Sony on June 25 unveiled two B140F series Walkman digital music players, the 2GB NWZ-B142F and 4GB NWZ-B143F, each weighing 26g, for launch in the Taiwan market on July 7, 2009 at recommended retail prices of NT$1,990 (US$61) and NT$2,990 respectively, according to Sony Taiwan.B140F Walkman features the Sony-developed Zappin function that plays 4-15 second of clips from the middle of tracks to allow users to find songs easily without looking at the screen, Sony Taiwan pointed out.Sony Walkman series B140F in four colorsPhoto: Company

Gateway has introduced a new range of back-to-school desktop PCs featuring technologies ideal for productivity, entertainment and digital photography.The first model available in the SX series is the US$499.99 Gateway SX2800-01, which offers an Intel Core 2 Quad 8200 processor coupled with up to 4GB of memory and integrated Intel GPU.The new Gateway SX2800-01 will be available at the end of June 2009.Gateway's new DX series models offer a choice of AMD or Intel dual-core or quad-core processors, up to 8GB of memory and discrete graphics cards from either AMD or Nvidia.The new Gateway DX series of mini-tower PCs will also be available at the end of June.Gateway SFF SX series desktop PCPhoto: Business Wire

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and Asustek Computer have collaborated to develop the Disney Netpal, a netbook for children.Developed with parents and kids in mind, the Disney Netpal is durable with a reinforced mechanical design, while offering a unique Disney user interface. The netbook features an 8.9-inch LCD display, Wi-Fi, Windows XP Home, kid-friendly software and around 40 parental control options, noted the companies.The Disney Netpal will be available in late July in two models with prices based on features. The Disney Netpal is designed for kids ages 6-12. Retailers include Toys R Us and Amazon, and the suggested retail price is US$349.99. Carrying cases will also be available separately. Disney Netpal netbook specifications Model Disney Netpal MK90 Disney Netpal MK90H Operating system Windows XP Home Windows XP Home Display 8.9-inch LED-backlit WSVGA screen 8.9-inch LED-backlit WSVGA screen CPU Intel Atom N270 Intel Atom N270 WLAN 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n Memory DDR2 1GB DDR2 1GB Storage 16GB SSD 160GB HDD Camera 0.3-megapixel 0.3-megapixel Reader MMC and SD (SDHC supported) MMC and SD (SDHC supported) Battery 4200mAh Polymer 4200mAh Polymer Weight 1kg with battery 1.2kg with battery Colors Pink and blue Pink and blue Source: Companies, compiled by Digitimes, June 2009Disney Netpal netbookPhoto: Company

Micron Technology has introduced a new low-power memory solution, and is working to validate the modules with Nvidia's notebook processors. The modules are available in densities up to two-gigabytes (GB) now, with 4GB samples coming this fall, according to the company.Compared to standard 1.5-volt DDR3, the new Micron DDR3 parts are designed using 1.35-volt one-gigabit (Gb) DDR3 components for significant power savings, said the company. The low-power is achieved without compromise to memory performance, as the modules deliver a bandwidth of up to 1333 megabits per second (Mb/s), the company added."Our new DDR3 notebook modules offer approximately a 20% reduction in power usage compared to standard 1.5-volt modules while maintaining DDR3's high performance advantage, enabling a desktop-class computing experience for portable computers," said Robert Feurle, vice president of DRAM marketing at Micron.Micron 2GB DDR3 operating at 1.35VPhoto: Company

BenQ has launched its latest ultra-thin notebook, the Joybook Lite T131, featuring a 13.3-inch UltraVivid screen, AMD's Yukon mobile platform, integrated microphone and webcam, and Wi-Fi connectivity.Available in a choice of "opulent midnight" blue or "snowy" white, the Joybook Lite T131 ultra-thin notebook will be available in June 2009 in China. BenQ Joybook Lite T131 ultra-thin notebook specifications Item Detail CPU AMD Sempron 200U processor Chipset AMD M690E + SB600 chipset Graphics ATI Mobility Radeon X1270 Memory 1GB of DDR2 400 memory support up to 2GB Hard Drive 250/320 GB (5400RPM - SATA) Screen Size 13.3-inch WXGA(1280×800) UltraVivid widescreen display with 250nits Dimensions 320 × 240 × 28 (rear) mm Weight 1.5kg (without battery) Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, June 2009BenQ Joybook Lite T131 ultra-thin notebookPhoto: Company

VIA Technologies and Hewlett-Packard (HP) have cooperated to offer an enterprise-based PC – the HP Compaq dx2040 in China, according to VIA.The Compaq dx2040 PC features VIA's C7-D CPU and CN896 chipset, and supports up to 4GB of DDR2 memory.The CN896 chipsets also integrates VIA's Chrome 9 GPU, supporting DirectX 9.0, and Chromotion 3.0 CE technology for hardware acceleration of MPEG-2.HP Compaq dx2040 PCPhoto: Company

Taiwan-based LED packaging house Everlight Electronics has showcased LED agriculture lamps for stimulating plant growth at the 2009 Photonics Festival in Taiwan, and the company is targeting the Japan market.The agriculture lamps use red, blue and purple lights, which have specific wavelengths to stimulate plant growth, according to the company.Everlight indicated that although the price for LED agriculture lamps is high, the company sees opportunity in Japan's high-end agricultural market. Products are being validated by Japanese clients, said Everlight.Everlight LED agriculture lampsPhoto: Yvonne Yu, Digitimes

SiRF Technology has introduced the SiRFatlasIV multifunction location system processor targeting an emerging class of location-centric devices.With its high-performance location engine and twice the memory bandwidth of current entry-level systems, the SiRFatlasIV platform -available now in production quantities - is designed to minimize bill-of-materials (BOM) and overall system cost, according to the company.SiRFatlasIV is already in use by several leading OEMs and ODMs, including Asustek Computer/Unihan Technology, Binatone Electronics International, CiREX Technology, Foxconn Technology Group, Globalsat Technology, Maylong's GPS for Dummies, Navigon AG, NDrive Navigation Systems SA, Nextar, Wistron and YF International, according to the company.This high-sensitivity, 64-channel, multi-satellite system location engine, with more than one million correlators, improves time to first fix (TTFF) in tough environments, and provides true -161-dBm simultaneous tracking of both GPS and Galileo satellites, SiRF said.The SiRFatlasIV's high sensitivity GPS core also allows the use of lower cost patch antennas and less expensive 2.5 ppm crystal oscillators without impacting performance. .The SiRFatlasIV provides a 500-MHz ARM11 processor core with vector floating point unit complimented by a 64-bit system bus and a high-speed memory controller with DDR 400/Mobile-DDR 333 memory module support.

Taiwan-based LED packaging house Everlight Electronics has announced the release of two new SMD LED packages, 99-211 side view package and 62-127 top view package.The 99-211 is a side view LED with up to 2200 mcd luminous intensity, and is intended for use in small-size LCD backlight applications (under 10-inch). These include notebooks, mobile phones, indicators, illuminators, and switch lights.The 62-127 is a top view LED with up to 7200 mcd luminous intensity, high flux output, and high current capability for use in large-size LCD monitors and TVs, light pipe applications, indicators and backlighting in office and family equipment.Both packages offer wide viewing angles of 120 degrees typical, and low power consumption in order to equalize the light source and save energy. These SMD LEDs are also used for light guide plate application.Everlight 99-211 side view LEDPhoto: CompanyEverlight 62-127 top view LEDPhoto: company

AU Optronics (AUO) will introduce its latest technologies and products at the upcoming Display Taiwan 2009 on June 10-12. The exhibition is divided into nine sections: public information display (PID) applications, green panels, advanced technology for large-size LCD, LCD TV applications, monitor applications, notebook PC applications, 3D displays, leading mobile technologies and in-cell multi-touch panels.The theme of AUO's exhibition this year is "Connected to Digital Evolution," and AUO's goal is to bring more interactive experiences and delightful digital lifestyles to consumers by leveraging its innovative technologies, according to the company. AUO technology and product highlights in Display Taiwan 2009 Technology Size/model Features PID PID 65" 3D Fix barrier glasses-free 3D with 12 views 65" high brightness 4000:1 high contrast ratio / high brightness 1500 nits 52" touch-function On-cell touch Advanced technology AMVA3 46" full HD 8000:1 contrast ratio 3D display 17" Glasses-free/high brightness/ brightness increased by 60% Eco Plus TV panel 52"full HD Reduced by more than 30% in weight, thickness, and power-consumption Product applications Full HD LCD TV 65" full HD Glare/ 120Hz/ MEMC/High contrast ratio 55" full HD 52" full HD 46" full HD 16:9 wide-screen monitor (MoniTV) 24" W full HD 16:9 wide-screen/ LED backlight/ less than1cm in thickness 21.5" W full HD 18.5" W HD LED backlight notebook panels 15.6" HD 16:9/WLED/ultra-slim 14" HD 13.3" HD Mobile technologies Curved display 8.9" curved radius: R120mm eBook 6" Touch-function/ 800x600 HD/16 grey levels QVGA 2.8" image/fingerprint scanner Borderless 2.2" Slim border + Fresnel lens Ultra thin 1.9" Only 0.56mm In-cell multi-touch In-cell multi-touch 3"~12.1" For mobile and IT applications. Better transmittance, anti-glare performance, and optical features Source: AUO, compiled by Digitimes, June 2009AUO 52-inch touch function PIDPhoto: Company