MSI GT72 Dominator Pro Gaming Notebook Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M or GTX 870M

Looking for a gaming notebook and you want to squeeze all the power you possible can under its hood? MSI has just rolled out the latest addition to its Dominator Pro lineup of advanced gaming systems.

The GT72 Dominator Pro takes design cues from matte-black racing super cars, offering customers what can be considered a highly aesthetic device. The laptop has been released as a reaction to the increasingly competitive gaming market, which tends to spurt out more and more heavily packed gaming devices, all cramped up under a sleek form factor. We should start the specification tour by saying that the laptop arrives with a 17.3-inch Full HD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution. The new device takes advantage of the high-end NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M or GTX 870M graphics card in order to transform the device into a gaming-ready machine. MSI says that compared to the previous-gen GTX 780M and GTX 770M, the new GPU architecture manages to boost performance by up to 15% (as proved by 3D Mark 11 standard tests).

What’s interesting is that the press-release doesn’t reveal the exact nature of the processor living under the hood. We are dealing with a Haswell i7 chip, but its exact specifications are unknown. A while ago, MSI rolled out the MSI G70 Dominator Dragon Edition which draws life from an Intel Core i7-4810MQ clocked at 2.7GHz. Anyway, going back to the GT72, MSI points out that this is the first laptop in the world to come boasting Killer DoubleShot Pro. This system offers support for both Killer Gb LAN and Wi-Fi 802.11ac protocol. It will deliver average latency improvements of 3.5 times higher than laptops supporting 802.11ac.

The machine utilizes the Killer Network Manager to tap into the Smart Teaming function and from there provide optimization of bandwidth usage between Wi-Fi and Gb LAN. The laptop also boasts Super RAID 3 technology with 4 SSD RAID 0, so the data read/write speed can reach up to 1600MB/sec or more. The device should be able to handle everything you throw at it, and since it benefits from the Cooler Boost 3 tech, it should do so quite noiselessly. Cooler Boost works in order to improve fan speed, keep CPU temperature and noise at optimal levels so that game playing isn't hindered.

Other specifications we should draw your attention to are Xplit Gamecaster (for online game streaming), SteelSeries keyboard with backlit keys, and Matrix multi-display tech which lets you connect the laptop to up to 3 external display (steaming up to 4K). It seems like the MSI website, lists the Intel Core i7-4710HQ chip as the only option for the new Dominator Pro. Anyway, prices seems to be started at $2,599 / €1,945. Images gallery available below, click for larger image.

MSI GT72 Dominator Pro arrives with the most powerful NVIDIA GPU
Images credits to MSI

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HiSense Nana Launched with Windows Phone 8.1, Dual-SIM CDMA+GSM Support

Even more new smartphones running under Windows Phone 8.1, the latest flavor of Microsoft’s mobile operating system, are starting to arrive around the world, and the most recent of them has been revealed today by Chinese vendor HiSense.

This is one of the mobile phone makers to have revealed partnerships with Microsoft earlier this year, and it has already launched another device running under Windows Phone 8.1, in the form of HiSense MIRA6. The new smartphone, however, is a bit special, as it has been announced as the very first Windows Phone device to include Dual-SIM CDMA+GSM capabilities. What this means is that the phone will be released with the Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 (GDR1) platform version right from the start. Microsoft did include dual-SIM support in Windows Phone before, but the aforementioned Update 1 represents the first OS iteration to boast support for CDMA and GSM Dual-SIM functionality, as WMPoweruser notes. The phone also offers dual-standby capabilities, and should arrive on shelves with support for China Telecom’s network.

The new mobile phone will arrive on shelves under the name of HiSense Nana (it also features model no. E260T), and will also provide users with a taste of Huna, which is nothing else than the Chinese version of Cortana (currently available only in a beta version). The smartphone will hit the market with pretty decent hardware specifications inside, though it will still be only an entry-level device, so don’t expect too much from it. It will, however, feature a 5-inch touchscreen display capable of delivering an HD resolution, which will be quite enough for a phone in its category. According to info coming from cnbeta, HiSense packed the new handset with a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 200 processor, as well as with 1GB of RAM.

Additionally, the new HiSense Nana sports 8GB of internal memory, but also arrives on shelves with a microSD memory card slot so that users could add up to 32GB of external storage to it. On the back, the smartphone features an 8-megapixel camera, which should deliver appealing imaging performance, while packing a 5MP camera on the front, a great option for snapping selfies and for making video calls while on the go. Apparently, HiSense plans on making the new Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone available for purchase before the end of this month, with a price tag of 599 Yuan ($97/€72.5) attached to it. We suspect that the new mobile phone will be available for purchase only in China, as the handset vendor hasn’t revealed any details on its possible release on other markets as well.

Windows Phone 8.1-based HiSense Nana
Image credits to WMPowerUser

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Galaxy Alpha Spotted in Photos Next to iPhone 5s, Confirmed for Various Carriers

Samsung Galaxy Alpha, the metal-clad Android-based smartphone that South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung Electronics is expected to make official on August 13, has leaked online in a new series of photos, this time showcased next to an iPhone 5s.

Said images, available courtesy of Twitter user @culeaks, show that the new handset will be slimmer than Apple’s existing handset, which is 7.6mm thick. Previous reports suggested that Samsung would plan on launching the device with a 6mm thin body, and it seems that they might pan out. Apparently, the handset vendor decided to pack Galaxy Alpha with an 1850mAh battery inside, which explains why it remains so thin. Moreover, this also sheds some more light on why the company built the Galaxy Alpha with a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display that would boast only a 720p resolution, at a 320ppi pixel density. Should the screen have been larger, a bigger battery would have been included in the device, which automatically might have resulted in a thicker body.

Despite the small size, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha will still be a powerful smartphone, as it should be powered by an octa-core Exynos 5433 processor, as PhoneArena notes. However, the device in the photos below sports the LTE-A logo on the back, which means that it is aimed at the South Korean market, and that it might be powered by a Snapdragon 805 processor. Additionally, the handset should arrive on shelves with 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal memory, and LTE Cat. 6 capabilities. The usual set of connectivity options and sensors should also be included in the package. On the back, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Alpha should sport a 12-megapixel camera, most probably capable of recording videos at least in full HD resolution. A front camera for making video calls will also be included in the package.

Moreover, the upcoming mobile phone is expected to arrive on shelves with the Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system loaded on top right from the start, but also with a variety of customizations coming from Samsung itself. Samsung Galaxy Alpha hasn’t been officially confirmed as of now, but the device has been already spotted in a series of User Agent Profiles on Samsung’s website, with model numbers SM-G850A, SM-G850F, SM-G850H, SM-G850M, and SM-G850T. These listings have confirmed not only some of the features that the smartphone will include, but also the fact that it will be released on shelves at various wireless carriers in the United States, including AT&T(the SM-G850A) and T-Mobile (the SM-G850T).

As mentioned above, Samsung Galaxy Alpha is expected to be officially announced on August 13, and all the necessary info on its hardware specs and market availability will be provided at that time, so keep an eye on this space for updates.

Galaxy Alpha Spotted in Photos Next to iPhone 5s
Images credits to culeaks

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Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Supposedly Spotted in New Leaked Photos

Next month, Japanese mobile phone maker Sony Mobile should make official its next flagship Android-based handset, in the form of Sony Xperia Z3, and it seems that a mini version of the phone will also be announced.

Supposedly called Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, the handset was rumored a few times before, and allegedly leaked photos with it appear to have emerged online once again. According to XperiaBlog, which has found these images on Baidu, the phone depicted here has been actually labeled as Xperia Z3, though it appears to feature a series of design differences when compared to Xperia Z3 smartphone spotted online before. One of these differences would be the distance between the magnetic charging port and the port flap, suggesting that we’re actually looking at a device that is not Xperia Z3. Furthermore, the news site suggests that, since Xperia Z3 Compact should feature a design similar to that of its larger counterpart, this is the phone that we are looking at in said leaked photos. However, there is also the possibility that the device spotted here is actually a prototype version of the Xperia Z3, which would explain the small differences in design.

However, no official confirmation on the matter has been provided as of now, and we’re still uncertain what this phone actually is. One thing that is certain, however, is that, should this be the Xperia Z3, the leaked photos offer a closer look at the flaps and ports that it will sport on each side when made official. You can see the microUSB port on one side, as well as the micro SD memory card and micro SIM slots on the other. For those out of the loop, we should note that the Xperia Z3 Compact is rumored to arrive on the market with a 4.5-inch touchscreen display capable of delivering a full HD resolution, as well as with a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor inside. Moreover, the mobile phone is rumored to include 2GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of internal memory, and a microSD memory card slot for expansion purposes.

On the back, it should sport a 20.7-megapixel camera with at least full HD video recording capabilities, complemented by a 2.1MP front camera for making video calls while on the go. Additionally, the smartphone is expected to run under the Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system right out of the box, and to feature various exclusive apps and features coming from Sony itself. Rumor has it that Sony will make both Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact official at the IFA 2014 trade show in Berlin next month, so stay tuned to learn additional info on them.

Allegedly leaked photos of Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Images credits to Baidu via XperiaBlog

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Android Apps Runs on Windows 9? Former Microsoft Employee Says It’s Possible

There’s no doubt that Windows 9 is going to bring a significant array of changes, and although Microsoft doesn’t talk too much about the new features to be part of this OS release, people that are more or less involved in the development process point to quite some impressive novelties.

Among them, there’s the support for Android apps, which would basically enable every Windows 9 adopter to run software published in the Play Store on their devices, be they smartphones, tablets, or even PCs. Hal Berenson, who in the past worked as engineer and general manager for Microsoft, says that bringing Android apps on Windows 9 is very likely, especially because Microsoft is struggling to address the lack of apps on its modern platforms. Just as expected, everything would start with the Windows Phone version, Berenson explained, and a potential implementation of OpenMobile ALC for Windows could make this reality. “Microsoft has only one play to really close the app gap in the next 12-18 months, and that is something they have to do that if they want Windows Phone to have a future. That play is make it easy for developers to port Android apps to Windows Phone, a capability I think is likely to be part of Threshold,” the former Microsoft employee said.

So what about PCs? If Android apps arrive on Windows Phones, in the same manner they did on BlackBerry 10 devices, expect Microsoft to make it possible to run on PCs and tablets with Windows 9 as well. And Berenson has a pretty good reason for this. “I suspect Microsoft is looking to take this another step, and use the opportunity to easily run Android apps on Threshold to convince developers to adapt them to the Microsoft environment. For example, first use it to encourage developers to support Microsoft services (when running on both Windows and Android),” he said. “Then use it to convince developers to turn their Android apps into multi-platform apps, with customizations (to the user experience) when running on Windows. How far they will go is a big question mark, but I believe they will go beyond just wanting to run existing apps unchanged.”

This isn’t the first time we’re hearing that Microsoft could allow Windows users to run Android apps on their devices, but previous reports pointed to a possible implementation of BlueStacks, the software solution that’s still in beta right now and gives users a chance to install apps from the Play Store on their Windows desktops. This time, however, it appears that Microsoft has a much more ambitious plan, but there’s no doubt that the company still needs to consider a number of setbacks that could in the end affect its core Windows platform.

First and foremost, if the majority of Android apps run on Windows, developers might not port any of their titles to Windows and thus offer users a native experience. Microsoft is already working with developers to encourage them to port apps to modern Windows, so it might look like the company is paving the road to make sure that such a thing won’t happen.

Second, if the Windows + Android cocktail doesn’t work well and users are still not attracted by such a mix, Microsoft could do more harm than good. But as Berenson points out, “when you have 3 percent market share, how much risk is it really?”

Microsoft wants to allow all Windows 9 users to run Android apps on their devices
Image credits to Lottspace.com

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Mini Variant of Lenovo K920 (Vibe Z2 Pro) Allegedly Emerges Online

Tomorrow, Chinese mobile phone maker Lenovo should make official a new high-end smartphone, none other than the Lenovo K920, aka Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro, and it seems that a mini flavor of the device is also being prepared.

For those out of the loop, we should note that Vibe Z2 Pro is rumored to arrive tomorrow with a 6-inch touchscreen display capable of delivering a Quad HD (1440 x 2560 pixels) resolution, as well as with a metallic body. A leaked photo with the Lenovo K920 (Vibe Z2 Pro), that has emerged courtesy of weibo, appears to be showing it next to the aforementioned mini version, which will sport a metallic body as well. One thing that you should be aware of, however, is the fact that this Lenovo K920 mini, or however it will be called, is not a small device. Not even close to being small, in fact. As GSMdome notes, the handset is expected to go official with a 5.5-inch touchscreen display, which is larger than most flagship smartphones out there, and the same size as LG’s G3. The screen on this mini Lenovo K920 (Vibe Z2 Pro) is said to deliver a full HD resolution, and might also include a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, supposedly paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory.

Moreover, chances are that the mobile phone will be announced with a 13-megapixel camera on the back, as well as with a 5MP front camera for taking selfies and for making video calls while on the go. The usual set of connectivity capabilities and sensors should also be included in the package, along with the latest flavor of the Android operating system, just as with the Vibe Z2 Pro. However, with no official confirmation on the device, we’ll take the info above with a grain of salt for the time being. Furthermore, should the phone go official, it remains to be seen whether it will be marketed as Lenovo K920 mini, Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro mini, or it will feature a completely different name. Rumor has it that Lenovo will make the smartphone available for purchase with a price tag of only around $323 (€240) attached to it, which will certainly turn it into a highly appealing device.

Most probably, Lenovo will share some details on this Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro mini as soon as tomorrow, when the fully fledged Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro should become official, so keep an eye on this space for additional info on the matter.

Lenovo K920 (Vibe Z2 Pro) photographed next to a mini variant
Weibo Image credits to  GSMDome

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White Samsung Galaxy Alpha Emerges in Leaked Photos

One of the smartphones that South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung Electronics is expected to make official in the next several weeks is the Galaxy Alpha, long rumored to arrive on shelves as the first handset in the company’s lineup to sport a metallic body.

According to the latest info on the mobile phone, Samsung could be set to announce it on August 13, which would be only three weeks before Samsung Galaxy Note 4 should go official in Berlin during the IFA 2014 trade show. Before that happens, however, you can admire the device in a new set of allegedly leaked images, this time photos that show it all dressed up in white, and also powered up. Said leaked photos have been spotted on weibo and, as nowhereelse notes, they depict a smartphone looking exactly the same as the black Galaxy Alpha did in the previously spotted images. Most probably, Samsung will make the mobile phone official in other color options as well, the same as it did with Galaxy S5 and other recent devices in its lineup. For those out of the loop, we should note that Samsung Galaxy Alpha is expected to be about the same size as the Galaxy S III, which was released two years ago.

The upcoming mobile phone is said to pack a 4.8-inch touchscreen display that should deliver an HD (1280 x 720 pixels) resolution, while being powered by a Snapdragon 801 processor. Apparently, the quad-core CPU will be clocked at 1.9GHz and will also be paired with Mali-T628 graphics. 2GB of RAM will also be attached to it, so as to ensure that users receive appealing performance capabilities at all times. Samsung Galaxy Alpha is also expected to arrive on the market with 32GB of internal memory, but won’t feature a microSD memory card slot for storage expansion purposes, it seems.

On the back, the handset should sport a 12-megapixel camera, which will certainly be capable of recording videos in full HD resolution, if not higher. The mobile phone should run under the Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system version right from the start, though it will also sport a series of exclusive apps and software enhancements coming from Samsung itself, that’s for sure. No official confirmation on Galaxy Alpha has been provided as of now, so take the info above with a grain of salt. Until more on this device emerges online, have a look at the newly leaked images with it, available below. Click for larger images.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Images credits to Weibo via NoWhereElse

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Samsung Galaxy Alpha Photos Emerge Online

One of the smartphones that has seen a great deal of rumors and leaks over the past several months but hasn’t gone official as of now is the Samsung Galaxy Alpha, which many of you might know under the name of Galaxy F.

The handset, supposedly set to land on shelves as a premium flavor of the Samsung Galaxy S5, is now said to have made it online in a series of leaked live photos. Said images, available courtesy of Vietnamese website Tinhte, indeed depict a device that resembles a lot the Galaxy S5, but which sports a metallic body, just as the Galaxy Alpha has been previously rumored to sport. What’s interesting to note is the fact that the handset in said leaked images appears to feature the LTE-A logo on the back, which suggests that it would have a Snapdragon 805 processor inside. Moreover, as pocketdroid.net notes, this could also suggest that the mobile phone might be available exclusively in South Korea, at least in the beginning. Overall, we might see the new device landing on shelves with about the same hardware specifications as the Samsung Galaxy S5, though in a smaller form factor.

Recent reports on the matter have suggested that the mobile phone might come to shelves with a 4.7-inch touchscreen display, albeit one that would deliver a great resolution (some suggest that it would be a Quad HD panel). The aforementioned Snapdragon 805 processor should be paired with 3GB of RAM for increased performance capabilities. Most probably, the mobile phone will also run under the latest flavor of the Android KitKat operating system, provided that it is indeed released in the next few months. Since no official confirmation on the phone has been provided, and since there’s no way to verify whether said leaked photos are the real deal or not, we’ll take the info with a grain of salt for the time being. However, with most of the reports on the yet unannounced device claiming that Samsung would be ready to make it official in a matter of months, it won’t come as a surprise if things pan out in the end.

As far as rumor goes, Samsung might be determined to make both the Galaxy Alpha and the new Galaxy Note 4 devices official during the IFA 2014 trade show in Berlin. Hopefully, more on the matter will emerge soon, so keep an eye on this space for additional details.

Allegedly leaked Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Image credits to Tinhte.vn

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ADATA Releases Overkill XPG V3 Memory of 3,100 MHz

Hardcore PC owners would probably argue that there is no such thing as overkill, especially when it comes to CPU and memory speeds, but I would beg to differ when faced with what ADATA has just released.

The company has formally launched a dual-channel memory kit composed of two modules with a clock of 3,100 MHz frequency: XPG V3. There used to be a time when 2,500 MHz was considered a huge overclock for memory whose technical specification says 1,600 and 1,866 MHz should be the upper “limits.” Clearly, RAM device makers are not concerned with this as pedestrian as “limits.” Adata designed this positively ludicrously overclocked memory kit for systems powered by Z97 motherboards and Intel's Haswell and Broadwell high-end CPUs (Core i3, i5 and i7).

The memory supports Intel XMP 1.3 (Extreme Memory Profile) and has a bandwidth of 24.8 GB/s. Also, the 8-layer PCB with 2oz copper improves cooling performance, which is why the heatspreaders (Thermal Conductive Technology, TCT for short) can even handle the heat caused by the frequency of over 3,000 MHz in the first place. Alas, ADATA did not say what humongous price it intends to charge for a dual-channel, two-module kit. Curiously, it didn't even specify a capacity (it would presumably be offered in 8 GB and/or 16 GB variants).

ADATA XPG V3 memory
Image credits to ADATA

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Xiaomi Mi4 Goes Official with Snapdragon 801 Processor

Today, Chinese mobile phone maker Xiaomi officially announced the upcoming availability of a new flagship handset, in the form of Xiaomi Mi4.

The new device went official during a press event held in Beijing, and it is said to be the fastest smartphone in the world. To ensure high-end performance capabilities for its device, Xiaomi included a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor inside it, along with 3GB of RAM. When last year’s Xiaomi Mi3 was launched, the mobile phone maker claimed that it was the fastest handset in the world at the time, just as it does for the Mi4 today. However, the powerful processor is not the only highly appealing feature that Xiaomi is teasing for its new handset. The company is also touting the phone’s 3080mAh battery as being able to deliver up to one day and a half of usage time, more than what most 5-inch flagship smartphones out there can offer. Moreover, the handset vendor notes that the battery can be charged at 60 percent in less than an hour, so that users won’t stay away from their devices for too long.

The new Xiaomi Mi4 was also announced with a 5-inch touchscreen display that can deliver a full HD resolution and with back-cover replacements to add extra customization options to the package. On the back, the smartphone sports a 13-megapixel camera with a Sony IMX214 sensor, which is capable of recording videos in 4K resolution. Moreover, the mobile phone will arrive on shelves with an 8-megapixel camera on the front and an f/1.8 sensor with 80-degree wide-angle lens, enabling users to enjoy a great experience when it comes to snapping selfies. Xiaomi Mi4 was announced in two different flavors, one featuring 16GB of internal memory, while the other packing 63GB of storage.

The new handset also arrives on shelves with the usual set of connectivity capabilities and sensors inside, while running under the Android operating system. The phone will also sport nano-coating for water resistance. Moreover, the phone features Xiaomi’s own MIUI loaded on top, which provides users with a wide range of customization capabilities. The mobile phone maker confirmed that a new variant of the user interface was set to become available in August, in the form of MIUI 6.5. Users in China interested in the purchase of Xiaomi Mi4 should know that the device is set to be put up for pre-order in the country as soon as July 29, as AndroidOS reports. The handset will be quite affordable, considering its hardware specs. The 16GB model will cost 1,999 Yuan ($322/€238), while the 64GB variant will be priced at 2,499 Yuan ($403/€298).

Xiaomi Mi4
Images credits to Xiaomi via AndroidOS

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