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Taipei, Taiwan — Feb 04, `08 — AMD expects to launch its triple-core Phenom 8400 and 8600 at CeBIT 2008 along with its low-power quad-core Phenom 9100e, however the quad-core Phenom 9700 and 9900 CPUs, which were originally scheduled to launch at the same time, will be delayed for both launch and showcase to a later time, DigiTimes reports citing sources at motherboard makers.

DigiTimes further writes, “The delay of Phenom 9700 and 9900 is due to the TLB bug and AMD is still working to raise core frequencies. The company will launch Phenom 9550 and 9650 in the second quarter this year.

AMD will also delay the launch of its second wave triple-core Phenom 8700, 8650 and 8450 CPUs by a month, from their original schedule in early second quarter.” More at DigiTimes.

TAIPEI, Taiwan and SAN DIEGO — Mio Technology Corporation and Qualcomm on Wednesday, Jan 30, announced a collaboration to develop connected personal navigation devices (PNDs). These new connected PNDs will leverage Qualcomm’s technology with the QST1100 chipset to deliver industry-leading GPS performance and cellular connectivity for real-time traffic updates, voice call capabilities and more.

With this new collaboration, Mio looks to offer consumers a next-generation GPS device that goes beyond traditional point-to-point navigation. With real-time content, search capabilities and more, Mio’s connected PNDs will provide a uniquely dynamic navigation experience that can be customized for any lifestyle. Whether for leisure travel, business travel or the daily commute, Mio’s cutting-edge connected PNDs will enable people to explore their environment.

Mio’s new connected PNDs will be based on the  chipset from Qualcomm, the first solution to integrate application processing, GPS and cellular connectivity for ubiquitous connectivity and sleeker form-factors.

The QST1100 chipset leverages Qualcomm’s gpsOne technology for unsurpassed GPS performance. The fully integrated gpsOne solution supports numerous modes of operation - including Assisted-GPS, Standalone-GPS and gpsOneXTRA Assistance technology for enhanced Standalone-GPS performance - and is the most widely deployed position-location solution in the world. Currently, more than 300 million devices around the world leverage gpsOne technology for accurate, ubiquitous positioning capabilities. More at Qualcomm.

Dec 25, `07 — DigiTimes is reporting on AMD adjusting its triple-core CPU model numbers and launch dates, citing sources at motherboard makers.

“AMD will launch two B2 stepping triple-core CPUs, Phenom 8600 and 8400 in March of next year, while in the second quarter, the company will launch three more models, Phenom 8700, 8650 and 8450.

The Phenom 8400 and 8600 will feature core frequencies of 2.1GHz and 2.3GHz, respectively, while the Phenom 8700 will clock at 2.4GHz. Phenom 8650 and 8450 will be based on B3 stepping cores, and will have frequencies of 2.3GHz and 2.1GHz, respectively. All five CPUs will have a 95W TDP.

The high price/performance ratio of the triple-core CPUs could force Intel to cut prices of its quad-core products which could cause higher-end models to cut into sales of lower-end CPUs, noted the sources. However, AMD could also face the same problem, they added.” More at DigiTimes.

Dec 25, `07 — Nvidia will launch the mid-range part for its GeForce 9600 GPU series, codenamed D9P or G94, in February 2008, DigiTimes is reporting citing graphics cards makers.

“The G94, the first mid-range GPU to feature a 256bit memory interface, is expected to pose a strong challenge to AMD’s Radeon HD 3850 (RV670PRO) of the same class, the sources commented.

The sources revealed that while Nvidia’s latest entry-level G98 (D8M) GPU, made at the 65nm process, has started shipping since early December, the G94 will make its debut on February 14. The G94 will also be made on a 65nm process at TSMC, the sources added.

The G94, with its official price temporarily set at US$169, features 64 stream processors and supports PureVideo Gen 2, the sources said.” More at DigiTimes.

Dec 24, `07 — DigiTimes is reporting on AMD notifying its partners that the launch of higher-end quad-core Phenom processors, including the 9700 and 9900, will be postponed to the second quarter of 2008 from the original schedule of early 2008, citing sources at motherboard makers.

“However, whether AMD’s triple-core Toliman series CPUs will also see delay will be the key decision for the company, since Toliman offers a high price/performance ratio compared with Intel’s quad-core CPUs. A delay for Toliman will hurt AMD the most, noted the sources.

The sources commented that the reason for the delay of 9700 and 9900 is because AMD has not yet been able to solve the translation lookaside buffer (TLB) erratum found in the chips.” More at DigiTimes.

Taipei, Taiwan — Dec 19, `07 — DigiTimes is reporting on Motorola’s plan to launch its next-generation Linux-based “Ming” handsets in the second quarter of 2008, with the hand input intelligence handsets to be available in both high-end and entry-level versions, citing Bill Chen, general manager of of mobile device business at Motorola Taiwan.

DigiTimes further reports, “While Motorola’s R&D center in Beijing will continue to handle the development of the high-end version of the new Ming handsets, the US vendor will outsource the production of the new entry-level Ming handsets to the Taiwan-based Inventec Group, according to market sources, who also noted that the new Ming handsets will continue to support the 2.5G standard.

Motorola on December 17 launched its high-end 3.5G RAZR V9 in Taiwan, and the company plans to introduce in Taiwan a Symbian-based ROKR Z8, Windows Mobile-based Q9 and three entry-level models, including the W360 and W213, before the end of this year, Chen said.” More at DigiTimes.

Taipei, Taiwan — Dec 19, `07 — DigiTimes brings us another Intel launch-delay news, just 2 days after Intel’s X48 chipset postponement.

DigiTimes reports on Intel adjusting its product strategy and delaying three 45nm quad-core CPUs, Core 2 Quad Q9300, Q9450 and Q9550, that were originally scheduled to launch in January next year, citing sources at motherboard makers.

“Intel has already notified its partners that it will push back the launch of the three CPUs to February or March next year, depending on AMD’s schedule for triple-core and the upcoming Phenom CPUs.

Launching the CPUs now will not benefit Intel much in its battle with AMD, while they could cause damage to Intel’s 65nm quad-core CPUs, therefore the company has decided it is in no rush to release new products until AMD is able to present more of a threat.” More at DigiTimes.

Taipei, Taiwan — Dec 17, `07 — DigiTimes is reporting on Intel delaying the launch of its X48 Chipset by 1-2 months because one of the first-tier motherboard makers still holds a large volume of X38 chipset inventory, citing sources at motherboard makers.

DigiTimes further reports, “The motherboard maker fears that the X48 chipset will slow down clearance of its X38 chipset inventory and has negotiated with Intel to delay the launch of its X48 chipset. However the delay is expected to hurt makers who do not have an overstock X38 chipsets.” More at DigiTimes.

Still Q1-08 launch seems very likely as Intel confirms the X48 Chipset launch along with Core 2 Extreme QX9770 processor in Q1 of next year in its ‘News Fact Sheet’ dated Dec 14, `07.

“• In the first quarter of 2008, Intel will continue its progression of leading-edge technology products:
-  The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Processor (3.2 GHz/1600 MHz system bus 45nm Hi-k metal gate processor formerly codenamed “Yorkfield”) and Intel X48 Express Chipset targeted at high-end PC users and enthusiasts. The Intel X48 Express Chipset continues to push the performance envelope with native support for XMP 1600 DDR3 memory.” More at Intel (in pdf).

On Wednesday, Dec 12, Albatron announced the 8800GTS-512X, a new “Enthusiast” GeForce 8 Series VGA card that will give top-of-the-line cards something to take notice of because consumers are going to get a nice surprise when they catch a peek at the price tag.

The board features 65 nm process technology, which was first introduced with the Albatron 8800GT-512X in October 2007. But there’s no comparison: the 8800GTS-512X is, quite simply, big brother.

Specs:
- Fast and Cool: 65nm Process Technology plus 650 MHz Core
- Fast just got faster: PCI 2.0 and 1940 MHz GDDR3 memory
- PureVideo HD
- 8800GTS-512X include two DVI connectors and a 7-pin HDTV-out connector
- Supports Dual-Link HDCP and is SLI ready
- The board is 4.376″ by 9″, is dual-slot in width and has a PCI Express x16 connector (PCIe 2.0)
- “Several hundred’s of dollars less than $700″ (don’t know how much that would be!)

More at Albatron.

Taipei, Taiwan — December 06, ‘07 — ASUS today released the world´s first EN8800GT graphics card model with 1GB graphics memory with Qimonda – the new EN8800GT/HTDP/1G.

This powerful graphics card features the latest generation of NVIDIA GPUs; and with an unparalleled large onboard memory size, is designed to provide feature-rich DirectX 10 gaming and the best multimedia playback at ultra-high resolutions and maximum quality settings. Moreover, with the integrated new SmartDoctor feature, users will have the option to overclock the Shader Clock for more than 10% graphical performance boosts, while the unique Glaciator Fansink design keeps the GPU temperature 7ºC cooler than reference designed boards.

Unprecedented 1GB GDDR3 Onboard Memory from Qimonda for Best Graphical Output
“The ASUS EN8800GT/HTDP/1G is the first EN8800GT model in the world to leverage the Qimonda DRAM that comes equipped with 8pcs of 1GB GDDR3 graphics memory,” said C.P. Wu, General Manager of ASUS Graphics and Multimedia Business.

More at ASUSTeK.

Taipei, Taiwan — Dec 06, ‘07 — DigiTimes is reporting on Intel releasing its first desktop dual-core Celeron series, E1000, on January 20, citing sources at motherboard makers.

DigiTimes further writes, “The first dual-core Celeron processor, the E1200, will have core frequency of 1.6GHz, 800MHz FSB and 512KB L2 cache with a price of US$53 in thousand-unit quantities.

On the same day, Intel will also launch three quad-core (Yorkfield) CPUs, the Q9300, Q9450 and Q9550 and another four dual-core (Wolfdale) CPUs, the E8190, E8200, E8400 and E8500 for desktops, the motherboard makers added.”

Meanwhile, Intel will also roll out the quad-core QX9770 processor which features a frequency of 3.2GHz, 1600MHz FSB, 12MB cache and TDP of 136W with a price tag of US$1,399 in thousand-unit quantities in January. Before March, the company will also introduce a high-end quad-core QX9775 processor with a frequency of 3.2GHz, 1600MHz FSB, 12MB L2 cache and 150W TDP. Pricing in thousand-unit quantities will be US$1,499, said the DigiTimes sources. More at DigiTimes.

ARMONK, NY — Dec 06 ‘07 — IBM today announced it has filed a complaint against ASUSTeK (based in Taiwan) and its North American subsidiary, ASUS Computer International, with the United States International Trade Commission. The complaint details the infringement of IBM patents by certain ASUSTeK computer products and components, and requests an exclusion order against the importation of infringing ASUSTeK computer products and components into the United States.

IBM has made repeated attempts to reach a licensing agreement between the companies. IBM’s position has been — and remains — that ASUSTeK either must license or stop using IBM’s patented technology.

IBM’s complaint identifies three patents that are infringed by ASUSTeK products imported into the U.S. These three patents cover important aspects of computer systems, including power supplies, computer cooling and computer clustering capabilities. The infringing ASUSTeK computer products include notebook computers, so-called barebones computer systems, servers, routers and various computer components.

The specific patents asserted in the IBM complaint are:

1. U.S. Patent No. 5,008,829: Personal computer power supply
2. U.S. Patent No. 5,249,741: Automatic fan speed control
3. U.S. Patent No. 5,371,852: Method and apparatus for making a cluster of computers appear as a single host on a network

The United States International Trade Commission is an independent federal agency with authority to bar the importation of products that infringe US patents. More at IBM.

Taipei, Taiwan — Nov 26, ‘07 –Jimmy Hsu of DigiTimes reports on Samsung Electronics, in a bid to promote sales of its digital cameras at the annual IT Month fair to take place in Taipei in early December, offering a 4GB SD memory card as a gift along with the sale of Samsung digital cameras, citing retail channels in the Taiwan market.

He further writes, “Price competition that has been ongoing for up to two years in the Taiwan market has reduced sales margins for digital cameras to a low level of $15.5-24.7 (NT$500-800), and vendors have started to opt for offering gifts instead of further price cuts, the sources indicated.

Memory cards are the most common promotional gifts offered alongside digital cameras, usually a 1GB SD card for an entry-level model and a 2GB SD card for a mid-range or high-end model, the sources noted. However, Samsung will take the initiative in offering 4GB SD cards and it is uncertain whether main competitors, including Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Nikon and Casio, will follow suit, the sources pointed out.” More at DigiTimes.

Taipei, Taiwan — Nov 26, ‘07 — Taiwan-based GPS navigation device maker Mio Technology is expected to expand its product mix to include 3G GPS PDA phones in the second half of 2008, according to market sources. Reports DigiTimes.

DigiTimes further writes, “Mio’s move is a countermeasure against the strategy adopted by a number of handset vendors, including High Tech Computer (HTC), Asustek Computer, E-Ten Information Systems and BenQ, who have all extended their smartphone product lines to include 3G GPS smartphones, the sources noted.

Mio’s 3G GPS PDA phone is expected to be built using the 3.5G platform from Qualcomm and will feature integrated application services, including photo navigation, TMC (traffic message channel) and LBS (location base service), indicated the sources.” More at DigiTimes.

Taipei, Taiwan — Nov 22, ‘07 –A few Taiwan-based OEMs who are working with Intel to promote the chipmaker’s mobile Internet devices (MIDs) have already started cooperation talks with telecom carriers in Taiwan in order to lower the price for the products and turn them into the next market mainstream, according to industry sources, says Digitimes.

Digitimes further writes, “The sources said Intel has high hopes for MIDS, which will not be volume produced until the second quarter of 2008.

Intel may place an average US$499 price tag on various MIDs, but the high prices would deter potential consumers, despite the fact that MIDs may be richer in features than iPhones, the sources said. In order to lower the prices, the OEMs are seeking to reach bundle deals with Taiwan’s telecom carriers, similar to the ones under which iPhones are currently sold, the sources disclosed.

Both the OEMs and telecom carriers are probing the possibility of lowering the MID prices to US$199-299, the sources added.” Digitimes.

Taipei, Taiwan — Nov 22, ‘07 — Issues with AMD’s new 65nm processors are not only dampening the launch schedule of the highest frequency version 2.6GHz Phenom CPU, but may now also affect the 2.4GHz 9700 model as well, according to sources at motherboard makers in Taiwan, says Digitimes.

Digitimes further reports, “Phenom 9500 and 9600 CPUs launched on November 19 at US$251 and US$283, respectively, and AMD was earlier reported to be planning to launch a 9700 model in mid December. However, this schedule is now likely to be pushed back to early 2008, sources at motherboard makers have revealed.

The delay of the higher-end CPUs is not the only disappointment expressed by the industry players as the thermal design power (TDP) of the upcoming 9700 is also drawing concern. The sources revealed that the 9700 will have a TDP of 125W while the the 2.6GHz 9900 model will have its TDP hit as much as 140W.

In light of the delay and the higher-than-expected TDP values, the motherboard makers expressed concerns about AMD’s planned migration to 45nm production in 2008 with the possibility that the Socket AM3 CPU lineup, including Deneb FX, Deneb, Propus, Regor and Sargas, may all have their launch schedules postponed.” More at Digitimes.

Taipei, Taiwan — Nov 23, ‘07 –Asustek Computer plans to launch 13-25 own-brand handsets in 2008, with 80% of the new handsets to be 3G models, according to Benson Lin, president for Asia Pacific business unit at Asustek, Digitimes reports.

Digitimes further writes, “Asustek also aims to ship 250,000 own-brand handsets in the Asia-Pacific region in the coming year as compared to 100,000 units projected for 2007, said Lin, noting that Asustek will also venture into the handset market in China in the first quarter of 2008.

As compared to the 400,000 own-brand handsets sold in the Asia Pacific and Taiwan markets in 2006, Asustek’s sales of own-brand handsets in the region this year are lower as the company has been focusing its efforts on the development of Windows Mobile-based devices, the Chinese-language Commercial Times quoted Lin as saying.

In other news, Asustek’s own-brand business unit, which is to be officially separated from the ODM business units on January 1, 2008, will keep the majority of the parent company’s handset R&D team and will push handset sales to telecom services providers in Europe, according to sources at Asustek.

Asustek’s spun-off ODM business unit, Unihan Technology, will handle handset orders mainly from OEM clients, including Palm and Sony Ericsson, said the sources. Unihan will not be involved in the manufacture of handsets from telecom clients such as Vodafone and O2 in order to avoid entering into competition with OEM clients from the telecom sector, the sources stated.” More at Digitimes.

Nov 21, ‘07 — Digitimes is reporting on Taiwan planning to replace 460,000 traffic signal lights with LED lamps, with the total cost being between $31 million (NT$1 billion) and $62 million, citing a Chinese-language Commercial Time report, which cited Huey-ching, director general of the Bureau of Energy under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

“All incandescent light bulbs are expected to be eliminated by 2012, with related production discontinuing in 2010″, noted Yeh in the report.

 More at Digitimes.

GENEVA –  Nov 19, ‘07 – The appointment of a Chinese judge to the highest court in the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been blocked by Taiwan in a surprise decision. Taiwan lodged its objection citing fears of bias and the step forced a meeting on the matter to be adjourned.

China’s Zhang Yuejiao was among four candidates nominated to the WTO’s seven-member Appellate Body in June. She would have been China’s first judge on the body, which rules on trade disputes between WTO member states.

The WTO dispute settlement body had been due to approve the appointment of four new members of the WTO’s appellate body, but Taiwan asked for that item to be removed from the agenda, WTO officials said.

Beijing regards the island of Taiwan - which has been under self-rule since the end of the civil war in 1949 - as a renegade province which should eventually be reunified with China.

It consistently blocks Taiwanese attempts to join United Nations bodies, but has made an exception for economic organisations such as the WTO.

Other members including the United States, Japan and the European Union insisted it should be included, and the chairman of the meeting, Australia’s WTO ambassador Bruce Gosper, was forced to adjourn it to find a way out of the impasse.

Taiwan — according to a copy of its statement made available by its WTO mission — said it could not agree to the agenda “because we have deep concerns on the question of impartiality and qualification of one of the recommended candidates to serve the Appellate Body.”

WTO sources said they believed it was the first time the appointment of an appellate judge had been blocked in this way.

The judges play an important role settling trade disputes worth billions of dollars between the WTO’s 151 members.

Dispute settlement is at the heart of the multilateral trading system and its system of rules which are umpired by the WTO to ensure that countries can trade fairly with each other.