Transcend Information is now offering an 8GB version of its T.sonic 650 digital music player.Transcend's T.sonic 650 has dimensions of 75×31×13mm and weighs 30g (Li-ion battery included). The unit features a built-in FM radio, A-B repeat and variable playback speeds, and supports MP3, WMA, WAV and WMA-DRM10 subscription music formats. The T.sonic 650 also has a dual-color OLED display that can be seen from any angle, and in any lighting conditions, according to the company.The 8GB T.sonic 650 is available for a suggested pre-tax retail price of US$114 in white.Transcend 8GB T.sonic 650 digital music playerPhoto: Company

Billion Electric recently announced its new 3G/ADSL2+ router series, the BiPAC 7402X-3G/ADSL2+ VPN firewall router and BiPAC 7402GX-3G/ADSL2+ wireless VPN firewall router.The BiPAC 7402X dual-WAN 3G/ADSL2+ router series boasts a dual-WAN router function that enables a 3G/HSDPA USB modem to be connected to its built-in USB port, allowing ISPs to offer a 3G/HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS or GSM Internet connection, making downstream rates of up to 14.4Mbps possible.With the dual-WAN capability, the BiPAC 7402X series supports auto fail-over features assuring a constant Internet connection. If an ADSL line fails, the BiPAC 7402X series will connect via 3G to deliver uninterrupted connectivity. The BiPAC 7402X series also supports embedded IPSec VPN protocols for secure VPN connection.With the integrated Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) function, the BiPAC 7402GX-3G/ADSL2+ wireless VPN firewall router lets users set up a secure wireless environment and easy access with data encryption by simply pressing the WPS button. WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK and WEP support ensures high-level data protection and WLAN access control.The BiPAC 7402X series also includes firewall security features such as Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), DoS attack prevention and URL content filtering to provide protection for Internet access. Furthermore, the BiPAC 7402X series supports embedded IPSec VPN protocols, allowing users to establish encrypted private connections of up to 16 simultaneous tunnels over the Internet. With a built-in DES/3DES VPN accelerator, the router enhances IPSec VPN performance significantly and ensures that data is transmitted securely between two or more sites for SOHO and office users, according to the company.Billion Electric BiPAC 7402X dual-WAN 3G/ADSL2+ firewall routerPhoto: CompanyBillion Electric BiPAC 7402GX-3G/ADSL2+ wireless VPN firewall routerPhoto: Company

Transcend Information has unveiled its 4GB aXeRam Extreme Performance DDR2-1066+ dual-channel memory kit designed specifically for overclocking performance for gamers and power users.Transcend's 4GB aXeRam DDR2-1066+ Extreme Performance kit includes a matching pair of 1066MHz tested and verified 2GB DDR2-1066+ modules which provide dual-channel memory bandwidth of up to 17GB/s. The 240-pin unbuffered DIMMs included in the kit are each made of 16 high-quality 128Mx8 DDR2 DRAM chips, according to the company.Transcend's aXeRam DDR2-1066+ memory includes support for Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP), which allow users to automatically configure EPP-enabled motherboards with aggressive memory settings for better memory and system performance, especially when using dual video cards, the company highlighted.Transcend 4GB aXeRam Extreme Performance DDR2-1066+ dual-channel memory kitPhoto: Company

Nvidia has introduced the APX 2500 applications processor which enables Windows Mobile phones with 3D user interfaces and high-definition video. The APX 2500 delivers 10 hours of 720p HD playback, as well as HD camcorder and ultra-high-resolution photo imaging capabilities, the company highlighted.Nvidia claims the APX 2500 boasts the industry's first HD (720p) playback and capture capability for handheld devices. The chip features an ultra-low-power GeForce core that is OpenGL ES 2.0 and Microsoft Direct3D Mobile compliant, and Nvidia nPower technology, enabling over 10 hours of high-definition video playback and up to 100 hours of audio.The APX 2500 is already sampling with key customers and will enter into full production by the end of the second quarter, said Nvidia. The chip is currently being shown at Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona.Nvidia APX 2500Photo: Company

Asustek Computer has announced the P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP @n motherboard equipped with the latest Intel X48 chipset. The motherboard features the company's EPU technology to combine performance with energy efficiency.Additionally, the motherboard supports DDR3 2000MHz dual-channel memory, dual PCI Express 2.0 x16 lanes, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Express Gate technologyWith only a five second boot-up time, Express Gate technology offers an optional boot-up selection screen that allows consumers to instantly surf the Internet without entering Windows. This convenient application will now allow users to enjoy Skype, IM, YouTube, and webmail access quickly without the need to wait for the operating system to load.The P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP @n, together with the Rampage Formula, form part of the company's new X48 motherboard family. Asustek X48 motherboard family specifications Model P5E3 Premium/WiFi-AP @n Rampage Formula CPU Intel Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors Chipset Intel X48 / ICH9R with Intel Fast Memory Access technology Memory DDR3 2000MHz memory DDR3 1200MHz memory System bus FSB 1600 / 1333 / 1066 / 800 MHz VGA Three PCI Express x16 with CrossFire support Two PCI Express x16 with CrossFire support Storage Six SATA 3Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support Two external SATA 3Gb/s port Six SATA 3Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support LAN Dual Gigabit LAN controllers Audio 8-channel HD Special features Asustek EPU (energy processing unit) Asustek Express Gate Asustek third generation 8-phase Power Design Asustek WiFi-AP @n Asustek EPU (energy processing unit) Extreme Tweaker Voltiminder LED SupremeFX II Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, January 2008Asustek P5E3 Premium/WiFi-AP @n motherboardPhoto: CompanyAsustek Rampage Formula motherboardPhoto: Company

VIA Technologies announced that its EPIA EK1000G mini-ITX motherboard has been selected by Tranax for its latest TK1000 non-cash dispensing transactional kiosks.Tranax's non-cash dispensing kiosks can provide a range of service applications including bill payments and ticketing. Tranax leveraged the extensive connectivity and porting of the VIA EPIA EK board to offer a robust kiosk that includes an LCD display, printer, ticket printer, card dispenser, card reader, bill acceptor, electronic lock and tamper alarm, highlighted VIA.Tranax TK1000 non-cash dispensing transactional kiosksPhoto: Company

First-tier motherboard makers, including Asustek Computer and Micro-Star International (MSI), have revealed their latest graphics cards adopting AMD's Radeon HD 3000 series GPUs.Among the offerings are Asustek's EAH3870X2/G/3DHTI/1G and EAH3870X2/G/HTDI/1G graphics cards.The EAH3870X2/G/3DHTI/1G is equipped with upgraded DRR3 0.8ns memory modules with two exclusive extra DVI outputs. The card also features specially designed dual fansinks.The EAH3870X2 series also provides several features, including EMI shielding for stable signals, DIP Spring Chokes for better cooling and Japanese polymer capacitors for system stability.MSI also unveiled its latest 55nm graphics cards, the ATI R3870X2, R3600 and R3400 series.The ATI R3870X2, R3600, and R3400 series support ATI CrossFireX and Hybrid Graphics technology to provide better performance with multiple GPUs, while MSI is also including its exclusive image quality enhancement technology, Vivid for card users to easily adjust their screen display settings. Asustek's Radeon HD 3870X2 series graphics card specifications Model EAH3870X2/G/3DHTI/1G EAH3870X2/G/HTDI/1G Graphics engine Radeon HD 3870X2 Video memory 1GB DDR3 Engine clock 825 MHz Memory clock 1.8GHz (900MHz DDR3) Memory interface 256-bit DVI Max. resolution 2560×1600 Bus standard PCI Express DVI output Four DVI-I Two DVI-I HDCP compliant Yes HDMI output Yes, via DVI to HDMI adaptor D-Sub cutput YES, via DVI to D-Sub adaptor HDTV output YES, via HDTV Out cable Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, January 2008 MSI's ATI Radeon HD 3000 series graphics card specifications Model R3870X2 R3650 R3450 Memory interface 256-bit x 2 128-bit 64-bit Engine clock speed 850MHz 750MHz 600MHz Memory clock speed 1800MHz 1600MHz 1000MHz Stream processing units 320 x 2 120 40 Texture units 16 16 8 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, January 2008Asustek EAH3870X2/G/3DHTI/1G graphics cardPhoto: CompanyMSI R3870X2 graphics cardPhoto: CompanyMSI R3650 graphics cardPhoto: CompanyMSI R3450 graphics cardPhoto: Company

GeCube has revealed graphics cards based on AMD's Radeon HD 3870 X2 dual GPU graphics card for the high-end market.The HD3870X2 series adopts 55nm GPUs with PCI Express 2.0 support to optimize graphics performance, said the company. The card also supports ATI CrossFireX technology to boost performance by combining cards.The HD3870X2 feature 1GB GDDR3 memory and a 512-bit memory bus, while the cards can easily overclocked to core and memory frequencies up to 850MHz and 1920MHz, respectively, claimed the company.GeCube uses its X-Turbo Dual fan solution with dual ultra-quiet 75mm fans and quad heatpipes to keep the HD3870X2 running cool and quiet under an overclocked environment.The HD3870X2 also comes with a built-in HDMI and 5.1 surround sound that supports HDCP, HD DVD, Blu-ray and the latest UVD (Unified Video Decoder) technology up 1080p resolutions, highlighted GeCube. With quad dual-link DVI support, the card can be hooked up to four different displays at the same time, allowing users to enjoy multi-tasking on different screens, the company added. GeCube HD3870X2 series graphics cards specifications Product name GC-HD3870X2-F3 GC-XHD3870X2-F5 Fab process 55nm 55nm GPU ATI Radeon R680 ATI Radeon R680 Core/memory frequency 825MHz / 1800MHz 850MHz/ 1920MHz Memory Bus 512-bit 512-bit Memory Type GDDR3 1GB GDDR3 1GB Interface PCI Express 2.0 support PCI Express 2.0 support TV-Out S/HDTV-out S/HDTV-out DVI Dual DVI (Dual-Link, HDCP) Quad DVI (Dual-Link, HDCP) D-Sub Yes (by dongle) Yes (By dongle) Built-in HDMI Yes (via DVI to HDMI dongle) Yes (via DVI to HDMI dongle) HDTV HDTV by S to YPbPr cable (default included) HDTV by S to YPbPr cable (default included) Multi-VPU Support Native ATI CrossFireX Ready Native ATI CrossFireX Ready Cooling Dual Slot Fansink Dual Slot Fansink ( X-Turbo Dual ) Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, January 2008GeCube GC-XHD3870X2-F5 graphics cardPhoto: Company

Samsung Electronics on January 25 announced the launch of the i85 digital camera in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$10,900 (US$336), according to Samsung Electronics Taiwan.i85 features an 8.2-megapixel resolution, 3-inch 230,000-pixel TFT-LCD screen, 5x optical zoom, and multimedia functionality including Xvid and MP3 playback, and iMovie recording. Dimensions of the camera are 95.3 (W) × 61.5 (H) × 20.2 (D)mm, with a weight of 158g (not including battery or external memory card), Samsung Taiwan indicated.Additionally, 100 special edition i85 models with stylish ivy designs on a stainless casing are available for sale at five designated retail stores at NT$11,900, Samsung Taiwan noted.According to retail channels, the Taiwan sales volume of digital cameras in 2008 is estimated to reach 800,000-850,000 units.A special edition Samsung i85 digital camera featuring ivy designs on stainless casing. A quota of only 100 units is available in the Taiwan marketPhoto: Company

Shuttle has announced a flagship gaming platform to its XPC Prima series. The Shuttle XPC Prima SX38P2 Pro is the hardcore platform for the power enthusiasts, said the company.The Shuttle XPC Prima series SX38P2 Pro supports Intel 45nm multi-core processors up to 1333MHz FSB and is capable of handling 8GB of DDR2 memory running at 1066MHz overclocked. It features the Intel X38 Express chipset to optimize system memory capabilities, while supporting PCI Express 2.0 and ATI CrossFire technology, highlighted the company.Shuttle also uses its Oasis cooling technology in the PC to keep the system cool while overclocked with a fanless heatsink to dissipate excess heat. Shuttle XPC Prima SX38P2 Pro barebone specifications Item Detail CPU Supports 45nm Intel Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors Chipset Intel X38 express / ICH9R Memory Dual-channel DDR2 800 memory up to 8GB Sound 8-Channel HD audio with Dolby Digital Live! and DTS Connect VGA Two PCIe 2.0 x16 (supports ATI CrossFire) Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, January 2008Shuttle XPC Prima SX38P2 Pro barebone Photo: Company