Sony's next-generation PlayStation, reportedly codenamed "Orbis", is known to be powered by an AMD x86-64 CPU with graphics based on its Southern Islands architecture, from the older report. We're now hearing that Sony may implement a multi-GPU solution of its own. According to an IGN.com report, the CPU in question will be a custom-version of AMD's A8-3850 quad-core APU. This should serve as indication that the processor cores will be based on AMD's K10 Stars architecture, rather than K15 Bulldozer/Piledriver. The GPU, on the other hand, will be based on the "Southern Islands" architecture, and the IGN.com report pin points it to resemble Radeon HD 7670. The HD 7670 is a re-branded HD 6670, which is based on the 40 nm "Turks" GPU. Turks uses neither Graphics CoreNext nor VLIW4, but the older VLIW5 number-crunching machinery. The most interesting piece of information here is talk of a multi-GPU configuration between this Turks-based GPU, and the GPU that's embedded into the "Llano" APU. We know that the graphics core embedded into AMD A8-3850, the Radeon HD 6550D, can work in tandem with Radeon HD 6670 to yield an AMD Hybrid CrossFireX configuration called "Radeon HD 6690D2". This could be end up being Sony's graphics weapon of choice.

Source: techpowerup

Google released a YouTube video Wednesday showing the everyday uses of "Project Glass," wrap-around virtual reality glasses with all the qualities of a smartphone – and much more. Google has once again unveiled a project mock-up that, if realized, would turn the technology industry on its head. This time, it’s Project Glass, wrap-around glasses that display reminders, the weather, messages, and more – right in front of the user’s eyes. “A group of us from [Google’s experimental lab, Google X,] started Project Glass to build this kind of technology, one that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment,” says the Project Glass Google+ page. “We’re sharing this information now because we want to start a conversation and learn from your valuable input.” While Project Glass is only in the first stages of inception, Google employees are already testing the headsets, according to The New York Times. But so far, it’s unclear whether the average consumer will like Google’s futuristic technology. For those who value convenience, Google’s “glasses” will be a must-have. There’s nothing to hold or type, the promotional video shows. All the user has to do is look at or vocalize something to give the headset direction. One quick tap takes a photograph, but that’s the limit of physical controls. “We believe technology should work for you – to be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don’t,” the video’s caption says. Photographs of Project Glass show that the prototype sits on the face as glasses do, but leaves the eyes unblocked. It looks like Project Glass could turn into a full-fledged product by the end of 2012. Until then, enjoy your smart phones.

Intel will reportedly introduce DDR4 into the market starting first with high end server CPUs. Desktop systems likely won’t see next generation memory until 2015 with new microarchitectures. The publication reports that mainstream Haswell 4-core systems will remain on DDR3 memory as the technology approaches 3000 speed grade. Haswell-EX 4-socket platforms will introduce DDR4 in 2014 which could very well be needed as each of the four processors on a motherboard could have up to 16 cores. DDR4 will bring with it a reduction in operating power, down to 1.2v, as well as improved parity protection and error recovery. These features alone would likely be enough to make some administrators want to upgrade. Both Haswell 22nm and Broadwell 14nm silicon utilize LGA 1150 sockets and as such, DDR3 will be used across both platforms. DDR4 support will likely arrive for desktop systems in 2015 but as the article points out, it’s not likely to matter much. L4 cache in Haswell and Broadwell processors will reside on a very wide low latency internal MCM bus and could function as directly addressable scratchpad memory for GPU use. The extra bandwidth should be extremely useful for the CPU as well. All of this, however, is still a ways out as Intel hasn’t even released Ivy Bridge yet (expected later this month). Ivy Bridge is the code name for Intel’s 22nm die shrink of the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture that will be the first to use Intel’s Tri-Gate transistors.

Source: techspot

AnandTech reports that Apple is secretly developing a project to bring a physical controller to the market, but qualifies this by saying that it's in the early stages and thus may not make it into reality. The plans appear to be a response to Google's introduction of controller support for Android last year, which gave it an edge for those who like to play mobile games but aren't keen on touchscreen controls. Gaming on the iPhone and iPad have become extremely popular over recent months and will likely only grow with the addition of full high-definition displays to the latest iOS devices. Games are also moving away from the purely casual approach of the likes of Angry Birds to full immersive games like the enhanced edition of BioWare's classic RPG Baldur's Gate, which is set to release on the iPad and other platforms this Summer. Of course, part of the success of mobile gaming is its portability, which is somewhat negated by the need to lug around a controller.  Apple might also be inclined to develop a proprietary controller rather than allowing a wide range of existing controllers to work with its devices. The controller might even be reserved as a feature for the next iPad rather than simply adding the functionality into existing tablets.

Source: vr-zone

Intel's upcoming mainstream consumer SSD line, the SSD 330 series, could have attractive pricing, which could catalyze further proliferation of SSD technology, according to a LaptopReviews report, citing tease-listings by online retailers and other sources. The new lineup will embrace SATA rev. 3.0 (6 Gb/s) standard, and offer performance that takes advantage of it. The 120 GB variant of the SSD 330, for example, was listed for US $149, on MacMall.com, the listing is removed. This gives it a price/GB on par with other 120 GB SATA 6 Gb/s SSDs in the market, which underwent several rounds of price-adjustments to get there. The SSD 330 series from Intel, will be available in three capacities, 60 GB, 120 GB, and 180 GB. The 120 GB and 180 GB variants offer sequential transfer-rates of up to 500 MB/s (read) and 450 MB/s (write); the 60 GB variant offers 500 MB/s (read), and 400 MB/s (write). These drives use IMFlash Technologies-made 25 nm MLC NAND flash, and offer standard feature-set that includes support for TRIM, NCQ, 256-bit AES data-encryption, and limited SMART attributes.

Source: Techpowerup

VG247 has learned that Microsoft has now detailed Xbox 720 to certain partners and has internally confirmed the machine for a Christmas 2013 release. The next generation Xbox will have a Blu-ray drive, contrary to a recent report. Multiple sources have confirmed this morning that the machine will have two GPUs. One said: “It’s like two PCs taped together.” We’re waiting for final confirmation of specs, but the graphics cards are thought to be equivalent to AMD’s 7000 series GPUs, but “not CrossFire or SLI”. The GPUs aren’t structured as they are in a normal dual PC set-up, in which the two chips take it in turns to draw lines of the same object: Xbox 720′s graphics units will be able to work independently, drawing separate items simultaneously. There will be “four or six” cores to the Xbox 720 CPU, one of which will be reserved for Kinect and one for the OS. Xbox 720 will require an always-on internet connection as an anti-piracy measure. We’ve also been told that the next generation of Kinect will be built into the device as standard. The details have emerged in the wake of a hastily removed tweet from Sean Tracy, a technical designer for Crytek, that said he was attending the “Durango summit” in London at the end of February. Durango is though to be the codename for the console. Microsoft is not expected to announce anything pertaining to its next machine until next year. Many developers have been posting job openings for “next-gen” and “future-gen” systems for months. Lionhead and Bethesda are just two of the latest.

Source: vg247

Information from OBR’s blog suggests that NVIDIA is aiming to launch its Next Generation Flagship GPU based on the GK110 chip in late Q3 2012. Along with the release date, A few key specifications such as memory configuration, die size and performance gain over the GK104 chip have also been detailed. Its uncertain of what NVIDIA would name its GK110 based product since the 600 Series lineup is already stacked up with the GK104′s, They could use a 700 Series brand which would allow them to be placed against upcoming AMD Sea Island 8*** Series GPU’s. The GK110 would feature a 4GB Memory buffer which would run across a 512-bit wide bus interface. The die size would be smaller than the GF110 but still around ~500mm2. A total number of 2304 cores which would be split into 6 GPCs which would result in 2+ TFlops of Double Precision and upto 4TFlops of Single Precision Performance. This would allow GK110 to maintain a 20-25% Performance lead over the GK104 chip (GTX 680). The performance numbers may vary from the retail product which launches around Q3 2012 (September – October).

Source: wccftech

Qualcomm seems to think that Intel’s ultrabooks are a bit too chubby and they could do with a new diet, sans x86 chips. Qualcomm is apparently working on quad-core Snapdragon S4 chips, but they are not destined for smartphones or tablets, but rather ultrathin notebooks. Qualcomm senior VP Rob Chandhok believes lines between various product categories are becoming blurred, which should allow ARM chip designers a bit more maneuvering room. One key market segment where ARM has yet to gain a foothold is the notebook space and power efficient ARM chips bring a lot to the table.  "We think much lighter than what Intel calls an ultrabook," Chandhok said. Qualcomm’s S4 is the first 28nm ARM chip and it is loosely based on a highly modified A9 core, backed with latest Adreno graphics. However, what really sets the upcoming quad-core apart from dual-core designs is the clock. The quad is said to run at up to 2.5GHz, which sounds very impressive indeed, as most current ARM chips max out at about 1.5GHz. However, it is unclear whether the new quad-core will end up in smartphones or tablets. For the time being, Qualomm’s quad-core game plan seems to revolve around ultrathin notebooks, Windows rigs to be exact. This is Intel territory, but since Intel believes it can enter the smartphone space with Medfield , there is no reason for Qualcomm not to return the favor.

M2Tech introduced a high-performance multi-channel USB audio digital-digital converter (DDC). The dongle plugs into any USB 2.0 port, and gives out one coaxial SPDIF digital audio output. The output signal supports a maximum resolution of 24-bit, with 192 kHz sample-rate. The device features standard USB Audio Class 2.0 driver interface. Measuring 20 x 102 x 22 mm, and weighing 33 g, the device is priced at a scorching 24,800 JPY (US $298).

Source: Techpowerup

LG, that South Korean conglomerate that has mostly spent the last few years fading into Samsung’s shadow, has just announced that it has begun mass production of the world’s first flexible, plastic e-ink display. This is opposed to the hard, heavy, prone-to-cracking glass-laminate e-ink displays found in devices such as the Kindle and Nook. The new plastic display has a resolution of 1024×768 and is six inches across the diagonal, which is comparable to the Kindle and Nook. Because it’s made of plastic and not glass, though, the LG display is half the weight (14g) and 30% thinner (0.7mm) than a comparable, glass e-ink panel. Existing e-book readers need to be thick (and heavy) to protect the glass display, but LG is promising that its display is a lot more rugged. The press release says that the plastic display survives repeated 1.5-meter drop tests and break/scratch tests with a small hammer, and that it’s flexible up to 40 degrees from the mid point. Technology-wise, it’s not very clear how LG’s e-paper actually works. The press release suggests that LG is using a conventional TFT process, which hints that they’ve cracked Electronics on Plastic by Laser Release (EPLaR). EPLaR is basically a technique of embedding electrophoretic ink capsules in a plastic substrate, but using existing manufacturing processes, rather than building a whole new factory (unlike E Ink, which makes displays for the Kindle and other e-book readers). The press release constantly refers to EPD as an “E-Paper Display,” but that acronym is usually reserved for ElectroPhoretic Display. Kindle 3 e-ink electrophoretic displayIn short, though, LG is promising plastic e-ink displays that are thinner and more power efficient, and because anyone with a TFT process can make displays in this way (Samsung, Sharp), they will also be cheaper. According to LG, the first plastic display-toting e-readers are expected to emerge in Europe “at the beginning of next month,” with the US presumably following swiftly after.