Sematech, the global consortium of chipmakers, has announced Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) decision to join it as a core member.TSMC will join Sematech to collaborate on semiconductor R&D for IC process technologies for 20nm generation and beyond, including extreme ultra-violet (EUV) lithography, 3D interconnects, metrology, novel materials and device structures, and to develop critical infrastructure vital for next-generation manufacturing, including the transition to 450 mm wafer size."This relationship further reflects our commitment to push the boundaries of innovation and deliver leading-edge technology to our customers," said Jack Sun, VP and CTO, Research and Development of TSMC. "This complementary cooperation leverages Sematech's collaborative approach to lead critical industry technology transitions, with TSMC's position as an industry leader in advanced technology development and manufacturing."Sematech's other core members include Globalfoundries, Hewlett-Packard (HP), IBM, Intel, Samsung Electronics, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE).Sematech manages an international network of world-leading collaborative partners, including foundries, IDMs, fabless, packaging and assembly companies and material and equipment suppliers, to provide industry-wide solutions to the challenges of chip manufacturing.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. May 10, 2011 - HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Specification, today announced the launch of the HDMI Associate Program, a marketing program that officially recognizes and supports companies who are selling compliant HDMI products obtained from certified HDMI Adopters. Eligible products will bear an HDMI Associate emblem so that consumers can easily identify licensed products that are fully compliant with the HDMI specification and are sourced from a licensed HDMI Adopter."As more and more HDMI-enabled products make their way to the market, there are more choices available to the consumer," said Charlene Wan, director of marketing and operations at HDMI Licensing, LLC. "But it is not always easy to know which products have been fully tested and are compliant with the HDMI specification. This program is designed to allow those companies that sell fully compliant products sourced from licensed Adopters to designate their products as such."Currently, all HDMI Adopters listed on the www.hdmi.org website, are required to test their products for compliance. However, in cases where brand-name companies source their products from Adopters, the brand-name companies do not appear on the HDMI Adopter list. The HDMI Associate Program addresses this by offering an Associate Membership to those companies who are not Adopters, but who source their HDMI-enabled products from a licensed Adopter."The HDMI Associate Program makes it easier for consumers to identify compliant products, a major differentiator for resellers and one of the key reasons we joined the program," said Sven Schulz of in-akustik, a major European cable brand. "We are pleased to be one of the first members of this new program that recognizes non-Adopter companies whose products are fully tested and compliant."An annual program membership fee of US$3,000 entitles the Associate Member to use the HDMI Associate emblem in marketing and packaging. Associate Members will also be listed on the www.hdmi.org website and have the opportunity to participate in potential co-marketing opportunities with the HDMI Consortium, including the HDMI TechZone at CES 2012, industry trade shows, developer conferences, and worldwide road shows.For more information on the Program or to become an HDMI Associate Member, visit http://www.hdmi.org/associate/associate_registration.aspx.

Gigabyte Technologies has announced that the G1. Assassin motherboard has received the Design and Innovation award from Taiwan External Trade and Development Council (TAITRA), the organizers of Computex 2011, in cooperation with iF International Forum Design. The G1.Assassin motherboard is the first ever motherboard product to be awarded the coveted Design and Innovation award, and was selected as the best example of unique component design, addressing the needs of elite gamers, a growing niche within the PC gaming market."At Gigabyte, we are both excited and proud to accept this award as recognition from our peers in the industry for the work we have done in developing the unique G1.Assassin motherboard," commented Richard Chen, VP of Worldwide Sales and Marketing at Gigabyte. "This accolade underlines our commitment to offering elite gamers and system builders the absolute best PC gaming experience possible, delivering unique features you simply cannot find on any other motherboard product."Featuring several state-of-the-art onboard solutions from industry leaders including Creative and Bigfoot Networks, as well as several unique Gigabyte features, the G1.Assassin motherboard is unlike any current gaming motherboard on the market.Gigabyte has also equipped the G1. Assassin motherboard with features such as 4-way CrossFireX and 3-SLI to offer strong graphics flexibility and enhancement capability.The G1. Assassin motherboard is one of the world's only gaming motherboards to feature Creative's top-of-the-line Soundblaster Digital Audio Processor (20K2) onboard with X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity and EAX Advanced HD 5.0 technologies, allowing you to experience sound in your gaming world exactly as you would in real life.The G1. Assassin motherboard implements the Bigfoot Networks Killer E2100 Game Networking Platform directly onboard, utilizing a unique combination of dedicated Network Processing Unit (NPU) and exclusive Game Networking DNA technology. This gives gamers the best possible online gaming experience, bypassing the Windows Network Stack to deliver tremendous speed benefits which allow you to move quicker, shoot faster and win bigger.The Gigabyte G1-Killer series features a brand new heatpipe that was designed to be as deadly to heat as it looks. By effectively spreading the heat from the critical areas of the motherboard such as the CPU VRM zone and quickly dissipating it, the Gigabyte G1. Assassin remains cool, even when the battle heats up.Gigabyte G1. Assassin motherboardPhoto: Company

When we (attempt to) digitalize everything, there are always things left to the human senses – emotion, morality, aesthetics, and aesthesia... Well, there's something we can do about aesthesia with analog to digital conversion (ADC) technology.Light sensor is a perfect example of how ADC technology has been adopted for people to access and utilize the digitalized world. Being at the vanguard of technology innovation, uPI provides the most advanced and extensive analog digital conversion (ADC) solutions by incorporating the advantages of silicon design, foundry-based process fine-tuning and manufacturing capacity. Highly efficient, designer-friendly, varied and with a cladding filter-free technology, these solutions are part of the uS family of products that include: a full range of ambient light sensors (ALS), proximity detectors, multi-functional sensors, and UV sensors.Cladding Filter-Free: Closest Spectrum to Human-Eye SensitivityUnlike traditional wafer-coating methodology, the uS series of light sensors incorporate photon sensor, amplifiers and analog/digital circuits into a single chip by CMOS process. Such innovative cladding filter-free technology provides not only lower production time and cost, but also provides the closest spectrum to human-eye sensitivity in the market!Variety of ChoicesuPI's uS510x and uS515x series products, in both analog (current / voltage) and digital I2C output types, are designed to dynamically adjust the brightness of LED/LCD display to best suit human-eye visibility and ambient light.uS513x and uS518x series products showcase multiple combination among analog/digital output ambient light sensors, proximity sensors, and IR LED drivers. The compact all-in-one solution fulfills the complex need of ambient light sensing and proximity detection for smart phones, digital cameras or monitors/laptops with presence-detecting features. Variety of Choices Ambient Light Sensor Proximity Sensor ALS+PS+LED Driver ALS+PS+LED Driver + IR LED UV Sensor Analog uS510x series uS511x series uS513x series uS512x uS514x series Digital I2C uS515x series uS516x series uS518x series uS517x uS519x series High Efficiency and Designer-friendlyThe built-in shut-down function and low shutdown/supply current effectively optimizes the efficiency, which benefits the battery-powered devices. Selectable current/voltage output gain (uS510x), I2C programmable shutdown control (uS516x) and adjustable ambient light sensitivity (uS510x, uS515x, uS513x, uS518x) provides designers best flexibility in designs. uPI Light Sensors Line-ups Part Number Description Min VDD (V) Max VDD (V) Peak Wave Length (nm) Gain Setting Package uS5101 Analog Current Output Type ALS 2.4 5.5 550 I/O High/Low VDFN1.6x1.6-6L uS5131 Analog Current Output Type ALS with Short Distance PS 2.4 5.5 550 (ALS) 830 (PS) external resistor OPLGA-6L VDFN2*2-6L VDFN2.35*1.8-6L uS5151 9bits Digital Output Type ALS with I2C Interface 2.4 5.5 550 I2C VDFN2x2-6L OPLGA-6L uS5181 9bits Digital I2C Output type ALS+PS+IR LED driver 2.4 5.5 550 (ALS) 830 (PS) I2C OPLGA-6L VDFN2.35*1.8-6L VDFN2*2-6L uS5161 9bits Digital I2C Output type PS +IR LED driver 2.4 5.5 830 I2C VDFN2x2-6L OPLGA-6L uPI has done it once again! With the introduction of this set of light sensor solutions, uPI yet again stays ahead of the competition by simplifying complex hi-tech solutions through the integration of easy-use, efficiency, and variety.

4 May 2011, Taipei, Taiwan – GlacialLight, a sub‐division of the experienced technology manufacturer GlacialTech Inc, today launches all-new Capella Series of LED products with the GL‐DL06 LED Downlight. This high‐performance 6‐inch 12 watt LED downlight acts as a bulb and fixture all‐in‐one. Simply, wire the GL‐DL06 into a 6‐inch hole in a ceiling and immediately receive 120 degrees of light of up to 730 lumens. This high‐brightness lighting solution's slim, sleek, and fashionable circular design make it perfect for commercial uses in malls, supermarkets, showrooms, offices, and hallways. It is also an excellent product for residential lighting applications. For indoor use, the GL‐DL06 LED Downlight takes an AC 100‐240V power source. Users can choose CCT of 3000K, 4000K, or 6000K that emit 560, 560, and 730 lumens of light respectively. With rated lifespans of 30,000 hours, GlacialLight's Capella Series Downlights provide functional, high‐quality, well‐designed light to users and are a fashionable choice for commercial and residential lighting applications. GlacialLight plans to add to the currently available 6‐inch diameter Capella Series LED Downlight with 4‐inch, 8‐inch, and 10‐inch sizes as well. Thinking of the environment, GlacialLight designed the Capella Series GL‐DL06 LED Downlight to be RoHS compliant. Furthermore, it contains no hazardous chemicals, such as mercury, and does not emit harmful UV or IR rays, making it more eco‐friendly than traditional lighting fixtures. With a power conversion efficiency of greater than 80%, GlacialLight is extremely excited to give consumers the LED Capella Series. LED Capella Series features - For indoor use only- Power conversion efficiency >80%- Eco‐friendly: RoHS Compliant, No UV, no IR, & no mercury- Low power consumption – energy‐saving green product- Slim, compact and fashionable design Excellent LED lighting products you can trust Design of LED lighting products is based on three core technologies including electrical design (LED drivers), mechanical design (cooling devices), and optical design (lamp holders), respectively performed by GlacialPower, GlacialTech, and GlacialLight in the GlacialTech family. With the three core technologies in hand, GlacialTech has integrated all the resources required for exceptional designs and manufactures excellent LED lighting products you can trust. Advantages and benefits of LED lighting compared to traditional lighting - Directional lighting: ideal for flashlights/torches and spotlights- No warm‐up time in cold environments: LEDs don't require warm‐up time like conventional CFLs- No harmful radiation and no hazardous metals: LEDs don't emit harmful radiation such as Ultraviolet or Infrared emitting halogen lamps and don't contain hazardous metals such as mercury contained in mercury lamps- Extremely long lifetimes free users from frequent bulb replacement- Extremely small carbon footprints: an environmentally‐friendly technology GlacialLight website: http://www.glacialtech.com/ 12 Watt GL-DL06 Capella Series LED DownlightPhoto: Company

Hsinchu, Taiwan, May 5, 2011 - AU Optronics (AUO) announced today that it will make its debut at China Optoelectronics Display Expo & China International TV Festival 2011 (CODE & CTVF 2011) in Shenzhen from May 6-8 and present its full lineup of innovative applications in 3D display technology and 3D LCD TV panels. Frank Ko, AUO's vice president & GM of TV Display Business Group, will deliver a speech titled "AUO Super 3D - Innovative Displays Lead the Future" at Foreign Countries and Domestic FPD industry CEO Summit.AUO's main emphasis this year is on "Super 3D Panel Solutions," spotlighting how more interactive and innovative the applications of its 3D LCD panels can be for consumers. The exhibition highlights will be a full lineup of 3D TV panel with Glass Pattern Retarder (GPR) technology, a large-sized interactive 3D touch display with video-game applications, and a series of glasses-free 3D displays for various applications to showcase AUO's innovation and breakthrough in its 3D technology. AUO will also present its full lineup of 21:9 Cinema Scope HD (CSHD) 3D TV LCD panel, 65" Full HD interactive E-board, and 58" 21:9 CSHD vertical public information display to offer customers with the latest and high value-added 3D displays and diverse applications.The World's Largest 71" 21:9 Ultra Wide Screen 3D LCD TV Panel With Stunning Visual ExperiencesAUO continues to integrate the leading 3D display technology and offer more complete 3D total solutions. Adopting the GPR technology, AUO will exhibit the whole series of 3D TV panels from 46" to 71" with the advantages of healthy comfort and high brightness. This series not only have less crosstalk to avoid dizziness, but also have wider viewing angles to allow more people to experience the visual effect. Already in mass production, the world's largest 71" 21:9 CSHD 3D LCD TV panel is designed with 21:9 ultra-wide screen, offers viewers wider visual angles and its smart application brings viewers a lifelike stereoscopic world and a more delightful image ratio.In response to the growing demand of interactive 3D multimedia, AUO has combined its 65" full HD 3D display with an advanced and accurate 3D interactive solution to provide a superlative gaming experience. The 3D interactive display solution is utilizing the TOF (Time-of-Flight Camera) 3D camera detecting the player's position and motion data, so that the software creates interactive 3D images accordingly. Players can see the real time stereoscopic images and touch or interact with the images accurately without wearing any accessories. With the latest 3D interactive display solution, players could enjoy the true, vivid and amazing 3D interactive experiences in 3D games.Glasses-Free 3D Technology Bringing the Interactive and Convenient AV Entertainment ExperienceBesides pattern retarder 3D technology, AUO will showcase glasses-free 3D displays in different technologies. The Dead-Zone Free 3D solutions, combined by the switchable lens technology with the face-tracking system, not only deliver high brightness and Moiré-free image quality, but also operate concurrently on the same display with both 2D and 3D modes. The applications of 15.6" notebook and 10.1" tablet PC in Dead-Zone free technology will be presented in the exhibition.For the smartphone and portable game console applications, AUO will showcase the portrait/landscape barrier 3D panel and lenticular lens 3D panel with switchable 2D and 3D modes. This is the ideal choice for portable 3D display application by allowing users to freely move their fingers on the touch panel.Public Information Display Technologies - 65" Touch Panel for E-board Applications and 58" 21:9 Ultra-Wide Screen PIDAUO integrates its touch panel technology to focus on the education market by introducing 65" interactive E-board to offer the best solution for classrooms and training applications. With features of high resolutions, high brightness, high contrast ratio and 178 degrees of wider viewing angle, AUO's 65" interactive E-board allows presenting interactive multi-media materials in the classroom to make teaching more vivid and interesting.AUO's 58" 21:9 ultra-wide screen display differs from regular advertising panels, which not only equips with high resolutions, slim design, and high color gamut, but also could be displayed in the vertical or horizontal position. In addition, the ultra-wide screen can present video image and information concurrently on the same screen. It is suitable for conference room systems or advertisement displays.Echoing the environmentally friendly and paperless trend, AUO will present 9" e-textbook and 6" e-paper in the exhibition. The industry's first ultra-slim 21.5" Displayport monitor and various high brightness car displays with wide viewing angles are also showcased at CODE & CTVF 2011 in Shenzhen. Visitors are most welcome to visit AUO's booth to experience new technologies and products, and enjoy the infinite possibilities of digital life.AUO's 58" 21:9 ultra-wide screen displayPhoto: Company

Pleasanton, CA - May 3, 2011 - NextWindow, a subsidiary of SMART Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: SMA) (TSX: SMT), announces that Japanese manufacturer, Eizo Nanao Corporation (EIZO), is using the NextWindow 1900 Desktop Touch in its new multitouch FlexScan computer monitors. The 23" (58.4 cm) FlexScan T2351W and 17" (43.2 cm) FlexScan T1751 monitors provide a unique tilt function offering six settings from 15 degrees to 65 degrees from a horizontal position. The tilt capability enables users, whether seated or standing, to rest their palms and forearms on the monitor bezel to interact comfortably with the multitouch display. With superb image quality, durability and ergonomic design, the FlexScan T2351W and FlexScan T1751 are ideal for use in a number of environments, including health facilities, schools, universities, libraries, kiosks, entertainment centers, offices and homes. The multitouch monitors can be used to display information, input data, read documents and e-books, edit digital photos and to play games. Both the FlexScan T2351 and FlexScan T1751 are now available throughout the United States.The 1900 Desktop Touch provides a cost-effective solution for computer and monitor manufacturers requiring a multitouch display. The 1900 series leverages NextWindow's optical touch technology, an innovative technology known for its accuracy, clarity, flexibility, reliability and durability. Optical touch technology offers many advantages over other touch technologies, including effortless zero-force touch, the ability to scale to large sizes and the ability to support multiple touches and multiple users. The technology is also ideal for use in desktop computers and monitors as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can easily and economically convert traditional displays into touch screens. As such, OEMs can continue to offer competitive prices for touch-enabled products without sacrificing quality and performance. The 1900 series offers low power consumption and high performance. Users can interact with the 1900 series while wearing gloves, making them ideal for medical environments. It also provides traditional touch functions such as point, click, drag and drop, as well as multitouch functions like pan, pinch, double-tap and scroll. For more information on the NextWindow 1900 Desktop Touch, visit nextwindow.com/products/1900.html."We are excited to use NextWindow touch screens in these innovative multitouch monitors," said Kazuhide Shimura, EIZO's managing officer and director. "NextWindow has a reputation for providing high-performance, cost-effective touch screens to the world's most respected computer and monitor manufacturers. We look forward to working with them for years to come.""The FlexScan products are a clever use of multitouch technology and, when combined with monitors and PCs that tilt, they can be very useful for many multitouch computer users," said Al Monro, NextWindow's CEO. "The ability to position the monitor where your keyboard would normally sit, and to tilt the monitor so that your forearms can rest on the screen, will make touching or typing on a multitouch screen even easier and therefore very appealing to users in a variety of home and office environments."EIZO FlexScan monitor with NextWindow touch panelPhoto: Company

Memoright, a leading provider of integrated solid state drive (SSD) products, will showcase its ruggedized, extended temperature SSD solutions as well as a wide range of SSDs for industrial PCs, business servers and storage systems at ESC Silicon Valley to be held in McEnery Convention Center in San Jose from May 3-5 at Booth 719.Memoright will present its GTR, GTR II and GTR-P series of military and industrial ruggedized SSDs at the upcoming trade shows in Silicon Valley. The products meet both the US MIL-STD-810F/G and China GJB standards, which cover a broad range of environmental tests such as low pressure for altitude testing, exposure to wide temperature (both operating and in storage), humidity, fungus, salt fog (as a corrosion test), shock, vibration and so on.With proprietary core technologies, Memoright is capable of providing efficient and customized solutions for a wide variety of applications. The company offers qualified SSDs for the military purpose. In addition, products for industrial control IPC solutions support 2.5-, 1.8- and 1.2-inch form factors, and Disk on Module, SD and CF formats, as well as transmission interfaces of PATA/IDE, SATA, mSATA, and PCIE.Also during the exhibitions, Memoright will highlight its latest enterprise SSDs, the FTM/STM series, and an IPC solution that delivers an outstanding balance of system performance and solid reliability.Memoright's ruggedized SSD solutions have made inroads into the specialized application segment in an array of industries including military, industrial control system, aviation, business server and storage system with major clients spreading across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Optimizing its in-house developed SSD controller chips and integrated firmware development capability, Memoright offers customized services that meet the stringent demand for the establishment of reliable and efficient systems.

PLANO, TEXAS - MAY 2, 2011 - Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions (TAOS, Inc.), pioneer of digital ambient light-sensing technology and leading global supplier of opto-sensor solutions, has expanded its global channel footprint through the addition of five experienced manufacturing sales representatives, distributors and stocking representatives. These additional channel partners increase the total number to nearly 40 TAOS, Inc. representatives and distributors who serve as agents for the TAOS, Inc. product line globally. The sales channel now includes, from the U.S., Westrep, Epic Technical Sales and Marathon Technical Associates. From Europe, TAOS, Inc. added Nijkerk Electronics, B.V. covering The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg as well as CATS S.A. in France.To enable the growing partner channel, TAOS, Inc. will be expanding its offering of incentives and resources to ensure increased channel partner productivity and sales readiness. The TAOS Inc. Design Win Registration program launched today incentivizes partners with enhanced profit margins through guaranteed device purchase price reductions for customer designs that are registered in the program. The program not only provides TAOS, Inc.'s channel partners with a cost advantage but also allows participating partners to follow the opportunity around the world, regardless of where sales physically close or where final purchasing and manufacturing occurs."The relationship we develop and maintain with our channel partners is one of our top priorities as we look to provide our customers with local presence and expertise for TAOS, Inc. opto-sensors," said Bill Hoff, director of international sales at TAOS, Inc. "As part of that relationship, the programs that we've developed not only give our channel partners access to TAOS, Inc.'s deep expertise and knowledge of light sensors, it also gives them rewards for their design-in proficiency."In addition to the Design Win program, TAOS, Inc. recently launched the TAOS, Inc. Partner Portal, an online, cloud-based resource center. The Partner Portal was developed specifically for the channel and provides access to a wide range of sales enablement tools including product and solution presentation materials, device datasheets, application notes, white papers, a photo image library and customer success stories to enable partners to sell more effectively. The company also recently expanded their sales enablement to include application briefs, which are "conversation starters" that provide an overview of existing and emerging applications for TAOS, Inc.'s broad portfolio of light sensor solutions"TAOS, Inc. recognizes the power of the channel and has made great efforts to develop incentives and tools that will help us improve our productivity. For example, the TAOS, Inc. Partner Portal has been extremely helpful in assisting knowledge transfer and arming Nijkerk Electronics with information," said Vincent Bekhuis, sales manager at Nijkerk Electronics. "We signed on to be a stocking representative for the TAOS, Inc. product line because of the reputation it has as a market leader in supplying cutting-edge, high-performance, opto-sensing solutions. Our sales teams in Antwerp and Amsterdam are already very well-known in the market for their technical added-value and capability to find the right solution for our customers, and we're looking forward to strengthening that reputation through our partnership with TAOS, Inc. as we move forward."

AMD has announced the addition of the AMD Radeon HD 6670, HD 6570 and HD 6450 graphics cards to the channel, completing the roll-out of the AMD Radeon HD 6000 family of graphics cards. Priced at less than US$100 and consuming less than 75W of power, these cards offer budget-conscious gamers and digital lifestyle enthusiasts powerful yet very affordable solutions that are ideal for HD gameplay, video playback and productivity applications, AMD said.The three new graphics cards allow users to experience immersive gaming and greater productivity with AMD's Eyefinity technology, turning three or more monitors into a single large surface, while AMD's HD3D technology allows users to watch the latest Blu-ray 3D movies as well as enhance their gameplay.The AMD Radeon HD 6450, HD 6570 and HD 6670 graphics cards will be available for purchase through system builders and at major online retailers, including Amazon, CyberPower, iBuyPower, Newegg, NCIX, and TigerDirect.AMD Radeon HD 6670 graphics cardPhoto: Company