Sunday, August 31, 2014

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 Digital Camera Case Medium to Large Point & Shoot Digital Camera Case, Black / Grey – Replacement by Synergy

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 Digital Camera Case Medium to Large Point & Shoot Digital Camera Case, Black / Grey - Replacement by Synergy




  • Medium to Large Point & Shoot Digital Camera Case, Black / Grey
  • Replacement by Synergy
  • Dimensions: 4.5h X 2.85w X 1.25d Inches
  • Belt Loop
  • Shoulder Strap

SDC-22 Medium to Large Point & Shoot Digital Camera Case, Black / Grey



Urban Shelf – Green Reviews

Urban Shelf - Green




  • Space saving bedside storage system for your essential items. Can also be wall mounted as a fold away shelf.
  • Doubles as an iPad, Kindle, NOOK, tablet stand for tables, counters, laps & airplane trays (Not intended to hold iPad in bedside table mode)
  • Portable & lightweight: Folds flat to only 1/2 thick. No assembly required
  • Convenient cord holders: Ideal for iPhone / Android / Blackberry / tablets / e-readers
  • Contemporary design blends with any d cor while sturdy high grade ABS plastic construction ensures long life - Available in Black, White, Pink, Green, Orange or Blue - Made in USA

URBAN SHELF, a handy storage device designed to hold your essentials on a stable yet easily foldable platform - all smartly held in place w/ a mattress, sofa or futon. Creates the perfect spot for keeping phones, remotes, keys, small H20 bottle, eyeglasses, books & more while in bed. Integrated cord holders ensure gadgets are charged when you wake - eliminates the need to reach on the ground for charger tips. An edge lip keeps items like pocket change/lip balm/mints from falling. The ability to



Saturday, August 30, 2014

Samsung Accounted for a Third of Smartphone Sales Last Quarter, While Apple's Share Fell


Samsung's second-quarter smartphone shipments hit 76 million last quarter - up 56 percent from the prior year, and giving the company a 33 percent share of the global market.



china_smartphones



iStockphoto | aluxum




Apple, meanwhile, shipped 31.2 million iPhones, a 20 percent year-over-year rise, and good for second place worldwide. However, that trailed the overall smartphone industry, and meant that Apple's market share fell to 14 percent - its lowest level since the second quarter of 2010, according to market research firm Strategy Analytics.



"The current iPhone portfolio is under-performing and Apple is at risk of being trapped in a pincer movement between rival 3-inch Android models at the low-end and 5-inch Android models at the high-end," Strategy Analytics' Neil Mawston said in a statement.



Overall, smartphone shipments hit 230 million for the second quarter, up 47 percent from a year earlier, and representing 59 percent of all mobile phones sold.



"The smartphone industry's shipment growth rate, which is higher today than a year ago, is being driven by surging demand for 4G models in developed regions like the US and 3G models in emerging markets such as India," Neil Shah, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, said in a statement.



Korea's LG doubled shipments from a year earlier to 12.1 million units, enough to give it five percent global market share and the No. 3 spot, just ahead of China's ZTE and Huawei, each of which shipped more than 11 million smartphones.


Activision to Buy Back Most of Vivendi's Controlling Stake


Activision Blizzard Inc. said it has reached an agreement to buy back nearly $6 billion worth of Vivendi SA's holding in the company, ending months of negotiations over the fate of the videogame giant.



Santa Monica, Calif.-based Activision said Thursday it will buy 429 million shares for about $13.60 per share, reducing Paris-based conglomerate Vivendi from being majority shareholder. Activision said it would fund the purchase with $1.2 billion in cash on hand from its domestic accounts and approximately $4.6 billion in debt financing from banks including J.P. Morgan and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.



Read the rest of this post on the original site


Friday, August 29, 2014

Apple Takes Home Three Brand of the Year Awards


apple_crown


Here's an achievement certain to be trotted out at Apple's next big media event. Harris Interactive on Thursday declared the company the top U.S. brand across a trio of consumer electronics categories - the only three in which it's rated.



According to Harris Interactive's 2013 EquiTrend survey, which polls some 38,000 U.S. consumers about their brand preferences, Apple dominated not only the tablet segment, but the mobile phone and computer segments, as well.



Quite the hat trick, and one Apple has pulled off for two years running now, beating out some serious competition. In the computer category, Apple bested Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Sony; in the tablet category, it surpassed Amazon, Google and Samsung; and in the mobile phone segment, it beat HTC, Samsung and LG.



Said Harris Interactive senior VP Manny Flores, "... What really stands out is that in all three of the categories Apple brands are measured - Computer, Tablet and Mobile Phone - its Brand Momentum scores are in the top 30 of all 1,500 brands evaluated in the study."



And that's worth noting. Harris Interactive's Brand Momentum category measures - among other things - ubiquity, future outlook, leadership and popularity. In the eyes of U.S. consumers, Apple clearly meets its brand promise.


Yet Another Way to Get a Super-Cheap Web TV Box


now tv


What's that? You say you're intrigued by the notion of a Web TV box, but $35 for a Google Chromecast is too rich for your blood?



Here you go - if you live in the U.K.: Satellite TV service BSkyB has rolled out a Web TV box for 9.99.



That works out to about $15, and what that gets you is essentially a rebranded Roku HD box - BSkyB invested in Roku last year, and once again this spring - tailored to support BSkyB's Now TV streaming subscription service. That also means that the box won't support BSkyB rivals Netflix and Amazon/Lovefilm.



You can see more specs and details here, but the big picture is that this shows yet another approach to distributing Web-to-TV hardware: Rather than have consumers buy the gadgets directly from the manufacturer, a programmer/distributor sells the box and subsidizes the cost.



Expect to see more of this in the future. For starters, note that Roku's other investors include 21st Century Fox, Dish Network and Hearst, which owns both TV stations and stakes in TV networks including ESPN.



Meanwhile, Apple is in talks with Time Warner Cable about an Apple TV tie-up; for now, that deal doesn't call for the cable operator to sell Apple's boxes, but you could certainly imagine a pact where it does.



And remember that Amazon, which tried to buy Roku last year, has its own TV box in the works, which will be optimized for Amazon's own video offerings.




Thursday, August 28, 2014

I love that Randy goes back to hooking for cheeseburgers in Trailer Park Boys.


Image of Randy from Trailer Park Boys





The post I love that Randy goes back to hooking for cheeseburgers in Trailer Park Boys. appeared first on Don't Hate The Geek.


When marketing gets high…


Image of a notebook





The post When marketing gets high... appeared first on Don't Hate The Geek.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

I wonder what his next form will be?


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The post I wonder what his next form will be? appeared first on Don't Hate The Geek.


My two favorite colors are in according to Borgue


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The post My two favorite colors are in according to Borgue appeared first on Don't Hate The Geek.


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Darth Zoidberg my ass…


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The post Darth Zoidberg my ass... appeared first on Don't Hate The Geek.


I’m not a gamer because I don’t have a life…


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The post I'm not a gamer because I don't have a life... appeared first on Don't Hate The Geek.


Monday, August 25, 2014

Google+ Hangouts Can Now Be Initiated From YouTube





Google has quietly rolled out yet another feature of its Google+ social network, letting users click Share from any YouTube video, revealing an icon that suggests watching the video with friends in a Google+ hangout.



Google didn't formally announce this new feature, instead revealing it via product manager Brian Glick on - where else - Google+, where he casually mentioned it like so:



You can now start a Google+ Hangout with a YouTube video, directly from YouTube. Watch with your friends.

:)




Just click on "Share" underneath any video, and then click on "Start a Google+ Hangout" in the bottom right-hand corner.



A few weeks ago, YouTube Live product manager Brandon Badge quietly mentioned the upcoming ability to enable hangouts from YouTube with live streaming video, and this must be the first stage of that initiative.



As we mentioned then, it's been possible to watch videos with friends since the beginning of Google+, through a more complicated manual process that must be initiated in Google+. But this new button allowing you to initiate hangouts from YouTube with a couple of clicks makes it considerably easier.


Firefox 7 Beta uses less memory





We do know that Mozilla has just released Firefox 6, but here we are with Firefox 7 Beta - and this particular version (also, we did cover whispers of Mozilla mulling over whether to do away with version numbers) is said to be the first to implement Memshrink. Just what does Memshrink bring to the table? It will be able to reduce Firefox's memory usage by get this - nearly 50%. Now that is certainly something worth looking into, and if such low memory usage levels can be achieved even in a beta, imagine what the full version will be able to do.



You will be able to download the new Firefox 7 Beta for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms, and as for those who have been running the Firefox beta, they need not worry since their version(s) will be updated automatically. On a slightly different note, Mozilla has also rolled out a beta version of Firefox for Android. It must be noted that Firefox 7 s memory usage will remain constant even if you decide to leave the computer and browser running overnight, where it will free up even more memory whenever you close more tabs.



For those who have made the upgrade, how do you find it? Are there any bouquets or brickbats that you want to share with us?


Article: RSS UberGizmo

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Nokia 700, smallest touch monoblock smartphone ever



The Nokia 700 is yet another smartphone that will run on the latest Symbian Belle operating system, where it also holds the (proud) distinction of being the most compact touch monoblock smartphone that is being sold at the moment. Don't be fooled by its size however - despite being this small, it is still more than capable of punching above its weight, as you will find out when you continue reading below.



Tipping the scales at just 96 grams while measuring a mere 110mm x 50.7mm x 9.7mm, the Nokia 700 does not sacrifice performance for size - in fact, it also has a 1GHz processor to keep up with the times, coupled with GPS navigation ability, an integrated FM radio, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a 5-megapixel full focus camera with an LED flash, 2GB of internal memory and a microSD memory card slot for expansion purposes.



As for the display, you get a 3.2 ClearBlack AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass adorning the top for added toughness, while built-in NFC lets you simply share images via touch - or use the smartphone in conjunction with other NFC-enabled accessories including the Nokia Play 360 amongst others.



Have a heart for the environment? The Nokia 700 won't disappoint you, being Nokia's greenest smartphone to date, being free of pollutants like PVC, RFR and BFR. Not only that, it goes further by relying on materials such as bio-plastics, recycled plastics and recycled metals in its construction. Once you're done, the Nokia 700 is fully recyclable - now how about that? The only problem is, I don't know whether to dump this inside the glass, paper or plastic can.



Expect the Nokia 700 to retail for around 270 Euros as it hits the market in Q3 2011. [Press Release]


Nokia 701 intends to be graphical powerhouse





I never really thought that phones would have evolved to being this smart today - and the color screen on ordinary cellphones at the turn of the century was just a start. The Nokia 701 shows just how far the humble phone has come, where we will look at the specifications in greater detail first.



Running on a 1GHz processor, the Nokia 701 is also accompanied by HSUPA 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, NFC support, GPS navigation and an integrated FM radio. The Symbian Belle operating system (the latest, which succeeds Symbian Anna by the way) will run in tandem with a 1GHz processor.



What makes the Nokia 701 outstanding would be its 3.5 IPS LCD touchscreen display with ClearBlack technology, where your eyes will be greeted by a combination of excellent brightness and contrast. In fact, it is touted to be the brightest smartphone display to date where Nits are concerned, and you need not worry about its toughness as it will boast Corning's Gorilla Glass.



Underneath that would be a new graphics co-processor that churns out better looking visuals than before, as this graphics co-processor has a speedier clock and four times the graphics memory of previous Symbian smartphones.



Capable of shooting 8-megapixel images with its full focus camera with a dual-LED flash at the back, you can also carry out video calls thanks to a front-facing camera. Q3 2011 is when you can pick up the Nokia 701 for around 290 Euros in steel dark, silver light, amethyst violet, and white shades. [Press Release]


Saturday, August 23, 2014

This Is What Happens When You Daisy-Chain 200,000 Hard Drives





120 petabytes, 120 million gigabytes, 24 billion MP3s, 1 trillion files. That's how much IBM's new storage array holds-nearly an order of magnitude more data than the largest current system, making it the biggest hard drive array ever built.



The array is composed of 200,000 traditional hard drives working together. To avoid bottle-necks when reading or writing data, this array employs a proprietary file system known as GPFS to increase the speed at which the computer accesses data. It spreads a file across multiple drives, enabling the computer to read or write multiple parts of the file simultaneously. That also drastically cuts down on the amount of time spent indexing-allowing the system to blow through 10 billion files in just 43 minutes, four times faster than the previous three-hour record. And, to keep from losing data when a drive fails, the system automatically migrates files from the dead drive to its replacement, minimizing downtime and providing a fail-proof backup without affecting performance.



While IBM built this specific array for an unnamed client, the technology could one day allow for detailed weather system simulations, seismic activity monitoring, cloud storage infrastructure and other data-intensive projects.


Verizon Wireless exclusively launching Samsung DROID Prime in October





BGR has exclusively learned from a close source of ours that Verizon Wireless has passed on offering the Samsung GALAXY S II in favor of something even better. We reported last week that Verizon isn't going to sell the GALAXY S II, and we have now been told why. Apparently, "Verizon doesn't think the Samsung GALAXY S II will be competitive with the iPhone 5 when it launches." Instead, not only is Verizon launching the Samsung DROID Prime, a device that is sure to be the new flagship Android phone ahead of the holidays, but the company will have the handset as an exclusive. The DROID Prime is expected to be the first smartphone to launch with Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich," and we have been told the model number is SCH-i515. According to our source, the phone should launch sometime in October. Verizon Wireless did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


Article: Web via BGR

Friday, August 22, 2014

The opportunity of real communication in the future


Today's society has a deficit of real communication between people.Most young people prefer to spend their time and communicate with friends in sociale networks rather then being with them physically.This phenomenon restricts the movement of people in real life and promotes an unhealthy lifestyle.The FindeR Communication System was designed by Oscar Santamaria to decide this problem. This concept uses the current notions of online social networking to bring people together in real life.















Future computer technology
Future gadgets
Invisible USB Stick Concept


3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro – mouse of the future


3Dconnexion has updated its lineup of 3D mice aimed at the professionals working with sophisticated software. Its aim is to provide more natural and intuitive way to interact with digital 3D content. The new arrival is equipped with six-degrees-of-freedom sensor for manipulating 3D objects, 15 programmable keys and an on-screen display. The SpaceMouse Pro comes with a patented 3D knob with six degrees of freedom, that allows to pan, zoom and rotate the on-screen contents, for instance a 3D model, or camera view, by twisting or tilting the controller cap. SpaceMouse Pro has an on-screen display to remind you which features are currently assigned to Intelligent Function Keys.



3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro - mouse of the future2




Programmable buttons located at user's fingertips include five QuickView keys that provide access to 12 view combinations, four customizable Intelligent Function Keys (numbered from one to four), while another four Keyboard Modifiers offer mouse-hand access to Control, Shift, Alt and Esc keys. There's also the Virtual NumPad that pops-up on the screen if you prefer to enter numerical data using mouse instead of keyboard. Supported operating systems include Windows 7, Vista and XP, Mac OS 10.4.6 or later, Sun Solaris 8 (SPARC), Sun Solaris 10 (x86/x64), as well as Linux (Redhat Enterprise Linux WS 4, SuSE 9.3 or later). The SpaceMouse Pro features an ergonomic soft-coated hand rest, weighs in at 665g and measures 8 x 5.6 x 2.3 in. 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro priced at US$299.



3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro - mouse of the future5


3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro - mouse of the future1


3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro - mouse of the future6


3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro - mouse of the future3


3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro - mouse of the future4


3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro - mouse of the future7



Via Tuvie



Future computer technologies
Future of cell phone technology
Technology of the future


Thursday, August 21, 2014

Is iPhone data recovery a good idea?


What would happen if your wife finds out your ex-girlfriend's messages on your iPhone? I don't even like imagining this...



Does this mean iPhone data recovery isn't a good idea?



Like other DRTs (Data Recovery Tools) we also have an iPhone data recovery stick that can recover your deleted iPhone data. Commonly there is a lot of data on iPhone which we delete after usage. From images and videos to messages and contact details, you have your secrets which that get rid off by deleting them. However, these elements can be recovered using tools, one of which is iPhone data recovery stick.








This technology for Smartphone, especially iPhone data recovery can be beneficial if used within ethical boundaries. From a strict legal aspect, the rightful owner of the iPhone can be identified using iPhone data recovery tools. Similarly deleted messages, images, and videos or in short PDC (personal digital content) can be restored to inspect incidents, criminal acts and various evidences. Depending upon the power of the iPhone data recovery tools, one might be able to uncover the past life of spouse, employee, and of course girlfriends.



Introduction of such spying technologies always have an ethical concern. Using iPhone data recovery tools can definitely disturb social relations and put many people out of their comfort zones. Therefore, to ensure user privacy (up to certain extent) Apple would have to play its role more aggressively.



Also, iPhone geeks would be coming up with ideas to make your iPhone data un-recoverable. Furthermore, the software capabilities aren't assumed to be cent accurate. However, the overall idea of iPhone data recovery isn't that much bad either.



No related posts.


iWallet: Apple’s step into Mobile Commerce


The next thing Apple has its eyes on is iWallet. The concept is very simple; an iWallet will be a Smartphone replacing your credit card for online transactions.



The iWallet hypothesis seems valid as we see two major things going in Apple's way. New hiring and patent publications for mobile commerce related device makes it easier to believe in the iWallet phenomenon. Benjamin Vigier would be Apple's product manager for mobile commerce, while NFC (Near Field Communication) technology will be used in iWallet.








The NFC technology makes it possible to wave your card or iWallet in front of the sensor without any physical contact for transaction. Apple's recent patent reveals that the iWallet apps focused on mobile payments for concerts, airline tickets and others. However, Apple hasn't made any official comment on that. Chances are that iWallet wouldn't be any separate entity and it will only be an iPhone 5.



It is hard to say about the feasibility of iWallet yet. However, it is estimated to reduce the merchant transaction cost up to 3%. The critical success factor will be the number of people adopting the new technology. The biggest concern remains of the security which needs to be tested thoroughly



Wire transactions from the same hot spot will definitely attract hackers. Most companies, therefore, use dedicated networks but they are still unable to achieve optimum security results. In case of iPhone 5 or iWallet the whole story depends upon 3G network. If there are no signals, resulting in the denial of service, than this can further be exploited for notorious purposes. Along with all the concerns, it will be worth watching how Apple makes its place in mobile commerce.



No related posts.


Wednesday, August 20, 2014

The adventure begins with Toy Story 3


iphone game apps toy story 3,


If you like the Toy Story series, this new sequel is sure to catch your attention. This iPhone game app follows the same story line as in Toy Story 3 the movie. However, this is the best and the biggest adventure game app of the year with many new features and thrills you can only get by Disney.



The best thing about this iPhone game app is that it's absolutely free. Secondly, there are a lot of new activities and adventures out there which gathers for a thrilling gaming experience. The app also lets you launch the official website from within the game, and you can watch latest updates regarding movie, trailers, show times and many more.

iphone game apps toy story 3,




Getting hold of the Woody means you are up for the ultimate adventure. This iPhone game app brings closer the real movie story line with you being the Woody on the heroic mission in the Woody's Wild Ride to settle the score with evil Dr. Pork-chop. Apart from the main story, the app also offers Woody's greetings. These are personal greeting messages from Woody. All you have to do is to choose from a list of a name and answer a series of questions to describe yourself. You can also make your greeting tones and ringtones based on Toy Story 3 theme.



This iPhone game app also supports toy story pins. You can collect virtual pins by unlocking and earning achievements during the game. The next best thing is Toy Story 3 community, which lets you share your leader board, achievements, pins and many other things. If you are looking for one free iPhone game app Toy Story 3 is the best one for you.



No related posts.


Griffin PowerDock 2 Charging Base for 2 iPod or iPhone Models


The PowerDock 2 is basically a charging dock that lets you and your family members charge their iPhones or even iPods. This amazing dock is a single base unit that includes two built-in Apple Universal Docks. Additionally, this PowerDock 2 comes along a compilation of Universal Dock with inserted adapters that let you ensure to get nearly every iPod a place on a singular table.



Griffin PowerDock 2 Charging Base




This amazing accessory features two charging bays, base plug-ins of standard 120 VAC wall outlets. The accessory is designed with heavy metallic nature surface that shines brightly and brushed with metallic lust. The accessory effectively and efficiently charges any models of the iPod and iPhone.



Technical Specifications:


  • The internal power supply is almost 2 to 2.5 amp
  • The power input ranges from 110-120 VAC or 60Hz
  • The power output range 5 VDC/500 ma for each dock
  • The AC cable length measures a 6.0 ft./1.8 m
  • Dimensionally the accessory measures 8.07 x 3.15 x 7.87 inches (L*W*H) respectively
  • The accessory weighs 0.54 kg

Enclosed in the box are:


  • PowerDock 2 charging base
  • AC power cord
  • Eight universal dock inserts
  • A warranty card with one-year limitation

No related posts.


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Intel Preparing to Launch New Xeon Processors for Potential Mac Pro Upgrade

After nearly three and a half years with only a minor processor bump, Apple late last year launched its redesigned Mac Pro, moving to a compact cylindrical design relying on a slew of Thunderbolt 2 ports for expandability. While the new machine began shipping in the last few days of 2013, extreme shortages of the machine persisted for months and it wasn't until two months ago that shipping estimates reached the "within 24 hours" level and Apple's own retail stores began stocking the Mac Pro for immediate purchase.

mac_pro_creativity



Potential Mac Pro customers may now, however, be starting to look forward to the first update for the redesigned Mac Pro, as Intel appears set to launch new processors appropriate for the Mac Pro next month. As highlighted by Macworld UK, Intel's "Grantley" Xeon E5 v3 chips are nearly ready to ship as successors to the current "Romley" Xeon E5 v2 chips used in the Mac Pro.

Intel announced last month that it had begun shipping at least some versions of the new Xeon E5 v3 chips to server makers, and widespread availability is reportedly set for September. ChipLoco outlined a significant set of E5-2600 v3 series chips, including several that recently became available for pre-order and could be used as an upgrade to the current top-of-the-line 2.7 GHz 12-core E5-2697 v2 chip found in the Mac Pro.

The direct successor to the current chip is the 2.6 GHz 14-core E5-2697 v3 chip, although the new chip does come with a higher thermal rating and it is unclear whether that change would have any impact on Apple's willingness to use the chip in the Mac Pro. Other variants in the new high-end E5-269x v3 series range from 12 to 18 cores.

Below the top end, Apple currently uses E5-1600 v2 series processors, and Intel is reportedly preparing a full set of successor v3 chips for launch next month.

- 4-core: 3.7 GHz E5-1620 v2 moves to 3.5 GHz E5-1620 v3 or 3.7 GHz E5-1630 v3
- 6-core: 3.5 GHz E5-1650 v2 moves to 3.5 GHz E5-1650 v3
- 8-core: 3.0 GHz E5-1680 v2 moves to 3.2 GHz E5-1680 v3

As with the E5-2600 v3 series chips, these E5-1600 v3 series chips come with higher thermal ratings than their predecessors. All of the new chips in both series also support faster DDR4-2133 memory, which will also contribute to improved performance.

On the graphics side, Apple uses customized versions of AMD's FirePro series of high-end graphics cards, although Apple's D300, D500, and D700 options can be roughly equated with AMD's W7000, W8000, and W9000 on the PC side. Over the last several months, AMD has been updating its FirePro cards, culminating with this week's introduction of four new cards, including the W7100 successor to the W7000 card. Alex4D summarizes how the W9100/W8100/W7100 cards introduced in recent months compare to their predecessors and collates a handy comparison chart showing how these new and old cards compare to Apple's D-series cards.
At each level AMD have at least doubled the VRAM, added 40% more stream processors. The W8100 and W9100 have wider memory buses (so more information can be transferred for each command) and many more transistors.

Although Apple can specify any number of stream processors, clock speeds or VRAM, these more recent cards show what AMD considers is the low-, medium- and high-end when it comes to PCs. For Mac owners perspective, they show how much card for a similar amount of money AMD can now make compared with the cards in the Mac Pro and 2012.
As for when updated Mac Pro models might arrive, that remains unclear, but the good news is that the pieces supporting a potential upgrade are starting to fall into place. While Intel's new processors are reportedly scheduled to arrive next month, it is unlikely a Mac Pro upgrade is that close given Apple's usual iPhone focus for that month. But it seems possible an upgrade could be in the works by late this year or early next year depending on how Apple decides to space out its product launches and at what point it views the Mac Pro as in need of a boost.

















Higher-End 4.7 and 5.5-Inch iPhone 6 to Get Sapphire Displays, Higher Price Tags

sapphire.png


Apple has plans to use a sapphire crystal display in the higher-end models of the two versions of the iPhone 6 that it plans to debut this fall, reports The Wall Street Journal. Because of the higher cost of sapphire, Apple may also charge more for the high-end versions of the devices.
Apple is considering using sapphire screens in more-expensive models of the two new, larger iPhones it plans to debut this fall, if it can get enough of the material, people familiar with the matter say. Some analysts expect Apple to charge more for the phones than previous new models, because of increased component costs.
Multiple iPhone 6 rumors have speculated that sapphire could be constrained to either the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 or the higher-end models due to cost and production issues, but The Wall Street Journal is the first mainstream publication to confirm those rumors.

If Apple is only planning to use sapphire in the higher-end models of the 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6, that could explain why a sandpaper test on a leaked iPhone 6 front panel revealed that it was not made of pure sapphire.

Apple is investing a considerable amount of money into partner GT Advanced's sapphire plant, shelling out more than $500 million to outfit the factory with high-output furnaces for sapphire production. Rumors have suggested GT Advanced has the capability to eventually produce enough sapphire to outfit 100 to 200 million iPhones, but other rumors have pointed towards high costs and production problems as limiting factors. Apple is also planning to use sapphire for the upcoming iWatch, according to The Wall Street Journal. The first sapphire displays for the two devices are "expected to roll off production lines this month."

Sapphire is seen as a desirable material due to its extreme durability and scratch resistance, but many smartphone manufacturers have suggested Apple's plan to use the material is just a marketing gimmick due to its prohibitive cost.

While Apple may not be able to produce the entire lineup of iPhone 6 displays in sapphire, rumors have suggested that when the factory is fully functional, it will give the company a way to produce massive quantities of sapphire at a low cost, which means a full sapphire lineup could be more feasible for future devices.