro
Roads at night are tiring. Not only because of lack of sun, but also the lights of the vehicles running in opposite direction,,,especially when some drivers forget to swap from main beam to dipped beam.
Well, Opel is trying to bring an end to all these inconveniences by introducing a new technology called LED matrix light. Unlike halogen or xenon headlights, the LED lighting matrix technology features serious advantages. When a car comes in front, or if you are overtaken, the matrix-based headlights diminish their brightness in the meeting area, while maintaining a good visibility on the road. This is possible due to videocamera equipped with a sensor integrated somewhere to front of the vehicle. The headlights are made up of four segments, each segment comprises in turn four light sources capable of turning on or off individually.
Thus there is possible to obtain 256 lighting combinations, which are fluently adjustable without disturbing the driver. Pretty ingenious!!! Opel is thus the first carmaker to implement the matrix light in their prototype vehicle. They are still testing the lights, but would like to introduce the matrix technology on models to be released in the upcoming years. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, take a look at videos and photos below to view more details. Sources: topgear.ro, autoguide.com
Video: Opel LED light matrix tech – a future lighting system
Selective LED light distribution by Opel's matrix system
Matrix lighting system: View from inside Opel prototype
It’s still unclear at the moment when Apple intend to release its expected iPhone 5 or what the smartphone would look like. Anyway a series of artists let their imagination go free and came up with some designs which certainly Apple should take into consideration,,,and that’s because the market seemed to be pretty reactive.
According to tech website Mashable.com, one of the best iPhone 5 concept was released by the italian designer Federico Ciccarese and you can convince yourself by seeing the marvelous gadget in the images posted below.
The only inconvenience with Ciccarese’s design stands in the fact that the headphone jack is located on the side.
Italian designer Federico Ciccarese unveils great conceptual design for iPhone 5. Photo:mashable
Concept design of iPhone 5 looks back curved and resembles Apple Magic Mouse. Credit:mashable
Federico Ciccarese mocked up futuristic Apple iPhone 5. Photo: mashable
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and Ice Cream Sandwich to be launched in March 2012
Samsung announced on Monday, its Galaxy Tab 2 tablet which will have a 7-inch screen and will be fitted with OS Ice Cream Sandwich.
Although bearing a new name, Samsung’s tablet is not very different from the products already on the market. By comparison, the new tablet is actually a less performant version of Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus.
Both tablets have an 1 GHz processor, 3 megapixel back camera and 7-inch screens. The real innovation which comes with Tab2 is in fact the OS Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0).
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 will be launched in March, according to reports from cnet.com. There will be several versions of Galaxy Tab 2: 3G and Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi only and storage spaces of 8, 16 or 32 GB. The new tablet will include a microSD slot for those who wish to increase the storage space. Samsung has not announced yet a price for the new tablet.
According to website bgr.com, somebody managed to have a first contact with Apple’s much advertised tablet, iPad 3. The BGR source took snapshots of the device which was spied with a debug program called iBoot. Pictures of the output data revealed the technical specifications of the third-generation tablet which can be seen featuring a quad-core A6 CPU (type S5L8945X), Wi-Fi and GSM/CDMA/LTE options for all carriers.
Screenshot showing information about iPad 3. Photo:bgr.com
iPad 3 features obtained with development tool iBoot. Credit:bgr.com
Apple's iPad 3 "debriefed" by iBoot: screenshot specs and properties. Photo:bgr.com
One of the most sophisticated unmanned aircraft of the Israeli army accidentally crashed Sunday, without injuring anyone, said a military spokesman.
“An unmanned Eitan type aircraft crashed today (Sunday Jan. 29, 2012) into a field near Moshav Yesodot, near Gedera, in Israel, during a joint exercise of the Israeli army and Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI). There were no injuries,” said a spokesperson in a statement.
According to the private Israeli television station Channel-10, the accident occurred when a wing of the aircraft came off, apparently because of a too heavy equipment carried on board. Preliminary investigation unveiled that a human error led to the collapse of the IAI Eitan UAV.
Heron TP (Eytan) remotely controlled plane crashes in Israel during training exercise
The same source says that the losses are amounted to ten million dollars (7.5 million Euro), and raises a few questions to the Israeli forces, which have only a few unmanned aircraft of this type which are operational. This very impressive unmanned airplane Heron TP, known also as IAI Eitan (“Strong” in Hebrew) has the size of a piloted plane and weighs 4.5 tons (maximum takeoff weight). It features a flight autonomy of 36 hours and can carry a payload of one ton, at an altitude of 13,000 meters. Its length is 14 meters and its wingspan is 26 meters. The plane is controlled through satellite communication. The radius of Heron TP action covers Iran, which Israel considers its main strategic enemy.
I bought an iPad 2 two months ago and now I’ve learned that Apple is preparing for the March release of its iPad 3 Tablet, therefore I’ll be outdated again.
According to Bloomberg, iPad3 will feature a high-definition (HD) display, a quad-core processor (much faster than iPad 2) and LTE connection (the next generation wireless communication).
Apple’s partner factories in Asia began manufacturing iPad 3 in January and will reach full production capacity in February.
Apple is ready to roll iPad 3 on the market in March 2012
Apple iPad hopes to maintain a dominant position on an increasingly crowded market. After the 2010 debut, which virtually created a new segment on the mobile gadget market, iPad has become the second source of profit for Apple after iPhone, with sales exceeding 40 million units to date, which generated an estimated income of at least 25 billion dollars.
The success of Apple iPad determined many rival companies to launch competing tablets, the most successful models coming from Samsung and Amazon.com whose gadgets are based on Google’s Android software platform.
Apple’s spokesperson Natalie Kerris said that she does not comment rumors and speculations.
LTE (Long-Term Evolution) Standards allow Internet speeds much faster than the 3G connection. Manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola and Nokia have already launched LTE based smartphones.
Apple has decided to introduce technology first on the tablet because the battery, which is more powerful than that of the iPhone, can support a higher consumption of energy needed for faster connection sppeds.
The new display has higher resolution than the current iPad 2 and the pixel density is higher than some of HD TVs.
IPad 3 is assembled by Foxconn Technology, Apple’s main production partner. the contracts with Apple represent 22% of Foxconn’s businesses.
The lauch of the new iPad is Apple’s first hardware significant debut since the death of company co-founder, Steve Jobs, in October last year.
A bridge camera is seen as a good alternative to SLR cameras
When it comes to digital cameras, there is no shortage of options out there. But even with that being the case, some consumers find themselves lost in the search. Not because of not knowing what they want or need but rather not finding what it is that they are searching.
Many consumers are looking for some of the bells and whistles of a good SLR camera but with a price tag and convenience of a point and shoot. Well, if you’re in this boat, the good news I that there is something for you.
Bridge cameras are a much lesser known third classification of cameras and present a quality alternative to point and shoot and SLR models. These cameras are called such because they essentially bridge the gap between the two more common styles providing something of a hybrid.
A bridge camera has nearly all the functionality of most SLR with the exception of the ability to change lenses. Some however, do allow users to work with filters and adapters that may increase some of the shooting possibilities.
The biggest benefits are the extra power and aforementioned bells and whistles, i.e. more range in your zoom, options to better control aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance, and things of that nature. Many of them also have a hot shoe to add an external flash. To date, I have never seen a point and shoot with this option.
Whether your goal is to become the next great nature photographer or simply to shoot basic portrait photos for friends and family, one option that just might suit your needs is a bridge camera.
Of course there are drawbacks as well. The slightly higher pricing than most point and shoots comes with the territory. As does the fact that they are obviously a bit more bulky. While they tend to look more ‘professional” than point and shoot options, this something causes issues when attending concerts or events in which the venue does not allow professional cameras.
With the exception of these issues, bridge camera can provide a good option for those who would like to move beyond using a basic point and shoot but aren’t quite ready to invest in an SLR.
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