Aaeon, a developer of embedded computers, has launched the EPIC-KBS9, a 4-inch SBC built to accommodate 65W Intel Core i socket-type processors. The board is ideal for data encryption, video streaming, and advanced machine vision applications, the vendor said. The EPIC-KBS9 comes with two SODIMM sockets, enabling a 32G dual-channel memory platform, and thanks to its PCIe [x4] slot, the board also supports NVMe SSDs for faster boot times and response rates. As a solution for LAN applications, the EPIC-KBS9 is fitted with four GbE LAN ports. It also features two USB3.0 ports, two USB2.0 internal connectors, an HDMI port, and two COM connectors. The motherboard can be expanded through its PCIe [x4] slot and an additional full mSATA/Mini-PCIe slot.

AMD has released the first three models of its next-generation high-performance AMD Ryzen desktop processor. Ryzen is the first processor based on the entirely new AMD Zen core microarchitecture, bringing multi-core performance for PC gamers, creators, and hardware enthusiasts. Starting today there are three 8-core Ryzen 7 models available. Beginning in the second quarter of 2017, AMD expects to launch 6- and 4-core Ryzen 5 processors followed later this year by Ryzen 3, which is designed to bring more performance to mainstream applications. All Ryzen processors support the new AM4 infrastructure, with motherboard designs becoming available from major players. Alongside Ryzen 7 processors, AMD also announced the product specifications for two Ryzen 5 processors, and demonstrated the flagship Ryzen 5 1600X outmatching Intel's flagship Core i5 7600K by more than 60% in multi-threaded CPU testing.

Intel has announced a collaboration agreement with Arduino, an open-source hardware platform in the maker and education community. Intel also unveiled the Galileo board, the first product in a new family of Arduino-compatible development boards featuring Intel architecture. The development board runs an open source Linux operating system with the Arduino software libraries, enabling scalability and re-use of existing software, called sketches. Intel Galileo can be programmed through Mac OS, Microsoft Windows and Linux host operating software. The board is also designed to be hardware and software compatible with the Arduino shield ecosystem. Intel Galileo features the Intel Quark SoC X1000, the first product from the Intel Quark technology family of low-power, small-core products.