Marvell has announced its Plug Computing initiative to make high-performance, always on, always connected, and environmentally friendly computing readily available for developers and end-users. A Plug Computer is small enough to plug directly into a wall socket and is designed to draw so little power that it can be left on all of the time, explained Marvell. Unlike other embedded devices in the home, it contains a gigahertz class processor to offer PC class performance which makes it a viable alternative to a PC for any software service, said the company."There is no doubt that home networks need to become more intelligent and easier to use by offering value added services for the consumer," said Simon Milner, VP and general manager of the Enterprise Business Unit, Consumer and Communications Business Group at Marvell Semiconductor. "We have created an open computing platform for developers in a consumer and eco-friendly form factor. Marvell's goal is to accelerate the development and availability of innovative software and services in the home."The SheevaPlug development platform uses a Marvell Kirkwood processor based on an embedded 1.2GHz Sheeva CPU equipped with 512MB of flash and 512MB of DRAM. Connection to the home network is via Gigabit Ethernet. Peripherals such as direct attached storage can be connected using a USB 2.0 port. Multiple standard Linux 2.6 kernel distributions are supported on the SheevaPlug development platform. The enclosure is designed to plug directly into a standard wall socket and is designed to draw less than one tenth of the power of a typical PC being used as a home server, highlighted Marvell.Several companies launched Marvell based products at CES 2009. These include:Axentra whose HipServ software running on a SheevaPlug offers a complete home server platform and applications suite that allows OEMs and service providers to quickly go to market with branded home server solutions. The secure and stable software platform allows users to store, manage, share, view, or listen to digital media content in the home or remotely, said Axentra.Cloud Engines launched the Pogoplug, a new device which connects an external hard drive to the Internet enabling users to share and access files from anywhere. The US$99 device is currently available for pre-order.Ctera Networks introduced the Ctera CloudPlug appliance which converts a USB drive into a NAS device with integrated secure offsite backup. Ctera aims the device at service providers seeking to provide online backup services to consumers and small businesses.Eyecon Technologies' media companion allows consumers to use a mobile Internet device (MID), such as iPhone, to manage content from any source including the Internet, DVRs, PCs and NAS devices and direct it to connected media devices in the home.Marvell's SheevaPlug development kit is available now for US$99 through the company's website.Cloud Engines Pogoplug based on Marvell's SheevaPlug development platformPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer and Micro-Star International (MSI) plan to showcase their Intel consumer ultra low voltage (CULV) platform-based ultra-thin notebooks at CeBIT this year, according to sources at notebook vendors.In addition to the company's X320 notebook, MSI will showcase two new X-Slim series notebooks - X340 and X600. The three notebooks adopt Intel's CULV platform, which consist of either the ultra low voltage version single-core Celeron, Core 2 Solo or dual-core Centrino 2 CPU.Currently, Intel has about 20 different configurations for its CULV platform, with related systems from Hewlett-Packard (HP), Asustek and MSI scheduled to appear in the channel before June this year, the sources noted.The sources also pointed out the slim profit from fierce competition in the 10-inch netbook segment, as well as the product's short life cycle should trigger several vendors to turn their focus to the entry-level ultra-thin notebook market.MSI CULV-based X-Slim notebooks include the X320, X340 and X600Photo: Monica Chen, Digitimes, February 2009

Lanner Electronics recently announced the release of its latest miniature fanless network application platform – the Lanner FW-7522. Specifications for the FW-7522 include an onboard Intel Celeron M (600MHz/1GHz) CPU, five network ports, and an internal hard drive bay.The FW-7522 targets entry-level network security applications such as firewall, UTM, gateway anti-virus and intrusion detection/prevention systems. It can also handle other non-security related applications such as load balancing multiple Internet connections or hosting business productivity software with Gigabit LAN and Windows 2003, Windows XP and Linux support."By providing a low-cost and flexible base platform for network security applications, Lanner makes it easy for software developers to port their products to a familiar x86 platform quickly and conveniently. This enables our customers to reach their target markets faster and stay ahead of the competition," said Jesse Chiang, Lanner Network Communications Product Planner.While generally aimed at network security, the Lanner FW-7522 is suitable for a wide variety of small business applications – from business intelligence and enterprise resource planning applications to business continuity assurance mechanisms like load balancing and traffic shaping. The internal 2.5-inch hard drive provides expanded capacity for software and caching as well as better write performance than CompactFlash storage, which is also provided, highlighted Lanner.Additionally, the FW-7522's small size and fanless design ensure noise-free, space-saving installation in any sized network, said the company. The small form factor single board computer fits on a desktop or in a cabinet for SMB markets. As a core network appliance however, the most likely destination is in the server rack; therefore, Lanner has developed a server rack mount kit to make installation in enterprise networks even easier. Finally, its extended temperature range (-20 to 70-degrees Celsius) makes the FW-7522 perfectly suitable for deployment in industrial network environments, said Lanner.The FW-7522 is available for sample orders immediately.Lanner FW-7522Photo: Company

Dell has launched the Inspiron Mini 10 netbook that it says adds keyboard comfort to the Inspiron Mini family.The netbook features an ample keyboard 92% the size of of normal keyboard, as well as a 10.1-inch 16:9 aspect ratio display, detailed the company.Six color options are available: obsidian black, alpine white, cherry red, promise pink, ice blue and jade green.Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbookPhoto: BusinessWire

Gateway has extended its MC- and MD-series notebook lines with a new compact and lightweight TC-series.The TC-series is equipped with an 16:9 aspect ratio ultra-bright 14-inch backlit LED display with a 1366×768 resolution and 8ms response time, detailed GatewayThe Gateway TC-series is available now, starting at a price of US$649.99.The two models that are available now are equipped with an Intel Pentium Dual-Core Mobile T4200 processor, 4GB of dual-channel DDR2 667MHz memory and Intel GMA 4500M IGP.Gateway TC-series notebooksPhoto: Company

OCZ Technology has announced the expansion of its Alchemy line of peripherals, with the introduction of the Illuminati multimedia backlit keyboard series.The Illuminati keyboard offers features including rubber coated keys for comfort, fourteen quick launch keys to better access to multimedia, and the choice of two backlit colors.OCZ Alchemy Illuminati keyboardPhoto: Company

Acer has introduced a new line of smartphones at the Mobile World Congress. The first devices include Acer M900, F900, X960 and DX900, according to the company.The Acer M900 is a smart handheld device that allows users to keep track of their activities and access their contacts and files through synchronization with a notebook or desktop computer. Pre-installed with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Outlook, Mobile email and Office Mobile (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) users can maintain efficiency on the go, Acer said. HSDPA connectivity enables fast data transfer and the 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen dramatically improves the web browsing experience, Acer claimed. The M900 comes equipped with GPS, FM Radio, voice recorder and voice commands, as well as expandable memory, and a 5-megapixel auto-focus camera with flash.With a 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen and touch keyboard, the F900 is able to display more information on screen while offering an excellent mobile browsing experience, claimed Acer. The F900 also comes with an integrated 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera with flash, GPS, FM Radio, voice recorder, voice commands, expandable memory, and 3.75G HSDPA/HSUPA and Wi-Fi connectivity, said Acer.The X960 features a high-resolution 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen and five-way navigation button. Embedded GPS functionality provides reliable positioning and easy navigation with software available through retailers. The X960 comes with a VGA 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera with flash as well as a front-side camera for video calls, added Acer.The DX900 is the world's first dual-SIM smartphone to support both 3.5G (HSDPA) and 2.75G (EDGE) SIM cards allowing users you to keep track of both personal and business communications, claimed Acer. The touchscreen allows one-hand navigation while the ultra-sharp 2.8-inch VGA display improves web browsing, said Acer. The DX900 has a new interface designed for easy navigation with large finger-friendly buttons for a smooth browsing experience. It also features 3D animated icons and transition effects and allows important information to be displayed on one screen, Acer highlighted.Acer X960Photo: CompanyAcer F900Photo: Company

Dialog Semiconductor has introduced the DA9052, an advanced system power management (PWM) IC that offers designers flexibility in reducing power consumption, size and cost in handsets and other portable multimedia devices. Conceived as a platform-PWM IC, the DA9052 is capable of supporting all major families of application and mobile graphics processors.Up to 14 power supplies, 16 GPIOs and other system function behaviour may be adapted in different operating modes as a means of eliminating power consumption overhead in the host processor. This system wakeup/mode control within the PMW IC reduces design cycle time and complexity by enabling software and application development to start at an earlier phase using a pre-validated PMW IC platform.The DA9052 is set up through a graphical user interface in Dialog's Power Commander software utility. This configures power sequencing and multiple sleep modes. The device integrates four DC/DC buck converters and 10 programmable LDOs on-chip, and the LDOs can be connected to the DC/DC converters to improve system efficiency. Each output can be connected in series or parallel, adding further flexibility.The DA9052 is supplied in a dual-row QFN86 (7 x 7mm) package with 0.5mm pitch. Samples are available now. Pricing is from US$3.80 each in 1000 quantities.

Memory module maker Kingston Technology recently announced its entry in the solid-state drive (SSD) market. The products reportedly will be marketed in a a co-branding partnership with Intel. The company has introduced the SSDNow E and SSDNow M series – the former designed for enterprise servers and the latter for the corporate notebook applications, according to the company. Kingston: SSD specifications Item Description Max read/Write speed Life expectancy SSDNow E 32GB 2.5-inch SATA SSD 250/170 MB/sec 2 million hours SSDNow M 80GB 2.5-inch SATA SSD 250/70 MB/sec 1.2 million hours Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, January 2009Kingston SSDs for servers and business notebooksPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer has announced the F50 and F70 notebook series targeting the consumer entertainment market.The F70 notebook series is equipped a 17.3-inch 16:9 aspect ratio panel and dual hard disk drives with a storage capacity up to 1TB.For the F50 product line, all models feature either a 16-inch or 15.6-inch HD panel. The F50GX comes with Nvidia's 9400M GPU while the F50Z is based on AMD's Turion platform. Asustek F series notebooks specifications Model F50GX F50Z F70SL Processor Intel Core 2 Duo, Pentium, Celeron Dual Core and Celeron AMD Turion 64 dual-core or Athlon 64 dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo, Pentium, Celeron Dual Core and Celeron Chipset Nvidia GeForce 9400M AMD M780G SiS 671 DX + SiS 968 Memory DDR2 800 up to 4GB DDR2 800 up to 4GB DDR2 800 up to 4GB Display 16-inch or 15.6-inch 16:9 HD panel 16-inch or 15.6-inch 16:9 HD panel 17.3-inch 16:9 HD+ LED BLU panel Hard Drive SATA 250GB, 320GB or 500GB SATA 250GB, 320GB or 500GB Dual HDD up to 1TB of storage capacity Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, January 2009Asustek F50 notebook seriesPhoto: CompanyAsustek F70 notebook seriesPhoto: Company