Germany-based Leica on April 20 debuted the V-LUX20 digital camera for launch in the Taiwan market in May 2010, according to the Taiwan branch of Hong Kong-based Schmidt Marketing which is the exclusive sales agent for Leica in the Asia market except Japan. Leica V-LUX20: Specifications Item Detail Image sensor 12.1-megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD Zoom 12x optical (20-300mm), 4x digital Screen 3-inch 460,800-pixel TFT-LCD Dimension (W × H × D, mm) 103 × 62 × 33 Weight (including memory card and battery) 218g Source: Company, compiled by Digitmes, April 2010Leica V-LUX20 digital cameraPhoto: Company

Taipei, April 19, 2010 — MSI's rise in the motherboard market had its origin in the design of the first global overclocked motherboard some 20 years ago. These two decades have shown endless innovation in R&D development, perfectionist pursuit of quality and an explosion of new functions to satisfy the general public and advanced players alike. MSI's products are so cutting edge that every new motherboard release from MSI creates a stir in the market and redefines its market segment.MSI's R&D team is the vanguard of technology development and has launched many innovative products over the years. One example of such traffic stopper product is the MSI Big Bang-Fuzion motherboard released in January 2010. It used Hydra Engine technology and still it's unique and is the first motherboard in the world to allow "mixing" 3D video cards from different vendors or different models. It gives the consumers the flexibility to use video cards from different suppliers on a single motherboard like on the MSI Big Bang -Fuzion. Furthermore, MSI's proprietary technologies such as ultra performance energy efficient "DrMOS", overclocking technology "OC Genie", "SuperPipe" cooling design, top of the range "Quantum Wave & THX sound card interface" and the only "hardware based" Active Phase Switching" energy saving technology are all market driven technologies from MSI. All of these technical advantages and unique features present MSI's strong force and push this company to take the lead on motherboard innovations, bringing more value on user experience time and time.In the pursuit of quality, MSI goes all out to improve power design, better cooling with heatpipes, and material quality to create the ultimate durable overclocking motherboard. MSI, as one of the first-tier branded motherboard manufacturer, its motherboards are regular record breakers in the international overclocking championships and their durability is highly recognized. In 2009 MSI's Eclipse SLI motherboard matched with MSI N275GTX Lightning video card, was chosen by MOA overclocking championship as the official platform. Out of the 20 participating Overclocking teams, eight teams broke the world record for 3DMark Vantage test software; The MSI P55 series motherboard broke 21 overclocking world records since it launched in 2009. The highly acclaimed MSI P55 GD-80 won numerous awards on the HWBOT website and broke 19 world records so far. This level of performance is unmatched by its peers. In addition, Tom's Hardware Worldwide Overclocking Championship has chosen MSI's Eclipse (X58) & MSI P45 Platinum DDR3 motherboard as the official overclocking platform in 2008.Furthermore, MSI was the winner in the motherboard category at 2009 Taiwan Excellence Awards. MSI P45 Diamond, the world's first motherboard using Gen II server level component " MSI DrMOS" was awarded "Best Choice of COMPUTEX" in 2009. This motherboard has won the award three years running.MSI's focus on R&D force and pursuit for quality, set the bench mark for the industry. Every motherboard from MSI is backed by MSI's reputation for quality. Positive international press reviews, awards and consumer recommendations are the confirmation of first-tier branded motherboards in the field.

Verizon Wireless on April 15 announced the Droid Incredible Android-based smartphone manufactured by HTC. The Droid Incredible, with a 3.7-inch WVGA touch display, is the first Verizon wireless phone to support Qualcomm's 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and it's the first available phone from the company to include an 8-megapixel camera. The phone will be available beginning April 29. Verizon Droid Incredible smartphonePhoto: Company

DURHAM, N.C., April 6, 2010 — Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) introduces a new class of products designed to accelerate the adoption of LED lighting by traditional lighting fixture manufacturers and speed time-to-market for their new LED-based fixtures. With this new line of LED module products, Cree customers will now have access to Cree's award-winning TrueWhite technology allowing them to deliver efficient, high-quality light in a compact, easy-to-use product.The first product in the new line is the Cree LED Module LMR4, created to overcome common design issues manufacturers have faced when trying to incorporate LED solutions into their lighting fixtures."Cree customers now have access to our industry-proven TrueWhite technology, allowing them to quickly deliver better products to the market, faster," said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. "Cree TrueWhite technology is already installed in thousands of locations including restaurants, retail stores, and others that demand both high-quality light and energy-efficiency."The Cree LED Module LMR4 uniquely integrates driver electronics, optics and primary thermal management, making the compact Cree module drop-in-ready. Designed to last 35,000 hours while consuming just 12 watts of power, it delivers 700 lumens at a warm-white color temperature of 2700 with a CRI >90. Fixture manufacturers have the option to include a specially designed heat sink to accommodate specific high-heat applications, like downlights for insulated ceilings.The LMR4 (120V) is UL recognized and the LMR4 (230V) complies with multiple international standards. Fixture makers seeking ENERGY STAR qualification will have access to specification and performance data, including LM-80 reports, which can speed regulatory approvals."We've never seen or worked with any LED product as simple as the Cree LED Module," said Miroslav Masar, OMS, LED department director. "We anticipate our new downlight will be available in summer 2010 - and that's less than six months from when we started working with prototypes of the module. In a fast-paced industry like lighting, this is a keen advantage for us."The Cree LED Module LMR4 can be ordered now for summer 2010 general availability, and sample evaluation kits are available now directly from Cree's website, www.cree.com/modules. Demonstrations of the LMR4 can be seen at Cree's Light + Building stand (Hall 4.2, G71), April 11-16, 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany.The LMR4 has also been designed into demonstration fixtures that can be seen at Disano, Hall 3.1 E21; OMS, Hall 4.2 F10/G10; and LTS, Hall 3.1 A51.Cree LED module LMR4Photo: Company

Aeon Lighting Technology Inc (ALT), a leading global manufacturer of high power LED lighting products, today announced its latest Apollo BR30 Series, offering an optimal heat sink to assure excellent heat dissipation.ALT Apollo BR30 Series conform to E26/E27 and E26/E24 standards and can be used for all E26/E27 and E26/E24 indoor luminaries.ALT Apollo BR30 Series meet the highest international standards including UL, TUV, CE, FCC, RoHS and Laser Testing.ALT showcased Osiris Recessed Light Series in Lighting + Building 2010 in German, which implement ALT's advanced thermal technology and perform high brightness and efficiency.Osiris Recessed Light Series meet the highest international standards including CE, FCC, LVD, ETL, RoHS and Laser Testing."As ALT specializes in all the core technologies in LED lighting industry, including structural design, power supply, heat dissipation, and system integration technology, we position ourselves as the pioneer of the next-generation lighting revolution, which is expected to lead to the combination of the light source and fixture in the future," said James Liang, president and CEO of ALT.Aeon Lighting Technology (ALT) Apollo BR30 series LED lambPhoto: CompanyAeon Lighting Technology (ALT) Osiris Recessed Light Series LED lightsPhoto: Company

Apple has updated the MacBook Pro line with faster processors, next-generation Nvidia graphics and longer battery life. The 13-inch MacBook Pro features the new Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics processor for up to 80% faster graphics and a 10-hour built-in battery. The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models feature Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and Apple's new automatic graphics switching technology that toggles between their onboard Nvidia GeForce GT 330M and Intel HD graphics processors.All 13-inch MacBook Pro models now include faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 4GB RAM, a 10-hour built-in battery and the new Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics processor. With 48 processing cores, the new Nvidia GeForce 320M is ideal for graphics intensive applications or high-performance games, claimed Apple. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available in two configurations: one with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 250GB hard drive priced at US$1,199; and one with a 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 320GB hard drive priced at US$1,499.The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models are up to 50% faster than previous systems, Apple claimed. Using Intel's 32nm process, Intel Core i5 and i7 processors integrate the memory controller and L3 cache for faster access to system memory. Hyper-Threading technology improves data throughput by creating virtual processing cores, while Turbo Boost optimizes performance between the two processor cores, accelerating the system from 2.66GHz to 3.06GHz for intensive dual-core tasks, and up to 3.33GHz for single-core tasks.All 15-inch and 17-inch models include two graphics processors, the new Nvidia GeForce GT 330M for peak performance and Intel HD graphics for energy efficient operation. More than twice as fast as the GeForce 320M, the new GeForce GT 330M provides smooth, crisp on-screen graphics for the most demanding 3D games, creative software and technical applications, according to Apple. Apple's automatic graphics switching determines which graphics processor an application needs and switches instantly between processors to deliver peak performance and long battery life. Tightly integrated hardware and software allow the new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro to deliver 8-9 hours on a single charge.The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in three models: one with a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5, Nvidia GeForce GT 330M and 320GB hard drive at US$1,799; one with a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5, Nvidia GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at US$1,999; and one with a 2.66GHz Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive at US$2,199. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5, Nvidia GeForce GT 330M and 500GB hard drive for US$2,299.Apple MacBook Pro series notebookPhoto: Company

AMD has announced the launch a new member of its ATI FirePro professional graphics solutions that features ATI Eyefinity technology, the ATI FirePro V8800.The ATI FirePro V8800 is priced at US$1499 and can deliver 2.6 teraflops of raw computing power with a memory bandwidth of 147.2 GB/s – more than two times the compute power of the previous generation – making it the ideal solution for manipulating large and complex photorealistic models in real-time, said AMD.In the coming months AMD said it plans to round out its next-generation ATI FirePro family, offering a number of solutions to meet the various 2D and 3D needs of professionals working in CAD, digital content creation (DCC), broadcast, medical imaging and financial services.AMD ATI FirePro V8800 graphics cardPhoto: Company

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building upon its industry position in green technologies, NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, has announced its latest environmentally friendly display, the AccuSync AS231WM LCD monitor.Targeted to small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) as well as education and government users, the AS231WM joins four other green monitors in the AccuSync Series (AS171, AS191, AS191WM and AS221WM), which all bear EPEAT Silver ratings as well as ENERGY STAR 5.0 and TCO 5.0 compliance.The AS231WM widescreen display consumes 50% less energy and contains 50% less mercury content than conventional monitors of the same size. In addition, ECO Mode technology lets end-users toggle between energy-saving modes, helping to significantly reduce power consumption, heat generation and extend the life of the display."Coupled with its affordable price point, this 23-inch AccuSync display builds upon NEC's leadership in green technologies," said Lynn Gu, product manager of NEC Display Solutions. "The wide format allows end-users to be more productive by expanding their work area so they can view multiple application windows at the same time. Also, the unique touch-integratable feature empowers diverse business applications."The AS231WM comes with Ambix dual-input technology, which allows for digital/analog compatibility with upgraded video cards and software, as well as connections to two systems. In addition, Rapid Response technology delivers virtually uninterrupted, undistorted viewing of high-speed, full-motion video.A partial list of features of the AS231WM display includes:Native resolution of 1920 x 108016:9 aspect ratio1000:1 contrast ratioBrightness of 250 cd/m20.4W consumption in Power Savings Mode and Power Off5ms Rapid Response timeVGA and DVI-D with HDCP connectivityTilt adjustabilityTouch-integration capabilitiesIntegrated, space-saving, down-firing multimedia speakers with headphone jackECO Mode for significant power-consumption savingsCarbon footprint meter, which allows users to easily track carbon savingsEPEAT Silver ratingENERGY STAR 5.0 complianceTCO 5.0 complianceCertified for Windows® 7, Vista and XPThe new AS231WM display will begin shipping in May 2010 with an estimated street price of $269. The display ships with a standard three-year parts and labor warranty, including the backlight.NEC eco-friendly display, the AccuSync AS231WM LCD monitorPhoto: Company

Sharp Corporation has developed a 3D touchscreen LCD featuring the industry's highest brightness that can switch between 2D and 3D modes. Users can view 3D images without the need to wear special glasses, making this LCD ideal for mobile devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and smartphones.The newly developed 3D LCD uses a parallax barrier system to display 3D images. This parallax barrier, which has a series of vertical slits, is incorporated into an ordinary LCD to control the path of light reaching the right and left eyes, thus creating a sense of depth. However, the conventional 3D LCD with this system had difficulty in displaying high-quality images in 3D mode.The 3D LCD developed by Sharp at this time significantly improves image quality by achieving both high brightness and low crosstalk thanks to advances in CG-Silicon technology and optimization of the parallax barrier. Advances in CG-Silicon technology have shrunk the wiring width within the LCD panel, allowing more light to pass and doubling the brightness (to 500 cd/m2, the industry's highest) compared to the conventional model. In addition, optimizing the parallax barrier design has increased the efficiency of light, thereby dramatically reducing crosstalk. Also, the thickness of the LCD module is about the same as conventional 2D displays even though it is a touchscreen display. As 3D images can be displayed in both portrait and landscape screen orientations, it is ideal for sophisticated mobile devices such as smartphones.Sharp has also developed a non-touchscreen 3D LCD and will start its mass production in the first half of fiscal 2010.Sharp 3D touchscreen LCD panelPhoto: Company

Thermaltake has launched a new low profile CPU cooler especially targeting home theater PC users, the Thermaltake SlimX3.The SlimX3 adopts two copper heatpipes with an aluminum fins/base combination for cooling multimedia oriented CPUs. Through the heatpipe design, better heat conductivity is achieved to accelerate heat dissipation, Thermaltake said, adding that with its slim design and height of 36mm, the SlimX3 is optimized for use in most mini cases.With PWM technology, the SlimX3 can adjust the fan speed automatically between 1200-and 2400-rpm depending on the actual CPU load.With the special clip design, the SlimX3 CPU cooler supports both Intel's LGA775 and LGA1156 sockets.Thermaltake SlimX3 CPU coolerPhoto: Company