Kingston’s HyperX branch just revealed memory kits that speed up to 4,000MHz

Why it matters to you

PC builders and customers looking to update their current memory configuration now have a load of options from HyperX, including kits running at 4,000MHz.

Talk about quick thinking! Kingston Technology’s HyperX gaming division introduced new HyperX Predator DDR4 system memory kits with speeds (frequencies) of up to a staggering 4,000MHz. The company also added kits with high storage capacities of up to 128GB clocked at 3,000MHz. All memory sticks provided in the new kits support Intel’s Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) technology for easy and safe overclocking.

Here is what HyperX now offers:

Single sticks:

Part Number
Capacity
Frequency
Latency
HX424C12PB3/8
8GB
2,400MHz
CL12
HX426C13PB3/8
8GB
2,666MHz
CL13
HX430C15PB3/8
8GB
3,000MHz
CL15
HX424C12PB3/16
16GB
2,400MHz
CL12
HX426C13PB3/16
16GB
2,666MHz
CL13
HX430C15PB3/16
16GB
3,000MHz
CL15

Two-pack kit:

Part Number
Capacity
Frequency
Latency
HX424C12PB3K2/16
16GB (2x 8GB)
2,400MHz
CL12
HX426C13PB3K2/16
16GB (2x 8GB)
2,666MHz
CL13
HX436C17PB3K2/16
16GB (2x 8GB)
3,600MHz
CL17
HX440C19PB3K2/16
16GB (2x 8GB)
4,000MHz
CL19
HX424C12PB3K2/32
32GB (2x 32GB)
2,400MHz
CL12
HX426C13PB3K2/32
32GB (2x 32GB)
2,666MHz
CL13

Four-pack kit:

Part Number
Capacity
Frequency
Latency
HX424C12PB3K4/32
32GB (4x 8GB)
2,400MHz
CL12
HX426C13PB3K4/32
32GB (4x 8GB)
2,666MHz
CL13
HX433C16PB3K4/32
32GB (4x 8GB)
3,333MHz
CL16
HX436C17PB3K4/32
32GB (4x 8GB)
3,600MHz
CL17
HX424C12PB3K4/64
64GB (4x 16GB)
2,400MHz
CL12
HX426C13PB3K4/64
64GB (4x 16GB)
2,666MHz
CL13

Eight-pack kit:

Part Number
Capacity
Frequency
Latency
HX430C15PB3K8/128
128GB (8x 16GB)
3,000MHz
CL15

Regarding latency, that “CL” designation is short for Column Access Strobe Latency. The typical memory stick consists of the printed circuit board (PCB), storage modules soldered onto that PCB, and input/output pins on the PCB that make an electrical connection to the motherboard’s memory socket. Latency starts when the motherboard’s memory controller tells the memory stick to access data stored on one of its modules, and ends when that data is made available on the PCB/stick’s input-output pins.

That said, a DDR4 memory stick clocked at 2,400 with a CL17 latency will see that data retrieval process completed in around 14.17 nanoseconds. Typically, the faster the stick’s frequency/speed, the lower the latency.

Yet despite the Intel-based XMP overclocking profiles, the HyperX Predator memory sticks work just fine in the latest AMD-based PCs as well. Overall, each Predator-branded stick provided in the HyperX kits consumes up to 1.35 volts of energy, and has an operating temperature ranging from zero degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius. They also measure approximately 133.35mm x 42.2mm.

“HyperX continues to lead the gaming memory market with high quality, high-performance memory for anyone building a new DDR4 rig,” says Kristy Ernt, global memory business manager, HyperX. “If you are a fan of AMD or Intel, HyperX memory offers the enhanced performance needed to game at your best.”

HyperX didn’t provide any pricing at the time this article went live, but the company appears to have completely revamped its lineup of Predator DDR4 kits with this new rollout. HyperX also mentioned a two-pack kit of 8GB (2x 4GB) in its Computex announcement on Tuesday, May 30, but didn’t list the part number along with all the other kits posted above.

We expect more information will surface once Computex comes to a close later this week.

BlackBerry KEYone hits Amazon and Best Buy on May 31st

BlackBerry and TCL have teased the KEYone for nearly half a year, and now Americans can finally see what all the fuss is about without jumping through hoops. The two have revealed that unlocked, US-friendly variants of the Android-powered BlackBerry will be available at both Amazon and Best Buy on May 31st. Spend $550 and you’ll get the phone in either a GSM-tuned version (for the likes of AT&T and T-Mobile) or, if you shop at Amazon, a CDMA model optimized for Verizon. If that up-front price is just too much, Sprint and other carriers should offer the KEYone this summer.

As we explained in our review, whether or not you like the KEYone comes down to one question: how much do you want a physical keyboard? It’s a very capable phone with high build quality, a good camera, thoughtful touches (such as a keyboard that doubles as a trackpad) and exceptional battery life, but you still need to like the notion of pecking on plastic instead of the usual virtual keys. This is for people who still miss their old-school BlackBerry phones — it’s great for them, but a niche device for everyone else.

Source: BlackBerry Mobile

‘Bastion’ studio’s ‘Pyre’ will be exclusive to PS4 on July 25th

Last we’d heard of the next game from Bastion and Transistor studio Supergiant Games, Pyre, there wasn’t much to report in terms of concrete info. Today we have a bit more information, including when you’ll finally be able to play it: July 25th exclusively on PlayStation 4 and you can pre-order it right now for $20. The party-based role-playing game has some lofty narrative ambitions, too. Creative director Greg Kasavin writes on the PlayStation Blog that failure won’t stop your progress through the game’s story.

“We wanted to make a game that had plenty of challenge and exciting action, but where the fear and frustration of getting stuck was not a factor,” Kasavin says. “Picking yourself up after being defeated could be part of the journey, rather than something that took place in your head while looking at a Game Over screen.

“So, one of the unique aspects of Pyre is how you are never forced to lose progress. Whether you prevail or fail, your journey continues.”

Sounds cool, right? There’s also the three-on-three combat, in addition to the oh-so-vibrant hand-painted landscapes and Darren Korb’s original score on the old gramophone to look forward to.

Last year, Kasavin said that launching on multiple platforms would add additional work to Supergiant’s small team’s plate and that it wouldn’t be feasible. But, considering the smattering of places you can play Bastion — including Xbox One — maybe Microsoft fans will get to play it at some point as well. Considering that the Xbox One still doesn’t have Supergiant’s PS4 debut title, Transistor, perhaps Xbox owners shouldn’t hold their breath, however.

Source: PlayStation Blog

Supreme Court decision lifts ownership rights over patent law

In a win for anyone who has ever been frustrated by overpriced ink, the Supreme Court ruled today (PDF) that printer maker Lexmark can’t sue companies that refill old cartridges and sell them at a discount. More specifically, the court ruled that Lexmark gave away its patent rights to the cartridges (and their single-use microchips) as soon as it started selling them. While the case may seem narrowly focused, digital rights groups are hailing it as a win for consumers in general and a decision that could affect everyone’s right to repair their own devices.

Even though Lexmark’s customer contract states the cartridges can’t be reused or resold, the court decided that these restrictions don’t apply to remanufacturers that recycle used cartridges — such as the West Virginia-based printer shop that initially brought the case. The court also rejected Lexmark’s arguments that these complicated contract structures are necessary in the modern technology industry. Pointing out that “a generic smartphone” has parts covered by 250,000 patents, Chief Justice John Roberts said that overbroad applications of patent rights were unfair to consumers, limited their ability to use their devices as they see fit and would “clog the channels of commerce, with little benefit from the extra control that the patentees retain.”

As Fortune also notes, the Supreme Court has been routinely overturning these sorts of patent cases that get elevated from the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals — the court tasked with hearing every single patent case in the country. Ultimately, this is a good sign for consumers, however, and it bodes well if tech companies’ efforts to squash mom-and-pop repair shops ever reaches the Supreme Court. In fact, the digital rights advocates at the Electronic Frontier Foundation are calling the decision a “victory in the right to tinker” and the patent reform watchdog group Public Knowledge says the decision, “is a strong recognition that consumer rights have primary importance.”

Via: Wall Street Journal

Source: Supreme Court

Startup’s solar roof is cheaper, more efficient, and easier to install than Tesla’s solar tiles

Why it matters to you

Solar roofs are becoming more affordable and convenient for home owners looking to invest in clean energy.

The solar roofing competition is heating up, and one company in particular is looking to challenge Tesla head-on. Californian upstart Forward Labs has its own solar roof design, and not only is it cheaper than Tesla’s — it allegedly installs in half the time, too.

Technologically speaking, Forward Labs’s solar roof is slightly different than Tesla’s. The startup’s innovative design uses monocrystalline solar cells, which have a higher energy density than most other solar products. As such, these solar cells can achieve 19-watts per square foot compared to 11W per square foot for other solar cells.

Aesthetically, the overall design of the Forward Labs roof is notably different from Tesla’s as well. The Tesla roof is designed to mimic the classic rooftop shingle model, with each solar shingle made from three basic layers: a solar cell, a masking film, and a top layer of tempered glass. Conversely, Forward Labs’s design uses a single, fully-integrated standing-seam metal design with a similar tempered glass top layer.

While Tesla uses a a film to disguise the cells from onlookers (and pesky neighborhood associations), Forward Labs’ five-layer build comes with an “optimal chromatic cloaking” layer below the tempered glass. The roof is available in eight colors at the moment, however the chromatic layer means virtually any color is possible.

Forward Labs CEO, Zach Taylor, recently stated that his company’s solar roof will cost $8.50 per square foot for the roof (plus $3.25 per watt for the solar). And while many solar roofs can take nearly a week to install, the Forward Labs roof can be up and running in just a few days — or so the company claims. Most importantly, the final product will supposedly cost on average about one third less than Tesla’s solar roof.

Time will tell if these bold claims turn out to be true, but in the meantime, Forward Labs is currently taking preorders, and plans to launch the roof officially sometime in 2018.

Get compensated for your delayed or canceled flight with an app from AirHelp

Why it matters to you

There are few things more annoying than a delayed or canceled flight, but Boarding Pass Scanner wants to provide you with some silver lining — compensation.

If time is money, and you lose time because of a delayed or canceled flight, it seems only natural that you gain money to reset the balance. Because really, how else can you be appeased after sitting in an airport for hours only to find that you are unable to go home (or worse yet, on vacation)? AirHelp understands your frustration and has launched an in-app boarding pass scanner that promises to deliver real-time flight compensation eligibility decisions. With just a couple taps of your finger, you can turn your delayed or canceled flight into a reimbursement claim, finding your silver lining even if you are not flying high among the clouds.

Now available in the AirHelp app, the Boarding Pass Scanner will let you check whether or not you are eligible for flight delay compensation in real time, which allows you to make a claim instantly from your boarding gate. Simply scan the barcode on your boarding pass using your smartphone’s camera, and the app will do the heavy lifting for you. You can also add multiple boarding passes at once, so if you are traveling with friends and family, you can play hero by (hopefully) getting some money back.

“Enlightening consumers about their passenger rights and streamlining the process to seek compensation is our company’s core mission. We’re delighted to celebrate the launch of this new feature that provides a straight-forward and easy-to-use solution for a common frustration,” said AirHelp CEO and co-founder Henrik Zillmer.

This is by no means the first feature AirHelp has launched to make traveling less of a pain for passengers. Earlier in 2017, the company launched Herman, a robot lawyer that is meant to process travel claims more efficiently and more accurately. And now, with the Boarding Pass Scanner, you will be moving faster than ever (even if your plane isn’t).

“Each year, more than eight million air passengers are entitled to compensation for a delayed, canceled or overbooked flight, but only two percent will go on to actually file a claim,” Zillmer said. “Our priority is ensuring passengers are not deterred from claiming what they’re legally entitled to, by empowering them to file for compensation hassle-free with just a few clicks of their smartphone.”

6 awesome laptop deals for dads and grads that can save you up to $350

Graduation season is upon us and Father’s Day is just around the corner, so now is a great time to score an awesome deal on a name-brand laptop as a gift for a loved one — or even for yourself.

Shopping for a new computer can be a time-consuming hassle, so we’ve handpicked some of the best current discounts to spare you some work. Along with offering a selection of discounted computers from name-brand makers like Apple and HP, our laptop deal roundup highlights a variety of models suited for different needs — from general use to hardcore gaming — to help you find the PC that best fits your lifestyle.

The budget option: Acer Aspire ES 15 ES1-572-31KW

First on our laptop deal roundup is the budget-friendly Acer Aspire ES 15 ES1-572-31KW, which is available for just $300 on Amazon after a $20 discount. This PC features a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 LED display which utilizes CineCrystal technology for a crisp and color-rich HD picture.

The sixth-generation Intel Core i3-6100U 2.3GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 520 GPU work together to provide sufficient power for work, light gaming, and general use, making the Aspire E5-575-33BM a great choice for an affordable everyday laptop. The computer comes with a 1TB hard drive for plenty of internal storage, and the battery can last more than six hours on a single charge so you have enough power for a day’s work on the go.

$300 from Amazon

The workhorse: Asus P-Series P2540UA-AB51

Asus manufactures a wide lineup of affordable laptop computers, and if you’re in need of a reliable work companion, consider the Asus P-Series P2540UA-AB51. A step up specs-wise from the Acer Aspire, the Asus P-Series comes equipped with a sixth-generation Intel Core i5-7200U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. The 15.6-inch widescreen display offers a 1080p resolution to let you enjoy your games, videos, and pictures in full HD, while the embedded TPM Security chip and fingerprint scanner keep your important work files safe. Asus Business Manager software makes it easy to set up and customize your system as well.

The Asus P-Series P2540UA-AB51 normally goes for $599, but Amazon has it on sale for $100 off, bringing this workhorse laptop down to just $499.

$499 from Amazon

The slimline option: HP Envy 13-ab016nr Notebook

For those wanting something a bit smaller, the HP Envy 13-ab016nr Notebook is a solid option. This slim laptop features a 13-inch display, a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-7200U CPU, and 8GB of RAM, while the 256GB SSD gives you improved disk speeds over traditional hard drives. The Envy’s metal construction and scratch-resistant glass screen increase its durability for when you’re on the move.

The lid hinge has a built-in riser that slightly raises the laptop when it’s open, allowing for a more natural typing posture, as well as extra air flow underneath the unit. The full-size keyboard is backlit as well. The HP Envy 13-ab016nr comes in at just $620 on Amazon, which is a nice $180 discount off of its usual price.

$620 from Amazon

The 2-in-1 option: HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Laptop

Tablets are great for their portability and touchscreen functionality, but the lack of a mouse and keyboard makes them less suitable for work and extended use. Enter the 2-in-1 HP Pavilion x360 convertible laptop. This PC functions as a normal 15-inch notebook complete with keyboard and touchpad, but features a Full HD touchscreen display that can be flipped around and folded down for use as a tablet. An Intel Core i5-7200U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 1TB hard drive also deliver more than enough power and storage for most needs.

The HP Pavilion x360 convertible laptop is currently on sale for $550 on Amazon, giving you a whopping 39 percent discount of $350 for a limited time. Also included with the computer is a Woov laptop sleeve, a $60 value that is yours for free.

$550 from Amazon

For the Gamer: Acer Aspire VX 15

New on the scene for 2017, the Acer Aspire VX 15 is a laptop built for gamers that – unlike many portable gaming machines – won’t cost you a fortune. With its Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, the VX 15 is the only laptop on our list equipped with a dedicated graphics card. The seventh-generation Core i7-7700HQ processor can be clocked up to 3.8GHz with Intel Turbo technology, which, when paired with a mighty 16GB of RAM, should give you lots of power for demanding games.

The 15.6-inch IPS display lets you enjoy your gaming in full HD, and makes the laptop a good desktop replacement without being too bulky to carry around. The distinctive angular lines and red-and-black color scheme are accented by a red backlit keyboard. Still new on the market, the Acer Aspire VX 15 can be difficult to find, but Amazon now has it available for $1,000 after a $50 discount.

$1,000 from Amazon

For the Apple lover: MacBook Pro with 13.3” Retina display

MacBooks can be expensive but you can score some awesome deals and save hundreds by buying a professionally refurbished model directly from the experts at Apple. The Apple store is currently offering a generous $200 discount on a refurbished 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina display, bringing the cost down to $1,099 from its standard $1,299 price tag.

Apple’s famous Retina display technology features an impressive resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, giving you an extremely crisp picture for a compact 13-inch screen. Under the hood, the MacBook Pro comes loaded with a fifth-generation dual-core Intel Core i5 2.7GHz processor, 8GB of installed RAM, and 128GB of flash storage. Two Thunderbolt 2 connector ports allow for high-speed data transfers, and the integrated battery provides up to 10 hours of power.

$1,099 from Apple

Here’s how to fix those annoying Office-induced command prompt pop-ups

Why it matters to you

Follow these steps to stop Windows Office from causing the command prompt to pop up.

If you have been frustrated lately by command prompt windows opening unexpectedly over the last few weeks and you are a Microsoft Office user, you are not alone. Apparently, Office has been causing this to occur recently and while there is a fix, it takes a little work.

The issue seems to be related to a Microsoft Office task that runs in the background. Microsoft has been aware of the issue and a fix is available, but only if you’re in the Windows Insider program on the Slow ring, MS Power User reports.

The issue was first identified in the Microsoft Answers forum on April 14 and the culprit is the “OfficeBackgroundHandlerRegistration” task. It can be found running in the Task Manager on any machine with the production version of Office installed, and Microsoft issued a fix in Office 2016 build 16.0.8201.2025.

That is the version you will be running if you are an Office Insider Slow ring user and are updated to the latest preview version available in that ring. If not, then you will need to take a few steps if you want to stop the command prompt from flashing every hour or so.

First, open the Task Scheduler app as an administrator. The easiest method is to go to the Cortana search field and enter “Task Scheduler,” then right-click on the app and select “Run as administrator.”

Next, expand the Task Scheduler Library, and then Microsoft, and select Office.

Right-click on “OfficeBackgroundTaskHandlerRegistration” and select “Disable.”

That is all you need to do. Once the task is disabled, the command prompt will no longer pop up unexpectedly. There does not seem to be any negative effect from disabling the task, and so it is a reasonable step to take until Microsoft pushes a fix to all version of Office. Of course, you could always go here and sign up for the Office Insider program and put your machine on the Slow ring, with the added benefit of getting early access to some new Office features.

Olixar’s iPhone case now comes equipped with a fidget spinner

Why it matters to you

If you’re in the market for a new iPhone 7 case that simultaneously acts as a stress reliever, the Olixar Fidget Spinner is the perfect choice.

What do you get when you combine Apple’s latest iPhone and one of the hottest trends of 2017?  A phone case complete with a handy-dandy fidget spinner.

Olixar released a lightweight and durable case for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus that also includes a fidget spinner. The black-and-white pattern looks similar to any traditional iPhone case on the market, leaving room in the middle for the detachable toy.

Coming in after an already-existing line of fidget toys such as the Fidget Cube and Think Ink, the fidget spinner is yet another potential cure to the (at times) easily distracted human mind.

Made up of lightweight plastic or metal, simply hold the center pad, flick the three prongs, and watch it spin. That’s all there is to the spinner. Even though there are far more intricate and expensive gadgets on the scene to play with, large chain stores like Toys R Us and Walmart are struggling to keep enough fidget spinners on the shelves.

The toy is the most recent craze throughout the country and like the name suggests, is meant to help those who tend to be “fidgety.” It’s also marketed as a tool to help with Autism, ADHD, and anxiety, in children particularly.

While it’s yet to be scientifically proven whether the device helps increase productivity, research does suggest that our habit to multitask is causing our attention spans to decrease, Live Science reports. Fidgeting devices like the fidget spinner may be a small step in the right direction towards maintaining focus.

Olixar has taken the typical everyday adult struggles of constantly being on our smartphones and combined them with a kid’s toy. Whether it’s waiting for your battery to power back up again or attempting to sit still when reading long emails, the fidget spinner is readily available on the back to provide support in times of need (especially to those who send risky texts).

While the case is suitable to hold and carry, the spinner definitely rules out being able to slip the phone into your pocket unless you leave the gadget at home or pack them separately. But for $26, it may be worth it for those trying to keep calm and trendy. After all, isn’t that what adulting is all about?

SCOTUS rules in favor of you fixing your smartphone and reselling its parts

Good news, tinkerers: now you can do what you like to your devices without fear of patent-defying blowback.

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled in favor of consumers in the Impression Products v. Lexmark International case. It’s a massive win for the repair world because it means that companies like iFixit that sell detailed repair kits, complete with replacement parts in some, aren’t violating patents.

Kyle Wiens, the founder of iFixit.com, took to Twitter to celebrate the Court’s decision, citing specific language used by Justice Roberts that directly referenced smartphone repair:

Big news: the Supreme Court rules in favor of consumers in Impression v Lexmark https://t.co/oTjFv0em0s

— Kyle Wiens (@kwiens) May 30, 2017

Justice Roberts explicitly references the impossibility of procuring patent licenses for cell phone parts pic.twitter.com/NOCsIvy0ht

— Kyle Wiens (@kwiens) May 30, 2017

What does this mean for you, the smartphone tinkerer? It means you’re free to modify your phone with parts you’ve purchased off the internet. It also means you can, for example, more easily resell those older handsets you’ve maybe collected from friends over the year and fixed up for fun, without fear of repercussions from the manufacturers that made the phone and hold the patent for its design.

Charles Duan, Director of the Patent Reform Project at Public Knowledge, said that this decision is indeed “a strong recognition that consumer rights have primary importance.” He continues:

Consumers purchase patented products every day, and companies who manufacture and sell these products have long sought to leverage patent law into a tool to control how consumers use and resell those products now owned by the consumer.

Corporate restrictions on how products are used and resold are costly and onerous for consumers. The decision today largely puts a stop to that practice, at least with respect to patent law. Nevertheless, patent law is not the only tool that companies use to restrict how consumers use and resell their possessions — copyright law, trademark law, clever contracts and end-user license agreements continue to burden consumers with restrictions that are often unbalanced and unfair. We will continue to oppose these breaches upon consumer ownership rights in these areas.

The Impression Products v. Lexmark International case was originally filed because of printer cartridges. Resellers like Impression Products had figured out how to pop out the chips inside Lexmark printer cartridges that were originally placed there as an effort against being refilled and resold. But that prompted Lexmark to sue those resellers, using the “patent exhaustion” doctrine as its right. Impression Products was tired of being sued, and so it filed this plea with the Supreme Court to prevent anymore future repercussions.

If you’d like to read more about the case, the SCOTUS’s syllabus on the case is available in PDF format.