Albatron Technology recently announced the launch of its AGP6800GS AGP graphics card, featuring the Nvidia GeForce 6800 GS graphics processing unit (GPU), for AGP-based motherboards. The AGP6800GS features NVIDIA's 3rd generation CineFX graphics engine and IntellisampleTM 3.0 and Ultrashadow II technologies for realistic image rendering, according to the company. The engine core is rated at 350 MHz with 12 pipelines, said the graphics card maker, adding that the card has a 256-bit memory bus and 256 MB of DDR3 memory that can be clocked up to 1 GHz. The AGP6800GS contains two independent 400 MHz RAMDACs with resolutions up to 2048×1536, going hand-in-hand with the card's nView dual display technology, noted Albatron, adding that the AGP6800GS will support TV-OUT, DVI and D-sub interfaces. The graphics card will be available worldwide by the end of December, according to the company. A suggested retail price is not yet available. Albatron’s AGP6800GS AGP graphics card Source: Company

Info-Tek, the producer of GeCube-branded graphics cards, recently launched its AGP 8x graphics cards based on the ATI Radeon X1600 and X1300 graphics processor unit (GPU) series. The availability of the GeCube Radeon X1300 AGP (GC-RX1300GA2-D3) is slated for the end of this month, whereas the GeCube Radeon X1600 AGP (GC-RX1600PGA2-D3) is scheduled to hit the market by the middle of January, 2006, according to the company. Both the GeCube Radeon X1300 AGP and GeCube Radeon X1600 AGP feature embedded 256MB DDR2 memory, which enhances game visuals and facilitates real-time responsiveness, according to the company. The AGP interface allows gamers to easily upgrade without their systems without having to replacing motherboards, said the graphics card maker. The suggested retail price for the GeCube Radeon X1300 AGP is US$129, whereas the GeCube Radeon X1600 AGP will be priced at US$179, the company noted. GeCube AGP graphics cards based on the ATI Radeon X1600/ X1300 GPU Item GC-RX1600PGA2-D3 GC-RX1300GA2-D3 GPU  ATI Radeon X1600 (90nm) ATI Radeon X1300LE (90nm) Pixel pipelines 12 4 Shader model 3.0 Core frequency 500MHz 450MHz Memory 256MB DDR2 Memory bus 128-bit (256-bit Internet ring bus) 128-bit D-Sub Yes (by dongle) Yes TV-out S/HDTV-out DVI Dual DVI Yes HDTV HDTV by S to YPbPr cable (default included)  HDTV by S to YPbPr cable (Optional)  Cooling Integrated fan Fansink Suggested retail price (excluded VAT) US$179 US$129 Availability Mid-Jan, 2006 End-Dec, 2005 Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, December 2005

Taiwan-based memory module maker Apacer recently introduced its award-winning Handy Steno HA202 flash disk drive. The drive supports a USB2.0 interface and comes with a built-in blue LED status indicator. The HA202 also features a retractable USB connector, allowing for a smaller design size (70×19×11mm), and includes a neck strap for making it easy to be worn as an accessory, blending in with a person's style. The HA202 weighs approximately 15 grams. Using a Samsung single level cell (SLC) made NAND flash chip, this drive is available in a wide range of memory sizes available, including 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and 2GB. Respective read and write speed are 25MB/s and 11MB/s. This drive is available for sale now with the 2GB version priced at NT$4,900 (US$146). G-Mark award winning HA202 flash disk drive from Apacer. Photo: company

Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) announced today that its SiS761GX chipset will be used on PCChips’ A31G motherboard. The chipset has also been incorporated into products offered by Axper, Fujitsu Siemens, and Foxconn Electronics (the registered trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry), according to the company. PCChips’ A31G motherboard supports the AMD Athlon 64 or Sempron CPU lines and is able to deliver sufficient graphics performance with the Mirage 1 Graphic Engine embedded in the SiS761GX chipset, according to SiS. Gamers can upgrade their system's graphics performance by simply plugging a compatible video card into the PCI Express (PCIe) interface, noted the chipset maker. PCChips’ A31G is also equipped with the SiS965L southbridge, providing two independent SATA ports with a 150MB/sec data transmission rate for a hard-disk storage device, noted SiS, adding that the SiS965L has two PCIe x1 ports and eight USB 2.0 connection ports. PCChips uses the SiS761GX / SiS965L chipset on its A13G motherboard Source: SiS

Buffalo and Mediabolic recently announced the availability their Buffalo TeraStation Terabyte Home Server, a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-compatible network-attached storage (NAS) device. The new TeraStation Home Server includes media server software from Mediabolic that provides centralized media management and distribution to multiple PCs and connected entertainment products on the home network. The one-terabyte TeraStation allows consumers to deploy a powerful yet easy-to-use and cost-effective media and data server on their home or office networks, claims Buffalo. Powered by Mediabolic’s NAS Media Server software, the TeraStation makes music, photo, and video files available over data networks so that consumers can browse and, using a compatible client such as Buffalo’s LinkTheater Mini, play back all of their personal content anywhere in the home, said the company. In addition to being very easy to set up and manage, the Buffalo TeraStation offers advanced fault-tolerant, RAID-based file sharing solutions, and Jumbo Frame technology for higher transfer speeds than on standard networks, said the data storage maker. It includes gigabit Ethernet networking, powerful file security and back-up utilities, and four USB 2.0 ports to accommodate additional external hard drives or shared printers, said Buffalo, adding that the TeraStation can run in four different operating modes and features a built-in USB print server and an FTP server function that allows users to access and transfer files using any computer on the Internet. The Buffalo TeraStation Terabyte Home Server with media server capabilities (model number HS-D1.0TGL/R5) will be available in mid-December in Japan with a suggested retail price of JPY108,400 (US$905), according to the company. Buffalo’s new TeraServer Terabyte Home Server Photo: Company, December 2005

Albatron today announced that its GeForce 7800GT VGA card will be bundled with online war-game software "Call of Duty 2,” with availability starting from this month. The GeForce 7800GT VGA card is all "PCI Express (PCIe)" and features the Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT GPU, which boasts 400 MHz in core speed, said Albatron, adding that this card has also been endowed with 256 MB of speedy 1000 MHz, DDR3 memory using a 256-bit bus. The Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT series is also equipped with the latest Intellisample 4.0, Ultrashadow II, CineFXTM 4.0, for bringing the most graphically demanding and popular games on the market, claims Albatron. This GPU also features Nvidia's PureVideo, a full featured video encoder/decoder producing the finest quality video playback for a variety of formats including HDTV, noted the graphics card maker. The Albatron GeForce 7800GT will provide TV-out, DVI and VIVO connectors, said the comapny, adding that the bundle package will include an HDTV cable that also supports S-Video and AV connectors. The card will also include the full "Call of Duty 2" software package, with a retail price tag of about US$40, noted the company. "Call of Duty 2" is the sequel version to the original "Call of Duty" gaming software that was awarded numerous "Game of the Year" awards, according to Albatron, adding that the WWII epic features some of the most exhilarating, full-on action battle engagements ever depicted in a PC game. Albatron GeForce 7800GT geared-up, battle-ready for "Call of Duty 2" Source: Company

Albatron Technology recently announced the 512MB version of its GeForce 6600 and 6600LE PCI Express (PCIe) graphics cards, with prices similar to equivalent 256MB cards. Availabilities of the 6600 512 and 6600LE 512 series are slated for the middle of December, according to the company. In addition to 512MB of DDR2 memory, the 6600 512 and 6600LE 512 cards support 350MHz in core clock speed, 533MHz in memory clock speed, and a 128-bit memory bus, said Albatron. At the time of this writing, the two cards were boasting more on-board memory (512 MB) for a VGA card than any other card currently on the market, claimed Albatron. Powered by the Nvidia GeForce 6600 GPU series, Albatron’s 6600 and 6600LE series provide complete support for DirectX 9.0 and Shader Model 3.0 optimizing compatibility with the most popular 3D gaming software. With D-Sub and DVI connectors, the 6600 512 bundles an HDTV cable that contains S-Video and AV connectors. The Albatron GeForce 6600 and 6600LE graphics card Source: Company

Asustek Computer recently introduced its EAX1800XT TOP graphics card, which incorporates ATI's flagship Radeon X1800XT VPU (video processing unit) to provide video capability needed for robust PC video systems. Availability is slated for the middle of December, with no suggested retail price available yet, according to the company. Powered by ATI’s overclocked version of the X1800XT series, the EAX1800XT TOP runs at 700MHz in core speed and 1.6GHz in memory. The card adopts advanced visual technology standards, including Shader Model 3.0, High Dynamic Rendering (HDR) and support for high-resolution LCD up to 2560×1600, according to the company. The bundled package for the EAX1800XT TOP will also incorporate the official game of “King Kong” the movie and an XitePad gamepad, which together is valued at close to US$100, said the company. ASUS EAX1800XT TOP graphics card specifications Item Details Graphics engine ATI Radeon X1800XT Video memory 512MB DDR3 Engine clock 700MHz Memory clock 1.6GHz (800MHz DDR3) Memory interface 256bit Max. resolution 2048×1536 Bus standard 16-lane PCIe VGA output Standard 15-pin HDTV output S-video to HDTV TV output S-video to composite Video input S-video to composite DVI output DVI-I Dual DVI output Yes Dual VGA output Yes Availability Mid-December Photo Source: Company website, compiled by DigiTimes, December 2005

BenQ on November 30 unveiled the X600, a 1.9-cm super slim digital camera with six-megapixel resolution, for launch in the Taiwan market under the BenQ name early in December at a recommended retail price of NT$11,900 (US$355). The camera went on sale in the European and US markets last month. The X600 features Pentax-developed SMC (super multi-coating) lens technology and a super slim sliding lens system to minimize its thickness to only 1.9cm, according to the company. BenQ’s domestic monthly sales volume of digital cameras has increased from 6,000-7,000 units before this quarter to over 10,000 currently, while its total monthly shipments, including exports, has also risen from 30,000 units early this year to more than 100,000, according to the company. BenQ X600 digital camera specifications Item Details Lens Focal length of 6.2-18.6mm; aperture of F2.7/F5.2 Zoom 3x optical and 4x digital Screen 2.5-inch low reflective LCD of 232,000 pixels Memory Bulit-in 23MB; compatible with SD cards Dimension (W × H × D, cm) 8.55 × 5.35 × 1.90 Weight (not including battery) 130g Source: BenQ, compiled by DigiTimes.com, December 2005 BenQ X600 super slim digital still camera

Mio Technology, a subsidiary of Mitac International, on November 29 unveiled its new GPS-enabled PDA phone, the A700, which will be available worldwide in mid-December at prices ranging between US$597-746. The A700 will specifically target users in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan as the model features built-in Chinese-version maps of cities in China and Taiwan, according to company president Samuel Wang. The A700 will also be the company’s first PDA phone to tap the China market since its affiliated company, Mitac Computer (Kunshan), secured a license in September to sell its own-brand handsets in China, Wang added. Mio expects combined sales of the A700 in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan will total 200,000 in 2006, Wang predicted, adding that Mio also plans to introduce sub-US$300 GPS-enabled PDA phones to the China market in the first quarter of 2006. Overall, Mitac shipments of smart handheld devices, including smartphones, PDA phones, and GPS-enabled devices, will total about three million units in 2005, up from the 950,000 units it shipped in 2004, Wang stated. Mio A700 PDA phone specifications Item Details OS Windows Mobile 5.0 CPU Intel XScale PXA270 520MHz Network GSM tri-band/ GPRS Display 2.7” 262K-color TFT (240×320 pixels) Memory 128MB ROM, 64MB SDRAM Memory expansion slot SD/MMC card slot Built-in camera 1.3-megapixel camera Built-in GPS SiRF III GPS chip Wireless connection Bluetooth v1.2 Battery 1300 mAh Li-ion battery Dimension 107×57×18.8 mm Weight 148g Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, November 2005 Mio’s A700 GPS-enabled PDA phone Photo: Andrea Liu, DigiTimes, November 2005