Albatron Technology has announced the KI780G mini-ITX motherboard featuring the AMD 780G chipset. The mini-ITX board's most distinguishing feature is its AM2+ socket and support for quad-core and triple-core AMD Phenom processors.The AMD 780G chipset features integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics, while the motherboard also provides a PCI Express x16 slot for a discrete graphics card if needed.The board also features 128MB side-port DDR2 memory dedicated for use with the IGP helping to increase 3D performance by 10%, Albatron highlighted. Albatron KI780G mini-ITX motherboard specifications Item Detail CPU Supports socket AM2+ CPUs including Phenom, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2 (CPU power consumption must be less than 65W) Chipsets AMD 780G/SB700 chipset Memory Supports dual-channel DDR2 1066/800/667/800MHz memory up to 4GB 128MB DDR2 side port memory for onboard graphics VGA ATI Radeon HD 3200 IGP and one PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2008Albatron KI780G mini-ITX motherboard supports AMD's quad- or triple-core CPUsPhoto: Company

Microsoft on October 2 unveiled two Microsoft LifeCam series webcams, the VX-5500 and NX-8000, for launch in the Taiwan market at recommended retail prices of NT$1,890 (US$59) and NT$2,990.To maximize video and voice quality, the two hardware models will be integrated with three software products: Windows Live Video Message, Windows Live Messenger 9.0 and Windows LifeCam Video Effect, according to Microsoft Taiwan.Microsoft LifeCam NX-8000Photo: Company

Apple Taiwan has detailed pricing for the latest generation iPod products, including new color iPod shuffles, fourth-generation iPod nanos, the 120GB iPod classic and the second-generation iPod touch for the Taiwan market.Market watchers expect the new products to have minimal impact on the digital music player market in Taiwan since it has already reached maturity. Taiwan market: iPod recommended retail prices, Oct 2008 Model Storage capacity Price (NT$) iPod shuffle 1GB 1,700 (US$53) 2GB 2,400 Fourth-generation iPod nano 8GB 5,300 16GB 7,000 iPod classic 120GB 8,800 Second-generation iPod touch 8GB 8,300 16GB 10,900 32GB 13,900 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2008Apple fourth-generation iPod nanoPhoto: Jimmy Hsu, Digitimes, September 2008

Passive component supplier Yageo has released its smallest 5320 coupling chip antenna featuring low sensitivity to environmental interference as well as less stray capacitance.Measuring 5.3×2×1.2mm, the 5320 coupling chip antenna is suited to meet the needs of micro portable devices including Bluetooth headsets and smartphones and requires only 3-5mm in clearance on motherboards.In addition to its feed design which effectively reduces product testing lead-time by less stray capacitance and minimizing the consideration of environmental interference, Yageo's 5320 coupling chip antenna supports bandwidths of 2.4-2.484GHz, Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b/g/n applications.Yageo cited ABI Research as saying that 49.1% of global cell phones come with Bluetooth functions. Shipments of smartphones have also surged sequentially and are expected to reach 31% by 2013. As a result, demand for 2.4GHz antenna in smartphones and Bluetooth mobile phone markets will also rise substantially.Following the release of the 5320 coupling chip antenna, Yageo is scheduled to introduce its PIFA antenna and antenna array before the end of this year.Yageo's 5320 coupling chip antennaPhoto: Company

Sony, on September 30, debuted the DSC-T500, its first Cyber-shot series digital camera model equipped with 1280×720p HD video-recording functionality, for launch in the Taiwan market on October 9 at a recommended retail price of NT$12,980 (US$404), according to Sony Taiwan.Main specifications of DSC-T500 include a 10.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor, 5x optical and 10x digital zoom, and a 3.5-inch 230,000-pixel 16:9 TFT-LCD touch-panel screen. Dimensions are 97×59.3×21.4mm (W×H×D) with a weight of 155g (not including a battery and memory card), Sony Taiwan indicated.Vendors including Sony, Fujifilm and Samsung have been increasingly focused on the development of HD video-recording technology for their high-end digital cameras as a competitive feature.Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500 digital cameraPhoto: Company

ZyXEL Communications will debut its WiMAX MAX-206M2 WiMAX MIMO residential gateway with the launch of Sprint's Xohm service this week in Baltimore and the company is showcasing its complete line of WiMAX solutions this week during WiMAX World in Chicago.Zyxel's WiMAX line of products include outdoor CPE, SOHO VoIP routers, SIP-based camera and PC cards.Along with Intel, Samsung and Nokia, Zyxel is a device partner for Sprint's recently launched Xohm WiMAX service in the US. The company indicated that its MAX-206M2 router provides users with seamless broadband wireless connectivity and the freedom to surf the Internet and access any information at home, in the office or anywhere under WiMAX coverage. The MAX-206M2 gateway comes with dual 5dBi gain antenna integrated into the device with 27dBm output power and a built-in ICSA certified firewall. Its design includes two VoIP ATA ports as well.ZyXEL's MAX-206 series CPEs are the world's first WiMAX Forum certified mobile devices that provide the highest link budget while WiMAX networks are still in the early stage of deployment, the company added.Zyxel MAX-206M2 router provides users with seamless broadband wireless connectivityPhoto: Xohm, September 2008

AMD has announced the introduction of the ATI Radeon HD 4550 and ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics cards, the latest additions to its ATI Radeon HD 4000-series graphics line up. Both cards are based on the same technology found in ATI Radeon HD 4800-series products, including support for the DirectX 10.1 games and HD multimedia capabilities, the company pointed out.The ATI Radeon HD 4550 plays demanding game titles previously unplayable by cards in its price segment, and should be available for less than US$59 for a 512MB memory configuration, according to AMD. Meanwhile the Radeon HD 4350 will be priced less than US$39 with 256MB memory. Both cards are expected to be available starting in OctoberThe ATI Radeon HD 4550 features 80 stream processing cores and is based on AMD's second generation 55nm process. With 96GFLOPS of compute power, the ATI Radeon HD 4550 allows users to unlock new gaming experiences never before playable in this segment, with full support for DirectX 10.1 games, while operating at less than 20W under full load, AMD highlighted. The Radeon HD 4550 will also be available as a passively cooled option.

Super Talent Technology, a manufacturer of flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, has launched a pair of new affordable SATA-II SSDs. Super Talent's MasterDrive SSDs are offered in 64GB and 128GB capacities, witht he 64GB model expected to retail for about US$179, while the 128GB unit is expected to retail for under US$300.Both models will begin shipping this week and are backed with a one year warranty.The MasterDrive LX is built with NAND flash and uses a SATA-II 3Gbps interface that makes it 100% interchangeable with hard disk drives. These SSDs support sequential read speeds of up to 100 MB/sec, and sequential write speeds of up to 40 MB/sec. Integrated ECC, wear leveling and bad bit management functions also improve the reliability and lifespan of these SSDs.Super Talent's MasterDrive SSDs are offered in 64GB and 128GB capacitiesPhoto: Company

Toshiba has announced enhancements to its line-up of NAND-flash-based solid state drives (SSD) with the addition of a 256GB SSD and the launch of a series of small-sized Flash Modules for netbook computers ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) and other mobile and peripheral applications.Samples of both the 256GB SSD and Flash mMdules are available now, and mass production following in the fourth quarter of this year.Toshiba's new high density SSD brings 256GB of capacity, an original MLC controller that achieves higher read-write speeds, parallel data transfers and wear leveling to a 2.5-inch form factor drive. Alongside this, Toshiba provides support for the growing market for small, stripped down netbook computers and other personal equipment with the launch of flash modules, small SSDs supporting 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB densities.The new 256GB SSD mounts NAND flash memory on a 70.6x53.6x3.0mm platform and support a maximum read speed of 120MB a second and maximum write speed of 70MB a second, via a high speed SATA 3.0Gb/s interface.Flash modules are fabricated on a 50x30mm platform and offer a maximum read and write speeds of 80MB and 50MB a second, respectively. Flash Modules are also compatible with the SATA interface and will support continued development of the fast growing market for netbook PCs, UMPCs and mobile and peripheral applications. Outline of the new Toshiba flash memory products Type Product number Capacity Samples Start of mass production 256GB SSD 2.5 " SATA THNS256GE8BC 256GB Sep, 2008 4Q, 2008 Flash Module SATA THNSA08G0P4L 8GB Sep, 2008 4Q, 2008 THNSA16G1P4L 16GB Sep, 2008 4Q, 2008 THNSA32G1P4L 32GB Sep, 2008 4Q, 2008 Source: Toshiba, September 2008 256GB SSD product specification Interface Serial ATA-2 (3Gbps) Voltage 5V (2.5" type) Reading speed Maximum speed at 120MB a second (sequential mode) Writing speed Maximum speed at 70MB a second (sequential mode) Temperature 0 to 70 degrees Celsius Source: Toshiba, September 2008 Flash Module product specification Interface Serial ATA-2 (3Gbps) Voltage 5V Reading speed Maximum speed at 80MB a second (sequential mode) Writing speed Maximum speed at 50MB a second (sequential mode) Temperature 0 to 70 degrees Celsius Source: Toshiba, September 2008

With the ever-increasing popularity of compact notebooks and high-end portable devices, demand for solid-state disks (SSD) is increasing and Transcend is at the forefront of market, offering a new high-speed range of SSD products this September with a fresh new look and double the read/write speeds of previous models. Transcend's new notebook form-factor 2.5-inch SATA-II and IDE interface SSDs are both equipped with a tough but lightweight case, capacity up to 64GB, high reliability, low power consumption and resistance to shock and vibration. Featuring a powerful new controller, Transcend's SSDs far outpace standard 2.5" hard drives, delivering exceptional sustained read/write speeds of up to 159MB/136MB combined with latencies below 1ms. In addition, Transcend's SSDs have built-in ECC (Error Correction Code) that ensures highly reliable data transfer and increases overall system integrity. Transcend's new notebook form-factor 2.5-inch SATA-II and IDE interface SSDsPhoto: Company