Samsung introduces 4TB SSD

Samsung introduces 4TB SSD for a cool $1,500

Samsung Solid State Drive

Traditional spinning hard drives have typically enjoyed two advantages over their solid-state brethren. They’re vastly cheaper in terms of their cost-per-GB, and they could hold far more information in a single enclosure. Both of these advantages have been steadily eroded over the past few years as SSD costs have fallen and capacities have increased, but hard drives have still eked out a win in both categories (at least at price points that consumers are going to pay).

Bit by bit, however, SSDs have closed the gap. Samsung’s new 4TB SSD is a $1,500 solid state drive that aims to replace your HDD altogether, provided you’ve got four figures to drop on a storage medium in the first place. Samsung’s TLC-based 850 EVO combines a 40nm process node with 48-layer vertical NAND (aka 3D NAND). Anandtech had a chance to put the drive through a battery of tests and reports that it performs well, even if it doesn’t break any particular new ground beyond price.

With SSD prices continuing to fall year-on-year thanks to 3D stacked NAND, why bother buying a hard drive at all? In a word: Price. 4TB HDDs currently sell for as little as $100, which puts them in the 2.5 cents per GB market. A 4TB SSD comes out at $1,500 — 15x as much money, and a cost-per-GB ratio of 37.5 cents per GB. That’s not bad at all for SSDs, which were $1 per GB not so long ago, but it’s still a vast gulf to cross as far as high-capacity drives are concerned. Keep in mind, these are retail prices; manufacturers negotiating with Western Digital or Seagate can undoubtedly get much better deals on a cost-per-GB basis.

SSDs have gradually become more common in lower-end systems, but not as quickly as one might expect. Apple may have moved to an all-SSD distribution, but most companies haven’t followed suit yet — plenty of systems are still either based on HDDs or use cache drives to improve performance without adding much to overall costs. Long term, we still expect SSDs to replace spinning disks for most tasks, but the hard drive still has some life in yet. Meanwhile, if you’re lucky enough to have the money to drop on an SSD and need 4TB worth of storage, the 850 EVO looks like a great option.

Incidentally, it looks like 3-6TB drives are all in the sweet spot between 2 cents and 2.5 cents per GB if you’re willing to buy white-label (off-brand) drives. These are drives created for the OEM market that aren’t branded by the manufacturer but are sold to OEMs like Dell, HP, and other builders. Name-brand drives cost significantly more than the white label drives Newegg currently stocks, but it’s not clear if there’s any performance or reliability differences between these products and other hardware (other than potentially different warranty terms).




source: www.extremetech.com

Huawei Nexus 6P vs Sony Xperia X

Phone Comparisons: Huawei Nexus 6P vs Sony Xperia X

Do we have a good one for you today – the venerable Huawei Nexus 6P goes up against the new Sony Xperia X – both all-metal devices – yes, even the Sony. Up until now, if the smartphone had a metal casing and a glass back, it was a safe bet that it was a Sony product – although Samsung recently changed that concept. With the new Xperia X series, Sony decided to go with an all-metal design, which did away with another Sony tradition – no more IP68 waterproofing. The Xperia X still has that ‘Sony look’ and they retained their usual FHD display. The Xperia X is going up against one of the best Nexus devices ever made and even with its unusual hump across the top back, it is a beautiful device. Nexus and Sony owners are fanatics when it comes to the love of their devices so we can expect some ‘difference of opinion’ in the comments section. Before we take a close look at each device, let’s look at some of their similarities.

When it comes to having very little in common, the Nexus 6P and Sony Xperia X may very well lead the race. They are not the same physical size, the displays are different in size, the technology, and the resolutions are all different. They both use a Snapdragon processor, but entirely different models, although they do share 3GB of RAM and you can get a 32GB or 64GB variant, but only one offers expandable storage. The camera areas are very different – both are great, but they obtain their results using different parts and pieces. They both have a fingerprint sensor (in the international Xperia X version), a non-removable battery and each offers a rapid charge feature and dual stereo speakers. They have the usual suspects – WiFi, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS, NFC, and a port for charging and data transfer – the new Type-C on the Nexus 6P and a microUSB v2.0 on the Xperia X.

Please take a thoughtful look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each device in greater depth and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information, we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.

Smartphones | SpecOut

Huawei Nexus 6P

After what Google did with the last two Nexus smartphones, it will be interesting to see what they do this year. When the massive Nexus 6 came out, many Nexus owners were ‘put off’ by its large size, high specs, and high price tag. So last year when they introduced two Nexus levels – the smaller, more traditional Nexus 5X and a real flagship, the Nexus 6P – it was exactly what the doctor ordered. Tapping LG for the 5X and Huawei for the Nexus 6P were also brilliant moves. The Nexus 6P is well-built and comes with an all-metal unibody construction. Any one of the four colors – Aluminum, Graphite, Frost, or Matte Gold will give your Nexus 6P that premium look and the specs are nothing to sneeze at even after eight months.

The Nexus 6P comes with a large 5.7-inch AMOLED display with a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 518 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) Huawei went with the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, v2.1, which is supposed to fix the overheating issues with the original 810. It has four cores clocked at 1.55 GHz and four cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The Nexus 6P has 3GB of DDR4 RAM and a choice of 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of internal memory with no means for external expansion.

Huawei made sure its high-end Nexus 6P smartphone could take great photos. It uses a highly rated 12.3MP sensor, laser autofocus, f/2.0 aperture and dual-tone LED flash, but still no OIS. The Nexus 6P also has a large 8MP front-facing camera (FFC) with an aperture of f/2.4 for selfies and video chatting. The Nexus 6P has a very capable 3450mAh non-removable battery that includes a rapid charge feature via its Type-C reversible plug.

The Nexus 6P has a few things that the Sony Xperia X does not – it has a great Samsung-built AMOLED QHD display and competes with dual front-facing stereo speakers. It is running pure vanilla Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and will always get the fastest upgrades possible when new versions come out. Pricing is at only $550 for the 64GB model and offers an excellent value. Sold through Google as an unlocked device, the Nexus 6P is usable on all major US networks.

Sony Xperia X

You certainly will not mistake the Xperia X for anything but a Sony device – the large top and bottom bezels along with its rather rectangular look are a dead giveaway. Gone are the metal and glass design – but enter a new metal backing that surprisingly looks and feels like plastic. The Xperia X also loses its IP68 certification because of this switch in materials. Sony did make slight modifications to the edges that create a smoother look and make it easier to handle the device. Sony is putting out two versions – a US model that Sony removed the fingerprint sensor, but included in the international version. Sony also bypassed including a top processor and opted for the mid-range Snapdragon 650 hexacore processor.

In Sony’s continuing efforts to avoid using QHD displays, the Xperia X sports a 5.0-inch IPS LCD Full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with 441 PPI. The Xperia X uses a mid-range 64-bit Snapdragon 650 hexa-core processor with dual cores clocked at 1.8GHz and a quad-core clocked at 1.4GHz. It packs 3GB of the slower DDR3 memory – limitations imposed by the Snapdragon 650 processor. There is 32GB of internal memory, which is expandable to 200GB via a microSD card.

Sony brought the camera over from its Xperia Z5 – with a 23MP sensor with f/2.0, Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF,) and LED flash – however, according to our review, it did not fare as well when we tested the Xperia X. Sony increased the FFC from 5.1MP to a massive 13MP and gave it an aperture of f/2.0 and 22mm lens for selfies and video chatting. A 2620mAh non-removable battery with Quick Charge 2.0 capabilities supplies the power.

Sony took away some liberties that people came to expect from a Sony smartphone – its IP68 certified dust and water-resistance – is gone, thanks to the new metal casing. However, the Xperia X does retain the dual stereo front-facing speakers. Another strange marketing move on Sony’s part, the Sony Xperia X, model F5121, is the US model, and it comes without the fingerprint sensor. However, model F5122, which is the International model, does come with a fingerprint sensor. The saving grace is that both of these models use the same spectrum, so it should not matter which model you use in the US. It measures 142.7 x 69.4 x 7.9mm and weighs in at 153 grams. The full array of colors is White, Graphite Black, Lime Gold, and Rose Gold and the Xperia X will cost you about $550.

The Final Word

This win has to go to the Nexus 6P. For the same amount of money, you get a bigger and better display, as good or better processor, faster DDR4 RAM, as good a camera, competes with front facing stereo speakers, a larger battery, and the Type-C reversible plug, and pure vanilla Android and the fastest updates possible. It is true that there is no room for memory expansion, but $550 will give you 64GB.

Sony, after all of these years, is still struggling to sell their smartphones in the US. One only has to look at the smaller Full HD display, mid-range processor, small battery, lack of LTE Bands, high pricing, and even lack of a fingerprint sensor on the US version to understand the reason.

Looking at both of these devices, it is clear that the Nexus 6P dominates the specifications, is unlocked to work on all major US carriers, and the quickest software updates.



source: www.androidheadlines.com

VW, LG join to develop next-generation connected-car platform

VW, LG join to develop next-generation connected-car platform

Here’s proof that self-driving isn’t the only development focus regarding electronics in cars, even though it may seem that way. LG Electronics and the Volkswagen Group announced a plan Wednesday to develop what they refer to as “the next generation” of connected-car services,
Volkswagen’s Cross-Over-Platform has nothing to do with cars that try to look like SUVs. It’s all about driver and passenger convenience and connectivity. That’s the focus of LG and VW’s collaboration. The companies will develop technology that will allow vehicles connected to the cloud to help passengers with a growing array of services, including smart-home connection and control, messaging, infotainment, and location services.

Drivers increasingly expect travel, alert, entertainment, and communications systems in their cars. The plan combines LG’s interest in smart appliances and smart-home systems with Volkswagen’s vehicle platforms. Perhaps at some point in the next few years, you’ll get an alert while driving your Passat that the garage door is open after dark. As you get closer to home, the house lights will brighten and the AC system will click it down a few degrees.

If your refrigerator detects you’re low on frozen yogurt, maybe you’ll get a message to pick some up before you pass the last grocery store on your way home. Or, maybe your smart fridge will even place the order for you and alert the store as to when you’ll arrive so you can pick up the yogurt without even exiting the car.
The statements by VW and LG executives at the joint announcement were positive and forward-looking, though general, mentioning categories and platforms rather than specific solutions or features.
“Volkswagen is pressing on with the digitalization of its brands. Our focus in doing so is always on our customers. For them, comfort, safety, and energy efficiency play a central role. LG is a strong, reliable partner in the implementation of new features, and one of the drivers of innovation in the networked household. We look forward to working with LG and to developing … simple, easy-to-use smart-home solutions for our customers integrated into our vehicle systems,” said Volkswagen’s Thomas Form, head of Electronics and Vehicle Research.

Richard Choi, head of LG’s Cloud Center said: “LG Electronics and Volkswagen are teaming up to develop the next generation of connected-car platform that allows wide integration with smart-home services and adoption of open [Internet of Things] connectivity technologies. We think LG’s expertise in smart technology, together with Volkswagen’s leadership in the automotive sector, will revolutionize the way drivers interact with their vehicles.”
This isn’t the first LG/VW rodeo. In 2015, the two companies worked together on a concept car, and at CES 2016, they showed smart-home system with in-vehicle controls.

source: www.digitaltrends.com

Fujifilm's new X-T2 camera

Fujifilm's new X-T2 camera has 24 megapixels, 4K video, and great controls

It'll start at $1,600 and is coming in September

Fujifilm announced the brand new X-T2, a successor to the X-T1 interchangeable lens camera introduced in early 2014. I’ve owned the X-T1 for a little over two years, and over time it has become my favorite camera ever. Fujifilm has updated it regularly with significant upgrades like improvements to the camera’s autofocus system and new film simulations that give you phenomenal looking JPEGs straight out of the camera. With its large, detailed electronic viewfinder and great lens selection, the X-T1 has become my do-everything camera. It managed to pull me away from the Canon 6D I’d used before, and I haven’t looked back. You’ve likely seen many, many photos snapped with the X-T1 here at The Verge.

But firmware updates can only get you so far. Now the time has come for a proper sequel. It's got more megapixels. It shoots 4K video. And that electronic viewfinder has been made even better. After a week of using a pre-production X-T2 sample unit, well, I'm considering making the switch when it hits stores in September. The X-T2 will cost $1,599.95 body-only, or $1,899.95 in a kit configuration that includes the decent 18-55mm lens. That's not cheap, and it's actually a fair amount more than the X-T1 was at launch. Are the refinements worth it? Let's take a look at what's new.

The X-T2 (right) looks largely similar to the X-T1, but note the focus selection joystick on back.

First things first: though they look nearly identical, the X-T2 is slightly larger than its predecessor. You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference without holding both cameras simultaneously, but it's worth noting. The most important change to the X-T2 is in the sensor. Fujifilm has brought over the 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III that debuted in the X-Pro 2, adding eight megapixels on top of the 16 that the X-T1 offered. It’s not a huge leap, but makes a very noticeable difference in terms of image detail. And as my colleague Sam Byford mentioned in his review of the X-Pro 2, those 24 megapixels really allow the company’s lineup of lenses to shine.

The X-T2 can also record 4K video — a first for an X-Series camera — at framerates of 24fps, 25fps, or 30fps. (1080p can be recorded at up to 60fps.) The 100Mbps 4K footage that I’ve taken so far looks nice enough, and you can apply any of Fuji’s nice film simulation effects before hitting the record button. But I doubt anyone will be buying the X-T2 because of its video chops. For one, 4K recordings are limited to 10 minutes, which feels a little restrictive. That recording time jumps to 30 minutes if you buy the X-T2's battery grip, but in general, I still came away thinking that Fujifilm’s got some catching up to do if it really wants to compete with Sony, Panasonic, and others on this front.

4K IS A NICE SELLING POINT, BUT THIS ISN'T A COMPANY KNOWN FOR ITS VIDEO CHOPS

Just like the X-T1, you’ll be buying this camera for the pictures it takes, and there’ve been plenty of upgrades to that side of things. The maximum native ISO has been bumped up to 12800 (compared to 6400 last time) and the shutter max is now 1/8000 (or 1/32000 if using the electronic shutter). The focus selection joystick from the X-Pro 2 has been brought over, and I love it. It’s a much more intuitive way of selecting what part of the frame you want to lock in on. This required Fuji to sacrifice the Focus Assist button, but now you can just push the back dial control in for the same result.

And my, are there a lot of focus points. The X-T2 gives you 325 individual AF points to choose from, with 49 of them covering the center phase detect. Fujiifilm claims the X-T2’s processor allows it to refocus more frequently, improving its ability to predict what you're trying to focus on. I didn't really notice any big difference there, but I did appreciate some other updates: the X-T2 now accepts two SD cards, has a much more convenient 3.5mm mic input, and connects over USB 3.0. The eye cup is wider, so it's a little better for people with glasses (me) and cuts out more light. And the locking mechanism for the top dials has also changed. When you push the small black circles, they'll rise up a little bit and unlock. Move the dial to where you want it, push again, and it locks in place.

One pretty odd new "feature" affects the 3-inch rear LCD. Before it could tilt up or down, but now it also tilts out to the right. I'm honestly not sure why Fuji made this design decision; it doesn't allow for a ton more creativity (it won't flip out a full 90 degrees) and feels like something that could eventually break. I doubt I'd ever use it, but it's there if you need to get a tight shot or video.

That battery grip you see above, though... That can drastically upgrade some of the X-T2's capabilities. It's not cheap, but holds two additional batteries — for a total of three — and can charge both of them simultaneously with the included AC adapter. So you're all set as far as battery life goes, but it does a bit more than that. There's a "Boost" mode on back that, when switched on, actually pulls juice from all three batteries at once. This boosts the camera's continuous shooting speed to 11fps (the X-T2 is limited to 8 without the grip / Boost mode) and makes the electronic viewfinder feel even smoother and more lifelike with a refresh rate of 100fps; there's no discernible lag at all. The grip also features a headphone jack for monitoring your audio when shooting video, and as I mentioned before, extends the length limitation when recording. I bought the large metal grip accessory for the X-T1, but I might just shell out for this instead when the X-T2 launches.

There's a lot to like about the X-T2, and I certainly haven't mentioned everything. The settings have gotten more convenient and versatile; now you can store three different Auto ISO preferences and switch between them depending on what you're shooting. The new ACROS monochrome film simulation turns out some beautiful results. And just like its predecessor, the X-T2 has built-in Wi-Fi for sharing your images right to your smartphone and posting them to Instagram without delay. But the improvements you'll notice most often come with that 24-megapixel sensor, better autofocus, and yeah, maybe it's worth trying out the 4K video. I'm not positive I want to go through the hassle of selling my X-T1 and purchasing Fuji's latest. But every time I pick it up, the argument for upgrading gets a little easier. Fujifilm is also announcing a $450 flash, the EX-F500, designed as a perfect companion for the X-T2. (The tiny flash included with the camera is still kind of a joke.) That's also shipping in September.

Photography by Amelia Holowaty Krales.

source: theverge.com