AMD has announced that the AMD Imageon M180 media processor is powering the the new LG KC550 mobile phone. AMD's processor technology helps enable LG to deliver the latest multimedia features that consumers demand, said the chipmaker.The LG KC550 includes features not typically found on mobile phones in its price range, such as the 5-megapixel camera with Schneider-Kreuznach auto focus lens, an image stabilizer and video capture resolution up to 720×480 pixels at 30 frames per second, according the company. The LG KC550 is currently available in Europe.

Dell has officially unveiled its Inspiron Mini 9 netbook PC.The Mini 9 series starts at a weight of 2.28lbs with a 8.9-inch (1024×600) glossy LED display.The netbook also offers built-in Wi-Fi and can be further customized with optional webcam and Bluetooth.Dell has teamed up with Box.net to offer web-based file storage, access and sharing, including a free basic plan with 2GB of remote storage space, expandable to 25GB.Dell offers two color choices – black or white with pricing starting at US$349.Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook with 8.9-inch panelPhoto: Company

Lanner Electronics has announced the launch of a new fanless embedded computer based on the Intel Celeron M processor and Mobile Intel 910GMLE Express chipset.The Lanner LUGE EM-F343 embedded computer is designed for flexible deployment in any scenario, said the company. Its robust fanless design makes the EM-F343 ideal for video applications such as digital signs, outdoor advertising, POS systems, kiosks and embedded gaming computers. It includes S-Video and VGA out video interfaces, COM port, LAN and six USB 2.0 ports for administration and software input, and SATA and CompactFlash support for storage. The onboard 600/1000MHz Celeron M processor couples low power consumption with minimal cooling requirements, resulting in improved stability and longevity and allowing for completely fanless computer design, highlighted Lanner.The LUGE EM-F343 is made with a rugged aluminum chassis and is tested for deployment in temperatures from -20 to 50-degrees Celsius. Measuring 36mm in height, the Lanner LUGE EM-F343 includes wall mounts and optional VESA mounting brackets for installation on the back of a large-screen digital display or any other location where space is critical.The LUGE EM-F343 is available now.Lanner LUGE EM-F343 embedded computer Photo: Company

Sony, on September 3, unveiled two new Cyber-shot series digital cameras, DSC-T700 and DSC-T77, for launch in the Taiwan market on September 11 at recommended retail prices of NT$13,980 (US$440) and NT$10,980 respectively, according to Sony Taiwan.Both models feature smile shutter and automatic face detection. The DSC-T77 is as slim as 13.9mm, Sony Taiwan pointed out.Sony is the largest vendor of digital cameras in the Taiwan market with a market share of 25-30% currently, according to industry sources. Sony DSC-T700 and DSC-T77 specifications Item DSC-T700 DSC-T77 Image sensor & resolution 10.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD Screen 3.5-inch 921,000-pixel TFT-LCD at 16:9 3-inch 230,000-pixel TFT-LCD at 16:9 Zoom 4x optical, 8x including digital Built-in memory capacity 4GB 15MB Dimension (W×H×D mm) 95×58.4×16.4 93.6×57.2×13.9 Weight (g, not including battery and external storage device) 135 126 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2008Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 digital camera in five colorsPhoto: Company

VIA Technologies has announced that China-based PC OEM Tsinghua TongFang has adopted VIA's C7-M CPU and VX700 chipset to power its S1 imini netbook series. The S1 imini has a maximum power consumption of 15W, with a distinctive, lightweight design, highlighted VIA.Powered by the 1.6GHz VIA C7-M processor combined with the VIA VX700 chipset, and sporting a 10.2-inch screen, the S1 imini provides all the functionality of a standard notebook plus an array of special features, such as a business card manager, portable hard drive with battery pack, and digital photo frame or DVD playback functionality outside of the Vista environment, said VIA. Add wireless connectivity and optional GPS navigation, and the S1 imini looks set to bring the allure of truly mobile computing to the China market, according to VIA.The S1 imini will be available in white, blue, pink, gold or black from PC stores in all major cities across China. Tongfang S1 imini specifications Item Detail Screen 10.2-inch panel with a resolution of 1024×600 CPU 1.6GHz VIA C7-M processor Chipset VIA VX700 Unified Digital Media IGP Chipset OS Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, with Linux dual interface Graphics Integrated VIA UniChrome Pro II IGP with 3D/2D graphics and video acceleration Memory 1GB DDR2 667 RAM Storage 80GB hard disk drive Webcam 1.3-megapixel camera Wireless 802.11 b/g Audio HD audio with 2 ports for speaker and microphone I/O Ports USB x 3, Ethernet LAN, 4-in-1 card reader Battery 6-cell or 3-cell Dimensions 190(w)×249(d)×21-33.5(h)mm and 1.2kg (with 3-cell) Color white, blue, pink, gold or black Price 3998 RMB (US$583) Source: Company and VIA, compiled by Digitimes, September 2008Tongfang S1 iminiPhoto: Company and VIA

Micro-Star International (MSI) has announced three new notebooks – VR440, GX720 and GX400, all featuring MSI's exclusive ECO Engine, a power management function to extend the battery life when performing different tasks.The VR440 adopts Intel Pentium processors with a 14.1-inch LCD panel. The notebook has a slim appearance and a weight of around 2.2kg making it suitable for consumers on the run, according to MSI.The GX720 features a 17-inch LCD display and is equipped with the Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT GPU.The GX720 features Intel Centrino 2 processor technology, Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel PM45 Express chipset, and a 2-megapixel webcam.The GX400 also features a similar specification as the GX720, but the webcam is 1.3-megapixel and it has a smaller 14.1-inch display. MSI: Notebook specifications Model GX400 GX720 VR440 CPU Support Intel Core 2 Duo processor Intel Core 2 Duo processor Intel Dual-Core processor (Penryn) Chipset Intel PM45+ICH9M Intel PM45 Chipset SiS M672 + SiS 968 LCD 14.1-inch TFT LCD display 17-inch TFT LCD display 14.1-inch LCD display with 1280×800 WXGA resolution Memory DDR2 667/800MHz memory supports up to 4GB DDR2 800MHz supports up to 4GB Supports up to 4GB VGA Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT with DDR3 256MB memory Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT with DDR3 256MB memory UMA Webcam 1.3-megapixel 2-megapixel 1.3-megapixel Storage 160 / 250 / 320 / 500GB SATA HDD and DVD Super-Multi or Blu-ray DVD drive 160 / 250 / 320 / 500GB SATA HDD and DVD Super-Multi or Blu-ray DVD drive 160 / 250 / 320GB SATA HDD and DVD Super-Multi or Blu-ray DVD drive Power 90W 120W N/A Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2008MSI VR440 notebook features a 14.1-inch panelPhoto: CompanyMSI GX720 notebook features a 17-inch panel and Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT GPUPhoto: CompanyMSI GX400 notebook with a 14.1-inch panel and Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT GPUPhoto: Company

Leadtek Research announced the launch of the latest graphics cards in the mainstream series - the WinFast PX9400 GT. The new graphics cards are designed with Leadtek's exclusive performance-driven layout that can increase your PC stability and performance while operating overclocking process, while Albatron introduced the 9400GT-512, boasting an excellent graphical execution in the value-segment class.Based on Nvidia GeForce 9400 GT GPU, the WinFast PX9400 GT is combined with PCI Express 2.0 and comes with 512MB 128bit GDDR2 memory design. The GPU clock can run at a speed of 575MHz to bring users visual performance, while the WinFast PX9400 GT graphics cards are also equipped with Leadtek's innovative cooling systems; Leadtek exclusive graphics fansink system can provides the excellent cooling capability with lower noise level compared to Nvidia reference fansink design. Leadtek noiseless heatpipe is designed with high-capacity cooper to maximum GPU heat absorption.Nvidia has announced that that its GeForce 9400 GT is being sold in retail priced as low as US$59. In addition, the GeForce 9400 GT further extends CUDA general-purpose parallel computing to mainstream PC computing markets.Graphics cards featuring the new GeForce 9400 GT GPU are also available from manufacturers such as Asustek Computer, SUS, BFG, Colorful, Emtek, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte Technology, Micro-Star International (MSI), Innovision, Palit, PC Partner/Zotac, PNY, Point of View, Unika, Unitek, and XFX.Leadtek WinFast PX9400 GT graphics cardPhoto: CompanyAlbatron 9400GT-512 graphics cardPhoto: Company

SanDisk set a new speed record of 30MB per second for SecureDigital (SD) flash memory cards with the introduction of the SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition line of SD high capacity (SDHC) cards. The new cards, expected to be available worldwide in September in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities, are designed to deliver peak performance when used with the new digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, Nikon D90.Featuring a 50% speed boost from previous 20MB/s cards, the new SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC card makes it possible to record 39 images in continuous shooting mode at 4.5 frames per second with a file size of 6.0MB JPEG L Fine per image. SanDisk added that the Nikon D90 camera captures high-resolution, 12.3 megapixel still images, and it is Nikon's first DSLR to offer movie recording capability.SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 30MB/s Edition cards, which have a Class 6 performance rating, are fully backyards-compatible; working in any camera, card reader or other device that supports SDHC cards. All SanDisk Extreme III cards are capable of functioning in extreme temperatures. The cards also carry a lifetime limited warranty.According to research firm IDC, demand for DSLR cameras is growing as users replace older models with more sophisticated options. Global sales of DSLR cameras grew by 41% last year, which was nearly twice the growth rate of the overall digital camera market worldwide.The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is US$64.99 for the 4GB card, US$109.99 for the 8GB card, and US$179.99 for the 16GB card.New SanDisk SDHC card delivers a 50% leap in speedPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer has launched the B50A notebook for the business computing market and two notebooks, the G50V and G71V, for the gaming market.Based on the Intel Centrino 2 platform and with Asustek's exclusive Power4 Gear eXtreme power management, the B50A offers an extended battery life exceeding five hours, according to Asustek. The B50A also features a spill-resistant keyboard and a built-in LED keyboard light that allows computing in dimmed meeting rooms, highlighted the company.The B50A is equipped with an integrated fingerprint scanner that offers greater security by reading fingerprints from the underlying live layer of skin tissue and also features a TPM for secure login and encryption, Asustek noted.Designed for gamers from the inside out, the G Series includes two new models, the G71 (17-inch widescreen) and G50 (15.4-inch widescreen and 15.6-inch widescreen) that feature the Nvidia GeForce 9700M GT GPU.The G series notebooks feature double SATA hard disk drives, with the G71 offering up to one terabyte in capacity, plus CPU LevelUp technology to offer a range of performance modes to suit different scenarios, Asustek pointed out. Asustek G50V, G71V, B50A specifications Model G50V G71V B50A CPU Intel Core 2 Duo T9600/T9400/P8600/P8400/P7350 Intel Quad Core QX9300 Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme X9100 Intel Core 2 Duo T9600/T9400/P8600/P8400/P7350 Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P8600/P8400/P7350/T5850/T5750 Chipset Mobile Intel PM45 Express chipset + ICH9M-E Mobile Intel PM45 Express chipset + ICH9M-E Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset Memory DDR2 800MHz SDRAM, up to 4GB DDR2 800MHz SDRAM, up to 4GB DDR2 800MHz, up to 4GB VGA Nvidia GeForce 9700M GT with 512MB GDDR3 VRAM Nvidia GeForce 9700M GT with 512MB GDDR3 VRAM Intel GMA X4500HD Display 15.4-inch WXGA+/WSXGA+ Color-Shine or 15.6-inch WXGA Color-Shine 17-inch WXGA+ Color-Shine or 17-inch WUXGA, High Brightness, Color-Shine 15.4-inch WXGA/WXGA+ Color Shine, Asustek Splendid Video Intelligence Technology Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2008Asustek G50V notebookPhoto: CompanyAsustek G71V notebookPhoto: CompanyAsustek B50A notebookPhoto: Company

Albatron Technology is gearing up to roll out its first mini tablet PC – Tee PC – which features a 400MHz ARM926 CPU, 128MB of NAND flash memory for storage and 128MB DDR system memory. The PC also features an SD Card expansion slot for extra storage capacity.The PC comes with a docking station, power adapter and stylus. The system uses Microsoft's Windows CE 6.0 operating system and ships with software including WordPad, Media Player and Internet Explorer.The Tee PC features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth plus a swivel camera which can be used for video calling. Albatron Tee PC mini tablet PC specifications Item Detail CPU 400MHz ARM926 processor Display 7-inch widescreen 800×480 resolution Memory SO-DIMM DDR 128MB Storage 128MB NAND flash Dimensions 18.8×11.3×1.29 cm Weight 343g OS Windows CE6.0 Additional features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 0.3/1.3-megapixel swivel camera Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2008Albatron Tee PC mini tablet PCPhoto: Company