AMD creates new role for John Byrne

Against a backdrop of flat revenues and job cuts, AMD is preparing a brand new structure to deal with building its business over the next three years. CEO Rory Read has created a new role and appointed John Byrne to take the lead with all of AMD�s major relationships. Read more at Kitguru.

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Transforming ultrabooks with touchscreens expected by summer

DigiTimes reports notebook makers are expected to introduce transforming ultrabooks with touchscreens in July or August 2012. This includes Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo. Most systems will feature a rotatable screen that turn the ultrabook into a tablet, while some may use sliding screens to achieve the same results.

In order to match Windows 8's touch functions, notebook vendors plan to offer touch ultrabooks, but the addition of touch functions will result in 0.7-1.5cm increase in thickness and higher production cost. To solve the problems, vendors will launch models with transforming designs as early as July-August 2012, according to sources from the notebook supply chain.

Notebook hinge makers pointed out that with the existing clamshell designs of ultrabooks, the panel could easily move around while users are operating through a touchscreen, but if they strengthen the hinge's torque, it could easily flip up the bottom part of the notebook. As a result, the vendors will need to adopt a transforming design to allow touch screen functions to work.

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Google Android 5.0 to arrive next quarter?

The adoption of Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" has fallen behind expectations, but according to sources at Taiwanese supply chains Android 5.0 may already arrive next quarter:

Android 5.0 will be further optimized for tablet PCs, while Google will also integrate its Chrome system functions to push dual-operating system designs. Brand vendors can either choose to adopt only Android 5.0 or add Android 5.0 to Windows 8 devices with the ability to switch between the two OSes without the need to shut down the computer.

Through Android 5.0, Google also wishes to earn another chance to enter the notebook and netbook markets.

Source: DigiTimes

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AMD Catalyst 12.1 CAP 3 is out

AMD also introduced Catalyst 12.1 Application Profile 3, you can get it over here.

New profiles added to this release:
- Alan Wake - Improves CrossFire performance
- Syndicate � Improves both single GPU and CrossFire performance
- Darkness 2 � Improves CrossFire performance
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning � Improves CrossFire performance for the AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series to avoid negative scaling at low resolutions
- Natural Selection 2 � Fixes shadow map flickering issue seen with CrossFire enabled

AMD Catalyst 12.1 CAP 3 is out - More news at DV Hardware

ASRock Game Blaster audio card unveiled

ASRock cooperated with Creative to introduce the Game Blaster, a new audio card with Broadcom Gigabit LAN. It's a proprietary product though, it's only supported by ASRock's X79 based motherboards. Pricing and availability is unknown.

World's top 3 motherboard manufacturer, ASRock Inc., specially partners with Creative Technology Ltd, the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer, to introduce the most trusted sound card in mobo industry - Game Blaster!

Gamers need so much more from their rigs. ASRock Game Blaster was designed to exceed the expectations of even the most dedicated gamer. It is the first sound card coming with both Creative 7.1 CH HD Sound Core3D Audio and Broadcom Gigabit LAN in the world.

Creative Sound Core3D 7.1 CH HD Audio
Powered by Sound Core3D� quad-core audio and voice processor, the revolutionary Game Blaster delivers the first-class sound experience to extreme gamers! This breakthrough audio chip even brings some exciting features, allowing gamers to enjoy pure gaming audio, such as THX TruStudio PRO� sound technologies, CrystalVoice� and EAX 1.0 to 5.0 solid sound technologies.

Scout Mode�
Designed for performance gaming, ASRock Game Blaster also supports the state-of-the-art Scout Mode� technology. It is a proprietary technology that allows you to hear your enemies from further away, giving you a distinct tactical advantage in combat. With Scout Mode�, ASRock Game Blaster facilitates faster access in the heart of battle and allows gamers to get precise control to elevate their games. Can't wait to enjoy this exciting technology? Simply download the latest driver from ASRock website, and experience this amazing tool right now.(http://asrock.com/mb/spec/card.asp?Model=Game Blaster&cat=Beta)

Broadcom Gigabit LAN
ASRock Game Blaster was unprecedentedly equipped with a Broadcom Gigabit LAN. Broadcom Gigabit LAN not only focuses on high performance, but also ensures extremely low power consumption to enhance eco-friendly environment. Coupled with Game Blaster and ASRock motherboard, serious gamers will get benefits of 2 LAN supports. Connected 2 LANs together, users can enjoy Dual PCIE Gigabit LAN feature with teaming function effortlessly.

ASRock Game Blaster is setting a whole new standard for gaming audio. It's been designed for incredible sound experience and precise accuracy. The ASRock Game Blaster has lots intelligent features including Creative Sound Core3D single audio chip with Scout Mode� and Broadcom Gigabit LAN. It's aimed to unleash the maximum gaming performance.

For more product information, please visit: http://www.asrock.com/mb/spec/Card.asp?Model=Game%20Blaster

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AMD preps three 95W FX processors

TPU reports AMD will introduce three 95W TDP FX-series processors in March.

The FX-4150 features a base clock of 3.9 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) and 12 MB of cache (4 MB L2 + 8 MB L3) while the FX-6120 has its cores set to 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) and packs 14 MB of cache. As for the FX-8140, it's clocked at 3.2 GHz (4.1 GHz) and has 16 MB of cache. All three models have an AM3+ package and are made using 32 nm process technology. No word on pricing yet.

AMD preps three 95W FX processors - More news at DV Hardware

Intel Lynx Point chipset details revealed

Tom's Hardware dug up details about Lynx Point, the new chipset that will accompany Intel's Haswell architecture in the first half of 2013, probably around March to June. Full details over here.

First, we see some of the display port features have been transferred over to the CPU under the new architecture for Haswell. As discussed here, the Lynx Point chipset will only handle analog displays, while the CPU will be handling the digital displays. In theory, this makes the Lynx Point not as advanced as Panther Point in that regard but it does still have its advancements.

Lynx Point marks Intel's switch to full SATA 6.0 Gb/s support for all native SATA ports (no more native SATA 3.0 Gb/s SATA ports). Intel has added two additional USB 3.0 ports for a total six ports, which is two more than Panther Point. Intel is introducing I/O port flexibility feature with Lynx Point. As the feature suggests, it should give users the ability to allocate which ports are USB 3.0 and which are USB 2.0. Additional features for Lynx Point include: SSD performance/power optimization, new Rapid Storage Technology driver & Intel vPro Technology enhancements, lower TDP and power usage, a smaller package (22x23mm FCBGA), and support for quad-read SPI devices. Based on the slide, it looks like Intel has still not moved to a faster DMI interface, as the chipset's PCIe ports are still running at PCIe 2.0.

Intel Lynx Point chipset details revealed - More news at DV Hardware