Microsoft Launches Third-Gen Zunes, Software Receives Major Updates

Sure, Apple's about to launch a few new iPod's, but what Microsoft wants you to know is that they've launched their third-generation Zune, which sports a brand-new design and form-factor. Alright, I'm lying. They look exactly like the old Zune's... so what's the point? More storage, of course, with identical pricing schemes to last-gen. What's important here is the software.

One of the biggest features of the new software (which will be launched next week) is the FM Radio tagging. Despite not owning a device that can support something similar, I've been a big fan since I first learned of it, just because it makes things so simple. Hear a song on the radio you like? Tag it, then purchase later. Couldn't be easier, really. Also new is wireless access to the Zune marketplace where you can purchase music and games.

With the new launch, Ars Technica took the opportunity to ask Microsoft if Mac support is en route, and the answer was obvious... there is nothing to talk about. The problem is whether or not adding such support would even be worth the effort, and if the sheer amount of iPod sales are anything to go by, I'd assume the answer to be no.

As for games, we've been expecting a major games push for some time, one that would make it simple for community-created and Xbox Live Arcade titles to be ported to Zune. Sadly, that ain't what we're getting. The broader focus on games is "still happening," Seitz says, but it's not happening now. In the meantime, gamers can "wet their whistle" with the two included titles, Hexic and Texas Hold 'Em.

Source: Ars Technica

Intel's New Server CPUs Boast Faster Speeds and Lower Power Consumption

Intel might be finished with their Core 2-derived desktop processors, but the server market is still feeling their love, as the company has just launched four new models that boast fast clock speeds and lower power consumption. All of the new processors are LGA771-based and are designed for dual-processor platforms, which means any of them will work fine in the Skulltrail motherboard.

Of the new processors is a new high-end model that surpasses even the X5482 (QX9775) in terms of raw performance, as it's clocked at 3.4GHz. It features a 1600MHz FSB along with the 12MB of L2 cache we've come to expect. Despite being clocked a bit faster than the X5482, the X5492 retains its 150W TDP. Besides that, the new X5470 is another Quad-Core clocked at 3.33GHz (1333MHz, 120W) and the X5270, a new Dual-Core model, is Intel's current highest-clocked part, at 3.5GHz.

Of the new launches, the most interesting might be the L5430, a 2.66GHz part which features a 50W TDP, 45W lower than the TDP of the equivalent Q9450 on the desktop. The premium is a few hundred dollars, but it's good to know Intel is able to pump out CPUs like this now. It's just too bad we're unlikely to see specs like this on our current generation.

Credit: The Tech Report

Although much of the focus in recent weeks has been on upcoming chips based on the next-generation Nehalem microarchitecture, Intel isn't yet finished advancing its Penryn-based 45nm processors, as witnessed by today's introduction of a new revision of its dual-socket Xeon server/workstation-class CPUs. This new E-stepping silicon brings a bit of a clock frequency increase and some minor reductions in power draw to the Harpertown Xeons.

Source: Tech Report

Duke Nukem Movie in Initial Planning Stages

I'll admit that I am not a huge movie buff, nor do I care about movies based off of games, but I'm willing to make an exception for this one. According to Kotaku, a Duke Nukem movie is in the works, but we are in the very early stages now, so don't expect it to hit the big screen anytime soon. As it stands, the story is actively being written and no movie studio is currently involved.

One might say that there isn't a movie en route then, and to that, I say tu shay. But, I think it suffices to say that we might very-well be seeing some great video game movie-adaptions on the way, starting with Max Payne, which even I can admit looks entirely cool. The fact is that a Duke movie should be even better. We already know full well that 3D Realms are perfectionists...

As with most game movies though, Duke is going to be a rough one to transfer. He has such a unique style, and his mannerisms just aren't going to work well in a movie with a direct copy/paste. That's what worries me. Duke is unique, but doesn't fit well outside of a game. It almost feels like there is no "right way" to handle it. I'm willing to be proven wrong though, and still can't wait for this one, despite it being years off.

"With the two new games coming out based on Duke Nukem, I'm working at establishing a Duke film scenario that will compel a studio to finance a feature version," said Faye. "Certainly, there's a large audience that knows and loves this character." Faye said he's still actively developing the story and he will not shop the film in Hollywood until all the people involved in the project feel solid about where we are creatively.

Source: Kotaku

Real Networks to Release "Legal" DVD Copier

Who ever thought something like this would happen? It appears that Real, creators of one of the most hated pieces of media player our computers have ever seen, has an upcoming product called Real DVD, which actually rips your movie DVDs to your computers hard drive for playback later. If only we had something like this years ago!

Oh wait... we have. There must be some caveat, right? Something that actually makes Real DVD worth a look? Yes, there is a reason, and it surprisingly, it involves the word "legal". You see, all DVD rippers out there now are not exactly approved by the big movie companies, but Real DVD is, because once it's ripped, the DVD is DRM-protected. It's a work-around to make things legal, but it works.

The downside is that each rip can only be played back through the Real DVD software, which is entirely ridiculous. However, the application is not meant for us. Rather, it's meant for those people who don't know better, or who want to remain "legal". It does seem like a simple tool, so it would be perfect for anyone you know who's not keen on their computer box.

Quality purists should be pleased, as Fox told Ars, that "we don't modify or change the files in any way. We basically make a 'carbon copy' from the disc to disk. We never modify, compress, or change the content." Unfortunately, this also means that each movie Real DVD copies should gobble up around 4GB on a hard drive. Real isn't worried about taking up too much space, however, as Fox explained that "drives are expanding, and gigabytes are getting cheaper than ever."

Source: Ars Technica

Xbox's Red Ring of Death Could Have Been Avoided

If Microsoft were to go out of business right now for whatever reason, they would undoubtedly be remembered for a thousand different things until the end of time. Given that it's human nature to automatically find the worst in everything, Windows Vista and the Xbox 360's Red Ring of Death are probably the two that will be laughed about most often.

While Vista's troubles could have been avoided, probably, it looks like new findings explore the fact that the RRoD could have been completely avoided as well. According to one researcher, Microsoft knew of potential issues before the console's launch in November 2005, but decided to go ahead with production. Stupid move? Not necessarily. Despite all the RMA's, Microsoft is confident this mishap worked out to their favor.

That might be hard to believe, given the fact that prior to the official announcement of the RRoD last summer, Microsoft had taken returns on over 10% of consoles sold up to that point. Ten percent! Regardless of whether or not the red ring did actually work out to their favor is a fact to be debated, but it sure doesn't make the consumer feel that confident. Who knows, the Xbox's follow-up might be shoved out the door just like this one was...

On November 22, 2005 the Xbox 360 launched and the consoles began to fail immediately. In July of 2007, Microsoft publicly admitted there was a problem and took a corresponding financial hit of more than $1 billion to fix it. Prior to that acknowledgement, Takahashi reports that Microsoft had taken returns on 1.2 million of the roughly 11.6 million shipped Xbox 360s.

Source: DailyTech

Tech Roundup - September 9, 2008

• ASUS EPU 6 vs. MSI DrMOS vs. GIGABYTE DES Advanced - TweakTown
• Foxconn A7DA-S 790GX - Overclockers Club
• Foxconn DigitaLife ELA - Elite Bastards
• Gigabyte EP45T-DS3R - Hardware Logic
• Gigabyte EP45T-DS3R - Think Computers

• AMD HD4870 X2 Crossfire - T-Break
• ATI HD Radeon 4850 vs NVIDIA Geforce 9800 GTX - Madshrimps
• MSI Radeon HD 4850 - Motherboards.org
• Palit Radeon HD4870X2 - PC Stats
• Point of View GeForce 9400 GT 1024 MB Wall-E - techPowerUp!

• Intel X25-M SATA Solid State Drive - Legit Reviews

• Altec Lansing Orbit-Mp3 Portable Audio System - Test Freaks
• Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty - Pure Overclock
• OCZ Dominatrix Gaming Mouse - TweakTown
• Razer Lachesis 4000DPI Mouse - Phoronix

• Apevia X-Sniper Case - Overclocker Cafe
• Hiper Osiris Mid-Tower Enclosure - TweakTown
• NZXT Khaos - Bjorn3D
• Raidmax Iceberg Mid-Tower - Pro-Clockers
• Ultra Grid Case - OCModShop

• Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 - Digital Trends