HPE and NASA team up to take PCs into space

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station could soon benefit from boosted computing capabilities thanks to a major breakthrough from HPE.

The computing giant has revealed it has completed test on a new system that could revolutionise the way computers are used in space, and is now teaming up with NASA to launch the devices.

The new Spaceborne Computer recently finished a one-year test period, and is the first commercial supercomputer to survive the incredibly tough conditions seen on the ISS.

Based on HPE's purpose-built Apollo 40 HPC system the Spaceborne Computer is  able to stay intact in space without requiring additional hardware, instead utilising a software-hardening approach that is integrated with its HPC nodes.

ISS computing

Normal computing devices often struggle immensely when in space, with factors such as zero gravity, unscheduled power outages, and unpredictable levels of radiation all putting incredible strain on performance.

The launch of a computing system that is able to withstand such conditions should prove to be a major boost to astronauts and scientists on the ISS, allowing them to run analyses directly in space instead of transmitting data to and from Earth for insight.

Typically, running research on the moon or in low earth orbits (LEO) (anywhere between 400 and 1,000 miles above the Earth's surface), means that communication can be in near real-time with Earth. However the new kit will be specifically useful for capturing data father into space, especially closer to Mars, where larger communication latencies of up to 20 minutes both to and from Earth can occur.

“Our mission is to bring innovative technologies to fuel the next frontier, whether on Earth or in space, and make breakthrough discoveries we have never imagined before,” said Dr. Eng Lim Goh, chief technology officer and vice president, HPC and AI, HPE. 

“After gaining significant learnings from our first successful experiment with Spaceborne Computer, we are continuing to test its potential by opening up above-the-cloud HPC capabilities to ISS researchers, empowering them to take space exploration to a new level.”

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November 01, 2018 at 07:46PM
Mike Moore

The best DualShock 4 deals in November 2018: cheap PS4 controller prices

If you've already gotten a great PS4 deal, now is the time to find a super cheap PS4 controller price so you always have an extra DualShock 4 controller handy. This is crucial if you plan on long gaming sessions and need a backup controller that's charged up and ready. Plus, you always want to have one available for a little local multiplayer action. 

The PlayStation and the DualShock controller stories are intertwined, with the controller being around since almost the beginning of the PlayStation brand. Instead of constantly fiddling with the design and features of the DualSchock, Sony has kept much of the dual analog design the same. Now, we're treated to an iconic controller that's achieved near perfection.

Over 75 million PlayStation 4 consoles have been sold so far, but most bundles give you just one DualShock 4 controller in the box. Of course, in order to partake in local multiplayer games, you need more than one controller. Plus, having a spare is a good idea to always have one charged for those lengthy gaming sessions.

To help you get the most out of your PlayStation, we've rounded up the cheapest PS4 controller prices right here. We've picked out the best deals for the various different colors too. 

Cheapest PS4 controller prices by color:

One of the highlights of the DualShock family is that a wide variety of awesome colors available. We've curated a list of the more tempting DualShock 4 deals for the various color variations below too. Naturally, these cheap PS4 controller prices are correct at time of writing.

More of the best DualShock 4 prices - USA

Gray/Blue DualShock 4: This will be your best bet then if you already own a PS4, and it's close to the same color controller as the one in the Uncharted 4 Special Edition console bundle. It's shot up in price in recent weeks and you can save money by opting for a different color. If you've gotta have it though, Amazon is the cheapest today at $60.83 (used).

Urban Camo DualShock 4: This model is a bit of a rare find at most retailers so expect higher prices than most models. Today's best price for the Urban Camo DualShock 4 is $74.99 at Amazon.

Crystal DualShock 4: The clear Crystal DualShock 4 finally has an official US release. We've searched around for the best price and that'll be  $79.95 at Amazon.

Blue Crystal DualShock 4:This new see through blue DualShock 4 controller is a Walmart-exclusive in the US. So you won't find any other retailers officially selling it outside of places like eBay or Amazon Marketplace. Today though, it's cheapest at $59.94 at Walmart.

More of the best DualShock 4 prices - UK

Urban Camo DualShock 4: This one is a bit of a rare find at most retailers so expect higher prices than most models. Today's best Urban Camo price is £75 at Amazon.

Crystal DualShock 4: Crystal? Well, it's see through. It's also an Amazon exclusive apparently. Your new Crystal DualShock 4 is now £51.96 at Amazon.

Grey/Blue DualShock 4: This looks like the same colour controller as the one in the Uncharted 4 Special Edition console bundle. This will be your best bet then if you already own a PS4. We've seen this for as low as £45, but sadly the best deal today is a rather untouchable £84 at Amazon.

What's the difference between the original and new V2 DualShock 4 controller?

If you've seen mention of a 'New' or 'V2' DualShock 4 controller while looking for a new pad, you may be scratching your head. What separates these two controllers? 

Here's the difference: the new/V2 DualShock 4 was released alongside the PS4 Slim and features a few improvements over the original.

Some listings are a bit vague, but the clearest visual indicator to look out for is the new light bar on the DualShock's 4 trackpad. This thin slit wasn't on the original, so just look for the dimly illuminated blue line on the product listing's image gallery. The original blue/red/gold controllers had black plastic on the back half of the controller, but the V2 versions feature matching colors, albeit a shade darker.

Other improvements include USB functionality, allowing gamers to plug the controller in for lag-free gaming (it simply charged the original), which could give you the edge in online shooters or games like Street Fighter V. You'll also be able to use this enhanced connectivity to use the DualShock 4 on a PC without paying for the Bluetooth adapter. The rubber on the analogues has been improved (again) to prevent it wearing away so much too.

November 01, 2018 at 07:12PM
Brendan Griffiths

The cheapest Chromecast prices and deals in November 2018

With competition from rival devices heating up, it's a good time to be on the lookout for some of the cheapest Chromecast prices. Google Chromecast is not only one of the most useful and innovative gadgets of the last few years, it's also excellent value for money. And if you're looking to pick one up for the cheapest possible price, you've come to the right place!

Chromecast is a Wi-Fi HDMI dongle that you plug directly into your TV. From there you can use your smartphone or tablet to 'throw' video at your TV over Wi-Fi, whether it be Netflix movies, live football matches from the major broadcasters or simply just a funny YouTube video. On this page we'll find you the best prices for the Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast 2 (or just Chromecast now) and Chromecast Audio and explain how they differ.

With prices already incredibly cheap, there's no need to hang on for specific Chromecast sales. If you're in the UK or US and would prefer to stream content from a standalone box, you should take a look at the latest Roku deals.

What is a good Chromecast price?

This one's easy. The standard price for a Chromecast 2 is $35 in the USA, £30 in the UK and $58 in Australia. You should never, ever pay more than that because you can always find one for that price.

The cheapest Chromecast 2 prices

The Chromecast 2, or 'new Chromecast' as it's also known, is very similar to the now discontinued 2013 Chromecast. Sure, it looks a little different. And it's got slightly faster network performance and a few other tweaks such as coming with a dangly cable instead of as a rigid stick. But essentially the same product in a different shape - that's why the prices were basically the same. If you can find one for the same price, get this new one.

The best Chromecast Audio deals

While it doesn't offer true multi-room streaming at the moment (fingers crossed that comes soon), this easy-to-use and affordable device modernizes any trusty set of wired speakers you already own with wireless capabilities. In doing so, it also opens them up to features that will grow and get even better over time. Got an old set of speakers or an ancient iPod dock? Turn it into a wireless speaker with Chromecast Audio!

The cheapest Chromecast Ultra prices

The 4K Chromecast Ultra is the newest member of the Chromecast family. If you have a 4K TV or are planning on getting one, it's certainly worth picking one of these up. The Chromecast Ultra is a cheaper alternative to Amazon's Fire TV or the US-only Roku 4 for getting 4K content on your TV. Chromecast Ultra deals are usually around £69/US$69/AU$95, so anything cheaper is an added bonus.

November 01, 2018 at 06:13PM
Brendan Griffiths

Nintendo Switch: the latest news, tips and accessories

The best Nintendo 3DS prices and deals in November 2018

If you're looking for the best Nintendo 3DS prices or New 2DS XL deals, you've come to the right place. This is a fantastic time to get a cheap 3DS as retailers continue to unleash discounts as gamers snatch up the Nintendo Switch deals too. We check the prices from all reliable online retailers every few hours to make sure the prices are up to date!

Nintendo has long been boss of the handheld market, but the fact it continues to be so successful in a market now dominated by smartphones is impressive and we're bound to see it rock the handheld scene with some seasonal deals too. The 3DS software lineup features some of the best first-party Nintendo titles ever and you can always check out our pick of the best Nintendo 3DS games.

Nintendo's latest handheld, the 'New 2DS XL', is a welcome no nonsense handheld. On this page we're displaying the best 2DS XL, 2DS and new 3DS XL deals around. Older models are very hard to get a hold of nowadays and prices have shot up disproportionately.

A note on chargers

For reasons known only to Nintendo, most 3DS consoles do not come with a mains charger. So if you're in the market for 3DS and don't already have a compatible charger (for an older model maybe?) then you'll need to buy a new one. This is especially important if you're buying a 3DS as a Christmas gift. 

On the plus side the New 2DS XL and older slate-styled 2DS do come with a charger. We've included some handy links to some 3DS charger deals below (don't forget to check it's compatible with your type of 3DS).

• 3DS charger deals at Amazon - UK
• 3DS charger deals at Amazon - US

The best Nintendo New 2DS XL deals

This is the newest member of Nintendo's Nintendo's wildly popular handheld. Unlike the original 2DS' wedge-like design, the clamshell form returns, which should be much more appealing to older gamers. The 3D tech has been dropped, but you're getting the fantastic XL screen along with the upgraded tech of the 'New' 3DS models. This is considerably cheaper than the New 3DS XL too.

The best Nintendo New 3DS XL deals...

If the standard New 3DS is a bit small for you, then take a look at the New 3DS XL which is perfect for gamers with larger hands or anyone that fancies a larger screen. Look out for some special edition New 3DS XL models listed below this comparison chart too.

The best Nintendo 2DS deals...

If the 3D aspect and the clamshell look isn't for you you can get a Nintendo 2DS for cheaper. The 2DS is a great way of entering Nintendo's handheld family without spending much money, but we're really talking to kids and parents here. Parents of clumsy children have praised the flat design that removes the need for those pesky breakable hinges of the original models.

It's that excellent lineup of games that makes it even easier to recommend the 2DS. With a generation of kids familiarising themselves with quick and easy games like Angry Birds, it's important for Nintendo to show them how much better gaming can be. The 2DS is a hell of a lot sturdier than a smartphone or tablet too.

November 01, 2018 at 05:10PM
Brendan Griffiths

Satya Nadella: It’s time to get intense about your tech

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has revealed his plan to help every business in the world embrace digital technology quicker than ever before.

Speaking at the Microsoft Future Decoded event in London today, Nadella revealed how “tech intensity” can help individuals and businesses alike to embrace technology in every facet of their lives.

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Referencing the company’s goal to empower everyone and every organisation in the world to do more with technology, Nadella laid out how “tech intensity” can do just that.

“We must adopt technology in ways that are much faster than what we have done in the past,” he said. “We don’t stop there. Each one of us, in our organisations, will have to build our own digital capability on top of the technology we have adopted. Tech Intensity is one of the key considerations you have to get right.”

Nadella highlighted the major role that artificial intelligence can play in this development, noting that nearly all technology breakthroughs in the future will be linked to AI in some way.

Describing AI as “the defining technology of our times”, Nadella ran through many of Microsoft’s latest advancements in the area, with services from Azure to Teams to Microsoft 365 being greatly improved.

However he also highlighted the possible issues that AI could raise concerning privacy and security, and the need to ensure the technology helps benefit humanity.

“Privacy is a human right,” he declared. “All of us will have to think about the digital experiences we create to treat privacy as a human right. This is what we are building all our tools around.”

“The challenge of cybersecurity is the damage it causes most impacts citizens and small business and we need to protect them...One of the challenges of AI is that it's only as good as the data on which its been trained (so) we need to be mindful of the use cases."

Nadella noted that computing power is now embedded within many facets of our everyday lives, and that the impetus is now with companies such as Microsoft to continue encouraging innovation in many industries.

“Technology for technology’s sake is not going to do anything,” he said, “it’s about how you empower your own employees, how you transform your operations, products and services. That’s the goal.”

"We only succeed if our customers and our partners succeed,” he noted, “we want to build technology so that each one of you can go on to build more technology...that was true in 1975, and it's more true in 2018 as you capitalise on the tremendous opportunity of digital transformation.” 

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November 01, 2018 at 06:04PM
Mike Moore

'Old School Runescape' is now available on your phone

Over a year after Jagex announced Old School Runescape would be available on mobile, the beloved MMORPG is finally available to download for free on your iOS or Android smartphone. 

If you already spend a lot of time cutting down trees and killing monsters in the fantasy world, you'll be pleased to know that you can now continue your game on the go, with cross-platform support meaning you can easily switch between the mobile and desktop version.

In order the play Old School Runescape on your phone, you'll need either iOS 10 or later, or Android 5.0 or later.

Not the original

If you were hoping for another chance to play the original beta version of Runescape, which launched in the early 2000's (now known as Runescape Classic), you might be disappointed - Old School Runescape is based on a 2007 backup of the game's source code and was released in 2013. Runescape Classic was officially shut down earlier this year.

Old School Runescape was launched after negative reactions to the then-current iteration of Runescape, with fans wanting a more nostalgic gaming experience.

• Best phones for gaming 2018

Via Engadget

November 01, 2018 at 05:26PM
Olivia Tambini