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Saturday, August 2nd, 2014
| Time | Event |
| 12:50p | LG Issues G Watch Update to Fix Issues With Corrosion
LG's G Watch is one of the first devices to run Android Wear. Like many first generation tech products, early adopters are usually subject to problems due to design oversights and immature software. With the G Watch there have been reports from users that they are experiencing a little bit of both with an issue relating to corrosion of the watch's charging pins. The issue seems to occur primarily after long periods of exercise where the user has been sweating. This is because sweat contains salt, an electrolyte which dissolves and forms ions which allows the liquid sweat to better conduct electricity. This sweat forming around the contact pins causes galvanic corrosion which is a chemical reaction where a metal corrodes another metal when they are in electrical contact and in the presence of an electrolyte. It may be strange to think that a software update could fix an issue with metal corrosion on a device, but the issue occurs due to the current flow from the charging pins while surrounded by sweat. It is being reported that LG is issuing an OTA updating the watch from build number KMV78V to KMV78Y to fix the issue by disabling the current to the charging pins when the watch is not in the charging dock. A Google representative has confirmed with Android Police that this is the case and that the update began rolling out yesterday. Hopefully this update fixes the issues and saves LG from dealing with a plethora of warranty claims, and G Watch users from having to make them. The update should also address complaints from some users about discomfort and irritation of the skin underneath the charging pins on their wrists. |
| 2:19p | Lian Li’s PC-V2130 Full Tower Announced
Our trip to Lian Li at Computex this year sported several models of their new range of desk-based chassis, but on the side lines next to those we caught a glimpse of several cases that were almost ready to go to mass market. One of them was the PC-V2130, which Lian Li is formally announcing the release of today.
At a volume of 94.8 liters, the full tower size will support motherboards up to HPTX, E-ATX and XL-ATX as well as ATX/mATX/mITX. The chassis has wheels in each of the corners for mobility, and each wheel is lockable. Total dimensions measure 237mm x 640mm x 625mm within the 9.8 kg aluminium chassis.
Up to eleven 3.5”/2.5” drives are supported, along with another four 2.5” drives on a removable bracket. The 5.25” cage is also modular, supporting either three 5.25” devices or three of the 2.5”/3.5” drives. The rear of the motherboard also has room for another three 2.5"/3.5" drives, making eighteen possible in total. The top panel provides support for 240/280mm radiators, with space for two more 280mm radiators and the front and bottom of the chassis. The front IO panel is on the top of the chassis and uses a stealth cover when not in use. The chassis is designed to be as tool less as possible, and the ten PCI/PCIe expansion slots are suitable for almost any GPU arrangement. The inside of the side panel and the front door is lined with Lian Li’s sound absorbing foam, with the fan vents have removable filters. The front of the case is protected by a lockable vanity panel and behind the motherboard is 31mm (1.2-inches) of cable management space. Up to 360 mm of VGA card is supported, as well as 200 mm power supplies and 180 mm CPU coolers.
Lian Li will offer three models, the PC-V2130A in silver, the PC-V2130B in black and the PC-V2130X with the inside coated black with a side panel window. MSRP for the regular models will be $499, with the windowed side panel version at $569. The cases should be available via Newegg by the end of August. Source: Lian Li |
| 3:45p | Combo SDIMM: Apacer adds SATA M.2 Storage to DRAM Modules
One focus of PC design is towards the smaller form factor. While mini-ITX is the standard ‘small’ form factor, Apacer is starting to sample their Combo SDIMMs that add storage functionality to the DRAM module (Storage + DIMM = SDIMM in this case, or so it would seem). The idea is to remove a bulky storage device attached via a cable and migrate it to another PCB – in this case, the DRAM module. Note this means this is not extra DRAM, just two different devices on the same PCB drawing from the same power source. These modules come with either an M.2 slot, supporting 2242/2260/2280, or a CFast memory card. Both options are still connected to the SATA interface, although they draw power from the DRAM slot rather than the motherboard directly. Apacer is thinking that users who want M.2 or CFast capabilities can purchase these combo modules and connect them without having to upgrade. Or alternatively, in order to reduce bulk in the system. While reducing bulk in ATX might not count for much as there is plenty of space to play with, it makes more sense on mini-ITX. Only one mini-ITX motherboard supports 2280 M.2 drives, the ASUS Z97I-Plus, but at the expense of extra routing and PCB layers to place it on the rear. Apacer is also quoting potential use in embedded devices, with M.2 support up to 256GB and CFast to 128GB. If an embedded device manufacturer goes custom then soldering on DRAM and adding an M.2 slot negates this new technology. The main application for Apacer, as quoted in their press release, would seem to be towards the Internet of Things and also the suspected wave of upgrades to appear now that Windows XP has officially stopped patching security flaws for regular license holders. This Combo SDIMM adopts the DDR3 standard (I would assume DDR4 might be around the corner as well), and takes advantage of the VLP DIMM PCB design (0.748-inch in z-height) for the memory chips. Size or speed of the actual DRAM on the module is not quoted, although given the image we have access to, it would look like there will be at least 8 GB modules running at DDR3-1600 CL11. One could argue that 4x8GB of DRAM with four M.2 drives saving space could be a good thing, or even more in an X79 system. Note in the image above there is an SLI-like connector between the modules - this is presumably the SATA connector. For the motherboard in the image, it would seem that the smart orientation would be the other way.
Apacer is now sampling customers for evaluation, which would point to an OEM only release for workstations or SFF systems. |
| 4:58p | Crucial DDR4 Available for Pre-Order at OverclockersUK
While browsing the internet this evening I found a news post that started quoting UK pricing for DDR4. Given the length of time between now and the official DDR4 launch, and given that DRAM manufacturers are already announcing their kits, a quick trip to the shopping part of Google gave some interesting numbers. Several DDR4 kits had prices listed, all from one UK retailer and all from Crucial.
All the kits on offer are quad channel, with 4x8 GB and 4x4 GB kits. Notice they are all pre-order, stating a 29/8/14 ETA (or 8/29 for the US) – the end of August. The kits at hand are offered in several speeds and price points. Note the prices above in orange are UK pricing, which includes our 20% sales tax: the black price underneath is excluding sales tax. Here is the price comparison without tax:
2133 C16: £141.66 for 4x4GB, or £8.85 / GB
2400 C16: £149.99 for 4x4GB, or £9.37 / GB
2666 C15: £199.99 for 4x4GB, or £12.50 / GB
3000 C15: £274.99 for 4x4GB, or £17.19 / GB
Aside from the obvious price premium over DDR3, as is normal for a new technology, it is worth noting that 4x4 GB of the 3000 C15 is the same price as 4x8 GB of the 2133 C16. If Crucial are this early out of the gate with online listings, the other DRAM manufacturers should not be far behind. Source: OverclockersUK
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