Tech News

• Pro gamers now qualify for US visas as Professional Athletes

  Published: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 | By: Dennis

  As a citizen of the US I often forget that getting into the country takes planning on the part of the traveler.  Visitors to this country often have to apply for a Visa even if they are just changing planes.  Well, it would seem that Pro Gamers now qualify for landing visas like other pro athletes opening up e-sports to be considered on the same level as chess or golf..  

  The change, Beck said, could let non-American players join US teams: "It's like David Beckham coming to LA Galaxy." He said convincing US Immigration and Citizenship Services to offer players pro sports visas was "a long process" that hinged on proving League of Legends can offer people the chance to make a living as professionals. "A lot of people have been dismissive of it because they don't understand the scope of this," he said. "Our viewership numbers are stronger than 80 or 90 percent of the sports covered on ESPN."
  

  This is a milestone moment for e-sports since it has long struggled to be defined as an actual professional sport despite some of the top players winning real money.  I guess now they need to work on proper drug testing and establish anti-doping rules. 

  There is no indication as to how long a pro gamer can stay in the US but we can thank Riot Games for laying the groundwork and ensuring that our favorite League of Legends players will be able to complete for real cash money at events hosted in the US.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• The Highest-Paid Professional Video Gamers

  Published: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Cannot say I wanted to be a professional gamer but the prospect of playing games all day and getting paid does sound pretty good.  The list here shows the top 15 gamers in the world starting with Luo "Ferrari_430" Feichi and ending with the popular Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel.

  You'll have to check out the article to know how much they all made.

  Playing video games for a living is the dream of pretty much every adolescent male at one point or another.
  
  Believe it or not, there are gamers who are doing exactly that. And they're making some serious money.
  
  e-Sports Earnings has ranked the 100 players with the highest overall earnings from competitive gaming.

  As with most "sports" the player makes big bank in the beginning and slowly falls from the limelight in favor of easy money.  I'm just glad these guys are playing things smart to keep the party rolling.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO (Intel LGA 1150) @ techPowerUp

  Published: Monday, July 15, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Is it just me or does it seem that ASUS has started releasing more motherboard versions than before?  I have also noticed that the "gold" boards haven't featured in many reviews lately.

  

  New to the ASUS ROG line-up, the ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO is for those looking to get that high-end ROG "GENE" experience in a full ATX format, but does stretching the GENE also stretch the HERO's ability too thin, or has the ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO come to save the day?

  GENE was a good motherboard type, compact and powerfui.  Out of all the MicroATX motherboards I have reviewed I did like that one the best.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO (Intel LGA 1150) @ techPowerUp

  Published: Monday, July 15, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Is it just me or does it seem that ASUS has started releasing more motherboard versions than before?  I have also noticed that the "gold" boards haven't featured in many reviews lately.

  

  New to the ASUS ROG line-up, the ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO is for those looking to get that high-end ROG "GENE" experience in a full ATX format, but does stretching the GENE also stretch the HERO's ability too thin, or has the ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO come to save the day?

  GENE was a good motherboard type, compact and powerfui.  Out of all the MicroATX motherboards I have reviewed I did like that one the best.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Chassis makers reducing notebook business

  Published: Monday, July 15, 2013 | By: Dennis

  It would seem that notebooks are going the way of stuff that is going away.

  Seeing notebook demand gradually weakening, chassis makers have turned their focuses to non-notebook product lines, trying to minimize the impact. Catcher Technology has successfully reduce its notebook product line's revenue contribution to below 40% and the percentage is expected to rise slightly in the second half.
  
  Chassis maker Ju Teng is also expected to see the revenue contribution from its tablet business rise significantly from 4-5% in 2012 to 20% in the second half of 2013, dropping its notebook business' proportion to only 80%.

  This isn't good.  Consider that most large businesses have started issuing laptops to their employees for the following reasons.

  • portable
  • easy to replace
  • smaller 
  • do everything a desktop does. 

  Some content producers are still issued workstation machines but overall there is a reduction of desktop PCs across the board in favor of notebooks.  Now there is a global demand reduction for notebooks in favor of tablets.

  I wonder, where is all of this demand? Could it be that people buy more than one tablet device and never upgrade their laptop/notebook?  Ya thats it, thanks Intel and Microsoft you are doing the world an awesome job. 

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• The 7 Types of Hashtag Abusers - An editorial for awareness

  Published: Saturday, July 13, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Now that hashtags have been added to Facebook you have to wonder how people will use them, or in this case abuse them.  Here is an editorial talking about the 7 types of abusers while I don't fully agree with the first one I do think that a person doing "air hashtags" is pretty darn stupid and speaks to their level of mentality.

  2. The Verbal Hashtagger
  
  Someone who actually says the word “hashtag” in conversation. Exhibit A: Kasey, the Bachelorette contestant, who charms women with phrases — spoken out loud! — like “hashtag marriage material” and “hashtag let the journey begin.” If a Verbal Hashtagger is hiking Machu Picchu, say, he might observe the ancient ruins, feel overwhelmed with emotion, and say, “Hashtag…. breathtaking.”

  I suspect there will be more of this in the coming months/years, at least until someone comes up with something better.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• The 7 Types of Hashtag Abusers - An editorial for awareness

  Published: Saturday, July 13, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Now that hashtags have been added to Facebook you have to wonder how people will use them, or in this case abuse them.  Here is an editorial talking about the 7 types of abusers while I don't fully agree with the first one I do think that a person doing "air hashtags" is pretty darn stupid and speaks to their level of mentality.

  2. The Verbal Hashtagger
  
  Someone who actually says the word “hashtag” in conversation. Exhibit A: Kasey, the Bachelorette contestant, who charms women with phrases — spoken out loud! — like “hashtag marriage material” and “hashtag let the journey begin.” If a Verbal Hashtagger is hiking Machu Picchu, say, he might observe the ancient ruins, feel overwhelmed with emotion, and say, “Hashtag…. breathtaking.”

  I suspect there will be more of this in the coming months/years, at least until someone comes up with something better.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 1866 MHz C10 2x 8 GB @ techPowerUp

  Published: Thursday, July 11, 2013 | By: Dennis

  Oh yes, my favorite local company once again sending products around the world for review.   What I really find interesting is that TPU mentioned Computex considering I was there and didn't see Crucial anywhere.

  Crucial expanded their line-up a short while ago at Computex by introducing the Ballistix Sport XT product for mainstream users and those who know how to tweak their memory. We take a look at the high-end 1866 MHz C10 model, which carry a few surprises.

  The memory does look really good and was tested at 1866Mhz @ CAS10.  The CAS rating is kinda slow but the speed isn't bad especially at 1.5v. During their overclocking test they were able to hit 2133Mhz with the same voltage and only a few timing tweaks.

  Sadly no lights.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• New CYBERPOWERPC Zeus HTPC Series - The Ultimate HTPC

  Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 | By: Dennis

  CITY of INDUSTRY, CA (July 9, 2013) – CyberPower Inc. www.cyberpowerpc.com, a global manufacturer of custom gaming PCs,  today announced the Zeus HTPC, a sleek new series of Windows-based home-theatre PCs that can double as your primary desktop.
  
  The Zeus HTPC combines the compact and stylish design of a home theatre system with the power and performance of a gaming PC. The Zeus HTPC is your DVR, enthusiast home theatre PC, gaming console and DVD/Blu-Ray Player all in one thin micro-ATX chassis that fits perfectly in your home theatre stack or on your desk. The chassis utilizes a passive cooled heatsink technology paired with razor fins for maximum heat dissipation and minimal noise. CYBERPOWERPC will offer six Zeus HTPC models.

  
  
  
  The Zeus HTPC is a multimedia monster powered by your choice of a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor or AMD APU to provide easy access to all your favorite multimedia applications from PC gaming and movie streaming to surfing the web. Combined with discrete graphics with the AMD Radeon HD 7750 users can dive into the latest PC gaming titles in full HD and beautifully rendered graphics in rich detail.
  
  CYBERPOWERPC took special care to ensure the Zeus HTPC is seen and not heard. The system delivers silent operations even at maximum loads with its passively cooled chassis and optional silent edition video card. The only thing users will hear is the crisp sound of their game, movie or TV program and not annoying background fan or system noise.
  
  In spite of its sleek design, which measures just 17.125x15.35x2.75 inches (L× W×H), the Zeus HTPC is the quintessential multi-purpose system with a host of features, including Windows Media Center compatibility. The Zeus HTPC’s on-board IR receiver makes it easy and convenient to connect the system to you favorite remote. Buyers also have the option of adding the InfiniTV Cable Tuner card or other TV tuner options, which can record live TV in high definition. The Zeus HTPC can record up to four channels simultaneously so you can watch want you want when you want.

  The Zeus TV Pro A100 powered by an AMD APU is priced at $699 and features:

  • AMD A8-6400K Quad-Core CPU
  • 8GB System memory
  • 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
  • Slot-loading DVDRW
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • Media Center Remote
  • Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

  The Zeus TV Pro i100 powered by a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor starts at $895 and includes:

  • Intel® Core™ i5-4430 Quad-core Haswell CPU
  • 8GB system memory
  • 2TB 7200 RPM HDD
  • Slot-loading DVDRW
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • Media Center Remote
  • Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

  All six Zeus HTPC models can be customized with a number of performance hardware and component upgrades such as CPU/GPU upgrades, solid state drives, hard drive, performance gaming memory, gaming peripherals, business productivity software, and more at the company’s website, www.CYBERPOWERPC.com.
  
  All CYBERPOWERPC gaming PCs include an industry best 3-year limited warranty.

  Full ArticleVisit Website

• New CYBERPOWERPC Zeus HTPC Series - The Ultimate HTPC

  Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 | By: Dennis

  CITY of INDUSTRY, CA (July 9, 2013) – CyberPower Inc. www.cyberpowerpc.com, a global manufacturer of custom gaming PCs,  today announced the Zeus HTPC, a sleek new series of Windows-based home-theatre PCs that can double as your primary desktop.
  
  The Zeus HTPC combines the compact and stylish design of a home theatre system with the power and performance of a gaming PC. The Zeus HTPC is your DVR, enthusiast home theatre PC, gaming console and DVD/Blu-Ray Player all in one thin micro-ATX chassis that fits perfectly in your home theatre stack or on your desk. The chassis utilizes a passive cooled heatsink technology paired with razor fins for maximum heat dissipation and minimal noise. CYBERPOWERPC will offer six Zeus HTPC models.

  
  
  
  The Zeus HTPC is a multimedia monster powered by your choice of a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor or AMD APU to provide easy access to all your favorite multimedia applications from PC gaming and movie streaming to surfing the web. Combined with discrete graphics with the AMD Radeon HD 7750 users can dive into the latest PC gaming titles in full HD and beautifully rendered graphics in rich detail.
  
  CYBERPOWERPC took special care to ensure the Zeus HTPC is seen and not heard. The system delivers silent operations even at maximum loads with its passively cooled chassis and optional silent edition video card. The only thing users will hear is the crisp sound of their game, movie or TV program and not annoying background fan or system noise.
  
  In spite of its sleek design, which measures just 17.125x15.35x2.75 inches (L× W×H), the Zeus HTPC is the quintessential multi-purpose system with a host of features, including Windows Media Center compatibility. The Zeus HTPC’s on-board IR receiver makes it easy and convenient to connect the system to you favorite remote. Buyers also have the option of adding the InfiniTV Cable Tuner card or other TV tuner options, which can record live TV in high definition. The Zeus HTPC can record up to four channels simultaneously so you can watch want you want when you want.

  The Zeus TV Pro A100 powered by an AMD APU is priced at $699 and features:

  • AMD A8-6400K Quad-Core CPU
  • 8GB System memory
  • 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
  • Slot-loading DVDRW
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • Media Center Remote
  • Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

  The Zeus TV Pro i100 powered by a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processor starts at $895 and includes:

  • Intel® Core™ i5-4430 Quad-core Haswell CPU
  • 8GB system memory
  • 2TB 7200 RPM HDD
  • Slot-loading DVDRW
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • Media Center Remote
  • Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard with built-in Touchpad

  All six Zeus HTPC models can be customized with a number of performance hardware and component upgrades such as CPU/GPU upgrades, solid state drives, hard drive, performance gaming memory, gaming peripherals, business productivity software, and more at the company’s website, www.CYBERPOWERPC.com.
  
  All CYBERPOWERPC gaming PCs include an industry best 3-year limited warranty.

  Full ArticleVisit Website