Backpack VR PCs are now a thing: MSI, HP, and Zotac unveil new models

Does carrying around 10lb of PC sound like a fun time?

(credit: lowyat.net)

What's the biggest problem with PC-based virtual reality right now? Is it the price? The lack of deep gaming experiences? Or is it that darned cord that keeps you from properly leaping around like a lunatic while playing Space Pirate Trainer? For the PC manufacturers gathered at Computex 2016 in Taiwan, it's very much the latter. Yes, in a weird and quite frankly surprising trend, HP, MSI, Gigabyte, and Zotac are all showing off backpack-based PCs for free-to-roam VR gaming.

Now, I know what you're thinking, and yes, you could just pick up a powerful gaming laptop—one of those GTX 980-based ones should do the trick—stick some shoulder straps on it, and call it a day. Indeed, that's precisely what Gigabyte did with its Aorus X7 DT laptop earlier this year, creating a custom holster for lugging the huge 17.3-inch, 3.44kg (7.6lb) device around. But this brings with it some issues, namely that a laptop's cooling system isn't really designed for being used in a backpack. That's not to the mention that, at least in the case of the Aorus, gaming laptops have terrible battery life.

MSI claims to have solved these problems with its Backpack PC, a wonderfully garish system that packs a 6th-gen (Skylake) Core i7 Intel processor, Nvidia GTX 980 GPU, and a battery rated for up to 90 minutes of gaming into a bright red LED-lit backpack. Weighing in at around 5kg (12lb), the Backpack PC isn't exactly light, but it does offer niceties such as being fully upgradeable (MSI is planning to bump up the GPU to a GTX 1080 in later versions), as well as a user replaceable battery. Ports are mounted at the top of the backpack for hooking up a VR headset (there's a power socket for the Vive's breakout box), and you can use the system as an odd-looking desktop PC too.

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Sony Xperia X series phones coming to America for $280 and up (emphasis on the up)

Sony Xperia X series phones coming to America for $280 and up (emphasis on the up)

Sony introduced the Xperia X smartphone family in February. Now the company says the phones will be available in the US starting in June.

The Xperia X is now available for pre-order for $550 and it’s expected to ship June 26th.

Sony’s $280 Xperia XA, $380 Xperia XA Ultra, and $700 Xperia X Performance should be available for pre-order starting June 19th, and thy’ll begin shipping in the second half of July.

Continue reading Sony Xperia X series phones coming to America for $280 and up (emphasis on the up) at Liliputing.

Sony Xperia X series phones coming to America for $280 and up (emphasis on the up)

Sony introduced the Xperia X smartphone family in February. Now the company says the phones will be available in the US starting in June.

The Xperia X is now available for pre-order for $550 and it’s expected to ship June 26th.

Sony’s $280 Xperia XA, $380 Xperia XA Ultra, and $700 Xperia X Performance should be available for pre-order starting June 19th, and thy’ll begin shipping in the second half of July.

Continue reading Sony Xperia X series phones coming to America for $280 and up (emphasis on the up) at Liliputing.

Nach Kritik: Pornhub überarbeitet sein Bounty-Programm

Mit ihrem Bug-Bounty-Programm hat eine Pornoseite Schlagzeilen gemacht. Doch die Kommunikation mit den Hackern und die gezahlten Bountys sorgten für viel Kritik. Das Unternehmen verspricht jetzt Besserung. (Sicherheitslücke, Internet)

Mit ihrem Bug-Bounty-Programm hat eine Pornoseite Schlagzeilen gemacht. Doch die Kommunikation mit den Hackern und die gezahlten Bountys sorgten für viel Kritik. Das Unternehmen verspricht jetzt Besserung. (Sicherheitslücke, Internet)

LG launches G Pad III 8.0 Android tablet

LG launches G Pad III 8.0 Android tablet

LG’s latest Android tablet features an 8 inch, 1920 x 1200 pixel IPS display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM.

The LG G Pad III 8.0 is now available in South Korea for under $300, and as MobileSyrup notes, a couple of Canadian wireless carriers are selling it for $240 CAD (about $180 US).

The tablet supports 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1, features a 4,800 mAh battery, and runs Android 6.0 software.

Continue reading LG launches G Pad III 8.0 Android tablet at Liliputing.

LG launches G Pad III 8.0 Android tablet

LG’s latest Android tablet features an 8 inch, 1920 x 1200 pixel IPS display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM.

The LG G Pad III 8.0 is now available in South Korea for under $300, and as MobileSyrup notes, a couple of Canadian wireless carriers are selling it for $240 CAD (about $180 US).

The tablet supports 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1, features a 4,800 mAh battery, and runs Android 6.0 software.

Continue reading LG launches G Pad III 8.0 Android tablet at Liliputing.

Forschung: Forcephone macht jedes Smartphone Force-Touch-tauglich

Mikrofon und Lautsprecher sollen künftig einen druckempfindlichen Bildschirm simulieren können. Diesen Ansatz verfolgen Forscher. So könnte jedes handelsübliche Smartphone mit einer Force-Touch-ähnlichen Bedienung versehen werden. (Smartphone, Handy)

Mikrofon und Lautsprecher sollen künftig einen druckempfindlichen Bildschirm simulieren können. Diesen Ansatz verfolgen Forscher. So könnte jedes handelsübliche Smartphone mit einer Force-Touch-ähnlichen Bedienung versehen werden. (Smartphone, Handy)

Unity: Jobplattform für Entwickler und neues Preismodell

Unabhängige Entwickler können direkt über eine neue Jobplattform von Unity nach Aufträgen suchen – und Studios kurzfristige Kapazitätsengpässe überbrücken. Außerdem hat Unternehmenschef John Riccitiello ein neues Preismodell für die Engine vorgestellt. (Unity, John Riccitiello)

Unabhängige Entwickler können direkt über eine neue Jobplattform von Unity nach Aufträgen suchen - und Studios kurzfristige Kapazitätsengpässe überbrücken. Außerdem hat Unternehmenschef John Riccitiello ein neues Preismodell für die Engine vorgestellt. (Unity, John Riccitiello)

Dell’s latest 2-in-1 laptops include models with 11 to 17 inch screens

Dell’s latest 2-in-1 laptops include models with 11 to 17 inch screens

Dell is updating its line of convertible laptops with new Dell Inspiron systems featuring 360 degree hinges and touchscreen displays. Fold the screen back all the way and the laptop becomes a tablet… or in some cases, more of a table.

For the first Dell is offering a model with a 17 inch display in addition to its 11.6 inch, 13.3 inch, and 15 inch models.

13-17 inch convertibles

The Dell Inspiron 13, 15, and 17 7000 Series convertibles should be available starting June 2nd for $749 and up, and these models feature some premium hardware, including:

  • Intel Skylake processor
  • Full HD display with wide viewing angles
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Infrared camera (for use with Windows Hello secure login)
  • USB Type-C and USB 3.0 ports
  • Precision touchpad
  • Aluminum chassis

Dell says the new 7000 Series systems include solid state storage and Waves MaxxAudio Pro audio software.

Continue reading Dell’s latest 2-in-1 laptops include models with 11 to 17 inch screens at Liliputing.

Dell’s latest 2-in-1 laptops include models with 11 to 17 inch screens

Dell is updating its line of convertible laptops with new Dell Inspiron systems featuring 360 degree hinges and touchscreen displays. Fold the screen back all the way and the laptop becomes a tablet… or in some cases, more of a table.

For the first Dell is offering a model with a 17 inch display in addition to its 11.6 inch, 13.3 inch, and 15 inch models.

13-17 inch convertibles

The Dell Inspiron 13, 15, and 17 7000 Series convertibles should be available starting June 2nd for $749 and up, and these models feature some premium hardware, including:

  • Intel Skylake processor
  • Full HD display with wide viewing angles
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Infrared camera (for use with Windows Hello secure login)
  • USB Type-C and USB 3.0 ports
  • Precision touchpad
  • Aluminum chassis

Dell says the new 7000 Series systems include solid state storage and Waves MaxxAudio Pro audio software.

Continue reading Dell’s latest 2-in-1 laptops include models with 11 to 17 inch screens at Liliputing.

Internetzugang: Deutsche Telekom entschuldigt sich vergeblich bei Bushido

Der Rapper Bushido hat Probleme. Seine Versuche, seit Monaten einen Internetanschluss von der Telekom in seiner “riesen Villa-Gegend” zu bekommen, sind gescheitert. Auf die Lösungsangebote kann der Künstler nicht mehr angebracht reagieren und blamiert sich. (Telekom, Internet)

Der Rapper Bushido hat Probleme. Seine Versuche, seit Monaten einen Internetanschluss von der Telekom in seiner "riesen Villa-Gegend" zu bekommen, sind gescheitert. Auf die Lösungsangebote kann der Künstler nicht mehr angebracht reagieren und blamiert sich. (Telekom, Internet)

Intel launches pricey 10-core chip, Xeon chip with better graphics, confirms “Kaby Lake” chips coming in 2016

Intel launches pricey 10-core chip, Xeon chip with better graphics, confirms “Kaby Lake” chips coming in 2016

Intel’s 7th-gen Core chips should be available before the end of 2016. During the company’s press event at Computex, Intel officials confirmed the chips, code-named “Kaby Lake,” were still on track to launch in the second half of the year, along with lower-power “Apollo Lake” chips which will be used in cheaper notebooks and 2-in-1 devices.

The announcements come shortly after the company announced plans to layoff 12,000 employees, cancel its next-gen Intel Atom chips, and shift a large part of its focus to cloud and interenet-of-things products.

Continue reading Intel launches pricey 10-core chip, Xeon chip with better graphics, confirms “Kaby Lake” chips coming in 2016 at Liliputing.

Intel launches pricey 10-core chip, Xeon chip with better graphics, confirms “Kaby Lake” chips coming in 2016

Intel’s 7th-gen Core chips should be available before the end of 2016. During the company’s press event at Computex, Intel officials confirmed the chips, code-named “Kaby Lake,” were still on track to launch in the second half of the year, along with lower-power “Apollo Lake” chips which will be used in cheaper notebooks and 2-in-1 devices.

The announcements come shortly after the company announced plans to layoff 12,000 employees, cancel its next-gen Intel Atom chips, and shift a large part of its focus to cloud and interenet-of-things products.

Continue reading Intel launches pricey 10-core chip, Xeon chip with better graphics, confirms “Kaby Lake” chips coming in 2016 at Liliputing.

Basistunnel: Bestens vernetzt durch den Gotthard

3.731 Kilometer Kabel, moderne Sicherungssysteme, Funkvernetzung für die Lokführer und Netz für alle Smartphone-Nutzer: In den neuen Gotthard-Basistunnel ist so gut wie alles an moderner Technik gesteckt worden, was möglich ist – ein Bauwerk der Superlative. (Mobilfunk, Internet)

3.731 Kilometer Kabel, moderne Sicherungssysteme, Funkvernetzung für die Lokführer und Netz für alle Smartphone-Nutzer: In den neuen Gotthard-Basistunnel ist so gut wie alles an moderner Technik gesteckt worden, was möglich ist - ein Bauwerk der Superlative. (Mobilfunk, Internet)