Category: Gadgets

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From AnandTech: Computex 2012: MSI GPU Technologies

Visiting the MSI booth today at Computex was rather exciting – they were showing off two rather interesting GPU fan technologies, alongside their portable Thunderbolt GPU device, GUS.

The first is a new GPU fan design, for users who want either increased GPU cooling, or increased VRM cooling.  Initially being a small sized GPU, a user can add a second fan on top of the first, to increase the airflow blowing directly onto the main part of the cooler above the GPU:

This cooler can expand if a user has a long enough case, and the second fan can be moved to the edge of the cooler, providing more cooling along that side of the GPU.

This extra fan is limited to 40% RPM due to the controller being used.  MSI tell us that there are plans to make this fan fully adjustable.

Also of interest to us is the introduction of the ‘dust-free’ methods MSI are bring to their main user line of enthusiast SKUs.  At startup, the fans on the GPU will spin in the reverse direction for 30 seconds in an attempt to draw dust out of the GPU (but dump it into the case).  After 30 seconds, the fans will spin back the other way to produce the desired cooling effect.  MSI say this has come about due to the Asian market, where pollution can cause dust buildup in cases and coolers.

GUS is what part of the world has been waiting for – an external GPU housing.  Data transfer comes through a Thunderbolt cable to provide 10 Gbps bandwidth, and MSI state they should be selling this housing with a GPU up to 150W, so 7870, 7850 and 6850 models to begin with in Q3/Q4 if demand is high enough and Thunderbolt takes a hold in the market.

More photos in the gallery below.

from AnandTech

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From Droid Life: Turn Any Regular TV Into a Smart TV With This Kickstarter Project Called “Pocket TV”

Another handy looking Kickstarter project has caught our attention, this time taking the form of a thumb-drive equipped with an HDMI male piece called Pocket TV. Once you plug the drive into your TV, you’ll be greeted by the stock Ice Cream Sandwich interface, allowing you to download Play Store apps, and have the Android OS right on your TV. Controlling is made easy with a custom remote and there will also be an app for Android and iPhone devices that will allow control of the TV that way too.

With its 512Mb of RAM, single core 1GHz processor, and 4GB of storage, this little machine packs quite the little punch. The project is at a healthy $70,000 already out of $100,000. And with only 34 days left to fulfill the needed amount, it’ looking like this piece of tech is soon to become a nice reality.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: Kickstarter

Cheers Victor!

from Droid Life

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From Engadget: PowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on

PowerA unveils Moga Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on

PowerA’s best known as a company that crafts controllers and accessories for console gaming systems, but at E3 this year the firm is announcing its first foray into the mobile space: a Bluetooth controller for Android. Called the MOGA, its got dual analog sticks and shoulder buttons, along with a fold-out, spring-loaded center portion that holds phones of all sizes in place while you get your game on — not unlike Gametel’s controller we saw at CES. The front of the device is glossy black plastic, while the rear is swathed in rubber, with ribbed portions on the grips to keep it firmly in hand.

A companion app, available for free through the Google Play store, is also a part of the Moga experience. Called the MOGA Pivot app, it scans your phone for games compatible with the controller, lists them, and lets you launch them direct from the app. Not only that, it’ll periodically update the games list as new games are acquired and it’ll download patch kits automatically for existing games as they become compatible with the controller. Additionally, it’s got a store (powered by Google Play) that’ll let users download new compatible games, and titles in the Play Store will have a badge to let folks know which games work with Moga. Currently, the company has 14 games on board — including Duke Nukem 3D, Virtua Tennis Challenge and Sonic CD — and are in talks with some other big publishers, so more titles will be supported in the coming weeks and months. We got a sneak peek at the MOGA ahead of E3 and talked with the folks from PowerA about their newest bit of kit, so join us after the break for our impressions.

 

from Engadget