How are 4th Gen (Haswell) Intel processors different from 3rd Gen (Ivy Bridge)

Intel usually releases a new set of processors during mid of every year with a number of changes from its predecessors. This year saw the release of fourth generation of Intel Core processors, codenamed Haswell which provide a number of new features as compared to 3^rd Generation processors, codenamed Ivy Bridge.

Architecture

3^rd Gen (Ivy Bridge) processors used a 22nm process which was quite a step up from the 2^nd Gen (Sandy Bridge which used a 32nm process. On the other hand, Haswell processors use the 22nm process but a different and more powerful and power efficient microarchitecture: Silvermont.

Motherboard Socket

If you needed to upgrade your Intel 2^nd Gen system with a 3^rd Gen processor, there was no need for changing the motherboard as both CPUs share the same LGA 1155 socket. The upgrade only required a BIOS firmware flash. The case for upgrade from 3^rd Gen to 4^th is quite different as the 4^th Gen CPUs use the LGA 1150 socket, which is electrically incompatible with the previous models.

Graphics

The Haswell processors come with an upgraded Intel HD Graphics and new Iris/Iris Pro Graphics which would improve its 3D performance over that of Ivy Bridge. Though you cannot expect to play a high end graphics game with the Haswell process.

Battery Life

In terms of battery consumption, the Haswell processors are specifically designed to reduce power utilization, allowing for a longer battery time. So if you have to travel long and spend more time away from a plug and charger, it is better that you buy a machine with Haswell processors.

Price

One of the most important factors is that of price. Once the 4^th Generation Core processors are in the market, prices of 3^rd Gen Processors are bound to fall down which makes it a best buy situation for those who were planning on buying a new system but are bound by the price factor.

Windows Store Reaches 100,000 Apps

The Windows Store platform for Microsoft’s Windows 8 and RT operating systems has just reached the milestone of having a hundred thousand apps. The achievement was announced via twitter and it took just 7 months to accomplish, not unlike what Microsoft had predicted.

The announcement came just days after the company announced that the Store was about to reach 100,000 app margin. Compared to 7 months, Android took 18 months to achieve the feat while iOS took 14.

The news, however, is the greatest for the Windows RT platform which can’t run legacy programs and is reliant on the Store solely for content. This, then, should help the OS to garner some new potential buyers as the main apps are almost all onboard now with the remaining ones coming in the meantime. Also along with the launch of RT 8.1, success might not be that far really, unless luck is really against them.

ZTE Releases First Firefox OS-Running Phone at $90

After some solid amount of hardwork on a comparatively low budget, the first Firefox OS-running phone, the ZTE Open goes on sale today. The phone is a lower-end device and features a 3.5 inch touchscreen.

As for the specs, the phone consists of nothing earth-shattering materials. Its 3.5 inch display has 320 x 480 resolution. Under the hood you get 256 MB RAM, 1Ghz Cortex A5 processor and Adreno 200 GPU. The back boasts a 3.2 megapixel camera.

For connectivity you get Wifi, GPS, Bluetooth 2.1, microUSB 2.0 and 3G. These are all aging specifications coupled by a meager hardware by today’s standards but the Mozilla CTO Brendan Eich thinks it’s enough. “We are not aiming high and trying to crash into Fortress Apple, into Fortress Google”, he says.

Just enough though, the phone is still a bit clunky right now as The Verge noted. The OS still has its rough edges and if you’re coming from a touchscreen device, you’re most probably in for a disappointment. That might be a hardware issue as the phones do run on pretty 2009-stuff but lets hope everything will be sorted out soon.

The ZTE Open is available for $90 or around Rs. 11,000 when it hits any online store later this year. The dream of seeing a phone run smoothly and without stutters on a platform like this won’t be fulfilled right now though.

Microsoft Future Seems Do Over Company in Decision Making

At first look, it seems a very big thing when Windows 8.1 first update of Windows 8 revealed, people feel about crazy to what’s happening new, its question about Microsoft future.

Although there are some corrections and changes in the newer version of Window 8.1, it looks and creating bad impact about the course of decision making on key issues.

It is serious about the future prospects of the company vision and growth and stack of million customers also.
Windows 8.1 added new features and updates to bring back start button, boot to desktop, touch friendly screen and bring back into traditional window.

Of course the Microsoft Window development team still needs some time to add on new features including search heroes, multi window snap, but still to understand why not have these features be part of  Windows 8 like start button and boot to desktop.

So Microsoft top decision making management is now very clear about the feedback of their loyal customers and users what they are looking and demanding.

In every Microsoft do over approach we will see the thinking approach completely comply with the original user feedback weather it is small changes and full fledge digital strategies.

It is looking that Microsoft is learning the lesson from mistakes and taking correct decision to bring future company by adding the true voice of their value customers and market demand.

Complete Review of Play Edition of Samsung Galaxy S4

Good features:

The Google play edition of Samsung Galaxy S4 provides the mobile users the strongest hardware among all Android smartphones. This set is simply beautiful and slim.

Bad features:

Samsung Galaxy S4 is not provided with those software and photo features which are specialty of Samsung smartphones and also the price of this phone is kept pretty high.

So only if you are crazy about android phones then only Samsung Galaxy S4deserves that much high price.

Slightly different from Samsung Galaxy S4 the new edition has extremely strong hardware and fed with Google completely. This set can be obtained from Google Play. The arrival of set was officially announced in May and will be available in the first week of July for use. It is quite similar to its precedent model Samsung Galaxy S4. It is also provided with the similar quad core processor and screen of 5 inches. The storage capacity of 16GB is also provided along with other features. Jelly Bean Nexus technology is included in the set which improves the Android 4.2.2 (this is an interesting feature for those who used to criticize on Samsung touch phones). The software of this set will automatically be updated as they will come.

The price of the phone is kept quite high. Its price is more than 649 U.S dollars. Though various features are provided in the cell but still its price is very high. So if you are not Samsung fan the similar Google technology is provided in HTC Onebut in lower price of 599 dollars. So according to a review if you are not brand conscious than it is better to go for less expensive model of HTC with similar features.

This cell also has the same design as the original version had. The similar 5inches screen, metal corners and pinprick design on battery. Flip colors of different colors are also suitable with it.

But various features which were included in the previous version are not added in this model. The mode of screen cannot be changed and the display colors cannot be changed also. These are not major problems but sometimes you will get bore with blue and green

A very small physical difference that can only be observed if you look very carefully is the absence of words Samsung Galaxy S4 on the battery cover if the set. From this lacking you will quickly recognize that someone is having a” Google variant”. FCC label printed below the battery also bears the words “Distributed by Google”

There is an IR blaster at the top of the Samsung Galaxy S4 near headphone port. It will convert your cellphone into a remote.

Various application software are already installed in the set at the time of purchase. These softwares will help you to download android applications.

This time Samsung also has addressed the complaint that the user do not get that 16GB built in memory. In this set users will get 12.5GB memory as no hand phone will provide you the stated memory because some of it is occupied by the pre loaded apps.