June 29, 2015

The best free games on the PS4


By on June 25, 2015

 Free and free-to-play games have been popular on the PC for years now, but it wasn’t until recently that the console makers had any interest at all in that business model. But now that the PS4 and Xbox One are little more than specialized gaming PCs, we’re starting to see an influx of ports. And as such, I wanted to see exactly how these games stand up.
To get started, I logged into PSN, and downloaded all of the free games currently on offer. After a few dozen gigs trickled slowly into my PS4, I was ready to go. I explored each of the games to get a feel for the value proposition, and quickly found that some titles are much better than others. However, there’s a decent amount of variety here, so you’ll most certainly find something to enjoy.

AirMech Arena

AirMech Arena

AirMech Arena, at its core, is a frantic implementation of the real-time strategy formula. It’s never going to live up to the insane amounts of polish and multiplayer balance that Blizzard achieved with the StarCraft franchise, but it’s an enjoyable and accessible take on the RTS format nonetheless.
What about the cash shop, though? You can spend up to $150 in a single purchase, but that’s an absolutely ridiculous option. Unless you’re an independently wealthy RTS fanatic, there’s no reason to spend that much on this game. The $10 starter pack, however, seems like a pretty reasonable package. If the game gets its hooks into you, dropping ten or twenty bucks to outfit yourself with some new gear seems much more acceptable.

Hustle KingsHustle Kings
While Hustle Kings started its life as a standard release on the PS3 and Vita, the PS4 release is free-to-play. You get access to a single-player career mode, one-on-one online matches, and online tournaments from the get go, but you need to wager in-game currency to play against real people. It’s aesthetically appealing, easy to control, and a pretty solid representation of playing real pool.
You can earn currency by performing well in the game, but you can spend between $1.49 and $20 at a time to stock up on credits. Additionally, you can drop $5 for the 8-Ball Exhibition Pack, and play a laid back game of 8-Ball with a friend.

Invokers Tournament

Invokers Tournament

In a way, this game is a mix between Diablo and DotA. While it’s pitched as a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena), the moment-to-moment gameplay feels a lot like the consolized gameplay from Torchlight or Diablo III. It definitely doesn’t have the same level of complexity as League of Legends or Dota 2, but that’s fine by me. If you’re curious about the genre, but hesitant to jump into the deep end, this is a solid “my first MOBA.”
As for the real money options, you have three ways to spend: costumes, subscriptions, and in-game currency. Costumes cost between $1 and $8, $10 will get you a six month subscription, and you can blow up to $15 a shot on currency. None of this is necessary, though. The cash purchases mostly just facilitate convenience and customization.

Planetside 2

Planetside 2

Described as a massively multiplayer online first person shooter, Planetside 2 has been beloved on the PC since its launch in 2012. And after a long wait, console gamers finally have an opportunity to join in as well. While the gameplay and goals of Planetside 2 are about as straightforward as you get, the draw here is the scale. Thousands of players can meet in the same world, split into three factions, and fight to control the most territory.
You can spend anywhere from $5 to $85 at a time on in-game currency and item packs, but the team at Daybreak have done well keeping the game balanced between free and paying members. If you’re just here to have fun, there’s absolutely no need to spend a dime.

Doping lithium-ion batteries could prevent overheating and explosion

By on June 25, 2015


Despite the lack of a breakthrough in battery technology, the capacity and energy density of lithium-ion technology has crept up slowly but surely. Now you could quite easily be carrying around three or four thousand milliamp hours in your pocket. That’s a lot of energy to be released if something goes wrong, and did I mention it’s in your pocket? Scientists from Stanford University have developed a doping process that could make future batteries safer and less prone to wearing out.
Modern lithium-ion batteries are composed of multiple cells, and within each of them are cathodes and anodes. If a battery is physically damaged or over-charged, the barrier between these halves can be weakened to the point of failure, resulting in a short that can cause an exothermic reaction. This can spread and rupture other cells in a process known as thermal runaway. The end result is a fire or explosion that releases all that energy. Hopefully you’re not holding it when that happens.
One reason this damage can occur in batteries is from the formation of dendrites, finger-like deposits of lithium metal that can pierce the barrier between electrodes. This build up gets worse as the battery is depleted and recharged, and it also contributes to loss of capacity. According to the Stanford research, it may be possible to add a few more compounds to the electrolyte solution and do away with dendrite formation.
battery runaway
One additive, lithium nitrate has been researched in the past as a way to boost battery performance. The second additive used in the study is lithium polysulfide, which is seen as a contaminant in some areas of research. If forms from the breakdown of sulfur electrodes and can cause damage to lithium metal electrodes. However, when paired with lithium nitrate, they form a dendrite-busting solution that coats and protects electrodes. Instead of dendrites, you get flat deposits of lithium that don’t cause damage to the battery.
The research was conducted on small coin cell batteries, not the giant cells found in your phone or tablet. Still, the principal is the same. And as a nice bonus, the treated batteries maintained their capacity better. After 300 discharge cycles, the doped batteries still had 99% efficiency, whereas a battery doped with only lithium nitrate was down to 92% after just 180 cycles.
This technique could be valuable in the ongoing development of lithium-air and lithium-sulfur rechargeable batteries, which are susceptible to dendrite formation. They could also have ten times the capacity of current batteries. You certainly don’t want that exploding in your pocket. You know what they say — with great power comes great responsibility.
 

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June 28, 2015

Ecapture pairs up with Cetrix to make revolutionary 3D Tablet

Ecapture utilizes the powerful Cobalt-i7 for its 3D tablet

 


INTELLIQUILTER TURNS TO CETRIX to SUPPLY LINUX TABLETS FOR INOVATING QUILTING SYSTEMS



Overview
BUSINESS ISSUE

For IntelliQuilter, a US based company that makes quilting machines, the tablet computer is the main controller in their iQ system. IntelliQuilter has chosen Linux over other operating systems for its stability and easy accessibility of the computers’ hardware resources without the operating system interfering with the applications. Installing Linux in tablets with the x86 architecture is a serious task since some x86 implementations don’t allow for a complete Linux functionality. This is especially true for the latest Intel Atom-driven tablet models. The situation for IntelliQuilter was made even more difficult by how quickly these models, coming mostly from Chinese manufacturers, became obsolete. Very often, by the time they finally succeeded in installing Linux and their application in a new model, they learned that it was not made anymore and that some newer model had taken its place.


June 24, 2015

Introducing the CETRIX Cobalt Series

Looks like a tablet, feels like a laptop


A full power computer crammed into a touchscreen tablet.

With its sleek design, the 11.6” Cobalt has all the power and performance of a great laptop in a thinner, lighter body. It also comes with an electromagnetic pen, delivering a natural writing and drawing experience. Just slip it in your bag and your good to go.
Offering unrivaled flexibility, you can go from a tablet to a laptop in an instant with the back stand and detachable keyboard. 

                                   

The pros of using Cetrix Cobalt Tablets in schools

Tablets have definitely become a part of classrooms these days and lots of schools have recognized their potential in education, integrating these technologies into their classroom curricula.
Indeed they have changed the education landscape and are being used in a multitude of ways to enrich the learning process and breakdown barriers.

Truth is, just as with every other technology, there are both pros and cons to complementing a traditional education with tablet-based exercises and activities. But, since we think that the pros outweigh the cons, we’re just going to get into the pros (for obvious reasons)! 


But first, check out this video of how the Cobalt was made for UK school a few months back:



June 10, 2015

BASALT -CDF734/ CETRIX RUGGED Android Tablet


Cetrix has a sturdy lineup of rugged Android tablets that satisfy the needs of all sectors especially in athletics.

Cetrix Android Tablets



The lineup of Cetrix Android Tablets embodies the leading-edge computing and connectivity technologies that take our lives to the next stage.

MagmaX CBR885/ CETRIX Rugged Windows Tablets




 Cetrix Rugged Windows Tablets offer a robust performance and functionality for all industries

COBALT / CETRIX Windows Tablet



A full power computer crammed
into a touchscreen tablet. With its sleek design, the 11.6” Cobalt has all the power and
performance of a great laptop in a thinner, lighter body. It also comes with an electromagnetic pen, delivering a natural writing and drawing experience. Just slip it in your bag and your good to
go. Offering unrivaled flexibility, you can go from a tablet to a laptop in an instant with the back stand and detachable keyboard.

June 9, 2015

Energy Includes: Oil and Gas, Pipeline, Mining, Refining, Electrics, Alternative


The sectors of the Energy industry vary widely, but they all have one thing in common: work environments that are unsuitable for normal computers. Whether in the mines or the oilfield, field conditions are hazardous for equipment, and device malfunctions can be dangerous for workers.

Education Includes universities, colleges, K12, secondary and primary schools.


Mobile computing is gaining momentum for today’s educational organizations because of a new class of devices—this category-defining blockbuster is the tablet. Immensely portable, tablets serve as e-Readers, video repositories, and Web browsing devices with instant access to thousands of applications, often replacing the need for books.

Why choose CETRIX?


It’s simple: We can to be your trusted partner in innovative mobile enterprise computing by providing productivity through better uptime and long-term value. You’ll get more done faster and grow your business with us! Don’t believe us? Take a look at the list of our clients for some of our experiments.

We offer OEM/ODM services with the most flexible customization to meet the demand of each customer

 
OEM/ODM orders
We have great advantage in our R&D, assembly of consumer electronic products especially on Tablet PC. We are also specializing in manufacturing featured mobile phones and smartphones.