FX

AMD unveils first eight-core 5GHz processor

If there were a clock speed war going on, AMD would win again.

The chip maker unveiled today the most powerful member of the AMD FX family of CPUs, the eight-core AMD FX-9590, which it claims to be world's first commercially available 5GHz processor.

Back in 2000, AMD was the first to break the 1GHz barrier by delivering its 1GHz Athlon chip to the general public in May of that year. The FX-9590 will be available this summer and Intel has until then to unveil its own 5GHz CPU. Currently the fastest CPU from Intel is the 3.5GHz … Read more

Review: Square FX provides a number of extra features for Instagram users

Square FX solves a problem many people have when uploading pictures to Instagram--the fact that their pictures are generally cropped to fit the square frame. While this doesn't affect all photos, it can have a negative impact on quite a few, and Square FX allows you to resize, refit, and avoid cropping images before they go to Instagram, albeit with limited additional features.

While Square FX does everything it promises quite well, it lacks enough features to make the trial truly useful as a supplement to Instagram. When you first open the app, you can choose an image and … Read more

Review: Add backgrounds, fillers, and special effects to photos with InstaEffect FX for iOS

InstaEffect FX Free is the lite, trial version of InstaEffect FX HD--an app designed so you can quickly and easily add special effects to the foreground and background of your images. The app is simple, straightforward, and in the trial version, relatively limited, but in many ways exceeds expectations, making it a good option for light image effect editing.

When you first open InstaEffect FX Free you'll notice that it's very similar to other free image editing apps. Load an image from your library or take a new one with your camera and you can start editing it … Read more

Great photo effects, but substandard workflow

FX Photo Studio (iPhone | iPad) lets you edit images on your iPhone, add multiple effects, then add stylized text for a unique look. The app includes all the basic image-editing controls such as brightness, contrast, and color balance, along with cropping and rotation tools.

But where FX Photo Studio shines is in the amount you can do with your photos by selecting from an enormous number of effects. As of this writing, FX Photo Studio includes 190 high-quality effects you can add to your images. You can also combine effects for virtually limitless combinations. But while the app features a … Read more

Add image FX and overlays with Splash FX

Splash FX is a very simple app, but often when it comes to photography and the act of adding bits of flare to an otherwise pedestrian (or potentially funny) photo, that's all you need. Featuring multiple free filters, a speedy development time, and the option to export in multiple sizes, Splash FX is a great free photo-editing and FX tool for the iPhone. While not as powerful as many other paid apps (or its own paid version), the free version offers just enough features and has just the right balance of smart design to be worth a download.

When … Read more

Direct movies and add special effects to your videos with FX Guru

Why bother paying big bucks to put explosions, crashes, and other special effects goodies on your home movies? This app lets you take a video and then add one of several cool special effects to it. FX Guru is a really cute novelty to show off to friends and make them look like movie stars.

The app starts you off with three special effects. You can add more than a dozen more by ponying up a few bucks. The preloaded effects -- which are mostly disaster movie explosions -- should be more than enough. Each effect lasts about 10-15 seconds, … Read more

Amazon nabs exclusive rights to stream 'Justified'

Amazon has scored a deal to distribute a couple of FX shows online, dealing another blow to rivals Netflix and Hulu.

The online retail giant today said it has reached a content licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Television to make Amazon Prime the exclusive location to watch FX's "Justified." It also said it would now offer episodes of "The Shield," but that show is not exclusive to Netflix.

Prime subscribers can watch the shows for free, while other Amazon visitors can purchase and download episodes for $1.99 apiece.

"'Justified' and 'The Shield' are … Read more

Nikon delivers wide-angle complement for D600

Nikon hasn't lacked for full-frame wide-angle zoom lenses -- the 14-24mm f.8 is a yumburger -- but with the shipping of the D600 new Nikon adopters faced a rather limited choice of lenses that didn't cost as much as the camera. Nikon rectifies that with a new AF-S 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 FX lens which is better-priced to go with that camera at $749.95.

The lens is ostensibly designed to be compact and lightweight (about 13.6 ounces) to match the lighter D600 body as well. Other specs include a minimum focus distance of about 11 … Read more

Process photos with grand effects using FX Photo Studio

If you're looking for a decent photo editor without breaking your wallet, FX Photo Studio for Mac is a solid solution. It comes with plenty of tools and filters for post processing and adding flare to your photos.

Upon launching the program, users are welcomed with a slick, dark interface that directs your attention to the photo itself. The layout makes great use of screen estate and the interface is clean and uncluttered. The overall experience of Photo Studio really focuses on bringing out the elements and emotions that you want out of the photo through its custom filters … Read more