Hardware & Machines

This app allows you to install Windows 10 on ARM on the Raspberry Pi 3

A group of third-party developers have created an installer that brings Microsoft’s Windows 10 on ARM experience to the Raspberry Pi 3, which was spotted by Windows Latest. These developers are the same group of people who got Windows 10 on ARM to run on Lumia 950 and 950 XL handsets.

For those unfamiliar, Raspberry Pis are cheap, simple, credit card-sized, single-board ARM computers with a focus on education and open-source software. Due to its open nature, small size, and surplus of ports and software, it is loved by hardware hackers and DIYers.

Jose Manuel Nieto Sanchez, the developer behind the tool ‘WoA Installer for Raspberry Pi 3’ on the GitHub page of the project says that the tool is “super easy to use” and “no-hassle.”

“WoA Installer is only a tool with helps you with the deployment. WoA Installer needs a set of binaries, AKA the Core Package, to do its job. These binaries are not mine and are bundled and offered just for convenience to make your life easier since this tool is focused on simplicity,” Jose Manuel Nieto? explains on the GitHub page.

The app can be installed on the Raspberry Pi 3 (either the model B or the newer B+). Besides the computer, you need is a microSD card (an A1 rating is preferred), a Windows 10ARM64 image, at least 16 GB of storage, and the latest Core package.

Here’s what you need to do to install Windows 10 ARM on Raspberry Pi 3:

·       Download the Windows 10 ARM image, WoA installer and Core Packages from here.

·       Run WoA Installer and go to the Advanced section.

·       Click on ‘Import Core Package’ option and select the package directly.

·       After importing, you will be allowed to use deploy Windows option.

Before the full Windows ARM version, the only way to run Windows on the Raspberry Pi was by using Windows 10 IoT Core, a version of Windows optimized for smaller devices. However, this stripped-down version of Windows 10 is unfortunately intended for developers only.

While Windows 10 IoT is a great choice for developers, but having another version of Windows may make it feasible for use of everyday users.

Nintendo plans to release a smaller, cheaper Switch console in 2019

Nintendo, the Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company, is reportedly working on a smaller, more portable, and more cheaper version of the Switch console, according to a report from Nikkei (via The Verge).

This move comes after Nintendo lowered its sales targets for the year from 20 million Switch units to 17 million. With the launch of this smaller, portable version of Nintendo Switch, the company is looking to expand its user base.

Rumored to be nicknamed as Nintendo Switch Mini, this handheld console will focus on portability, which means it will be easy for the gamers to carry it while traveling. The new mini Switch version could likely include integrated controllers instead of removable joy-cons, slimmed down hardware, and longer battery life.

However, in order to release an updated and less expensive version of Switch, the console may not have some of the features that the original Switch has. The affordable version could likely include a cheaper screen and may see the dropping of the dock and/or cartridge slot.

According to Nikkei, the console might be released in the fiscal year of 2019, which starts from April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2020. However, none of the information has been officially confirmed by Nintendo. Hence, these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.

Launched in 2017, Nintendo Switch is a very successful asset in Nintendo’s portfolio. During the last few months of 2018, the company was able to sell 9.41 million Nintendo Switch units. Recently, the Japanese company announced that it has sold over 32 million units of Switch and is closer to dethroning the Nintendo 64, which is the most sold console of Nintendo.

Samsung announces 1TB eUFS chips for its future mobile devices

Samsung Electronics, the world leader in advanced memory technology, announced that it has begun mass producing the world’s first one-terabyte (TB) embedded Universal Flash Storage (eUFS) 2.1 for smartphones, powered by the company’s fifth-generation V-NAND.

According to Samsung, “the new Universal Flash Storage offers 20x more storage than a 64GB internal memory and 10x the speed of a typical microSD card for data-intensive applications.”

Many of the Android phones include a microSD slot that allows users to expand the internal storage capacity of their device. With the new 1TB eUFS, users will now be able to enjoy storage capacity comparable to a premium notebook PC, without having to pair their phones with additional memory cards.

“The 1TB eUFS is expected to play a critical role in bringing a more notebook-like user experience to the next generation of mobile devices,” said Cheol Choi, EVP of Memory Sales & Marketing at Samsung Electronics.

“What’s more, Samsung is committed to assuring the most reliable supply chain and adequate production quantities to support the timely launches of upcoming flagship smartphones in accelerating growth of the global mobile market.”

The 1TB storage chip was developed by “combining 16 stacked layers of Samsung’s most advanced 512-gigabit (Gb) V-NAND flash memory and a newly developed proprietary controller.”

The new 1TB eUFS measures just 11.5mm x 13.0mm. Besides the huge memory capacity, the 1TB eUFS also possesses exceptional speed. Samsung claims that the chip will offer up to 1,000 megabytes per second (MB/s) in terms of sequential read speeds, which is approximately twice the sequential read speed of a typical 2.5-inch SATA solid state drive (SSD), and up to 260MB/s in sequential write speeds.

This new chip allows smartphone users to store 260 10-minute videos in 4K UHD (3840×2160) format, in contrast to the 64GB eUFS chip mostly used in many current high-end smartphones that can only store 13 videos of the same size.

In December 2017, Samsung had begun mass-producing its 512GB storage chips, which was later included in the company’s premium Galaxy Note9 smartphone. Presuming a similar rollout, we could likely see Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S10 come with a 1TB storage capacity option.

Source: Samsung

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti benchmarks leak online

Nvidia, an American technology company, may be working on a new mid-range Turing based graphics card called the GeForce GTX 1660Ti, suggests leaked reports.

The leaked benchmarks were posted by Twitter user @TUM_APISAK (via Videocardz), which allegedly show the GeForce GTX 1160 Ti performance on the Ashes of the Singularity (AOTS) benchmark database.

Reportedly, the GTX 1660 Ti features no ray tracing cores and comes with 1,536 CUDA cores and 6GB of GDDR6 video memory with a 192-bit memory interface. Further, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is apparently powered by a 12-nanometre FF TU116 processor.

Assuming the leak is indeed true, it shows that the GTX 1660 Ti scored 7,400 at 1080p (high) resolution (laptop). On the other hand, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 recorded a result of 6,200 at 1080p (high) resolution (laptop), which means the forthcoming GTX 1660 Ti is almost 20% faster.

The upcoming new graphics card is expected to target mid-range customers and could cost around US$250-300. The GTX 1660 Ti is rumored to be released in the latter half of February next month.

Source: Videocardz

Random Access Memory often abbreviated as RAM is a crucial component of every computing device. Every RAM has a memory frequency that determines the performance of a RAM. Well, a new world overclocking record has been set by MSI’s in-house overclocker, Toppc.

So here’s everything you need to know about the new world overclocking record.

ALSO READ: Raspberry Pi gets official touchscreen support in Linux 4.21

8GB DDR4 RAM Pushed To 5,608MHz By Overclocker

Recently, MSI’s in-house overclocker, Toppc set a new world overclocking record by pushing an 8GB DDR4 RAM to 5,608Mhz. This single Kingston HyperX Predator DDR4 RAM module had a max rated frequency of 4,133MHz.

It is worth noting that, earlier ADATA had set the record with a frequency of 5,583.2MHz with a stick of their XPG Spectrix D80 memory.

HyperX, relied on the new world record to promote the release of its new 8GB modules that will boast speeds of up to 4,255MHz and 4,600MHz respectively.

The company stated that “Our HyperX engineers continue to focus on improving high-speed yields to get faster products in the hands of our customers and push previously unattainable performance records.”

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Hardware Used To Overclock The RAM

Toppc relied on liquid nitrogen and used an MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC ITX motherboard to increase the memory frequency. Additionally, the system used by Toppc was powered by an engineering sample Core i9-9900K CPU.

Out of the total eight cores of  i9-9900K CPU, two were completely disabled and the CPU was clocked at a very slow speed of 815MHz. On the other hand, the old record by ADATA was achieved on an MSI MPG XZ390i Gaming Edge AC motherboard paired with an i9-9900K CPU.

MSI stated that the record displays the company’s “dominant position on performance” and it also demonstrates the company’s “unique and patented” DDR4 boost technology. Additionally, MSI release stated that “Undoubtedly, this is a revolutionary breakthrough for the Intel 9th generation processors for the first time.”

Well, if you have made it so far do let us know what’s the memory frequency of RAM in your computer.

This 3D-printed mouse has a full-fledged computer inside it

Raspberry Pi mini-computers that has fascinated DIY enthusiasts for years now has been modified yet again. This time, a DIY enthusiast and a Youtuber, Electronics Grenade has created a mouse that is actually a completely functional computer.

While the YouTuber’s original plan was to squeeze a Raspberry Pi inside of a regular computer mouse but was unable to do so due to size constraints. Hence, he 3D printed a computer mouse to fit the components of the computer inside the mouse.

Dubbed as “The Computer Mouse”, the device consists of a Raspberry Pi Zero W computer, a 1.5-inch color OLED LCD display with a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels, a 3D-printed mouse, a rechargeable 500 mAh battery, and a tiny Bluetooth retractable keyboard for text inputs and more complicated commands. It also has a power button at the edge to start the tiny computer. Further, it runs GNU/Linux-based operating systems such as Raspbian.

While the specifications of the mouse computer may sound good, it has its faults too. The machine cannot withstand heavy tasks and may cause the mouse computer to crash occasionally, as it does not have a powerful Raspberry Pi Zero. Also, the retractable keyboard appears like a recipe for carpal tunnel.

“Typing on the tiny keyboard isn’t as bad as it seems,” Electronic Grenade says in the video published on January 13, 2019. “But it is kind of tricky considering the keys are small and crammed together and you have to have your hand in a very uncomfortable position.”

However, the device allows you to perform tasks like writing a document and even play Minecraft, which is pretty cool.

Check out the video below to see The Computer Mouse in action:

Source: Motherboard

Spotify to reportedly release its in-car music player this year

Rumors about famous music streaming service Spotify launching its own music hardware has been doing the rounds for quite some time now. Now, according to a new report from The Financial Times, Spotify is all set to officially release its in-car music player for around $100 later this year.

Spotify users will be able to control the in-car player by pairing it to the car’s sound system via Bluetooth. The device is also said to support voice commands and has preset hardware buttons.

“Spotify’s device will sync to car stereos via Bluetooth connection, as well as preset buttons that correspond to Spotify playlists, according to people briefed on the plans,” notes the Financial Times. “The device would also allow people to control the player by voice, these people said.”

The voice control will be made possible via the company’s own in-house “Spotify Voice” system. This will enable drivers and passengers to summon audio in the car without taking their eyes off the road. Further, the preset buttons will reportedly provide one-push access to favorite albums or playlists.

Spotify has been working with Flex, an electronics manufacturer, to develop the device. Both Spotify and Flex declined to comment.

By launching its own in-car music player, Spotify is looking to gain independence from Apple’s CarPlay, Google’s Assistant and Android Auto, and Amazon’s Alexa and instead compete for in-car dominance.

Recently, Spotify had launched a simplified Car View mode for its Android app that allows users to control music while driving. This mode gets automatically activated when the app detects the vehicle’s Bluetooth connection.

If you run out of storage in your memory cards then this might be the perfect

Recently in CES 2019, Lexar unveiled The Professional 633x SDXC UHS-I ( a memory card with the capacity to store 1 terabyte of photos and videos ).

It was created to store more than 500 hours of video and probably millions of photos.

But, if you can recall, then a few years back SanDisk also demonstrated their first 1TB SD card prototype which never made to Market. This makes the Lexar the first company in the world to launch 1 TB of SD card storage.

Specially designed for midrange DSLRs, HD camcorders, and 3D cameras, Lexar’s new card allows shutterbugs to capture a full-HD 1080p video along with 3D and 4K video recording, with transfer speeds up to 95MB per second.

This will act as a great convenience for consumers who demanded greater storage for their cameras.

The combination of 1TB of storage with a high-performance SD card is expected to cater the need and demands of content creators, who shoot large volumes of high-resolution images and 4K videos.

But of course, all this comes up with a cost worth $500.

You can order it from their official website Lexar.com.

For more such stories, stay tuned with us.

The first name that probably strikes our mind when we talk about GPU’s is Nvidia. This famous GPU manufacturer is all set to release its new mid-range GPU’s including the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and the GeForce GTX 1160.

These two GPU’s will offer drastic improvements in performance as compared to the predecessors. So here’s everything you need to know about the unreleased Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and the GeForce GTX 1160.

ALSO READ: NVIDIA unveils the Quadro RTX 4000 GPU with 2,304 CUDA Cores, 8GB GDDR6 memory

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060

Presently, Geforce Gtx 1060 and AMD’s Radeon RX 470 are two of the best mid-range GPU’s. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 will feature TU106 GPU core, and it will be the cheapest raytracing enabled graphics card in the entire RTX lineup.

For those interested in specifications, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 will sport 1920 CUDA cores, 30 RT cores, 240 Tensor Cores, 48 ROPs, and 120 TMUs.

The GPU will offer 6.5 TFLOPs performance with a base clock speed of 1360 MHz. Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 might be available in 3GB, 4GB, and 6GB VRAM variants.

With any modern AAA title, you can easily achieve more than 60fps performance for 1080p gaming on medium settings. As for pricing the new mid-range Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 might be announced in the $300-$400 price range.

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GeForce GTX 1160

The Geforce GTX 1160 is the next mid-range GPU that Nvidia may soon announce. Well, the GTX 1160 won’t feature raytracing cores. Furthermore, there will be a slight reduction in the number of CUDA cores on the GTX 1160 as compared to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060.

According to some reliable leaks, the GeForce GTX 1160 will be based on TU116 core.

In addition to that, a Lenovo product page for an upcoming laptop confirms that the GTX 1160 might be available in 3GB and 6GB VRAM variants.

As for performance the GTX 1160 will be around 10-15% less potent than the RTX 2060. Lastly, there’s not much information available about the pricing of GTX 1160.

NVIDIA’S TITAN RTX GPU revealed with 24 GB GDDR6 Memory, 130 TFLOPs AI Learning

NVIDIA officially unveiled their Turing-powered TITAN RTX graphics card yesterday at the 2018 Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems in Montreal, Canada.

According to the company, TITAN RTX is “the world’s most powerful desktop GPU” that offers massive performance for AI research, data science, and creative applications.

The TITAN RTX, which NVIDIA has dubbed T-Rex, is driven by the new NVIDIA Turing architecture. It can deliver 130 Teraflops of deep learning performance and 11 GigaRays of ray-tracing performance to world’s most demanding users.

“Turing is NVIDIA’s biggest advance in a decade – fusing shaders, ray tracing, and deep learning to reinvent the GPU. The introduction of T-Rex puts Turing within reach of millions of the most demanding PC users — developers, scientists and content creators,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA.

“NVIDIA’s greatest leap since the invention of the CUDA® GPU in 2006 and the result of more than 10,000 engineering-years of effort, Turing features new RT Cores to accelerate ray tracing, plus new multi-precision Tensor Cores for AI training and inferencing. These two engines — along with more powerful compute and enhanced rasterization — enable capabilities that will transform the work of millions of developers, designers and artists across multiple industries.”

Designed for a variety of computationally demanding applications, TITAN RTX provides an unbeatable combination of AI, real-time ray-traced graphics, next-gen virtual reality and high-performance computing.

According to NVIDIA in its announcement, the TITAN RTX will feature:

• 576 multi-precision Turing Tensor Cores, providing up to 130 teraflops of deep learning performance.
• 72 Turing RT Cores, delivering up to 11 GigaRays per second of real-time ray-tracing performance.
• 24GB of high-speed GDDR6 memory with 672GB/s of bandwidth — 2x the memory of previous-generation TITAN GPUs — to fit larger models and datasets.
• 100GB/s NVIDIA NVLink can pair two TITAN RTX GPUs to scale memory and compute.
• Incredible performance and memory bandwidth for real-time 8K video editing.
• VirtualLink port provides the performance and connectivity required by next-gen VR headsets.

As far as specifications are concerned, TITAN RTX has 6 GPCs, 36 TPCs, 72 SMs, 4608 CUDA cores, and 72 RT Cores. It has a base clock of 1350MHz, with the boost clock maxing at 1770MHz. The memory is clocked at 7000MHz and offers a data rate of 14Gbps. For more detailed information on specifications, click here.

TITAN RTX will be available for sale later this December in the U.S. and Europe for a hefty price of $2,499.