Gigabyte Sticks 20GB SLC SSD On Z68 Mobo
It's not often that the ubiquitous motherboard gets considerable attention.There are lots of models, all ranging in sizes, commodity features, and brands, producing "me-too" products. Rarely do we see features that really command excitement. Enter Gigabyte's GA-Z68XP-UD3 series. There are two types, a GA-Z68XP-UD3 and a GA-Z68XP-UD3-iSSD.
ZoomBoth models come with an integrated mSATA interface (essentially mini PCIe), allowing users to actually install mobile-SSD modules directly onto the motherboard. The difference is, with the GA-Z68XP-UD3-iSSD, Gigabyte is bundling a 20GB Intel SLC SSD module. Gigabyte told us that they skipped over MLC based modules to ensure higher levels of reliability and speed. While this is true, SLC modules cost significantly higher than MLC modules, and so we expect the iSSD bundle to command a steeper price.
Gigabyte told us that it was able to purchase modules at roughly $70 a unit in a batch of 10,000. Expect this to be roughly between $40 and $50 of savings if you were to buy the modules online.
If used, the module can be configured as a drive for your OS, or as a cache drive to be used in conjunction with Intel's Smart Response.
Gigabyte also mentioned that because a module is bundled with the iSSD board, Gigabyte will handle the RMA duties for the module should it ever fail within the motherboard's warranty period -- no need to go to Intel for coverage.
 Zoom |  Zoom |  Zoom |
 Zoom |  Zoom |
WHO: Cell phones may cause cancer
Radiation from cell phones could possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
In a report issued today, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is an arm of the WHO, said it now lists mobile phone use in the same category as lead, gasoline engine exhaust, and chloroform. Officially, cell phone radiation is listed as a "carcinogenic hazard." Until today, the WHO's IARC had said that there were no adverse health effects from the use of cell phones. The wireless industry, including the CTIA lobbying group, and the Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have also long maintained that cell phones are safe.
The CTIA, the wireless industry trade association in the U.S., was quick to point out that the WHO's IARC did not say that cell phones definitely cause cancer. "IARC conducts numerous reviews and in the past has given the same score to, for example, pickled vegetables and coffee," John Walls, vice president of public affairs for CTIA, said in a statement. "This IARC classification does not mean cellphones cause cancer. Under IARC rules, limited evidence from statistical studies can be found even though bias and other data flaws may be the basis for the results."
The group also emphasized that the IARC's determination was based on reviewed published studies and was not the result of new scientific research. "The IARC working group did not conduct any new research, but rather reviewed published studies," Walls continued. "Based on previous assessments of the scientific evidence, the Federal Communications Commission has concluded that '[t]here's no scientific evidence that proves that wireless phone usage can lead to cancer.' The Food and Drug Administration has also stated that '[t]he weight of scientific evidence has not linked cellphones with any health problems.'"
The FCC did not respond for comment before publication.The new determination from the WHO's IARC was established at a meeting in France where a team of 31 scientists from 14 countries, including the United States, considered peer-reviewed studies about the safety of cell phones. The team said that it had found enough evidence to consider exposure to cell phone radiation as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
The scientists reiterated what many in the field have said for years, which is that there are not enough long-term studies to decisively say one way or another whether cell phone radiation causes cancer. But there is enough data to show connections between exposure and health risks for consumers to be concerned.
Related links• Cell phone radiation: Harmless or health risk?
• Q&A: Researcher's strong signal on cell phone risk
• Complete ratings: Cell phone radiation levels
In a three-part special report that began Tuesday morning, CNET takes a look at the maddening state of cell phone safety research. The first part of the report was published Tuesday takes a look at the confusing state of the scientific evidence. Later this week, CNET will explain how regulators came up with the safety standards and how they test devices. Finally, we will look at what consumers can do to protect themselves and discuss what some communities are doing to make sense of this mess. CNET has also published a Q&A with Devra Davis--an epidemiologist, author, and founder of the Environmental Health Trust--about her new book "Disconnect: The Truth about Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide it and How to Protect Your Family.
Sony: PlayStation Store back this week
By the end of the week, Sony says it will flip the switch to bring the rest of its PlayStation Network services, including the PlayStation Store, back online.
The company posted a blog on PlayStation.com late Monday saying that all PSN functionality will return to customers in the Americas, Europe, and some Asian countries, with the exception of Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Music Unlimited by Qriocity will also be back online later this week. Details about service restoration in those countries was not immediately available.
Some services, including the ability to watch previously downloaded movies and play online, were brought back two weeks ago after being offline since April 20. Sony was forced to completely shut down its gaming and entertainment network after a massive security breach saw more than 100 million customers' personal data exposed.
"We have been conducting additional testing and further security verification of our commerce functions in order to bring the PlayStation Network completely back online so that our fans can again enjoy the first class entertainment experience they have come to love," said Sony Executive Deputy Vice President Kazuo Hirai, in a statement. "We appreciate the patience and support shown during this time."
Sony turning PlayStation Store functionality back on also means customers are closer to being able to finally take advantage of promises made to them weeks ago. As a way of apologizing for the security breach, Sony has offered free content to PSN users, but without a PlayStation Store, there is no way to get that content. This means that soon PlayStation 3 owners can choose from among five video games and pick two to download for free and PlayStation Portable owners can choose two free games from among four. And at a time Sony chooses, PSN users will get one weekend of "select" free movie rentals.
Sony's official PS3 wireless headphones offer surround sound, style
I can count on one finger the number of people I have ever seen play video games using headphones. But that’s inconsequential because I hear the practice adds volumes to one’s ability to hear the faintest of aural cues, from enemy footsteps, to the frustrated wails of your teammates.
Sony has its ear to the ground on this reality, and is responding in turn with its official PlayStation 3 headset. Offering 7.1 surround sound and a retractable microphone, this official headset is as stylish as it is functional.Sadly, the headset doesn’t connect via Bluetooth, which is sort of what you would expect from a wireless device nowadays. Instead, users will connect the headset via the included USB adapter, which plugs into the PlayStation 3. Sony’s headset also offers on-screen diagnostics, including battery status and sound control. The problem? You won’t be able to see the the updates on any device but a PlayStation 3. Deal breaker? You decide.
The official PlayStation 3 headset will cost $99 when it’s made available this September.
ASUS to Launch Android Based Mobile + Tablet Combo: Padfone
ASUS has unveiled Padfone, its new smartphone and tablet combo, at the Computex. Padfone is a modular mobile package that uses an Android smartphone and a tablet it can dock into. Switching of display between the smartphone and the tablet is dynamic and the display on the phone expands itself seamlessly once connected to the tablet. The launch is mere mockup for now and includes a 4.3-inch smartphone and a 10.1-inch tablet dock. ASUS hasn’t yet finalized the final dimensions and price of the eventual retail product.
In Padfone, the smartphone is basically the only smart aspect of this combo. The tablet dock acts as an extended display with a set of speakers, an extended battery, and an I/O extender, but it doesn’t work by itself. The concept of Padfone will make smartphones into a more useful device with a bigger display. According to ASUS, the tablet will also provide other functionalities but that’s kept as a secret for now.
ASUS has not yet commented on the compatibility between the display tablet and the subsequent smartphone generations. However, the UI will be similar to the second-gen ASUS Android tablets, according to the company.
Following are a couple of videos (worth thousand words) for your better understanding of the product.