Philips Airfryer Now Available in 100 Countries

Launched just over three years ago, Philips recently announced that the Philips Airfryer, an innovative kitchen appliance that enables consumers to prepare a variety of meals in a healthier way, is now available in more than 100 countries. With almost fifty percent share of the global market for ‘light’ fryers, Euromonitor has confirmed that Philips is the world’s No.1 low fat fryer brand.

First launched in France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands at the end of 2010, and most recently in North America and Japan, the Philips Airfryer is now a truly global proposition.

“The Philips Airfryer is a great example of how we are driving profitable growth, by taking global innovations and bringing them to market in a way that is highly relevant for local consumers,” said Philips Consumer Lifestyle CEO Netherlands, Pieter Nota. “Eating healthier is an important lifestyle trend that transcends markets and with our Airfryer, we are empowering millions of consumers to make healthier choices every day.”

Global innovation with local relevance

Philips is driving growth in kitchen appliances, by approaching global propositions from the perspective of the local consumer. Through in-depth consumer interaction, we identified many local dishes that can be prepared with the Philips Airfryer in a more healthy way. For example, a relevant dish in the Netherlands and the UK is French fries, in Japan, fried shrimp, in North America, chicken wings, in India, samosa, in the Philippines, crispy pata. In each market, the Philips Airfryer includes a collection of recipes specific to local tastes.

Innovative Rapid Air Technology

Conventional deep fat fryers use large amounts of oil to cook food. Depending on the dish, the Philips Airfryer requires no, or very little oil, instead, it uses patented Rapid Air technology, a combination of high-speed air circulation and a top grill. With this unique technology the hot air circulates around the ingredients at very high speed - cooking from all sides at once. Air-fried lechon kawali for instance, contain up to 80% less fat compared to cooking in a deep fat fryer, without compromising on taste.

Digital Touchscreen Interface

Any kitchen space would have a sleek modern feel with the Philips Digital AirFryer's digital touchscreen that can be used to customize settings and cook food perfectly the way you like them. Its timer allows an up to 60 minute preset with a ready sound indicator and auto off function to avoid burning or overcooking any dish. These features allow french fries, fried chicken, and any snack to be prepared at the right time and temperature for the best food experience, minus the guilt from fried food!

Should You or Shouldn't You Use Bitcoin?

With the growing popularity of Bitcoin in the Philippines, experts from leading secure content and threat management solutions developer Kaspersky Lab urged Filipinos to learn its benefits and risks before using the online currency.

Bitcoin is a digital crypto-currency or a virtual currency in the form of a cryptographic string of characters instead of a printed bill or a minted coin.

Bitcoin transactions are fast, taking around only 10 minutes to verify a transaction. It’s also cheap as it liberates users from the need to maintain or pay for processing fees to a credit card company.

It can be transferred to another person from halfway around the world in minutes and can be converted to traditional currencies on various exchanges at any given time.

Additionally, many online merchants has started accepting Bitcoin as a means to pay for goods validating the real world value of the currency. Recently, NBA’s Sacramento Kings announced it will accept Bitcoin for purchasing tickets and other commodities.

You can actually buy things with Bitcoin that you can't buy with traditional currency.

Even though Bitcoin as a currency is not completely anonymous, it does provide a certain degree of privacy that you wouldn't get from commonly available options.

If we add the benefits of decentralization, privacy and ubiquity, we can begin to understand the temptation to invest our time and money in. As Bitcoin is not controlled by a central authority, there are no international transaction fees.

In November 2013, the value of Bitcoin has shot up to a staggering USD1,000 per unit.

In the country, there’s a growing community of Bitcoin enthusiasts called Bitcoin PH. There is also BuyBitcoin.ph, an online exchange platform based locally, which means Filipinos now have an easier access to the digital currency.

Further into its development, the first Bitcoin ATM nicknamed Robocoin, which has already been seen in Canada is about to set foot in Asia.


Risks

While it is a tempting option for users, Bitcoin remains peer-to-peer meaning it is controlled only by the people who use it.

There is no central authority controlling it, there are no rules as far as currency regulation goes making the crypto-currency market highly volatile. As of this writing, 1 Bitcoin is quoted on

Coinbase.com at US

D

600.

Some governments are rather nervous, too, and there is a heated debate about whether it should be regulated or not. Central banks from different countries have already issued public warnings about the risks in Bitcoin including money laundering.

In the Philippines, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has yet to create regulations and measures to protect Bitcoin users. While it’s something that should be expected, we have yet to see when the government or the BSP will intervene.

The transactions made with this currency are irreversible, too. Once you use Bitcoin, there is no turning back --- it can never be undone or taken back. Without the “undo” or “back” button, Bitcoin users need to be more careful in using it for online transactions.

This is one fatal flaw of the system that may nurture fraudulent transactions. So far, there are already over 30 instances of stolen or illegal transfers of Bitcoin.

The Bitcoin executives themselves led by Bitcoin Foundation vice chairman and BitInstant CEO Charlie Shrem were recently charged with money laundering that is associated with the sale of illegal drugs using Bitcoins.

The most alarming part is how cybercriminals have the capacity to work their way around Bitcoin wallets. BitFloor, then the largest U.S.-based Bitcoin exchange, suspended operations last year after attackers broke into a server and stole

USD

250,000 worth of the virtual currency.

Another breach last year targeting another exchange, Bitcoinica, a UK-based online trading site, resulted in the loss of $87,000 worth of Bitcoin. A DDoS attack targeting the Mt. Gox, a Bitcoin exchange based in Japan, and the Bitcoin storage service instawallet knocked both services offline.

Following this trend, Kaspersky Lab experts expect this year even more growth in the number of attacks targeting virtual wallets.

"While Bitcoin can be a change-maker in money remittance and trading in the Asia Pacific region, people should be more wary about the risks associated with it. There are still countries in this region where no regulations exist to bind its users, and the fact that reversals cannot be done for Bitcoin transactions must make people more concerned about using the crypto-currency," said Bryan Sat, Kaspersky Lab Business Development Manager for the Philippines.

“Threats are not going away, it continuously evolves and hackers embrace every opportunity there is. With Bitcoin, hackers may find it easier to get into any user’s online wallet and take their Bitcoin investments rather quickly,” Sat added.


So how do you keep your Bitcoins safe?

Below are some tips from Kaspersky Lab:

• Don’t keep them all in online banks or stock exchange services. These are newer institutions run by anonymous entities, so you have no guarantee that your money will be securely held or if you can have your money back if they are robbed.

• Even if you consider a place that has a supposedly sterling reputation, again, there are more ways to breach a digital bank than a physical bank vault. Storing small amounts for current operations is OK though.

• Keep this offline wallet in a separate hard drive or a computer that isn’t connected to the Internet, only transferring Bitcoins to your Internet-connected device when you need to complete an online transaction.

• Bitcoin users can certainly keep their money offline using free and widely available tools like Electrum or Armory that let you store your Bitcoins in heavily encrypted cases on your own hard drive.

• Use a strong password with these or an open-source password-generating software.

• Remember to back up your wallet so you don't end up throwing out all your life savings to the nearest landfill site.

Lastly, know where you keep them. James Howells, an IT worker from South Wales, once discarded an old hard drive containing his wallet which had around 7,500 Bitcoins inside or the equivalent of today’s USD6,235,000 (over PHP287

million

).

LINE Continues its Surge in Users, Cites its Secure Platform

LINE, the world’s leading mobile platform with 350 users worldwide, has seen a record-breaking inflow of daily new users, as many as 10 times in some regions, since the weekend of February 23, 2014. The recent surge is attributed to LINE’s unparalleled communication services that are the most safe and reliable, in the midst of recent system trouble experienced by other service providers.

“We are pleased to provide our many users in the Philippines with a complete, exciting, and secure mobile messaging experience,” remarked Mr. Greg Kim, Head of the Philippines at LINE Business Development Division, LINE Plus Corporation.

Many users have already chosen LINE as the ideal solution that offers an advanced system support and wide range of features that offer free messaging, voice and video calling, as well as interactive elements such as Stickers, Timeline and Official Accounts, under the ongoing industrial changes in the mobile messaging market.  

To ensure user privacy protection and stable service support, LINE does not store or track any user information. All user information submitted when creating a new account, as well as messages exchanged between users, are encrypted. Moreover, LINE adheres to its company policy of not providing any user information to an external party.

LINE is also the first mobile messenger in the world to receive all three international certifications in internal control management (SOC2, SOC3 and SysTrust), which proves its leading security standards.

LINE will continue to safely protect all user information from third party access and will continue to offer the most dynamic services that can be trusted anywhere around the world.

Epson Joins the Mopria Alliance

Epson announced it has joined the Mopria™ Alliance, a global non-profit membership organization working to promote the expansion of mobile printing. The Alliance was formed to bring together the mobile, software, and print industries with the goal of aligning standards that ensure printing is universally compatible from any mobile device to any printer, anywhere.

"The Mopria Alliance is dedicated to advancing mobile printing to allow busy people on-the-go to conveniently print wherever or whenever, regardless of brand or operating system," said Ian Cameron, responsible for global communications at Epson. "Epson is committed to making printing as easy as possible for its customers, and is honored to collaborate with like-minded organizations to improve how we meet and anticipate customer needs in today's increasing mobile culture."

With an estimated 50 billion connected devices by 2020, the Mopria Alliance is focused on making wireless printing from smartphones, tablets, and other devices simple and standardized. Primary focus areas for the Alliance include:

• Breaking down barriers between brands by eliminating the need for users to download multiple print solutions (print drivers)
• Creating a better, easier and more accessible user experience for mobile printing
• Using Mopria as a way to educate consumers and businesses on the ease-of-use of mobile printing
• Influencing the development and adoption of standards for mobile printing
• Providing an open environment and tools for application developers to incorporate print into mobile applications

In addition, the just announced Mopria plug-in for KitKat complements the core print feature in Android OS 4.4 enabling printing from Android-based mobile devices to many brands of printers. Epson will be working to offer support for the Mopria plug-in and other Mopria standards.

For more information about the Mopria Alliance visit www.mopria.org.

Epson’s Moverio To Be Used To Test Opera Subtitle Delivery System

Seiko Epson Corporation (SEC) is partnering with the Japanese New National Theatre Foundation (NNTF), Information Services International - Dentsu, Ltd., and Zimaku+ Inc. to test an opera subtitle delivery system. The system will be tested from February 28 to March 2 during performances by the New National Theatre Opera Studio in Japan. Selected guests will be able to follow the performances with subtitles projected onto the see-through lenses of Epson's new Moverio BT-200 smartglasses.

Operas are commonly sung in Italian or German, so opera houses often install large LED displays in front of the stage wings to provide subtitles during performances. The problem with these systems, however, is that operagoers have a hard time immersing themselves in the performance because they are constantly taking their eyes off the stage to read the subtitles.

Epson and its partners have created and will test the practical potential of a more convenient subtitle system that they hope solves this problem. The new system takes advantage of the ability of the Epson Moverio BT-200, which can be worn like an ordinary pair of glasses, to display subtitles seemingly in the air while guests watch the action on the stage. Moverio BT-200 smartglasses will be loaned to selected guests who want a more natural opera viewing experience with line-of-sight subtitles.

The roles of the four parties in the demonstration are as follows:

Epson

Epson will provide Moverio BT-200 smartglasses.

New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT)

The NNTT Opera Studio will present a production of Ariadne auf Naxos for three days, from February 28 to March 2.

Information Services International - Dentsu (ISID)

ISID will provide "potaVee," an area-limited, Wi-Fi multicasting platform that delivers subtitles that are synchronized with the opera. ISID also created a subtitle app for the Moverio BT-200.

Zimaku+

Zimaku+ will produce the subtitles for the opera, provide and run the server used to deliver the subtitles, and manage the test during the sessions.

Epson believes that the Moverio's binocular, transparent display and hands-free navigation give it the potential to transform the way people experience and interact with the world around them. The Moverio technology platform can serve as a foundation for the development of new visual tools in a wide variety of consumer and commercial fields.

Epson Moverio BT-200 Smart Glasses

Sporting a sleek, light design, the Epson Moverio BT-200 smartglasses offer users the ability to enjoy crystal clear video entertainment, games, music, and web content anytime and anywhere. With transparent lenses and motion tracking sensors that make navigation hands-free, the Moverio projects see-through overlays of digital content onto the real world so that users can enjoy a compelling augmented reality experience while still being able to see their surroundings. The ways in which smart-glasses can be used and enjoyed is rapidly expanding with the development of an increasingly diverse range of applications.

Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme-for True Storage Speed Super High Speed Professional SSD

Plextor, a leading developer of high performance storage, this week Plextor look at the technology behind M5 Xtreme and put it to the test against competitors to show that the performance goes beyond the speed shown in the specs. If its speed one wants in an SSD, The Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme (call the M5 Pro) is the ideal choice. This High performance SSD has become faster and faster with each iteration since it first appeared.
 
Fast Flash
The Speed of an SSD is affected by the efficiency of the built in NAND Flash. The M5 features on Toggle –mode NANA made by Toshiba. This double data rate Toggle Mode NAND is faster than conventional asynchronous NAND, but still offers lower power consumption than competing synchronous DDR NAND designs. Selecting the best components, like Toshiba’s fast flash is one of the secret to the M5 Pro’s performance.
 
Powerful Controller and Optimized Firmware
Plextor use the 88SS9187 controller from the Marvell Technology Group - to draw out the full potential of the Toggle-mode NAND. This chip, combined with Plextor's in-house developed, highly -tuned tuned firmware, produces an SSD that is not only fast but that also maintains its high efficiency for a long time to give you what we termed "True Speed." It also includes a data protection function, which we call “True Protect”.
Spec calculation methods vary widely depending on the manufacturer. In some cases, the manufacturer only uses the values for the maximum instantaneous speed. To find out an SSD’s true efficiency, however, average values must be taken after all aspects of the drive have been tested.
 
Don't choose an SSD based on specs alone!
Specs are a handy reference when choosing an SSD. However every manufacturer has its own way of measuring and declaring them. All SSDs these days are high-speed. It's not surprising that consumers find it hard to choose between them. However there is danger in blindly trusting in spec values.

Main specs of the M5 Pro Extreme series

Model number	PX-128M5P	PX-256M5P	PX-512M5P
Capacity	128GB	256GB	512GB
Cache capacity	256MB DDR3	512MB DDR3	768MB DDR3
Drive size	2.5 inches
Interface	Serial ATA 6Gbps
Controller chip	88SS9187 (Marvell Technology Group)
Sequential speed	Read	540MB/sec	540MB/sec	540MB/sec
Write	330MB/sec	460MB/sec	470MB/sec
Random 4K speed	Read	92,000 IOPS	100,000 IOPS	100,000 IOPS
Write	82,000 IOPS	86,000 IOPS	88,000 IOPS
Warranty	5 years

The Graph on the below shows the results we obtained when we used HD Tune Pro 5.50, storage utility software from EFD Software, to test the speed of the drive when used to save all kinds of Data. The M5 Pro's results are on the furthest left. The other two results belong to comparatively newer rival products.
 
There are 3 models in the Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme lineup.
The most popular is the 256GB model, which can also be used as a main drive.
The M5 Pro isn’t just fast, its speed remains stable at an average of 300MB per second (MB/s). It fills all the capacity with data written at a high speed. Product, A is a typical example of a maximum speed-oriented model. Its read speed started out at almost 400MB/s but then dropped rapidly to 260MB/s, where it stayed. Product B,  was unstable. While its maximum speed was over 370MB/s, its lowest speed was under 190MB/s. This averages out to an unstable 250MB/s.

In all areas, products A and B may appear fast. When you actually use them, however, you may discover that they are not as fast as the specs may lead you to believe. The M5 Pro is your best choice if you want true high-speed storage that delivers satisfaction

The Strike of KINGMAX OTG Products - Intercepting Mobile Mnemonics

The use of portable devices has become popular, and the use of traditional standard USB flash drives is no longer enough; especially when mobile phones and tablets have also become platforms for processing documents and files, the countless numbers of cables and accessories have started to confuse users. This is why in the current day and age where people focus on the efficiency of data transmission, traditional flash drives can no longer satisfy consumers!

The thin bodies of portable devices are usually equipped with a Micro USB slot; therefore the need for a Micro USB flash drive market is becoming more and more important. In times where every second counts, the plug & play access function makes it more user-friendly.

One of the leading memory brands, KINGMAX, has recently released two flash drive products in succession, PJ-01 and PJ-02, that both support the On-The-Go function. These products demonstrate KINGMAX’s continual focus on the needs of mobile phone and tablet users and are recommended as high quality products. File sharing no longer requires carrying lots of cables and connectors; KINGMAX hopes to use one product to satisfy the consumers’ needs!
 
Mix and Match Fashion Dazzle Transmission – PJ-01

PJ-01 is a flash drive dedicated to portable devices. Portable devices with thin casings are usually equipped with a Micro USB port, therefore PJ-01 uses Micro USB as its main transmission interface. With its ultralight-weight aluminum design and full transparency, the stunning appearance of PJ-01 makes mobile phones and tablets even more charming. PJ-01 comes in 8/16/32GB storage capacities, and the files can be accessed and modified by mobile phones and tablets directly; it is an extremely friendly product for the mobile population!






Dual Interface Plug & Play, Exchage data so easy – PJ-02  

PJ-02 has two transmission interfaces: standard USB and Micro USB; it can be used on desktops, notebooks, tablets, mobile phones and other devices. The high compatibility allows users to safely use PJ-02 on various hosts without having to worry about it being unable to be accessed; it is convenient to share files so that both business and private documents can be displayed on the device. The compact exterior of PJ-02 includes a keyhole design so that consumers can easily travel with it! Its support of the On-The-Go function increases its work efficiency, making it an indispensable product for workers and students who focus on efficiency!

For more information: http://www.kingmax.com/en-global/product/product/index/flash_drive/On-The-Go 

Lenovo’s Miix, 2 Combines Fun and Flair with its Detachable Design

Lenovo launched its newest multi-mode convertible, the Miix 2, at Romulos Cafe Makati City , which gives users the flexibility and freedom to use the device as a laptop, tablet, and stand. The Miix 2 is the latest in a slew of Lenovo devices that adapt to users’ preferred mode allowing them the ease of content creation, watching movies, and interacting with digital content.


“The award winning Miix 2 crystallizes Lenovo’s commitment to improve its product line-up and address consumer needs. With the Miix 2, users no longer have to decide between a laptop or a tablet in their purchase decision as its detachable design allows them to experience the best of both worlds. It also comes with the stand mode for convenient and easy digital interaction,” said Michael Ngan, Country General Manager, Lenovo Philippines.

Expanding Multimode Design with Miix 2 Detachables
Miix 2 gives users the freedom to carry the touchscreen tablet without the base when they are on the go. They can then connect the tablet back to the base for a full Windows 8.1 laptop experience when needed. Users can simply turn the tablet 180° and insert it into the keyboard base to engage Miix 2’s third mode, Stand Mode, to watch movies or view photos.
 
Ultraportable Miix 2 8”
Perfectly sized for mobility, the 8-inch (in) Miix 2 features extreme portability with industry-leading thinness at just 0.31-in and weighing just 0.77lbs. It runs on the new 64-bit enabled quad-core Intel® Atom™ processor and Windows 8.1. It’s an ideal blend of portability and entertainment features with its 8-in HD screen with multitouch and IPS, WiFi and optional 3G,JBL surround speakers for rich, immersive audio. Storage is up to 64 GB of eMMC with a micro SD slot for adding up to 32 GB of music, movies, photos and other data. Users can capture mobile memories with its 720p high resolution 2 MP front and 5 MP rear cameras. And thanks to its all day battery life, users can work and play longer on one charge.
 
Performance-Focused Miix 2 11”
The 11-in model focuses on delivering a higher level of performance with its up to 4^th generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor, greater storage up to 256GB of fast solid state drive storage and a FHD 1920x1200 IPS wide-view display. Both models of the Silver Grey Miix 2 make connecting, storing and moving content easy with their mini HDMI port to display content on larger screens, an SD card reader, micro USB port and micro SD cards along with USB 2.0 support on the keyboard.
The Lenovo Miix 2 8” will be available in the Philippines by end February, with pricing that starts at Php21,999. The Lenovo Miix 2 11” will be available in April 2014, with pricing that starts at Php47,990.
 
For the latest Lenovo news and product updates, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo on Twitter and Facebook.
 
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$34 billion personal technology company – the largest PC maker in the world and an emerging PC Plus leader – serving customers in more than 160 countries. Dedicated to exceptionally engineered PCs and mobile internet devices, Lenovo’s business is built on product innovation, a highly-efficient global supply chain and strong strategic execution. 

Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the Company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Its product lines include legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Lenovo, a global Fortune 500 company, has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com. 

ViewSonic Debuts Two Ultra Short Throw Projector Aimed at Education Market

ViewSonic, a leading global provider of visual solution products, introduces two ultra short throw projectors aimed on educational market with an impressive assortment of features including dual pen interactivity, the WXGA PJD8653ws and XGA PJD8353s. This new ultra short throw series are packed with 3000 lumens brightness, and 15,000:1 contrast ratio to deliver sharp images. With an ultra short throw lens, the projectors are allowed to be mounted right above a whiteboard or screen without creating hot spots, shadows or casting bright light in front of the presenter, making it perfect for smaller or difficult projection spaces like classrooms.

"Technology in education has played a significant role in educating and connecting the students to the existing and future learning opportunities,” said Vincent Hung, product manager for ViewSonic. "Foreseeing the trend of interactive teaching environment in diverse of education environments, ViewSonic is dedicated to providing solutions for the Educational Projector Market. We believe the demand for ultra short throw projection and interactive learning will keep growing stably and will keep putting efforts to provide solutions for education segment. "

With the optional interactive package (PJ-PEN-003), the PJD8653ws and PJD8353s become interactive projectors that transform any surface into an interactive whiteboard. Along with the ViewDraw 2 software, the dual interactive pens allow 2 users to simultaneously annotate, write, or draw, on the projected image. Utilizing reflective mirror technology, the PJD8653ws and PJD8353s can be mounted above an interactive white board or wall for the projection of an image up to 110”. Equipped with a Crestron® LAN controller, the projectors make it easy for IT administrators to remotely control and manage multiple projectors from their workstations, while AMX® Device Discovery™ certification allows for easy integration.

Equipped with the latest HDMI, ViewSonic's PJD8653ws and PJD8353s can display 3D images directly from 3D Blu-ray® players and deliver the highest picture and sound quality without degradation — perfect for connecting to any HDMI-enabled devices such as PCs, laptops, tablets, and media players. ViewSonic’s continued dedication into developing new technology helps teachers to lead effective lectures and discussion. The projectors promote teacher-student interaction and class participation and become an important element in interactive education.

KINGMAX 2.5” SATA III SSD Introduction

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a data storage device using integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently. SSD technology uses electronic interfaces compatible with traditional block input/output (I/O) hard disk drives, thus permitting simple replacement in common applications.

Also, new I/O interfaces like SATA Express are created to keep up with speed advancements in SSD technology. Most SSDs use NAND-based flash memory, which retains data without power. For applications requiring fast access, but not necessarily data persistence after power loss, SSDs may be constructed from random-access memory (RAM). Such devices may employ separate power sources, such as batteries, to maintain data after power loss.

For different users, there are different needs. For example, an user who used hard disk drives(HDD) all the time, so he does not know why should he update his HDD with more cost. In this case, an entry type SSD is a good choice! And for game players’ need, the professional type SSD do excellent performance with higher speed. And KINGMAX promise the file maintenance. KINGMAX knows that any file corrupted may eat game players’ heart out.

World's best-known memory brand, KINGMAX, provides different series of SSD to meet users’ need. While you know what level of SSDs you need, you can just take the SSD away. And it will satisfy you!
 

Entry Type - SSD SME Xvalue

․Capacity: 60GB/120GB/240GB
․Interface: SATA III 6GB/s
․Size: 100.0mmx69.85mmx7.0mm
․Weight: 71g
․Sequential read and write:
60GB Read: up to 450MB/s Write: up to 75MB/s
120GB Read: up to 540MB/s Write: up to 150MB/s
240GB Read: up to 540MB/s Write: up to 300MB/s
 

Advanced Type - SSD SMP32/SMP35 Client

․Capacity: 60GB/120GB/240GB/ 480GB
․Interface: SATA III 6GB/s
․Size: 100.5mmx69.85mmx7.0mm
․Weight: 73g
․Sequential read and write:
Read: up to 550MB/s Write: up to 500MB/s (60GB)
Read: up to 550MB/s Write: up to 520MB/s (120/240/480GB)
․Random Write Speed:
Up to 75,000 IOPS (60/120/240GB)
Up to 75,000 IOPS (480GB)
 

Professional Type - SSD SMU32/SMU35 Client pro

․Capacity: 60GB/120GB/240/480GB
․Interface: SATA III 6GB/s
․Size: 100.0mmx69.85mmx7.0mm
․Weight: 73g
․Sequential read and write:
Read: up to 550MB/s Write: up to 520MB/s (60/120/240/480GB)
․Random Write Speed:
Up to 85,000 IOPS (60/120/240GB)
Up to 50,000 IOPS (480GB)
 
**For more information:
http://www.kingmax.com/en-global/product/product/index/solid_state_drive/SATAIII_SSD

2013 The Year That Plextor Took The World By Storm

 

Last year ended just like the previous year, with major awards for Plextor’s SSD products. This time the Plextor M5 Pro took the prestigious Hardware.Info UK Award 2013 for best SSD. Plextor beat off Samsung in this hard to win award which is based on reader votes. Winning not only shows the excellent reputation of the M5 Pro, but also the growth in Plextor brand awareness.

Throughout the world our SSDs are continuing to gain awards as reviewers praise their stability, performance, and value for money. Let’s have a look at some of the feedback from recent reviews for the high-performance M5 Pro Xtreme, compact M5M mSATA, and entry-level M5S SSDs.
 
A True Powerhouse – M5 Pro Xtreme
The M5 Pro Xtreme continues its incredible run of awards, collecting no less than 13 in the last three months of the year, bringing the grand total for the SSD (that we’ve noticed) to 86. From Israel to Portugal, the UK to Poland, the M5 Pro’s constantly updated firmware kept it winning awards as 2013 finished. Among the review comments was “Outstanding price/performance combination” – Test Praktiker Germany, “Results of the different benchmarks show that the Plextor claimed specifications are true, SSD IOPS is also incredibly high” – Hardware-Test Denmark, “Excellent all round performance” – Skratchwiz PC UK.


Small and Powerful – M5M
Moving onto the SSD that takes the features and benefits of Plextor’s desktop SSDs and crams them into an ultra-compact form factor - the M5M. In the last quarter the M5M has seen awards in Hardware-Mag Germany, Twaekers BeNeLux, been given an Extreme Performance award by Overclockear Spain, and won HW Legend’s, Italy’s Gold award. HW legend put the M5M through some tough testing and found “High performance in every area” combined with “Good operational stability” they were also impressed with the “Great official support by the manufacturer”. Overclockear Spain went as far as saying that there was nothing that could be improved on.

In Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia the M5S added to its list of awards. This good value-for-money SSD retains Plextor’s high build quality and offers superb read performance. FranzPC Poland selected the M5S over the OCZ and Samsung for reliability. Norwegian site IT Pro described it as “A product we would warmly recommend.”
 
Conclusion
We’ve only talked in detail about a few awards from the last few months of 2013, but as you can see from the map above over the past year Plextor has landed awards from all around the world. With so many awards in 2013 Plextor is going from strength to strength.

To review all the awards Plextor swept in 2013 please visit http://www.goplextor.com/asia/index.php/awards

Apacer Rolls Out AH173 Dual-interfaces Mobile Flash Drive

Mobilization is the keyword for the 21st Century kind of business dealings be it on SME’s or even on Big Enterprise where all transactions and contracts can be done outside the office premises. Apacer does brings us this secret weapon for simply dealing absolutely all things with regards to corporate papers and its legalities.
 
Showing their professionalism with no additional effort!

The popularity of smartphones and tablets, staunch mainstays of business professionals, has repeatedly hit record highs. To boost convenience and free-style portability in the business world, Apacer rolls out AH173 OTG (On-The-Go) mobile flash drive, featuring dual interfaces, ultra-large capacity, ultra-svelte thinness, and metallic chic. Once connected to a OTG-supported device, AH173 mobile flash drive doubles your Android smartphone and tablet capacity with maximum 32GB. It allows you to carry video, audio and large presentation files more easily. The ultra-thin zinc alloy body of the AH173 mobile flash drive exudes the sharp professional image of business people. With built-in USB/MicroUSB interfaces, files can be transferred between mobile devices and PCs at exceedingly high speeds!

MicroUSB/USB dual-interfaces enable fast file transfer
The AH173 mobile flash drive implements innovative built-in MicroUSB and USB dual-interfaces. The front-end MicroUSB allows the connection with smartphones and tablets with OTG functionality to expand storage space. To connect with various PC devices, the flash drive also has the standard USB plug on the back. Dual interfaces in unison fully meet business mobile storage demands. Compared to Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, or other wireless file transfer modes, Apacer AH173 OTG mobile flash drive with the Micro USB plug delivers a faster and more stable transmission with no limitation on device specifications and no adverse effect on signal quality, so as to greatly save time while showing off an impression of professional efficiency!

High-quality zinc alloy with 0.6cm professional shape
The AH173 is cast with high-quality zinc alloy, presenting a sleek and delicate streamlined style. These features not only match the refined taste of business people but also enhance the deft touch. The AH173 OTG mobile flash drive can act as a hanging ring, and its Pen Cap Design takes the use of a metallic ball chain, smartly connecting the cap with the body. Therefore, your smart lifestyle is fully enhanced by the portable design which cannot only be attached to cell phones and key chains, but can also be stored in your wallet and card case since it is only 0.6cm thick!

With the large 32 GB capacity, presentations and large files can be carried around everywhere
As 16GB remains the standard storage capacity for most smartphones and tablets, users can only install APPs and shoot videos and photos due to such a limited storage space. Storing a large number of working files in mobile devices not only takes up storage space but also inhibits sharing and exchange. The AH173 OTG mobile flash drive comes in three capacities (8GB, 16GB, and 32GB), featuring doubled storage and brand new dual interfaces. Business professionals who use mobile devices in presentations or conferences can achieve ultimate work efficiency with the easy file transmission between mobile devices and PCs, thus substantially showcasing their professionalism with no additional effort!

NVIDIA LTE Modem Makes Landfall in Europe, with Launch of Wiko Tegra 4i LTE Smartphone

Wiko Mobile, France’s fastest growing local phonemaker, has just launched Europe’s first Tegra 4i smartphone.

Tegra 4i – our first integrated LTE mobile processor – combines a 60-core GPU and our own LTE modem to bring up to 2X higher performance than competing phone chips.

It helps the Wiko WAX deliver fast web browsing, best-in-class gaming performance, smooth video playback and great battery life.

Launched at Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, the Wiko WAX phone features a 4.7-inch 720p display, 8MP rear camera and LTE / HSPA+ support.

The phone will be available throughout Europe – including France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, UK and Belgium – starting in April.

Within two short years, Wiko has become a major player by providing unlocked phones with sophisticated design, outstanding performance and the newest technologies. It has more than two million users in France and is expanding overseas fast.

Wiko WAX comes pre-installed with TegraZone – NVIDIA’s free app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor.

As a refresher, Tegra 4i includes a quad-core CPU and fifth battery saver core, and a version of the NVIDIA i500 LTE modem optimized for integration.

The result is an extremely power efficient, compact, high-performance mobile processor that unleashes performance and capability usually only available in costly super phones.

http://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2014/02/24/lte-europe/

Tegra Note 7 Gets Connected; World’s Speediest 7-Inch Android Tablet Now With LTE

Our Tegra NOTE 7 is getting a new family member – one that comes with great connections.

We’re adding our i500 LTE modem – and its 4G LTE cellular connection – to the world’s fastest 7-inch Android tablet.

We’re also expanding the Tegra NOTE 7’s availability, bringing it over the next few months to Western Europe, Brazil, and Ukraine.

The Tegra NOTE 7 serves up a bundle of cutting-edge mobile technologies – including one of the world’s fastest processors, Tegra 4, a superb stylus, exceptional audio, Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), and, of course, great NVIDIA gaming. And that’s at a starting price of just $199.

Now, we’re added lightning-fast mobile data to the mix. Tegra NOTE 7 is available with LTE and HSPA+ mobile connectivity, and it can operate on popular carriers across the world.

With cellular connectivity, consumers can now get access to the web, check out maps and play videos anywhere they go by purchasing a minimum data plan from many carriers.

The Tegra NOTE 7 LTE’s worldwide connectivity is provided by our cellular LTE modem chipset, the fifth-gen NVIDIA i500 processor. i500 leverages a unique software-defined radio technology – meaning it can deliver new capabilities via software without requiring an entirely new chipset. Another big plus is higher efficiency – it’s only 40 percent the size of conventional modems but has 4x the processing capability of its predecessor.

The entire Tegra NOTE 7 family also received an over-the-air update that upgraded the operating system to Android 4.4.2 (Kit Kat), which includes support for Gamepad Mapper. Introduced first for our SHIELD portable gaming and entertainment device, Gamepad Mapper turns touch-based Android games into ones that can be enjoyed with the physical controls of a Bluetooth controller.

Look for the Tegra NOTE 7 LTE starting at $299 from partners worldwide* starting in the second quarter.


 
The Tegra NOTE 7 family will be available in the following regions: 

Country	Partner
North America	EVGA
UK	Dixons
Western Europe	EVGA, Gigabyte
Ukraine	Gazer
Japan	Zotac
Korea	Gigabyte, Zotac
India	XOLO
Brazil	Gradiente
China	Gigabyte, Homecare

 
Here’s a recap of the Tegra NOTE 7 family’s key specs: 

Processor	Tegra 4 processor with quad-core Cortex-A15 CPU and 72-core GeForce GPU
Display	7-inch HD IPS LCD display (1280 x 800)
Camera	Rear 5 MP and front VGA webcam
Storage	16 GB storage with micro SD expandable up to an additional 32 GB
Audio	Front facing “HD Audio” stereo speakers with a unique bass-reflex port
Stylus	Chisel and Brush tips for natural writing and broad strokes
Peripherals	Micro HDMI connector to drive big screen videos and gaming
OS	100% Android -- Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
Software Updates	Over The Air software updates directly from NVIDIA
Battery Life	10 hours HD video playback
Network	LTE-US: LTE: 700/850/1700/1900/2600 (Bands 2,4,5,17,7) HSPA+: 850/1900/2100 (Bands 1,2,5) EDGE LTE-EU: LTE: 800/1800/2600 (Bands 3,7,20) HSPA+: 850/900/1900/2100 (Bands 1,2,5,8) EDGE 3G: HSPA+: 850, 900, 1900, 2100 (Bands 1,2,5,8) EDGE +Voice

* 3G connectivity offered in regions with no LTE.

http://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2014/02/21/tegra-note-connected

Apacer Release Compact Flash new “CFast2, 2-m”

Since CompactFlash Association released the specification of CFast 2.0, Apacer has invested actively in R&D and taken the lead to roll out the first industrial-grade SATA 3.0 (6Gb/s) high-speed transmission interface CFast 2.0 memory card around the globe. Its sequential speed is up to 310/240 MB/sec, which doubles the speed of its predecessor. Besides featuring a 2-Channel bidirectional structure, the CFast 2.0 adopts Toggle DDR 2.0 NAND Flash, which brings its performance to a higher level.

Jeff Lin, Embedded Application Business Unit Director of Apacer, suggested that, “Except that Apacer CFast 2.0 memory card is upgraded to double performance and speed, in order to meet the needs of harsh environment of industrial application and corporate cost-effectiveness, Apacer provides customers with choices between highly-durable SLC chip or highly cost-effective MLC chip. Both chips are resistant to temperature change, vibration and shock in actual environment. Each kind of chip has a capacity of 4GB~32GB and 16GB~128GB respectively, with dimensions of 42.8mm x 36.4mm x 3.6mm and an adoption of (7+17) pin connector. Support for DEVSLP (Device Sleep) power mode enables them to switch into a low power state on standby mode so as to save power for companies.”

To ensure the accuracy of data, Apacer’s just-launched CFast 2.0 memory card supports the functions of 40-bit ECC (Error Correcting Code), Wear Leveling Technology and S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) to detect the health status of the memory card at any time and in turn to significantly boost the reliability of the product. In addition, clients can also add the customized Apacer’s unquie security instruction (CoreSecurity Technology)–CoreProtector. Users can drive the instructions through hardware and software settings, which are especially suitable for applications in military, gaming and network communication.

Apacer is one of the few Taiwanese manufacturers with software, hardware and firmware R&D capacity who launches CFast 2.0 memory card ahead of its industrial peers. It also enjoys robust manufacturing quality, excellent customizability and real-time technical supports. The firmware and major components can be fixed right after customer’s recognition and validation. This reduces the risks of out-of-stock and compatibility issues by providing customers with stable supply and high reliability. For that reason, Apacer’s products have been certified by topnotch U.S. and Japanese tech giants, and the company has become one of the world’s top 10 PC SSD suppliers. Samples of Apacer’s next-generation industrial CFast 2.0 are now available for customers to run test. For more details, please contact: johnson_wen@apacer.com.

More information: http://in.apacer.com/products/CFast-2-M