Dell release world's smallest 13-inch laptop, the XPS 13
Featuring the world's first virtually border-less infinity display, 15 hours of battery life and powerful mobile performance - Dell are claiming to offer the world's smallest 13-inch laptop, providing all that you could want in a 13-inch, compacted down to the size of your regular 11-inch offering.
Released with Windows 8.1, this laptop also boasts the longest battery life available of any 13-inch offering on the market. Coupling this with an optional UltraSharp Quad HQ+ infinity display, this laptop features only 5.2mm bezels.
Powered by the 5th generation Intel Core processors and SSDs, this laptop weighs in at a total of 1.79kg.
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Alienware unleashes new desktop-class laptops at CES 2015
Alienware have announced the release of their new 15 and 17 laptops - described in their recently issued press release as "gaming excellence on-the-go, desktop-class graphics at home."
Both featuring Windows operating systems, these beastly portable systems come with optional upgrades to Intel Core i7 quad-core processors and NVIDIA GTX 980m graphics - while being marketed as compatible with the Alienware Graphics Amplifier . These two laptops are 20 percent thinner than their predecessors and contain full-powered performance components with no throttling.
In an interesting advancement, it's claimed that "the notebooks enable their video cards with 100 percent of their rated wattage to deliver maximum graphics performance when a gamer needs it. Intel Core i7 models will even automatically overclock when you plug your laptop into the Alienware Graphics Amplifier," meaning that you're high-grade CPU won't be left behind when playing the most taxing of games.
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Ford bets big on autonomous cars, with full autonomous in the works
CES 2015 - Similar to other major auto makers, Ford has already developed semi-autonomous vehicle features, but is dreaming big and looking ahead to fully autonomous technology.
The company already has lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, and active park assist in newer Ford models.
"We're already manufacturing and selling semi-autonomous vehicles that use software and sensors to steer into both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, adjust speed based on traffic low or apply the brakes in an emergency," said Raj Nair, VP and CTO of Ford, during the Ford CES keynote. "There will be a Ford autonomous vehicle in the future, and we take putting one on the road very seriously."
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AT&T brings 4G LTE to some 2016 model Subaru vehicles
CES 2015 - Automaker Subaru has announced it will work with AT&T to bring new features to its STARLINK in-vehicle connectivity system via 4G LTE.
Subaru's STARLINK allows for hands-free connectivity, infotainment, and safety services - and the AT&T 4G LTE communications module will open the door to automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle recovery, remote vehicle services, and monthly vehicle health reports.
"Collaborating with AT&T, a trusted industry leader, is a natural fit for Subaru," said Alan Bethke, VP of Marketing of Subaru America, in a statement. "AT&T will enable STARLINK to provide Subaru customers with additional peace of mind through new safety and security services, as well as enhanced connectivity."
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Anti-Slip mousepads are the last PC inclusion from Turtle Beach
Quite often overlooked, mousepads are essential to any gamers setup. Not only do they provide you with a steady surface to help keep (and build) your muscle memory as time goes by, they'll also prevent your mouse feet from wearing out quickly. As they're generally priced between $15-$40 and will last you around 18 months, there's no real excuse not to pick yourself one up.
Turtle Beach are throwing themselves into the PC market, with their last products announced being their new TRACTION and DRIFT mousepads. The TRACTION offering features a textured weave surface, an anti-slip rubber base and comes in various sizes - including Medium (270x220mm), Large (350x250mm), X-Large (450x350mm) and Wide (900x300mm). Expect this mousepad to set you back between $14.95 to $34.95 on their release later this year.
Secondly, Turtle Beach have announced their DRIFT surface. Described as using microfiber technology suitable for PC and MAC - because MAC customers apparently need to be told what they can and can't use. This mousepad has anti-fraying stitched edges and also comes in a range off sizes, including Medium (270x220mm), Large (350x250mm), X-Large (450x350mm) and Wide (900x300mm). This product range will also cost users between $14.95 to $34.95, depending on what size option you're interested in.
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Razer spearheads Open-Source Virtual Reality gaming ecosystem
CES 2015 - The Open-Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) ecosystem was announced during CES 2015, with Razer and other industry leaders hoping an open source SDK will help get more developers on the VR bandwagon. The OSVR platform will support all VR devices, including the Oculus DK 2 and Vrvana Totem headset.
OSVR includes hardware and software support for the gaming industry, working with the Unreal 4 Engine, Unity 3D, for example - with hardware device plugin support from the likes of Razer, Bosch, Sixense and LeapMotion.
The OSVR SDK limited developer access is available now, with public release slated for Q2. The OSVR hacker dev kit, designed by Razer, will be available in June with a $199.99 MSRP - and features the HMD module.
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Turtle Beach venture further into PC gaming - offering new GRIP mice
In yet another announcement, Turtle Beach are furthering their charge into the PC peripheral market - offering up two new GRIP mice for different styles of gaming. We've seen plenty of companies do this before and Turtle Beach are following suit - releasing one higher graded feature packed Laser mouse and its little brother optical offering.
For some reason Turtle Beach are really about the capital letters this coming spring. We've already written about their new IMPACT keyboard range, but what good it a mechanical keyboard without a top mouse to sit at its side?
Starting off with the big brother, Turtle Beach have released information on their new GRIP 500 mouse. Providing an Avago 9800 laser sensor and Omron switches, the 500 offers various illumination settings, seven programmable buttons and the ability to create up to 50 macros with up to 100 commands each. With all five profiles having the ability to be set to various color settings, this mouse stores all of the information on its on-board memory. Set for release later this year, the mouse will set you back $69.95.
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Turtle Beach announce their Cherry Brown mechanical keyboard and more
Yep, you read it right. The brand famous for console headsets is now delving into the PC market - providing consumers with a Cherry MX Brown IMPACT 700 as their champion, among other gaming keyboards.
Featuring laser engraved key caps and adjustable red-only LED backlighting, this keyboard also has multiple illumination modes. As for more features, you can expect a six-key rollover, full anti-ghosting capabilities, a 3.5mm mic jack, an audio jack and two USB 2.0 ports that are said to support direct audio pass-through. This whole package will be listed for a MSRP of $195.95 when it comes out this spring.
They're also releasing an IMPACT 500 model, compatible with both PC and MAC. This tenkeyless keyboard features Cherry MX Blue switches, a metal reinforced chassis and a rather simplistic feel. This is the baby brother of the IMPACT 700 and will be released for $125.95 this spring.
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Turtle Beach introduce new DTS 7.1 100% wireless console headsets
CES 2015 - Using Las Vegas as their platform, Turtle Beach have sent out a press release commenting on their Spring 2015 release of the Stealth 500X and Elite 800X Xbox One compatible gaming headsets.
Featuring DTS 7.1 surround sound and set for retail at the $200 mark, Turtle Beach are wanting to blow away the competition with their new Elite 500X offering. This headset is a world's first, by offering this 7.1 surround sound with Xbox One compatibility.
This release is followed by news of the Elite 800X, bringing even more world firsts to the table. Alongside containing DTS 7.1 surround sound, this headset comes with cool features such as customizable presets, a magnetic charging stand and swappable speaker plates - with Turtle Beach claiming this is the most optioned headset to be available on the market.
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Mad Catz launches TRITTON Swarm wireless gaming headphones
CES 2015 - Gaming peripheral company Mad Catz launched the TRITTON Swarm wireless mobile headset, designed for use with PCs, mobile and smart devices.
Swarm is a gaming headset but also can be switched as a method to receive and answer phone calls, since the headphones can be paired with two separate devices at the same time.
"TRITTON is known for its outstanding audio quality and we believe now is the time to further broaden the appeal of the brand," said Darren Richardson, president and CEO of Mad Catz, in a press statement. "We believe the Swarm will resonate with today's fashion conscious gamer, who typically plays across a variety of devices."
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