Lenzfire: “Intel postponed its launch of Haswell CPUs” plus 2 more

Intel postponed its launch of Haswell CPUs
Recent rumours on hardware specifications and price of Xbox 720
Sony announces new tablet, Xperia Z

Intel postponed its launch of Haswell CPUs

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 04:05 AM PST

Intel has scheduled the launch of Haswell CPU for June 2013

A few weeks ago, the third largest motherboard manufacturer, ASRock claimed that they will launch their new LGA 1150 socket based motherboard sometimes during the last week of April 2013. Meanwhile, Intel is set to host a conference prior to Computex 2013 in June and announce its upcoming Haswell series processors, jointly with its downstream partners. The same source has also revealed that the new CPUs will appear on June 2 and its related PC products will be showcased at Computex 2013.

Based on earlier reports, the first Haswell Core i5-4×00 and i7-4700 will be powered with 14 desktop quad-core processors, and 7 mobile processors. However, it is expected that the new CPU will have exactly same specifications as Core i5 and i7 processors and so the main advantage of Haswell processor will be its microarchitecture and GPU enhancements. The models will significantly feature faster GT3 inbuit GPU and moderately faster GT 2 inbuilt GPU. In specific, the fourth generation Intel processor will show 10% faster CPU performance.

Recent rumours on hardware specifications and price of Xbox 720

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 04:04 AM PST

VGLeaks have reported that the new console will use usual PC x86 instruction sets and eight cores with 1.6 GHz clock frequency. It will have 2 modules each with four CPU cores that will rely on 2 MB L2 cache. In addition, each module will have 32-KB L1 instruction and an equally large L1 data cache. For graphical calculation, GPU will have 12 SIMD units and DirectX 11.1 support with only 640 ALUs. Instead, there will be a “custom-design” with twelve SIMD blocks, which arranges itself between Cape Verde and Pitcairn and hence the theoretical performance and memory bandwidth will be below the Radeon HD 7770 Edition.

In addition, the console will include 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, which is to have a data transfer rate of 68 GB / s. In addition, there will be 32 MB eSRAM memory with a much higher data throughput of 102 GB / s. This will put the GPU support for all, much like eDRAM available for Xbox 360. In addition, the console will find codecs for video and audio playback, Echo Cancellation (MEC) for Kinect and previously unspecified Data Move Engines.

Speculated release date of Xbox 720

Microsoft is counting days to unveil its next generation console termed as Xbox 720 for now. Today, more new rumours are circulated regarding the exact hardware specifications of new Xbox. It is speculated that the console will soon be released in market and most probably it is expected to strike the market during November of this year. However, Colin Sebastian at CES 2013 has mentioned that PS4 will be launched in October, which is one month ahead of Xbox 720. Baird also believes Sony and Microsoft to announce and demonstrated their new consoles at the E3 show. He also pegged the Xbox 720 launch for November.

Xbox 720 will be called as Xbox Loop

Sean Tracy, the technical designer of Crytek have spotted that Xbox will certainly be codenamed as Durango. On the other hand, MS Nerd has claimed that the console will be called as Xbox Loop or Xbox Infinity. For now, more rumours suggest that Xbox 720 is one step logically forward out of all above names.

Improved Graphics in Xbox 720

Some reports claimed that Xbox 720 will certainly use AMD graphics hardware. Multiple sources have also claimed that the console will use two GPUs in tandem and it will not be connected in usual CrossFire configuration. However, it is notable that in past, complex architecture failed in most cases and only simple architecture made developers to get to grips with quickly. Also in order to achieve greater power efficiency during media playback, the console is said to use dual graphics chips. And new console must be capable of playing 1080p at 60fps and handle the processing overheads required for 3D as well. Sebastien has also specified that Xbox 720 will use x86 hardware and will be built from off the shelf high-end PC components to increase output and reduce cost.

Xbox 720 to include Blu-ray and DVR features

In recent days, Blue Ray is widely used as it has the capacity to deal with next-generation games. So it is certain that Xbox 720 will include Blue Ray drive instead of DVD drive. However, we should remember that it is only for games and will not be able to play Blu-ray films. Some source has also claimed that drive is just for storage and not for films. In terms of hard disk, the console is expected to use reasonably sized SSD, which will be quieter and faster. But SSD will be highly enough for installing games and not for storing large amounts of media files. Some documents indicate that Xbox 720 will pack 1080p 3D support, Blu-ray player and DVR functionality. It indicates that Microsoft is trying to position the new console as single does-it-all set-top box.

Pricing of Xbox 720

Rumours have pointed that Xbox 720 will use IllumiRoom technology to extend the gaming experience beyond the TV. In terms of controller, Microsoft is expected to use the same controller present in Xbox 360. It is anticipated that the console will be shipped for the price of $400. But so far we have not received any official information about the pricing of Xbox 720.

Sony announces new tablet, Xperia Z

Posted: 23 Jan 2013 04:03 AM PST

Sony announces new tablet, Xperia tablet Z

Sony has recently unveiled its two Smartphones, Xperia Z and Xperia ZL at CES 2012. Now, the company has revealed its new tablet called Xperia Z, which shares similar technical characteristics of Xperia Z Smartphone.

The new tablet is considered as world’s lightest and thinnest tablet with 10.1 inch screen along with Full HD resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels. Also the tablet will be powered by Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 technology.

Interesting fact is that Xperia Z tablet is thinner than Apple iPad Mini. The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is made with the similar materials used in Xperia Z smartphone, which is a glass fibre polyamide construction for the frame, sandwiched between two sheets of toughened glass. Other essential feature is the shockproof, waterproof and dust resistant body which makes this tablet largely resistant to damage.

Highlights of Sony Xperia Z tablet

It is powered with quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor of 1.5 GHz clock frequency
It is integrated with Adreno 320 GPU for excellent graphic performance
It has rear camera of 13 MP and front camera of 2 MP. The camera is incorporated with first new sensor to capture video with HDR `and Exmor R sensor that can take crisp and clear pictures even under low light condition.
In terms of memory, it has 2 GB RAM and 32GB of internal memory
It supports connections like LTE networks, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC.
It is integrated with battery of 6000 mAh capacity
It has thickness of 6.9mm and weigh of 495 grams
It is available in white and black colour.
It is included with proprietary S-Force virtual surround sound technology in the tablet for enhanced audio quality.

Sony Xperia Z tablet will overrule the tablet market soon

So far Sony has not mentioned about the price of Sony Xperia Z tablet. The tablet is complete with an array of impressive specifications as it runs with modified version of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean operating system. If pricing turns out to be competitive, then this will be best chance for Sony to take a significant share in the tablet market.

Mobile Updates

24 January 2013