As T-Pain once so wisely proclaimed, "it ain't hardcore unless it's hexacore." Intel should have no worries with its Core i7-990X, which has enough processing units to satisfy even the most demanding of hip hop moguls, but it pads out its extreme credentials anyway with an audacious 3.46GHz default speed. That can be Turbo Boosted to 3.73GHz (yes, we are talking about a CPU that can run at 3,730MHz right out of the box) and there's 12MB of L3 cache and three channels for DDR3 memory to justify the $999 price tag. Well, to partially justify it, anyhow. Tech Report and Tom's Hardware both ran this new chip through their benchmarking suites and both concluded it's the fastest consumer processor around, but neither was willing to recommend it as a terribly astute purchase decision. Then again, when has an Extreme Edition of anything ever been a good value proposition?

Intel Core i7-990X reviewed: best performance ever, but far from best value originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/03/intel-core-i7-990x-reviewed-best-performance-ever-but-far-from/

MICROSOFT MICROSEMI MICROS SYSTEMS MICRON TECHNOLOGY

Google, no doubt more than a little leery of Netflix's entrenchment in the U.S., is planning to launch an unlimited on-demand movie streaming service through YouTube in the U.K.

The Big G has been talking with Hollywood studios for months, and has set aside $100 million to secure some big deals. According to one Hollywood executive, Google will launch both video-on-demand and 'channels,' which could even pit it against conventional European TV providers like Sky.

By launching in the U.K. first, Google will still have to beat LoveFilm, which was recently bought by Amazon. Presumably Google will attempt to create a beachhead, which it will then use to try and tackle Netflix in the U.S., and a variety of on-demand services in Europe.

Google to launch unlimited video streaming service in the U.K. first originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/25/google-to-launch-unlimited-video-streaming-service-in-uk-first/

ASUSTEK COMPUTER ATandT AUTODESK AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING

What a challenge to hoist upon yourself, TheRasteri! Did you not have an Apple keynote to watch yesterday? I joke obviously, because his 9:49-long video makes for compelling viewing. Watch as he upgrades from 1985's 1.0, through to today's 7, going by way of all the classic versions, as well as Doom II and Monkey Island. [YouTube via WinRumors] More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/CO0_X07cLGQ/25-years-of-windows-upgrades-caught-in-one-video

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Google says it has restored email access to some Gmail users who lost it over the weekend. "We're still working fast and furious to restore account access," Google spokesperson Jessica Kositz told TechNewsWorld. Google said 0.02 percent of Gmail users were impacted, but Kositz once again declined to state how many users its email service has.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/71969.html

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So, you're a ball. A Tarzan Ball, to be precise. You've earned the nickname thanks to your astonishing ability to shoot out a lengthy 'vine' (I hope it's a vine) at objects, and then pull yourself towards those objects.

That's a handy ability to have, especially since you've got no legs, no arms, and no other means of transportation. In Tarzan Ball, the rope is everything. But you don't just swing around the screen aimlessly - that wouldn't be much of a game now, would it?

Instead, your goal in life is to collect "targets". Each level has one of these "targets" hidden away somewhere on the screen, usually behind some kind of barrier. Once you navigate close enough to the target, you can shoot your rope at it and just reel it in. That's when you pass the level.

You can't die in this game, but it can still be very frustrating. It's actually one of the tougher games I've posted recently. Still, if you enjoy physics games, this one is quite nicely made.

[This is actually the sequel to IQ Ball, which we covered last year! -Ed]

Tarzan Ball is a tricky hook-and-pull physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/tarzan-ball-is-a-tricky-hook-and-pull-physics-game/

DIEBOLD DELL CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR ACCENTURE

Airport “security” theater may be sickeningly pointless, but this stealthy introduction to a police state brings certain commercial advantages to those willing to cash in. First, it was the baggie makers that got rich. Then, it was the turn of laptop bag and sleeve manufacturers. Now its the turn of sneaker makers. Adidas’ SLVR S-M-L Concept [...]

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/03/tsa-friendly-sneakers-cash-in-on-security-theater/

TRIDENT MICROSYSTEMS TRANSACTION SYSTEMS ARCHITECTS TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES TNS

Microsoft has introduced the LifeCam HD-3000, a high-def webcam optimized for use with Windows Live.  The 720p sensor records high-def video at 30 fps in 16:9 widescreen.  The camera uses TrueColor technology for bright, clear pictures, and the noise-reducing microphone means the sound is as good as the video.  Although it is optimized for use [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/02/28/high-def-webcam-from-microsoft/

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY AMPHENOL ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL APPLE COMPUTER

The Mint.com Personal Finance app for Apple's iOS iPhones, iPads and iPods quickly led me to a staggering realization: The application is not only astoundingly powerful; it's quite sobering, too. But let's take a step back. The Mint.com Personal Finance app is basically an iOS gateway application to the online Mint.com personal finance service.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/71947.html

INTEL INSIGHT ENTERPRISES INGRAM MICRO INFORMATICA

Back in September, we reported on the absurdly overpriced Efika MX Smartbook -- a little computer sporting a 10-inch display and a $349 price tag -- and it looks like somebody took note. The folks over at Genesi have reduced the price of their entire line of Efika MX products, dropping the aforementioned Smartbook to $199 and its desktop companion, the Smarttop, to $129. Of course, they did so with a bit of marketing flair, claiming the deal would open "the door even more for billions of people and businesses in emerging markets to affordable state-of-the-art computing and Internet access." Now, we're not calling anyone out here, but we're guessing we weren't the only ones who thought the Smartbook was just a tad too pricey. Full PR after the jump.

Continue reading Genesi reduces price of Efika MX Smartbook, Smarttop, says it's for greater good

Genesi reduces price of Efika MX Smartbook, Smarttop, says it's for greater good originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 08:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/genesi-reduces-price-of-efika-mx-smartbook-smarttop-says-its/

MAXIMUS MANTECH INTERNATIONAL MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES LSI

I have a thing for physics games, and I've been known to post the occasional platformer or action game here and there. But Let it Slide is one of the brainiest games I've posted to date.

The idea is very simple, and far from original: You get a board with pieces arranged in a particular pattern; you have to slide those around until you get the special piece into its target location.

It's not even about finding out where the target location is - you can just hover over "dim tiles" and instantly see where you're supposed to bring the special piece. But getting it there is a whole different story.

There are five tutorial levels, which I strongly recommend you do. Then there are twenty "beginner" levels, but that's really a misnomer. If those are the beginner levels, I don't want to know what the intermediate and advanced levels look like!

Every time you finish a level you get a score based on how many clicks it took you - each level has a "par" (the minimum number of clicks it could be completed in), and your performance is compared to that gold standard. Because it's such a brainy game, getting it right is quite satisfying. I was downright proud of myself when I managed to finish a few levels. All in all, quite recommended, especially if you've got a few minutes of quiet. It might actually help you focus better later on.

Let it Slide is an engaging, difficult puzzle game originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/let-it-slide-is-an-engaging-difficult-puzzle-game/

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