Garmin International, a unit of Garmin, introduced the Edge 705 and Edge 605 GPS navigation devices for cyclists. The Edge 705 and Edge 605 provide mapping capabilities, street navigation and a 2.2-inch color display in addition to tracking vertical profiles, climb and descent, altitude, speed, distance and time, according to the company.The Edge 705 gives cyclists the opportunity to monitor GPS position, power, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude and gradient on the same display. With the Edge 705, users will be able to share their information – including saved rides, waypoints and workouts – with each other through ANT+Sport wireless technology.ANT+Sport technology allows the Edge to interface wirelessly with other fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor, cadence sensor or other Edge units. Cyclists can share courses, workout data and saved rides. When paired with an optional power meter from SRM or Quarq or another third party's ANT+Sport-enabled device, the Edge 705 measures power – torque and cadence for each leg at the pedals.Altitude is recorded using a barometric altimeter for the Edge 705. This accurate altitude data makes it much easier for cyclists to match their altitude profile with their speed, cadence and heart rate during post-ride analysis. The Edge 605 measures altitude through GPS positioning.The waterproof Edge uses a high-sensitivity GPS receiver to sustain reception in the most challenging conditions, such as heavy tree cover or "urban canyons" created by skyscrapers. It attaches to either the stem or handlebars of the bicycle, and is designed for easy removal at the end of the workout.The Edge 705 with heart rate monitor is expected to be available in December 2007 and have an estimated retail price of US$499.99. The device bundled with a heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor is expected to be available at the same time for an estimated retail price of US$549.99 and will cost US$649.99 with the addition of a microSD card and City Nav NT maps.The Edge 605 is expected to be available in December 2007 and has an estimated retail price of US$399.99.The Garmin Edge 705 GPS device for cyclistsPhoto: Company

Kontron has introduced the NotePAC Semi, a semi-rugged business notebook based on the Intel Centrino Duo platform.The NotePAC Semi encapsulates the Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor with 667MHz FSB and up to 2GB memory, in a solid and tough magnesium alloy chassis, said Kontron.The NotePAC Semi offers a set of safety features for reliable use in either the office, the car or under harsh field conditions. The full metal chassis, shock mounted LCD, 120GB HDD with g-sensor to avoid head crashes and the waterproof keyboard provide protection against the everyday drops, knocks, bangs and splashes of mobile life.Graphics are provided by Intel GMA 950 built into the 945GM chipset with up to 128MB shared video memory or an optional PCI Express ATI Radeon X1450 Mobility GPU with 256MB VRAM. Kontron's sunlight-readable display option for the Kontron NotePAC Semi doubles the brightness of the 14.1-inch WXGA (1280×800) display. The display can also be equipped with a resistive touch screen including an integrated stylus pen for easy and convenient operation. An internal GPS system is also available as an option. Kontron NotePAC Semi notebook specification Item Detail CPU Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor with 667MHz FSB Chipsets Intel 945GM/945PM VGA Intel GMA 950 or ATI Radeon X1450 with 256MB Memory Two DIMMs with memory support up to 2GB Display 14.1-inch TFT WXGA display Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Kontron NotePAC Semi notebookPhoto: Company

Sanyo Electric recently announced the launch of a home-use full high-definition (HD, 1920×1080) LCD projector, the LP-Z2000. The new projector will be on sale in Japan starting from November 1, 2007.The LP-Z2000 will be on display in Germany at the IFA 2007 Show held in Berlin from August 31 to September 5, 2007, as well as in the United States in Colorado at the CEDIA Show in Denver from September 5 to September 9, 2007. Specifications Features Details Product number LP-Z2000(W) System RGB LCD shutter projection system Resolution 1920×1080 Light source 165W UHP lamp × 1 Screen size (Projection distance) Minimum 40-inch – Maximum 300-inch (approx.1.2 to 18.4m) Color reproducibility Approx. 1,070 million colors Brightness 1,200 lumens Contrast ratio 15,000:1 MSRP (yen) �D378,000 (Tax included) (US$3,300) Sales start November 1, 2007 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Sanyo Electric's home-use full HD LCD projector, the LP-Z2000Photo: Company

VIA Technologies and ASI have announced that the new Alaska Wolf PC powered by the VIA C7-D processor is available at Wal-Mart stores throughout Mexico.Based on the VIA pc2500 motherboard, the Alaska Wolf PC combines low power consumption with productivity and multimedia application performance to provide an affordable energy efficient system for Mexican consumers and business users at a price of $5,299.99 Mexican Pesos (US$485), noted the companies.The Alaska Wolf PC is powered by a combination of the 1.5GHz VIA C7-D processor and VIA CN700 digital media chipset featuring the VIA UniChrome Pro 2 IGP (integrated graphics processor). It also features 1GB DDR2 DRAM, a 160GB SATA HDD, a DVD Combo Drive and a 17-inch LCD monitor, noted the companies. ASI Alaska Wolf PC specification Item Detail Motherboard VIA pc2500E motherboard Processor 1.5GHz VIA C7-D desktop processor Chipset VIA CN700 digital media IGP chipset Graphics VIA UniChrome Pro 2 integrated 3D/2D graphics processor with hardware MPEG2 decode acceleration Memory 1GB DDR2 533 Hard Drive 160GB SATA Optical Drive DVD Combo Drive O/S Microsoft Windows Vista Starter Edition Monitor 17-inch LCD Source: ASI and VIA, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007ASI Alaska Wolf PC with VIA C7-D processor Photo: Companies

Leadtek Research announced the launch of its new mid-range graphics card, the WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB.The card features a fansink within a single heatpipe for cool and quiet operation.Based on 80nm technology, the WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB is powered by a Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT graphics processing unit and has GDDR2 memory.The WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB utilizes Nvidia PureVideo HD technology and supports HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) and Nvidia SLI technology, according to Leadtek. Leadtek WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB graphics card specification Item Detail Graphic bus PCI-Express GPU Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT GPU/Memory clock 540/400MHz Memory data rate 800MHz Memory size 512MB GDDR2 Memory interface 128 bit RAMDACs 400MHz Stream processors 32 DirectX support DirectX 10.0 Shader Model 4.0 Output Dual-Link DVI-I, Single-Link DVI-I, HDTV Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Leadtek WinFast PX8600 GT TDH 512MB graphics cardPhoto: Company

Leadtek Research announced its latest TV tuner card, the WinFast DVR3100 H, which supports digital terrestrial, analog TV, DVB-T, FM radio, stereo/SAP and HDTV/AC3.The card is powered by a hardware MPEG-2 encoder, according to the company. An exclusive multiple video processing mode enables two TV cards and up to four channel program processing simultaneously, noted Leadtek, adding that an all-in-one I/R sensor remote control offers comfortable viewing.The WinFast DVR3100 H offers functions like time shifting and scheduled power-up. The WinFast Mobile Video Express pack, which includes an iPod and PSP video converter, assists consumers carry and watch their favorite TV/video on an iPod or PSP, according to Leadtek.Leadtek WinFast DVR3100 H TV tuner cardPhoto: Company

Micro-Star International's (MSI's) latest graphics card offering puts a twist on the trend of makers releasing Special Edition or overclock versions of their cards in order to offer slightly better performance.The NX8600GT Twin Turbo carries not one but two vBIOS chips; this allows MSI to provide two sets of core and memory clock settings - normal and turbo - which can be switched between using a button on the back-plate of the card. It reminds us of PCs from the 386 and 486 era which also had a button on the case to adjust system speed "on the fly".At the end of the day while having two vBIOSes available could be useful as a safety net for the few who are brave enough to flash the BIOS on their graphics cards, having to manually press a switch all seems rather inelegant when the same could be achieved with a software solution. But still, we appreciate the trip down memory lane. MSI NX8600GT Twin Turbo graphics card specification Item Detail Graphics bus technology PCI Express Core clock 540/580MHz Shader clock 1450/1508MHz Memory clock 1400/1600MHz Memory amount 256MB DDR3 Memory interface 128-bit Memory bandwidth 22.4GB/sec Fill rate 8.64 billion pixels/sec RAMDACs 400MHz Output Dual dual-link DVI, TV-out Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007MSI NX8600GT Twin Turbo graphics card with two separate vBIOS chipsPhoto: Company

Shuttle introduced a SFF (small form factor) barebone PC, the XPC SN68PTG6 Deluxe, which features an integrated fingerprint scanner, WLAN, Bluetooth, Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect. Equipped with an Nvidia GeForce 7050PV/nForce 630a chipset, Shuttle's new SFF PC supports AMD's AM2-based multi-core processors. The PC can also accommodate up to 4GB of DDR2 800 memory with dual-channel support.Nvidia GeForce 7050PV GPU delivers rapid onboard graphics with an HDMI port (DVI via an adapter) and a VGA output for dual monitors. The PC also features a PCI Express slot for higher performance graphics cards and a Speed-Link function, allowing for direct connection to PCs by USB.The PC uses top-quality motherboard solid capacitors, according to Shuttle, noting that the energy needs of the whole system is taken care of by a 300W power supply. Shuttle also offers the XPC SN68PTG5, which is similar to the Deluxe version but with only a 250W power supply and without WLAN, Bluetooth, Speed-Link and fingerprint scanner, noted the company.Both Shuttle XPC barebones will be available in the coming weeks. The recommended retail price is 315 euros (US$430) for the SN68PTG6 Deluxe, and 239 euros for the SN68PTG5. Shuttle XPC SN68PTG6 Deluxe and SN68PTG6 barebones specification Item Detail Chipset nForce 630a chipset CPU support AMD Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 and Sempron series processors Memory Up to 4GB dual channel DDR2 800 RAM (Overclock to 1066 MHz) VGA Nvidia GeForce 7050PV IGP with HDMI/HDCP Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Shuttle XPC SN68PTG6 Deluxe barebone PCPhoto: Company

Taiwan-based Kingmax has announced the launch of DDR3-1333 memory modules in both 1GB and 2GB capacities.Kingmax DDR3 1333 1GB/2GB memory modules for desktop computers uses CSP FBGA packaging technology and adopts the JEDEC-compliant DDR3 8-bit prefetch design, which is a multifold improvement over the DDR2 4-bit architecture, with clocking in the 1333-1600MHz range.Elpida chips give each Kingmax DDR3 1333 1GB/2GB memory module high overclocking potential, according to Kingmax.Using only 1.5V, as compared to 1.8V in DDR2, the new DDR3 saves more power and it features new functions, such as CWD, power-saving reset, ZQ calibration, SRT and PASR. All these new technologies enable the DDR3 memory to more effectively read/write data and save more energy, noted the company.The 1GB module will be available in September for US$220 while the 2GB module will be available in December for US$420, according to the company.Kingmax DDR3-1333 memory modulePhoto: Company

Buffalo Technology recently launched a wireless router, WZR-AG300NH, which supports up to draft n standards.The router supports 802.11a/b/g/draft n and 2-way transmission mode.The router also provides a feature to switch the router into bridge mode, added the company.In related new, Buffalo also launched a wireless PCMCIA card, WLI-CB-AG300N, for notebooks.Buffalo WZR-AG300NH wireless routerPhoto: Company