Monday, July 31, 2006

AMD Teams Up With Telmex To Provide Affordable Internet Connectivity Throughout Mexico

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- July 31, 2006 --Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) today announced nationwide availability of the Telmex Internet Box Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) for citizens across Mexico. Developed by AMD, the Telmex Internet Box provides an increasingly broad range of customers with a complete Internet experience, including hardware, software, Internet service and support.

“Telmex is committed to bringing technology to the social sectors of Mexico with the highest needs,” said Andres Vazquez del Mercado, director of Marketing, Telmex. “Together with AMD, the Telmex Internet Box not only offers an easy to use and maintain solution for first time Internet users, but also is priced affordably to eliminate the economic barrier that has previously prevented many of our citizens from getting online.”

As the leading telecommunications provider in Mexico, Telmex has played an instrumental role in providing connectivity to more than 16 percent of the country’s population. The Telmex Internet Box is available for purchase in Telmex shops all over Mexico and contains the PIC, a monitor, mouse and keyboard. The device comes preloaded with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation viewer, e-mail, media player (photos, music and video), and instant messaging software.

The Personal Internet Communicator is one of several devices in AMD’s 50x15 Initiative technology portfolio, targeted to provide affordable connectivity options to consumers in high-growth nations and increase educational and economic opportunities around the globe. Today, the PIC is being used by schools, universities, small businesses and a broad range of consumers worldwide including the Caribbean, India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey and Russia.

“We collaborate with companies that share our vision for global connectivity forged through a vibrant, sustainable business model,” said Gino Giannotti, vice president, Innovation Solutions, AMD. “AMD and Telmex recognize that education and access to the Internet are crucial toward providing personal and professional development opportunities to consumers around the world. Bringing the Telmex Internet Box to market helps bridge the digital divide in Mexico and moves us closer to achieving our goal of connecting 50 percent of the world to the Internet by 2015.”

For many populations across the globe, Internet connectivity is a luxury they cannot obtain or even access. AMD’s 50x15 Initiative and the introduction of affordable, simple devices are opening doors previously thought impossible. AMD recognizes they cannot do this on their own and enlists the help of the world’s leading service providers. As part of AMD’s 50x15 technology portfolio, the PIC is setting the standard for innovative business practices that aid developing technology communities.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology Selected by Global PC Builders For Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Launch


SANTA CLARA, CA—JULY 27, 2006—NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, today announced that many of the world's leading system builders have elected to launch new enthusiast gaming Intel Core 2 Duo-based systems exclusively with NVIDIA SLI technology. The Intel Core 2 Duo processor combined with an NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 or NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI or 570 SLI-based motherboard and one, two, or even four GeForce® graphics processing units (GPUs), has already proven to be an unbeatable combination in terms of system level and gaming performance. This combination is earning early accolades from leading publications, such as Maximum PC magazine, which selected an Intel Core 2 Duo processor-compatible motherboard based on NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI technology and dual GeForce 7900 GTX GPUs for their 2006 Dream Machine cover story.

"We wanted a chipset that supported two x16 PCI Express connections to the GPUs with the potential to upgrade to Quad SLI," wrote Gordon Ung, Senior Editor of Maximum PC Magazine. "The NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI Intel Edition chipset, paired with XFX's hyperclocked XXX GeForce 7900 GTX graphics cards in SLI delivers the best performance."


Read more.

Friday, July 28, 2006

Intel Unveils World's Best Processor

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 27, 2006 - Intel Corporation today unveiled 10 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo and Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme processors for consumer and business desktop and laptop PCs and workstations, reshaping how computers perform, look and consume power—and most importantly—transform how people use them.

"The Core 2 Duo processors are simply the best processors in the world," said Paul Otellini, president and CEO of Intel. "Not since Intel introduced the Pentium® processor has the industry seen the heart of the computer reinvented like this. The Core 2 Duo desktop processor is an energy-efficient marvel, packing 291 million transistors yet consuming 40 percent lower power, while delivering the performance needed for the applications of today and tomorrow."

Read more.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

BenQ Announces LCD Monitor Featuring Coated Screen

BenQ FP92V's Coated Screen Provides Improved Color Contrast, Brightness and Sharpness for a Dazzling Visual Experience

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, 24 July, 2006 – BenQ today announces a new addition to its award-winning LCD monitor lineup, the BenQ FP92V, featuring a coated screen, BenQ's proprietary Senseye technology, integrated multimedia speakers and next generation D-Sub/DVI dual input signal for maximum compatibility.

Coated Screen
BenQ FP92V's coated screen provides amazing contrast, brightness and sharpness and a truly spectacular benefit of low reflection which offers a vivid and dazzling experience when gaming and watching DVD's. The coated screen also features a 3H on the Mohs' hardness scale that indicates a certain scratch resistant quality.

Integrated multi-media speakers
Targeted for users in a wide variety of environments, the BenQ FP92V comes outfitted with two integrated 1W multimedia speakers which provide a clear and vibrant audio experience, while also providing a practical space-utilization solution.

D-Sub/ DVI dual inputs for maximum compatibility
The BenQ FP92V also comes equipped with both traditional D-sub and next-generation DVI input support. In addition, the BenQ FP92V provides the best possible picture quality and video performance with both analog and digital input.

Senseye technology
The BenQ FP92V also features BenQ's proprietary "Senseye" digital-enhancement technology that automatically and dynamically improves image quality, adjusts brightness and darkness levels, performs color-mapping procedures, and reduces jagged edges on images. Senseye also adjusts contrast, color and sharpness settings, which significantly enhances the display of pictures and graphics-intensive applications such as gaming, digital photos, entertainment and professional multimedia presentations.

Mohs' scale of hardness
The Mohs' scale of mineral hardness characterizes the scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material. It was created, in 1812, by the German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs and is one of several definitions of hardness in materials science.

The BenQ LCD Monitor FP92V will be launched at the end of July.

Motorola Announces Five New Products

ROSEMONT, Ill. – 24 July 2006 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), today introduced the new MOTOKRZR and MOTORIZR handsets, along with their complementary Bluetooth® headsets, the H601 and H800. Embodying Motorola’s design philosophy, the products are impressively narrow, contain a sliding form factor and integrate new advances in color, material and finish.

The MOTOKRZR meets and surpasses the MOTORAZR standard for slimness, with more than a centimeter shaved off its width. Showcasing a multi-dimensional, metallic gloss finish for visual depth, the MOTOKRZR exhibits subtle elegance through magnesium, polished chrome and hardened glass. The solid piece of glass on the front of the phone – a technological first for a large volume mobile – results in a high-gloss luster balancing the velvet-like soft touch finish on the back.

Matching the sleek silhouette of MOTOKRZR, Motorola’s first GSM slider, the MOTORIZR handset diversifies the company’s product line-up – giving consumers the ability to slide rather than flip. Although the product showcases a new form, it remains true to Motorola’s design ethos with tactile, metallic and soft-touch finishes, a chemically-etched spun metal keypad and optional tattoo graphics.

Ron Garriques, President Mobile Devices at Motorola, says, “As we set one industry milestone, we’re instantly focused on delivering the next. With MOTOKRZR and MOTORIZR we’ve achieved a new combination of thin and rich – honoring our commitment to design while adding new form factors and additional features.”

Motorola MOTOKRZR
Available in both GSM and CDMA, the MOTOKRZR will be available globally during the second half of 2006, regardless of their network preference. The GSM MOTOKRZR features a high resolution 2.0 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth audio, an updated phone directory and new messaging applications. While both versions offer integrated music players and expandable memory up to 1GB, the CDMA MOTOKRZR beats to a slightly different drum boasting touch-sensitive music controls, advanced EVDO data services* and location-based services capabilities.

Motorola MOTORIZR
Merging an innovative slider design with an impressive feature set which is accessible either opened or closed, the MOTORIZR offers intuitive functionality. This slider optimizes on-the-go imaging with its expansive landscape display, 2.0 megapixel camera and programmed point-and-shoot keys. The built-in music player supports a variety of formats and its video capabilities complete this dynamic package.

Motorola H601 and H800
Reflecting the new handsets look and feel, the Motorola H601 and H800 Bluetooth headsets bring advancements in talk time, sound clarity, upgraded finishes and laser-etched graphics. Influenced by MOTOKRZR, the Motorola H601 is sleek and functional, offering optimal comfort. The Motorola H800 debuts with a unique sliding mechanism replicating the MOTORIZR. Both offerings exemplify how Motorola extends its design philosophy across its entire portfolio.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Nokia opens Asia's first Flagship Store in Hong Kong

Nokia today announced the grand opening of the first Nokia Flagship Store in Asia. Located on Russell Street, Causeway Bay, the Nokia Flagship Store is prominently positioned in one of the most prestigious shopping districts in Hong Kong. In addition to showcasing the complete portfolio of Nokia products and services, the Flagship Store allows customers to fully experience cutting-edge mobile technology in a comfortable, stylish and interactive environment. The first Nokia Flagship store was opened in the Moscow, Russia in December 2005. Nokia aims to open 18 Nokia Flagship Stores in the "shopping capitals" -- high-traffic urban settings in major markets worldwide.

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Pioneer will begin shipping the world’s first 50” 1080p plasma display today.

The new Pioneer Elite® PureVision™ PRO-FHD1 is a technological milestone with images that burst off the display for a near 3-D effect. Built by and for those who demand the very best high definition experience, the new plasma features double the pixel density of previous plasma displays with a 1920 X 1080 native resolution. It produces fine detail and vibrant color for the entire range of high definition signals including 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

The challenge in creating a 50-inch plasma display with a 1080p signal was to reduce the pixel size by half in order to fit more than 2 million pixels in the screen. Pioneer used its 15 years experience developing plasma technology to manufacture the world’s smallest pixels measuring .576 millimeters which results in a stunning on-screen picture. The depth of picture, particularly when viewing original content in 1080p/24Hz, such as a movie on Blu-ray Disc, gives a truly 3-D effect. Viewers can see tiny beads of sweat on an athlete’s face as well as the stitches on the football as it flies through the air. Some say it makes it easier to tell when the lead actor takes a break and lets the stunt double take over.

A high precision video scaler is used to up-convert 480i, 720p, 720i and 1080i signals to 1080p, increasing the resolution and virtually eliminating the interlacing motion artifacts seen in some other displays. The display also relies on Pioneer’s many proprietary technologies including deep encased cell structure, crystal emissive layer and improved phosphors to create the sharpest, brightest images with excellent color accuracy.

The Pioneer Elite® PureVision™ PRO-FHD1 is now available at specialty retailers for a suggested price of $10,000.

Pioneer's Home Entertainment and Business Solutions Group is a leading manufacturer of plasma televisions and monitors, Blu-ray Disc® and DVD products, A/V receivers, speakers and other audio and video accessories. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including Digital Network Entertainment™. The company markets its products under the Pioneer and Pioneer Elite® brand names. When purchased from an authorized dealer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer products and two years with Pioneer Elite products.

Friday, July 14, 2006

SAMSUNG and Sony Sign Final Contract Regarding Production Line for World’s Most Advanced Generation LCD Panel

Seoul, Korea / Tokyo, Japan, July 14th : Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (hereafter “Samsung”) and Sony Corporation (hereafter “Sony”) today signed the final contract for constructing an 8th generation amorphous TFT-LCD panel manufacturing line at their joint venture, S-LCD Corporation (hereafter “S-LCD”).

The following issues have been discussed between the two companies since the agreement on the Letter of Intent which was released in April 2006, and today have reached the final contract stage. - We plan to establish an 8th generation amorphous TFT-LCD panel production line (glass substrate size: approximately 2,200mm×2,500mm), in addition to the current 7th generation amorphous TFT-LCD panel production line, at S-LCD (Tangjeong, ChungCheongNam-Do, Korea).

- We plan to invest approximately $1.9 billion* (1.8 trillion Won, approximately 200 billion JPY) with each company providing half. Actual production is targeted to start in fall 2007 with a production capacity of 50,000 panels per month.
* The investment amount does not include the cost of the building and land.

Together with the current 7th generation line, the start of the world’s most advanced (8th generation) line will enable both companies to expand production of large screen LCD panels for 50 inch class LCD TVs, of which demand is expected see a significant increase, as well as to acquire a stable supply to meet demands.