Sure, time tracking comes in handy when trying to make your workflow as efficient as possible. Perhaps you're looking for a more visual indication of how your time is spent on that MacBook Pro. That's where ThreadWatch comes in handy. Thanks to developer Alex Milde, you can visually analyze your daily task habits on a Mac. After a rather quick and painless app download, the tech monitors software being used on the desktop, taking notes on their individual memory and CPU consumption. The collected info is placed in a text file that you'll then upload to ThreadWatch to create the graphical splendor you see above. Each color indicates a different application and you won't have to worry about having your tracked data catalogued. To take the kit for a spin, hit the source link below to start monitoring your procrastination... er, work sessions.

Visualized: ThreadWatch tracks daily workflow on a Mac, turns the data into eye candy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading AMD launches R-Series chip for next-gen casinos, surveillance systems, distractions

AMD launches R-Series chip for next-gen casinos, surveillance systems, distractions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you've been following AMD's game plan over the last couple of years, then you probably won't be totally shocked by what follows. That said, reviewers' verdicts of the new high-end Trinity laptop APU, the 2.3GHz quad-core A10-4600M, do include some dizzying highs and despairing lows, which are still kinda surprising in their own way. Like how? Well, HotHardware found that AMD's chip beats Intel's Ivy Bridge (with integrated HD 4000 graphics) by 30 to 50 percent in some games, albeit with a few stumbles over immature DX11 drivers. Similarly, AnandTech's handy table above shows just how far ahead Trinity is across fifteen common titles. On the other hand, most reviewers found that non-gaming CPU performance fell far short of Ivy Bridge and even Sandy Bridge mobile chips. For example, Hexus's Geekbench scores put the APU 40 percent behind last year's Dell XPS 15z, which is totally underwhelming. So, as usual, it'll all depend on what you need a laptop for -- but if you're after something that costs $699 or less, handles regular day-to-day tasks okay and can also play current games with decent frame-rates, then you'll be keen to conduct further research at the links below.

Read - HotHardware
Read - AnandTech
Read - Hexus
Read - PC Perspective

AMD Trinity laptop review roundup: beats Ivy Bridge on gaming, but CPU lets the herd down originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 08:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Itching for the details of AMD's latest Accelerated Processing Units (APUs)? Then get ready to scratch: Trinity has arrived and, as of today, it's ready to start powering the next generation of low-power ultra-portables, laptops and desktops that, erm, don't run Intel. The new architecture boasts up to double the performance-per-watt of last year's immensely popular Llano APUs, with improved "discrete-class" integrated graphics and without adding to the burden on battery life. How is that possible? By how much will Trinity-equipped devices beat Intel on price? And will it play Crysis: Warhead? Read on to find out.

Gallery: AMD reveals Trinity APU

Continue reading AMD reveals Trinity specs, claims to beat Intel on price, multimedia, gaming

AMD reveals Trinity specs, claims to beat Intel on price, multimedia, gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ivy Bridge, Intel's first generation of chips to use the 22nm fabrication process, is hardly out of the gate, and yet talk has already turned to the company's next manufacturing technologies. According to Xbit Labs, which got its hands on some telltale slides, Paul Otellini et al. have the roadmap for 10nm, 7nm and 5nm processes locked down, and the company is preparing fabs in the states and Ireland to make chips using the 14nm fabrication method. Given that timeframe, Intel says 10nm chips will ship in 2015, with work on 5nm technology beginning that same year. While the slides in question look legit -- and that timeline matches previous reports -- we're not sure just when these mystery slides first made the rounds. Alas, we'll have a good few years to sort 5nm fact from fiction.

Intel sets sights on 5nm chip; already gearing up fabs for 14nm production originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sure, you may need to shop around to find a replacement for that 11-inch number Dell pulled off the shelves, but that doesn't mean you need to miss out on a free Ivy Bridge upgrade. Origin PC tells us that it's offering the very same silicon swap as Dell to folks who pulled the trigger on any of its laptop and desktop PCs before Intel's big launch. If your order hasn't shipped yet, you're looking at an upgrade. Now if only we could find a manufacturer willing to hand out free GPU upgrades.

Origin PC upgrading pre-Ivy Bridge orders with new silicon, asking nothing in return originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 May 2012 06:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Maingear gave us a quick nudge to say something was coming. Now it can reveal that -- alongside Intel's third-generation processors inside all of its desktops and laptops -- it's further updated two of its tower models. The F131 ($1,049), the middleweight option, now houses the same vertical heat-dissipating design found on Maingear's Shift model, alongside hot-swappable storage. It's followed by the Potenza ($899), the company's "mini-ITX gaming solution." It's 45 percent smaller than the F131 with the same heat dissipation design, but still capable of squeezing in NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 680 and support for a liquid cooling setup on the side. Phew. So pick your size, pick your processor and hit up the source for all the custom desktop options.

Continue reading Maingear reveals more heat-dissipating desktops, keeps those new Ivy Bridge internals cool

Maingear reveals more heat-dissipating desktops, keeps those new Ivy Bridge internals cool originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Regional network MetroPCS has announced total revenues of approximately $1.3 billion for Q1 2012, up from $1.2 billion in the last quarter and up seven percent from the same period in 2011. Users on contract now total 9.5 million, with 16 percent of them making the move across to a smartphone. Net income has, however, dropped 63 percent since Q1 2011, with cost per user up 16 percent compared the same period last year. MetroPCS puts down to "retention expense" and the roll-out of its 4G network. The fifth biggest US carrier added over 131,000 new subscribers, but growth continues to slide -- it's down from 190,000 in Q4 2012. On the positive side, users are creeping onto the carrier's 4G network, with 580,000 LTE subscribers nowmaking up six percent of its total subscription base -- regardless of those creeping costs for unlimited data.

Continue reading MetroPCS announces Q1 2012 results: total revenues up, new subscriber growth shrinks

MetroPCS announces Q1 2012 results: total revenues up, new subscriber growth shrinks originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Maingear's Shift is a force to be feared, but it generally requires an entire wing of one's home to be assembled and configured. Hyperbole aside, there's no question that Maingear's aiming to branch out somewhat after the aforesaid rig's successful run, today teasing an "all new line of desktops." We're told to expect smaller designs with "clean" aesthetics, Vertical Exhaust cooling technology and third-generation Intel Core processors (with factory overclocked options, naturally). Prices are slated to start at $899, though there's no real clue as to when we'll see these things up for pre-order. Here's hoping you didn't plop down an order last week, huh?

Maingear teases incoming desktop line, promises smaller towers and Ivy Bridge CPUs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We hear that pilgrims have already started flocking to the town of Ivybridge (population 12,056) in the forested depths of southwest England. Very soon though, you'll be able to pay homage to Moore's law without travelling further than your favorite online retailer, because the third generation of Intel Core processors has just launched and should be available to buy before the end of this month. These include eight different variants of Core i7 for desktops and notebooks (including Ultrabooks of course), plus five types of Core i5 destined for desktops only. Those watching out for cheaper dual-core i5, i3 and Pentium-branded options will have to wait a little longer, because today's launch is all about the high-end. And just how high is 'high'? Judging from the gossip we've heard, and from benchmarks of leaked desktop and notebook chips, we're looking a significant improvement over Sandy Bridge. But if you want the first official boasts, then read on.

Gallery: Intel Ivy Bridge official slides and benchmarks

Continue reading Intel puts Ivy Bridge on the map: first 22nm product, decent official benchmarks, desktop quad-cores from $174

Intel puts Ivy Bridge on the map: first 22nm product, decent official benchmarks, desktop quad-cores from $174 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Interesting times to be shopping around for a processor, but what about a new cooler to go with it? This unassuming little work of art is the copper special edition of the NOFAN CR-95C, which is rated to cool CPUs of up to 100W TDP without the need for a fan. Judging from all the Intel and AMD leaks, that level efficiency ought to have you covered regardless of whether you opt for Ivy Bridge or Trinity -- so long as you don't mind hanging around until June, because FanlessTech reckons we won't see it go on sale any sooner.

The NOFAN CR-95C: a fanless copper CPU cooler for your next-gen build originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, there's still a little while to go before Intel gives Ivy Bridge a full unveiling, with official benchmarks, pricing and all those trimmings. But in the meantime, the BBC has detailed just how different this new architecture is compared to 32nm chips like Sandy Bridge and also AMD's coming Trinity processors. Most of this stuff we already knew -- like the fact that Intel has switched to a 3D or 'tri-gate' transistor design -- but what's new is a direct and official boast about performance. According to Kirk Skaugen, Chipzilla's PC chief, we can expect Ivy Bridge to deliver "20 percent more processor performance using 20 percent less average power." Now, judging from leaked desktop and laptop benchmarks, this broad-brush claim masks some very different realities depending on what type of CPU or GPU workloads you want throw at the chip, so stay tuned for more detail very soon.

Intel's Ivy Bridge will offer '20 percent more performance with 20 percent less average power' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This isn't the easiest time to be an AMD fan. The company's eight-core FX-8150 desktop chip was widely panned on the review circuit, and then NVIDIA's GTX 680 graphics card ran off with Radeon HD's thunder. Even when you look at notebook processors, where AMD has long excelled with its Fusion APUs, the hype wars currently favor Ultrabooks and Ivy Bridge. Affection for the gamers' brand and its ATI back-story may make this stuff uncomfortable, but the predicament is already starting to mess with AMD's balance sheet. Which raises the obvious question: what's to be done?

Sasa Marinkovic, AMD's Head of Desktop and Software Product Marketing, bravely took up the challenge of providing his side of the story -- even after we warned him that we'd try to disrupt his flow with accusatory glances. In the end, we did get him to acknowledge some recent hard knocks, particularly with respect to the FX chips and their (lack of) single-threaded performance. But we also got some insight into the mind of a chap who remains genuinely and abundantly confident about his employer's future. Read on and see for yourself.

Continue reading The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic

The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Any troglodytes out there who didn't know that AMD's next APU architecture is inbound? If so, we're gonna toast marshmallows outside your cave and give you a little pre-brief: Trinity will be a range of processors for "performance" notebooks and desktop PCs, which will continue in AMD's Fusion tradition of providing both the CPU and discrete-class graphics in a single-chip, power-efficient design. A potential rival to Ivy Bridge and the coming stampede of Ultrabooks? Yes indeed, although it's too early to say how closely matched these athletes will be, despite some early indications of 4GHz+ clock speeds. Judging from our recent look at a Trinity-packing Compal laptop, undercutting Ultrabooks on price will also be part of AMD's strategy -- along with throwing out Brazos 2.0 APUs to mop up the extreme low-power category. After all, Ivy Bridge probably won't offer truly discrete-class graphics until it's paired with an add-on GPU, which will inevitably bump up its price for gamers and multimedia types. If Trinity serves up great visuals and next-gen performance all in one go, AMD's accountants might be able to leave their subterranean hideouts too.

[Thanks, Tyler]

AMD confirms Trinity and Brazos 2.0 shipping now, globally available 'soon' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pop quiz: Can you tell what the device pictured above is? If you answered "a clock that represents the essential building blocks of a CPU while using binary and HEX numerals to display time," then you're certifiably crazy -- and correct. The brainchild of tinkerer extraordinaire Lior Elazary, the "CPU clock" mechanically emulates the application of computer concepts -- codes, instructions and checks -- to create a "simple" wall clock. To display the time, the middle register uses binary numbers to indicate the hour (a reading of "0010" indicates 2 o'clock, for example). For minutes, the clock uses the HEX numerals on the outer edge of the device, so "05" represents "5," "0A" indicates "10," and so forth. Keeping the clock up to date is a ball that goes around and activates the various levers to change the time. Given all its geeky goodness, this one easily takes the nerd cake from the wordy QLOCKTWO W and super flashy Sci-Fi watch. For a more clockwork-like explanation about its inner workings, check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Custom clock pays homage to CPU, separates geeks from the squares (video)

Custom clock pays homage to CPU, separates geeks from the squares (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Google's Android emulator gets updated with GPU support, better CPU performance

Google's Android emulator gets updated with GPU support, better CPU performance originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Freescale intros Vybrid controller line, weds ARM A5 and M4 cores for an asymmetrical bang

Freescale intros Vybrid controller line, weds ARM A5 and M4 cores for an asymmetrical bang originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading AMD has a server chip for the cheap seats: the 'desktop-like' Opteron 3200

AMD has a server chip for the cheap seats: the 'desktop-like' Opteron 3200 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Unnamed Samsung exec says quad-core Exynos inside Galaxy S III, LTE on-chip originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

IBM's Holey Optochip transmits 1Tbps of data, is named awesomely originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

HP eyes 2015 release for 3D integrated photonic chips originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Intel intros Xeon E5-2600 family, finally ushers servers into the Sandy Bridge era

Intel intros Xeon E5-2600 family, finally ushers servers into the Sandy Bridge era originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading New Intel Ivy Bridge i5 details leaked in Intel sales book

New Intel Ivy Bridge i5 details leaked in Intel sales book originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Huawei adds home-grown K3V2 quad-core mobile CPU to its arsenal

Huawei adds home-grown K3V2 quad-core mobile CPU to its arsenal originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Samsung demos new 32nm quad-core Exynos ahead of MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The nation's fifth largest wireless provider -- MetroPCS -- has checked in with its Q4 2011 financials, and on the whole, the company looks to be doing quite well. Metro reported $1.2 billion in consolidated quarterly revenues and $362 million in earnings, an increase of 16% and 15% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. A few other positive vitals: average revenue per user (ARPU) was up $0.76, net income rose to $77 million and churn dropped 80 basis points from 4.5% in Q3 to 3.7% in Q4. Two small blemishes can be found in the net customer additions and cost per user (CPU) columns. While MetroPCS added well over 197,000 new customers in Q4, the rate at which it grew slowed dramatically -- down 34% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. The company's CPU also rose $1.17 during that same period -- which can be partially attributed to LTE network services, along with general expansion and operating costs. One other mildly unfortunate note was word that voice over LTE wouldn't be launching till the second half of the year, slightly later than we had been anticipating. Taking all that into consideration, it was still a strong quarterly showing from the value-centered wireless carrier.

Continue reading MetroPCS Q4 results are in: increased revenue, slowing growth

MetroPCS Q4 results are in: increased revenue, slowing growth originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

HTC Ville to run on a dual-core Snapdragon S4? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AMD Piledriver cores will clock over 4GHz, employ 'resonant clock mesh' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Acer's revealed that it'll be bringing Android's latest and greatest version to its existing tablet family. The update is rolling out (as promised) on the Iconia Tab A200 now, but version 4.0 will also make an appearance on both its seven inch (Iconia A100) and 10 inch (Iconia A500) relatives in April. The update adds all those ICS features, including refreshed widget design and improved multitasking, but leaves the manufacturer's own Android addition -- the Acer launcher ring -- intact.

Continue reading Acer Iconia Tab family to be given Ice Cream Sandwich treatment, rolling out to A200 now

Acer Iconia Tab family to be given Ice Cream Sandwich treatment, rolling out to A200 now originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Intel releases Core i7-3820 CPU, proves Sandy Bridge E isn't entirely elitist originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Samsung's NP700 gaming laptop goes up for pre-order with Ivy Bridge pride originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Intel settles antitrust lawsuit with New York attorney general, pays hardly anything originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Biological computer can decode images stored in DNA chips, applications remain unclear

Biological computer can decode images stored in DNA chips, applications remain unclear originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Researchers get CPUs and GPUs talking, boost PC performance by 20 percent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Vodafone bringing LTE speeds to Germany, with the HTC Velocity originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tilera sees sense in the server wars, puts just 36 cores in its newest processor originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Notion Ink explains OMAP over Tegra decision for the Adam II originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ahead of any possible Ultrabook announcements, Sony's looking to give its existing VAIO catalogue a (relatively underwhelming) shot in the arm with a bundle of hardware retweaks. The Z series looks to gain the most out of the Spring refresh, with a new off-white Carbon Fiber Silver color option set to be offered up alongside an optional LTE modem. The series also gets a processor step-up, with new Intel Core i5 and i7 options rounded off with the choice of SSD storage. Including the connectable drive, prices for the series refresh will start from $1,950. Meanwhile, both the S (13-inch, $800, 15-inch, $980)and E series will get a similar bump to Core i7 processors, with both the S and aforementioned Z series able to lock into an extended sheet battery accessory. If minor processor improvements, more battery options and LTE connectivity warrant forking over your cash, you can expect the revitalized units to arrive early next month.

Sony VAIO series get minor processor refresh, Z series grabs LTE option on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Intel offers overclocking protection plan, takes Cash4CPUs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AMD's Ultrabook competitor to focus on price, undercut Intel originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.