Maxit Mag

Sultry star of Quantum Of Solace, Olga Kurylenko, is the kind of sexy Bond girl fodder that you would come to expect from the long-running series, but the actress, and her character, are anything but the status quo.

Asus has launched its latest and highest performing Intel X58gaming PC, the ROG CG6190.

The ASUS ROG CG6190 is the world’s first highest performing consumer desktop platform featuring Intel Core i7 CPUs and X58 chipsets to allow gamers to experience even higher levels of speed and performance. The Core i7 delivers 52% faster processing speed in 3D gaming applications than the previous generation Quad Core platform.

The Asus CG6190 can be configured with up to 12GB RAM and 4TB SATA HDDs. It supports both NVIDIA 3-way SLI and ATI CrossFireX graphics.

The CG6190 is equipped with a built-in biometric fingerprint scanner, a unique 2-kilowatts dual power system and customized liquid cooling modules for non-stop sustainability. The SupremeFX X-Fi Audio Card provides support for 3D nine virtual speakers.

The unique exterior design of the CG6190 is inspired by ancient and modern armor with both Eastern and Western influences.

There is no word on release date or pricing yet.

Link: Asus

Samsung has announced that it has started mass producing 256 GB solid state drives for use in notebooks and desktop PCs.

With sequential read rates of 220MB/s and sequential write rates of 200MB/s, these 256 GB SSDs offer highest overall performance in the personal computer industry. Erase cycles are a rapid 100GBs per minute, allowing the whole drive to be re-written much faster, when needed.

The new drive consumes 1.1 watts of power versus two or more watts for a comparable HDD, while delivering outstanding reliability and durability. Samsung claims the 256GB SSD launches applications ten times faster than the fastest 7200rpm notebook HDD.

"Getting our exceptionally high performing 256GB SSD in a notebook is analogous to having a 15,000rpm drive, without all of its size, noise, power and heating drawbacks," said Jim Elliott, vice president, memory marketing, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc.

Samsung says the 256GB SSD's advanced performance can be attributed to a new, optimized, single platform design consisting of a chip controller, NAND flash and special drive firmware developed by Samsung.

Link: Samsung

Logic3 has introduced a hybrid vacuum tube amplifier and speaker combo with ‘killer looks and rich, fearsome sonics’.

The amplifier and iPod dock are built into a single chassis. The amplifier has a steel body with a mirror finish, while on top, a steel cradle dock houses the iPod, leaving exposed valve tubes and a view meter that lights up in time to the music. The sleek piano black speakers are designed to complement the overall style. The speaker grills can be removed by user to show the drivers at work.

Logic3 promises 80 watts of clear and undistorted sound, as the hybrid vacuum tube amp balances out the sound of MP3 music files and eliminates noise distortion to deliver a warm harmonic sound.

The included remote allows users to control all of the Valve80's audio properties as well as iPod functionality. You can recharge & listen to your iPod, view iPod video content via component or S-video outputs. 2 x RCA inputs also allow the connection of other external audio devices.

The Valve80 is expected to be available in December for £299.

Link: Logic3

TiVo has teamed up with Domino's to offer its broadband connected subscribers the pizza on demand. Tivo subscribers can order pizza for delivery or pick-up, and track delivery timing, right from their TV sets using the TiVo service.

The subscribers can access their Domino's Pizza order from various advertising entry points on the TiVo user interface where they have to click on “Order Your Dominos Pizza Now.

TiVo subscribers can set-up a user name and password on Dominos.com so that they can simply log-in with a simple account number while placing the order. They can also enter their delivery address, build their pizza order right from the television set by selecting type of crust, toppings, and sauces, and get the pizza delivered by their local Domino’s Pizza.

Karen Bressner, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales, TiVo Inc said, “With just a few clicks of the remote, TiVo users can pause their program, order a pizza, and then sit back, relax, and return to their favorite show without missing a single second. Now, TiVo delivers the absolute best television viewing experience…and a pizza.”

The new service is offered free to all broadband connected TiVo subscribers and supports both delivery and pick-up orders. Viewers are required to pay in cash when the pizza is delivered.

Link: Tivo

Toshiba Storage Device Division has introduced a half-terabyte HDD, the flagship model in MKxx55GSX series of 5,400 RPM, Serial-ATA (SATA) 3.0 Gb/s 2.5-inch HDDs.

Available in capacities from 500GB to 120GB, the super-quiet and durable series is targeted for integration into notebook PCs, sub- notebooks, small form factor and energy star PCs, game consoles, printers and external storage devices.

Toshiba claims the MKxx55GSX drives are nearly inaudible during operation, with some models performing close to the threshold of human hearing, due to advanced servo techniques combined with mechanical design of the drives.

"The acoustic performance renders these HDDs nearly inaudible, which is ideal for home entertainment applications, while the durability features appeal to mainstream mobile PC users. This family of products offers a comprehensive storage solution for integration into a wide range of applications," said Maciek Brzeski, vice president of marketing at Toshiba Storage Device Division.

The 500GB MK5055GSX achieves a 20 percent improvement in energy consumption efficiency during operation over previous generation 2.5-inch products. The new MKxx55GSX series also offers free-fall sensor (FFS) options to enable the HDD to respond to drop events, providing additional protection to mobile devices if they are disturbed during operation.

The pricing has not been revealed yet but Toshiba expects to begin shipping in production volumes to OEMs and distributors in December 2008.

Link: Toshiba

Vers has introduced the new Vers 1.5R radio/alarm clock for iPod. Finished by hand, each Vers system takes over a week to build and each one is unique.

Slightly more compact than the company’s Vers 2X system, the 1.5R is designed with wood selected from managed plantation sources, 100% post-consumer recycled packaging materials and energy-efficient components.

The precision digital tuner, large, backlit LCD, and 15 watt full range speaker give the Vers 1.5R big system features and sound quality in a surprisingly compact package.

"We have to give credit to our customers for the 1.5R idea," says David Laituri, co-founder of Vers. "They asked for a compact AM/FM/iPod sound system with the natural 'Vers sound,' so we built it for them. We think of it as a 'hybrid' design, since it's a great bedside sound system, but really works well in any room of the home."

It plays and charges all docking iPods (except generation 3 iPod). It comes with an 18-function IR remote. Users can choose to wake to AM/FM radio or to music in their iPod.

Available in Cherry, Natural Walnut, Dark Walnut, Bamboo, Black Gloss and White Gloss, Vers 1.5R is priced at $200 -$220 depending on the finish.

Link: Vers

Asus has introduced the ASUS P565, powered by an 800 MHz processor, making it the fastest business PDA phone in the world.

This is a Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional phone, featuring ASUS’ latest touch-driven user interface Glide, that Asus claims delivers ‘graphics and system performance beyond anything else on the market at present’. The fast processor renders the P565 particularly amenable to multitasking, while Glide enables users to switch between tasks rapidly with their fingertips.

The 2.8" touchscreen offering a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, delivers clarity for both personal photographs and spreadsheets. It also offers 3 MP camera, 256MB flash memory and 128MB of DDR SDRAM, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, and a microSD slot with SDHC support.

The P565 also comes with a potent suite of business-oriented features and software, including push mail, business card recognition and Microsoft Office Mobile. Other useful applications such as Anytime Launcher and Multi-Home enable users to view their calendars, the times of local and visiting cities, weather reports, online news and much more. The talk time is 3 hrs with 3G and 4 hrs with 2G.

There is no word on availability or pricing yet.

Link: Asus

Hercules has expanded their XPS multimedia speaker range with the new XPS 2.150. The new speaker system comes with two 8 watts satellite speakers and a 16 watt wooden subwoofer. The exclusive design offers a brilliant black lacquer, with subtle and vibrant orange driver cones and LEDs.

The speaker system features volume control on right satellite, while the subwoofer has bass control and on/off switch. LEDs around the control knob simulate a halo of light. The speakers are automatically disabled when headphones are connected. The system also offers removable speaker bases along with a wall mounting system.

The company says the XPS 2.150 Multimedia Speaker System will be available for $70 in December.

Link: Hercules

Lenovo has announced the ThinkPad USB Portable Hard Drive so secure you know it when you see it. The drive uses a numeric keypad allowing users to type in their password to access their data.

The new secure hard drive offers the 128-bit advanced real-time encryption security to help ensure your information remains secure. The 3 x 5 inch unit, designed to pair up with ThinkPad laptops, features full-disk encryption for up to ten unique user ID’s and one administrator.

The self-powered hard drive eliminates the hassle of keeping up with power cords, as the built-in USB cable makes transferring data simple.

The ThinkPad USB Portable Secure Hard Drive will be available by month’s end at $179 for the 160 GB model and $219 for the 320 GB model.

Link: Lenovo

Hitachi has introduced the Travelstar 5K500.B, a mobile hard drive that combines advanced data encryption technology with eco-friendly features.

The Travelstar 5K500.B uses the industry’s latest 250GB-per-platter technology to deliver a half terabyte (500GB) of capacity in an industry-standard 9.5mm mobile form factor. According to Hitachi, its new drive features a halogen-free design. The drive features a read/write power specification of 1.4W, which is lower other drives of the same type. The drive’s low-power profile results in more energy-efficient notebooks that run cooler and have longer battery life.

Another key feature of Travelstar 5K500.B is the optional Bulk Data Encryption (BDE) for hard-drive-level data security. BDE encrypts data using a private security key as it is written to the disk and then decrypts it with the key as it is retrieved, giving users the highest level of data protection available. The company added an interesting feature by automatically rendering data on a hard drive unreadable when the encryption key is deleted. The new drive is also expected to meet the forthcoming Storage Security specification established by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG).

The Travelstar 5K500.B operates at 5400 RPM and is available in capacities ranging from 120GB to 500GB. According to Hitachi, the new drive will be shipping worldwide in December.

Link: Hitachi

Cygnett has unveiled GrooveNeo dock, an iPod accessory that works as a speaker system and alarm clock. With GrroveNeo, you can wake up to your favourite iPod tracks, AM/FM radio or buzzer

It features large format digital time displays and touch-sensitive keys for easy programming and operation. The dual 2.75” full-range speakers bring power & energy to every track on your playlist with real-time bass response. The easy dock & play system charges your iPod while it plays.

A full-function remote is also provided to control both your iPod and GrooveNeo. The GrooveNeo dock is available now for $90.

Link: Cygnett