PC Koubou hits back with a new desktop PC, the Amphis BTO Di MD7500-Ci7-GX. Powered by a 3.40GHz Intel Core i7-3770 processor, the high performance system sports an Intel Z77 Express Chipset, a GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB graphics card, an 8GB DDR3 RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive, a 600W power supply and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1) OS. The Amphis BTO Di MD7500-Ci7-GX will set you back 99,980 Yen (about $1,127). [Product Page]
I’ll admit it – I like Microsoft’s Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8’s layout. It’s very neat and organized and everything just falls into place nicely, however after being used to the Start menu button for more than a decade, trying to navigate Windows 8’s UI got me a little confused at first. Of course this experience will differ from user to user, such as more tech savvy users who might get the hang of it straight away, to less experienced users who might get frustrated at the new design. Well for whatever reason if you didn’t enjoy your Windows 8 experience, it seems that there are Microsoft Certified Professionals out there who are willing to help you revert your computer back to Windows 7. The photo above was snagged by Michael Jurewitz who captioned it, “Signs that Windows 8 really is that bad.” Like we said, the user experience will vary from person to person depending on their needs, level of experience and so on, but what do you guys think? Are you in agreement that the UI Microsoft is hawking for Windows 8 is admittedly confusing at first, or do you think that it’s a much needed refresher for the Windows brand?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Intel To Ramp Down Production Of Its Motherboard Lineup, Chrome Gets Native Client Support On ARM, 
For the most part, most PC enthusiast builders turn to third party companies such as ASUS, Gigabyte and etc. when it comes to their motherboards, but for those who actually prefer going with Intel, a report from Anandtech has revealed that Intel has outlined their plans to begin ramping down the production of desktop motherboards. Apparently the Intel Haswell will be the last generation platform where Intel will develop complementary motherboards. However Intel will continue the development of desktop CPUs for third-party manufacturers, such as ASUS, Gigabyte and ASRock to name a few.
Apparently this was brought about by the shift of focus to more mobile devices, such as Ultrabooks, tablets and smartphones, not to mention with all-in-one desktop systems getting slimmer by the year (think 2012’s iMac). It seems that Intel did not manage to generate much profit from its motherboard line to begin with, so this isn’t a total loss for the company. Intel is said to focus their efforts on creating reference designs for Ultrabooks and tablets.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Microsoft Certified Professionals Will Apparently Help You “Downgrade” From Windows 8 To Windows 7 For A Fee, Chrome Gets Native Client Support On ARM, 
It’s the end of an era: Intel has announced that, over the next three years, it will wind down production of desktop motherboards to zero. More »
Google has decided to introduce native client support on ARM for Chrome, and with Native Client (NaCl) enabled, Chrome is said to be able to run high-performance apps that have been compiled from your C and C++ code. This starts to get a wee bit technical though, as one of the main goals of Native Client would be to help it remain architecture-independent, in order for all machines to run NaCl content without batting an eyelid. This step by Google would prove to be a positive push in the right direction, as the Native Client SDK is now capable of supporting ARM devices which range from version 25 and above.
Assuming your app relies on Native Client and newlib, you can now reach users on ARM devices through the simple act of adding an ARM .nexe to your app, while making a tiny adjustment to the Native Client manifest. Once you have the latest SDK (software development kit), it is all you need at the moment. Interesting times are definitely ahead, as there is quite a sizable community of users who use ARM-powered devices. [Press Release]
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Microsoft Certified Professionals Will Apparently Help You “Downgrade” From Windows 8 To Windows 7 For A Fee, Intel To Ramp Down Production Of Its Motherboard Lineup, 
Microsoft has just announced that they will be expanding their Bing Tags feature, casting a wider net to capture a broader audience, namely, the public. This feature might still remain pretty much dependent on Facebook, but you are now able to extend tagging to your friends and you across blogs, Twitter profiles, or just about any other website out there, with the results showing up for all and sundry to see. Bing Tags, having rolled out in July last year, allowed one to tag one’s Facebook friends when sharing a search, hoping that they can drop their two cents’ worth or help you in your search.
It seems that this feature has gained enough traction among users for Microsoft to consider broadening its scope by a rather significant amount. Of course, it will require your permission to make your tags visible to the public, and Microsoft mentioned, “Whether it’s your Twitter profile, blog, or that art portfolio you’re proud of – Bing Tags lets you highlight the pages that best represent you.”
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Microsoft Certified Professionals Will Apparently Help You “Downgrade” From Windows 8 To Windows 7 For A Fee, Intel To Ramp Down Production Of Its Motherboard Lineup, 
Fujitsu has just announced that they have come up with a spanking new kind of technology that makes it possible for one to transfer files between a computer and a mobile device not through a cable or Bluetooth connectivity, but by using a mobile phone or tablet that will capture a video of a file which is shown on a computer screen. Based on Fujitsu Laboratories’ previously developed intermediary image communications technology, this basically allows “communication” between a computer’s screen and a mobile device through the superimposing of invisible communications data into images which can then be captured by a mobile phone camera.
This superimposition will carry details such as IP addresses and other device-specific information which remains invisible to the naked eye, and the technology is more than capable of identifying the target computer whenever the user captures a video of the screen using the mobile phone’s camera. There will be a communications path created between the target machine and mobile phone which is then established, and the file transfer will begin. No longer do you need to sift through a menu that contains the specific file which you want to transfer, making life a whole lot easier. Hopefully this will include some sort of failsafe so that not everyone can do the same when you are not looking.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Huawei Press Conference Live, Google Offers Free Calls Within US And Canada Through 2013, 
Here’s the newest member to Mouse Computer’s slim desktop PC line-up, the Lm-iSB405E. The system packs a 2.60GHz Intel Celeron G1610 processor, an Intel B75 Express Chipset, an Intel HD Graphics, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive, a multi-card reader, a 300W 80PLUS BRONZE power supply and runs on Windows 8 64-bit OS. The Lm-iSB405E sells for 37,800 Yen (about $422). [Product Page]
AMD has delivered its financial results for Q4 2012, and things aren’t looking too hot for the company as we head into 2013. While AMD reported revenues of $1.16 billion for the fourth quarter, that figure is down 9% sequentially and a significant 32% year-over-year. Not making things any better, AMD reported a net lost of $473 million for the quarter, with loss-per-share coming in at $0.63.
Things get somewhat better when looking at the non-GAAP figures for the quarter, but in that case, AMD still finds itself with an operating loss of $55 million, a net loss of of $114 million, and a loss-per-share amount that settles at $0.14. GAAP gross margin came in at 15% for the quarter, while non-GAAP gross margin was 39%. Computing Solutions was down 37% year-over, posting an operating loss of $323 million, while the company’s Graphics segment had an operating income of $22 million – seemingly one of the only bright spots in AMD’s report, but still down 15% year-over-year nonetheless. The declines for both were blamed on decreases in product shipments.
Unfortunately, this poor Q4 was indicative of a rough year in general for AMD. The company had a revenue of $5.42 billion for 2012 as a whole, which sounds excellent but is actually down 17% year-over-year. Similarly, the company suffered an operating loss of $1.06 billion for the year, with net loss hitting $1.18 billion and loss-per-share treading somewhat close to $2.00 at $1.60. It’s worth remembering that AMD began implementing the restructuring it announced after posting Q3′s poor results, so that took something of a toll on the company’s pocketbook at the end of the year.
Those restructuring efforts forced a lot of workers out of their jobs, but the hope is that AMD will post better financials for 2013 as a result. In the immediate future, however, AMD isn’t expecting things to improve at all. In Q1 2013, it expects revenues to fall another 9% sequentially (with a possible 3% swing either way), which would be even worse news for the already struggling company. Stay tuned.
AMD ends Q4 2012 with net loss of $473 million is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Last week, we reported on a rumor Dell was in talks to become a private company as it was conducting buyout talks with a number of private-equity firms. It looks as though that rumor may become a reality as reports are coming in Microsoft may be in talks to invest in Dell.
According to CNBC sources familiar with the matter, Microsoft is in discussions to invest between $1 billion and $3 billion in mezzanine financing in hopes to make Dell a private company. Private equity firm Silver Lake Partners is reportedly attempting to finalize a bidding group and has opened discussions with potential equity partners.
Dell is currently taking a close look at the potential deal Microsoft has put on the table, and if it goes through, Microsoft will provide capital in the form of mezzanine. A deal is expected to take place by the end of this week.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Amazon In-App Purchasing In PC, Mac And Browser Games, Intel Launches “Budget-Friendly” Processors, 
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