Jan 24 - AMD CEO Stresses the Value of Collaboration
At LinuxWorld Keynote. AMD (NYSE:AMD) President and Chief Executive
Officer Hector Ruiz opened the LinuxWorld 2003 conference by asserting
that early and open collaboration with partners and customers are
the critical drivers of true innovation, and praised the Linux community's
commitment to compatibility and open standards as design objectives
that put the customer first.
"In order to foster and take part in true innovation, we in
the semiconductor industry cannot continue to operate on a `business
as usual' basis," stated Ruiz. "I think we have to consider
a new business model, one that is more collaborative and more connected
-more like that of the Linux and open source community. Linux serves
as a consistent reminder for the semiconductor industry that the needs
of our companies should never outweigh the needs of our customers."
Upcoming AMD Opteron(TM) Processor Gaining Traction
Ruiz was joined by partners, customers and industry luminaries, including
SuSE Linux; Metrowerks; Cray, Inc.; and Rhythm & Hues to demonstrate
the benefits of collaboration for developers, original equipment manufacturers
and end users. Ruiz announced beta availability of the 64-bit version
of IBM DB2 database software for systems based on the upcoming AMD
Opteron(TM) processors.
"We at AMD believe in the notion of shared success, the notion
that our success should be our partners' success and vice versa,"
added Ruiz. "At AMD, when we started planning for our next-generation
processors, we didn't start with the technology. We started by listening
to our partners, our customers and our customers' customers."
With the help of partner and customer participants, Ruiz illustrated
successful solutions running on AMD and Linux platforms and stressed
how "playing well with others" in the Linux community has
allowed AMD to deliver solutions that help maximize revenue opportunities
for Linux-based businesses and their customers.
Berardino Baratta, chief technology officer and vice president of
Linux Solutions for Metrowerks, a Motorola Company, joined Ruiz onstage.
Baratta discussed how Metrowerks is working closely with AMD to provide
powerful tools and complete software solutions to allow device manufacturers
and application developers to create Linux-based handheld computing
devices based on the AMD Alchemy(TM) Solutions Au1100(TM) processor.
Ruiz discussed how, based on feedback from customers and the open
source community, AMD is collaborating with The Numerical Algorithms
Group (NAG) and SuSE Linux to equip Linux developers with the building
blocks and resources they need to take full advantage of AMD's 64-bit
computing platform with Linux. This infrastructure support will enable
developers in the open source community to produce production-ready
applications effectively and efficiently.
Executives and engineers from Cray Inc., Rhythm & Hues Studios
and Boeing Expendable Launch Systems detailed the powerful results
they have achieved by combining AMD processors with Linux.
In addition, Ruiz described how industry-leading companies around
the world, including Dow Benelux; Daimler Chrysler; Rambler, Russia's
most popular Internet portal; and Rackspace, the world's second-largest
Web hosting company, use AMD Athlon(TM) MP processors running in Linux
clusters for a number of mission-critical server and workstation applications.
For more AMD news and product information, visit www.amd.com.
Jan 24 - AMD Announces AMD
Opteron Processor-Based Server Evaluation Program. At LinuxWorld
Expo 2003, AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced it is working with technology
partner Newisys and contract manufacturer Sanmina-SCI to make available
a maximum of 500 AMD Opteron(TM) processor-based servers to system
builders and end customers for early testing and development of applications
on AMD's x86-64 technology.
The systems, based on pre-production AMD Opteron processors and Newisys
"Khepri" platforms, will be available in two configurations
and will be available directly from Sanmina-SCI.
The program will make available AMD Opteron processor-based servers
suitable for high-end enterprise class systems and applications. Servers
will feature evaluation Newisys Khepri motherboards for 2P, 1U chassis.
"The AMD Opteron processor evaluation program was developed
to fulfill the significant demand from the marketplace for early evaluation
AMD Opteron processor-based servers. It is designed to enable system
builders and enterprise customers to experience the superior flexibility
and performance offered by AMD Opteron processor-based systems,"
said Marty Seyer, vice president of server business segment, Computation
Products Group, AMD. "The AMD 64-bit architecture and Newisys'
advanced systems management capabilities is planned to allow customers
to port and test code for both 32- and 64-bit environments."
"We believe AMD and Newisys technologies will dramatically change
the enterprise computing environment in the near future, and we are
delighted to work with AMD to offer this program through our channel
partners," said Jack Steeg, SVP Sales and Marketing for Newisys.
"The end-user demand that we have seen thus far has been outstanding.
We have a sizeable number of strategic system builders ready to deploy
these servers as soon as available. This program, with the support
of Sanmina-SCI, is aimed at starting a rapid and smooth ramp to high-volume
production at the time of launch."
Customers can visit www.newisys.com
to see a list of system builders that have an inventory of evaluation
units ready for purchase.
Jan 24 - Dell Doubles Density of Its Supercomputing
Clusters. Customers deploying hundreds of standards-based servers
in high-performance computing clusters (HPCC) can double the density
of their servers and maximize floor space with Dell's (Nasdaq:DELL)
server blades.
Dell's HPCC program offers configurations of six to 132 server-nodes
with its PowerEdge 1655MC blade servers running Red Hat Linux. Customers
can put up to 84 servers in a standard rack.
The company's eight to 128-node configurations of PowerEdge 2650
servers running Red Hat Linux for HPCC also support Myrinet interconnect
networks from Myricom, a high-speed, low-latency interconnect technology
optimized for supercomputing.
"Customers can deploy hundreds to thousands of Dell server blades
in a Linux supercomputing cluster in considerably less space and for
less cost for a growing number of applications," said Pete Morowski,
vice president of software development and clustering in Dell's Product
Group. "Dell is developing modular solutions for HPCC that provide
top performance and address practical issues such as space, power,
cost and deployment."
Additionally, Dell has created a new network of partners for high-performance
computing to help deliver more complete solutions for customers' specialized
requirements, including in such vertical industries as life sciences,
energy and manufacturing. The program will consist of solutions integrators,
consultants, independent hardware vendors and independent software
vendors.
"Dell's HPCC partner network is an important step in delivering
the many specialized computing solutions that are required in the
high-performance computing market today," said Deb Goldfarb,
vice president at International Data Corporation. "Dell is continuing
to bring value to supercomputing with the standardized solutions that
have made the industry take notice."
Founding members include: Cornell Theory Center, Cray Inc., Dell
Professional Services, Emulex, Extreme Networks, Fluent, Intel, Microsoft,
MPI Software Technology Inc. (MSTI), MSC Software, Myricom, Platform
Computing, QLogic, Red Hat, Scali and Turboworx.
For more information on the partner network visit: http://www.dell.com/us/en/esg/topics/products_clstr_pedge_partners_
cluster_hpcc.htm.
Jan 24 - Fuji Photo Film
Announces Fourth-Generation Super CCD Technology. Fuji Photo Film
U.S.A., Inc. today reached a new landmark in the industry's quest
for a perfectly life-like digital image.
Its proprietary Super CCD technology has created new standards for
exceptional digital camera imaging quality since 2000. Now, its fourth-generation
devices provide increased resolution, and extended dynamic range,
creating for the first time pictures that can begin to match those
taken with film. The technology will be marketed under two names -
Super CCD HR and Super CCD SR - and will appear in products later
this year.
Super CCD HR - High Resolution
The new Super CCD HR (high resolution) announced today incorporates
a total of 6.63 million pixels into a 1/1.7" chip, performance
made possible through new strides in miniaturization. Cameras equipped
with this imaging device can produce up to 12.3 million recording
pixels, resulting in remarkably high-resolution images.
Super CCD SR - Super Dynamic Range
Incorporating the same miniaturization technology as the HR version,
the Super CCD SR also features a new configuration that produces approximately
four times wider dynamic range than third-generation Super CCD. Also
measuring 1/1.7" in size, the new Super CCD SR incorporates 6.7
million total pixels (3.35 million S-pixels and 3.35 million R-pixels).
Super CCD SR produces a smooth and wide tonal range without losing
detail in dark areas or washing out in bright areas.
"These fourth-generation Super CCD technologies represent a
monumental change in the way that digital cameras read the data available
in scene composition and translate that information into truer-to-film
image quality," said Darin Pepple, Brand Manager of Consumer
Digital Imaging Products, Consumer Markets Division, Fuji Photo Film
U.S.A., Inc. "Super CCD HR and SR bring us closer than ever to
reaching the same image quality with digital as with film, especially
when images are printed at retail."
Why Super CCD?
Based on almost 70 years of photographic experience and technology
expertise, Fujifilm recognizes the importance of resolution, sensitivity
and dynamic range as factors that determine overall image quality.
Super CCD, which Fujifilm developed in 1999 and introduced to the
international marketplace in 2000, aimed for a balance of these enhanced
performance factors.
The second-generation Super CCD, introduced in 2001, focused on enhancing
resolution even further. Next, the third-generation Super CCD, introduced
in 2002, successfully boosted light sensitivity. Now, the new fourth-generation
Super CCD HR offers significantly enhanced resolution, while the new
Super CCD SR delivers greatly expanded dynamic range.
In recent years, the industry's race to boost pixel counts has resulted
in ever-smaller pixels incorporated in greater numbers without increasing
chip size. In the new Super CCD HR, each pixel has been miniaturized,
resulting in a total of 6.63 million total pixels in a 1/1.7"
CCD. Cameras equipped with this device produce a remarkable 12.3 million
recording pixels. A 1/2.7" version of the Super CCD HR incorporates
3.14 million total pixels, for 6.0 million recording pixels. In addition
to greatly enhanced resolution, sensitivity has also improved over
the third-generation technology.
In addition to the pixel race, the industry has pursued the creation
of digital image quality that approaches that of photographic film,
and has approached this problem by increasing resolution and boosting
sensitivity. To date, however, among the most important image quality
characteristics, even the performance of Fujifilm's previous Super
CCDs fell short of film in the area of tonal range. While the pursuit
of digital image quality that matches film continues to be the industry's
aspiration, Fujifilm's new Super CCD SR technology is an important
step in making that goal a reality.
Traditional digital cameras have difficulties reproducing high-contrast
images containing both dark and bright areas, with dark areas tending
to lose detail and whites washing out. Fujifilm's Super CCD was designed
so that the photodiodes in each pixel could be larger, enhancing sensitivity
and expanding dynamic range. The newly developed, fourth-generation
Super CCD SR achieves a dynamic range approximately four times greater
than its predecessor, and which produces a smooth and wide tonal range
without losing detail in dark areas or washing out in bright areas.
The Super CCD SR incorporates both large, high-sensitivity S-pixels
and smaller R-pixels for expanded dynamic range. By combining data
from both sensor elements according to the composition of the scene,
the Super CCD SR is able to deliver both high sensitivity and expanded
dynamic range.
For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can access the
Fujifilm USA Web site at www.fujifilm.com.
Jan 24 - HP and America Online
to Deliver Instant Messaging to Businesses. HP (NYSE:HPQ) and
America Online today announced an agreement intended to further the
value and convenience of enterprise-based instant messaging to businesses
worldwide.
Under the distribution and development agreement, HP will integrate
AOL's Enterprise AIM(TM) Services into its global messaging portfolio,
helping enterprises develop agile, flexible IT environments. Enterprise
AIM Services is the first business-class instant messaging offering
based on the AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) Service, making it easier
for companies to maintain a greater level of control of instant messaging.
"Messaging is the circulatory system of today's enterprise,
and HP Services is integral in helping companies keep that system
in perfect health," said Rene Schuster, vice president and general
manager, Consulting and Integration, HP Services. "By teaming
with an industry leader such as AOL, coupled with HP's strengths in
IT infrastructure services, HP is able to offer an unmatched portfolio
of messaging services critical to our customers' ability to effectively
communicate internally as well as with customers and business partners."
While enterprises value the opportunity to have on-the-spot communication
with employees and customers, they also want to ensure the security
of their network. This agreement, based on a long-term relationship
that has seen HP become one of the leading computing infrastructure
providers to AOL, will enable the delivery of a messaging solution
that is both robust and rich with functionality.
"HP is a leader in providing collaborative solutions to enterprises
and understands that having instant access to colleagues for quick
exchange of information is a real advantage in today's business environment,"
said Bruce Stewart, senior vice president, AOL Strategic Business
Solutions. "By teaming with HP, a wide range of businesses can
take advantage of highly integrated, enterprise-centric instant messaging
applications that enable enterprises and employees to become more
nimble, efficient and productive."
In addition, as a participant in AOL's new Enterprise AIM Certified
Partner Program, HP will have the ability to build AIM-enabled enterprise
applications that leverage the Enterprise AIM Gateway and integrate
with its current suite of enterprise solutions. These applications
will help HP Services enable customers to lower costs and improve
the performance of enterprise messaging while responding to the changing
needs of their businesses and fluctuating user bases.
The full suite of Enterprise AIM Services, from the AIM Enterprise
Gateway to AOL's Private Domain Service with Authentication, are supported
by AOL's instant messaging network -- the world's largest --which
delivers over 1.5 billion instant messages each day and supports more
than 195 million registered users of the AIM service.
HP's global hosted enterprise services, including messaging and exchange-on-demand,
target enterprise, carrier and small- and medium-sized business markets.
HP's offerings focus on companies that want to upgrade, extend or
replace legacy e-mail systems and/or offer e-mail to workers in remote
locations, as well as service providers and carriers which offer bundled
or a la carte messaging.
More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.
Jan 24 - Other World Computing Announces
52x-Speed CD-RW FireWire Solutions. Other World Computing (OWC),
a leading provider of products and services for the Macintosh marketplace,
has introduced two new CD-RW external FireWire drives that operate
at 52x speeds and allow users to burn CDs in less than 90 seconds.
"These new 52-speed CD-RW solutions are further proof of our
commitment at Other World Computing to continually bring the best
and fastest solutions to market with exceptional value in mind,"
said Larry O'Connor, president of OWC.
"We continue to try and push the technological envelope. We introduced
our first 48-speed CD-RWs in November -- the Mercury Pro 48x12x48
-- and enhanced them in December by pushing the capabilities to 48x24x48.
Now we've brought our first two 52-speed CD-RW drives to market. As
with all of our Mercury Pro solutions, the Mercury Pro 52x24x52X CD-RW
FireWire external solutions offer true `plug & play' technology
and make CD creation easier than ever."
The new 52x-speed Mercury Pro drives are compatible with both Macintosh
and Windows-based systems with FireWire or USB support, and feature
Lite-On SMART-BURN technology. Each drive ships with 25 pieces of
CD-R media, one piece of CD-RW media, Roxio Toast Lite 5.2.x and all
connecting cables.
The Mercury Pro 52X CD-RWs write to industry standard 550MB (63 min.),
650MB (74 min.) and 700MB (80 min.) discs, respectively, and are capable
of over-burn writes of up to 99 minutes. This functionality gives
users the ability to manage large back-up jobs, archive data, make
music CDs that are playable in any standard CD player, or create,
edit and rewrite a variety of data formats to the discs many times
over.
The Mercury Pro 52X CD-RW FireWire external solution is available
today for $159.99 (USD). The FireWire/USB 2.0/1.1 version of the Mercury
Pro 52X CD-RW solution is available for $179.99. The Mercury Pro 48x24x48
CD-RW FireWire external solutions are also available at prices starting
at $139.99. All three CD-RW solutions are available exclusively through
OWC at www.macsales.com.
Jan 23 - SuSE Linux Brings
Microsoft Office to the Linux Desktop. SuSE Linux today announced
the availability of three software packages -- including a desktop
product that enables users to install Microsoft Office on Linux --
that significantly broaden the appeal of Linux to both consumer and
enterprise users.
With the newly available SuSE Linux Office Desktop, desktop users
can enjoy the full functionality of the Microsoft Office Suite of
applications on a Linux operating system. Users can deploy the bundled
Sun Microsystems' StarOffice 6.0, or install MS Office on their Linux
desktop -- ensuring familiarity, flexibility and interoperability,
while still taking advantage of the scalability and reduced total
cost of ownership that Linux delivers.
"SuSE is the technology leader in Linux today," said Richard
Seibt, Chief Executive Officer, SuSE Linux. "Whether it is consumers
looking for the security, flexibility and lower cost of ownership
on the desktop or software developers looking for a server OS that
is truly multi-platform, SuSE delivers all the benefits that Linux
promises."
About SuSE Linux Office Desktop
SuSE Linux Office Desktop combines the technology and user friendliness
of SuSE Linux 8.1 with proven tools that facilitate the migration
from Windows operating systems and applications.
The SuSE system assistant YaST2 (Yet another Setup Tool) automatically
detects existing Windows 95/98/ME installations and submits a useful
proposal for the reallocation of the existing hard disk space and
the Linux software to install. Using the partitioning tool Acronis
OS Selector, no technical experience is needed to successfully migrate
to Linux without losing any data -- even with a preinstalled Windows
2000/XP.
Acronis OS Selector provides users with greater security and stability
as well as the ability to install SuSE Linux on any existing Windows
XP-based PC that uses an NTFS file system by re-sizing NTFS hard disk
partitions -- enabling SuSE Linux users to free hard drive space and
install SuSE Linux with other operating systems on a single PC. Acronis
is the only system software publisher today that offers full support
for all Linux file systems, including ReiserFS, Ext2, and Ext3.
SuSE Linux Office Desktop enables the continued use of existing data:
StarOffice 6.0 from Sun Microsystems offers text processing, spreadsheet,
and presentation applications as well as other office applications
for Linux, together with mature filter functions for data exchange
from/to various formats.
Codeweavers CrossOver Office 1.3.1 enables the utilization of familiar
applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint from MS Office 97/2000
as well as Visio 2000 and other MS applications on the SuSE desktop.
For the first time, even IBM Lotus Notes can be utilized on a Linux
client.
Further information can be found at www.suse.com.
Jan 23 - Samsung Introduces Industry's
First 4 GigaByte DDR Memory Module. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.,
the industry-leading memory technology supplier, today announced the
industry's first 4 GigaByte (GByte) Double Data Rate (DDR) Dual In-line
Memory Module (DIMM). The module encompasses thirty-six 1 Gigabit
(Gb) DDR synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) components that achieve 4GByte density
for high-performance applications such as servers, workstations and
supercomputers.
"Samsung's advanced memory solutions are poised to enable an
array of next-generation systems," said Jon Kang, Senior Vice
President of Memory Product Planning and Engineering, Samsung Electronics.
"Through close cooperation with top-tier manufacturers, Samsung's
new high-density DDR solutions will expedite the availability of advanced
computing systems."
The 4GByte DDR DIMM is based on Samsung's 0.10 micron technology
1Gb DDR SDRAM component. The 1Gb DDR SDRAM offers a 266Mbps - to -333Mbps
performance and will be available in -x4, -x8, and -x16 bit configurations
with industry-standard 400mil TSOP2 packaging. Samsung developed the
industry's first fully working 1Gb DDR SDRAM early December 2002 and
plans mass production in the 2nd half of 2003.
Samsung is the industry leader in advanced memory solutions, including
DDR333 and DDR400 high-speed solutions and 512Mb and 1Gb densities.
According to researchers at Gartner Dataquest, the market for 1Gb
DDR SDRAMs is expected to reach $7.4 billion by 2006.
More information about Samsung can be found at www.usa.samsungsemi.com.
Jan 23 - Addonics Announces Mobile 16x
DVD/48x CDRW Drive. Addonics Technologies today announced its
fastest and most flexible DVD player/CD burner with the release of
its Mobile DVD/CDRW drive. The new Addonics Mobile DVD/CDRW drive
offers value and performance with its 16x DVD player, 48x write/24x
rewrite CDRW burner, and 48x CD-ROM. The 24x rewrite is the fastest
rewrite speed among all the CDRWs in the market.
The new drive is also one of the fastest external combo drives available,
which enables users to view feature-length DVD movies, access DVD/CD
material, burn their own audio/data CDs, as well as back up and archive
their computer data at the fastest speeds.
The Addonics Mobile DVD/CDRW can record data to CDRW media in five
popular modes: Track at Once, Multi-session, Disc at Once, Session
at Once, and Packet Writing. The drive is also compatible with seven
different multimedia formats, including: CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I,
CD-DA, CD-Bridge, CD-Extra, and Video CD. Depending on the drive interface
used the Mobile DVD/CDRW has a maximum data transfer rate from 600-7200
KB/sec and an access speed of 110 m/sec in CD mode and 120m/sec in
DVD mode.
The Mobile DVD/CDRW is also the most flexible drive in its class
with its interchangeable interface cable. Users can connect to either
USB 2.0 or 1.1, FireWire ports or CardBus / PCMCIA slots on any computer
by switching to the appropriate Addonics interface cable. Addonics
bundles the drive with a choice of interface cable, CD mastering software,
MPEG-2 decoding software for DVD movie playback, AC/DC adapter, user
guide, and the option to purchase other interface cables separately.
The Mobile DVD/CDRW measures 10 x 6.2 x 2 inches, and weighs just
3.18 pounds. Bundled software supports Windows OS only. Software drivers
are included for Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME (Millennium Edition),
and XP. No drivers are needed for USB or FireWire connections when
installed under Windows Me, 2000, and XP.
The list price for Mobile DVD/CDRW is $279 for the USB 2.0 version;
$289 for the CardBus/PCMCIA model; and $299 for the FireWire version.
Visit Addonics at www.addonics.com.
Jan 23 - Bitstream Releases ThunderHawk
Version 1.06 Wireless Web Browser. Bitstream Inc. (Nasdaq:BITS)
today announced the release of version 1.06 of ThunderHawk(TM), its
wireless Web browsing technology, which adds support for Dell Axim
and Compaq and HP iPAQ 5400-series personal digital assistants (PDAs).
ThunderHawk brings the desktop browsing experience to wireless devices.
"ThunderHawk lets users work with all Web-based e-mail and applications.
And our large virtual 800x600 screen size emulates the view that people
are used to on desktop machines," explained Anna Chagnon, Bitstream
president.
"Since our first release of ThunderHawk just last year, we have
continued to add aggressively to the portfolio of handheld devices
we support," she added. "Our wireless Web browser now allows
even more people to stay connected."
ThunderHawk users have sent the company several unsolicited rave
reviews. Mike LaCasella told the company, "ThunderHawk installed
flawlessly, and I am able to browse all sites selected, including
high-graphic sites. Thanks for a great product and great support."
Derek Alba goes even further to say, "This should be the only
way to browse the Web!"
And user Dave Schur sums up all the positive feedback with this comment:
"ThunderHawk is the one must-have program for the Pocket PC.
It loads real Web sites much, much faster than anything else out there.
All I can say is wow! ... It's beautiful."
ThunderHawk for the Pocket PC is available for a free 30-day trial
and for purchase by subscription. Customers who have a Pocket PC can
download, test-drive, and purchase ThunderHawk from the Bitstream
Web site. To take full advantage of new features, existing customers
can also upgrade versions on the site, located at http://www.bitstream.com/wireless.
Jan 23 - Wyse Unleashes New Wireless Tablet
Thin Client. Wyse(R) Technology, the domain experts in server-centric
computing (SCC), today introduced the Wyse Winterm(TM) 3820 TX tablet
thin client for customers who demand secure and reliable mobile access
to information and applications.
Based on Windows CE, the Winterm 3820 TX is the only tablet thin
client managed by Wyse Rapport(TM), the industry standard in thin-client
management software, which empowers IT staff to manage all Wyse thin
clients from a single centralized location. The lightweight tablet
satisfies a growing demand for instant wireless access to corporate
networks from industries where employees require mobility within a
building or campus.
Wyse's second-generation wireless tablet builds upon a legacy of
leadership and innovation to provide a critical business tool that
combines the utility and convenience of a mobile device. Within this
burgeoning market of tablet devices in particular, Wyse addresses
the needs of customers who require the security and manageability
that have become a hallmark of Wyse thin clients.
"This Wyse Winterm tablet clearly demonstrates our strategy
to expand beyond the desktop thin client market and provide our customers
with server-centric solutions that are customized to meet their individual
requirements," said Brad Rowland, director of product management
at Wyse Technology. "We introduced this device to address the
growing demand for mobility in the workforce for employees who cannot
be strictly deskbound, such as medical professionals, factory supervisors
and retail sales employees. The market is ready for a tablet thin
client that provides the security, manageability, affordability and
reliability our customers expect from Wyse."
With its integrated support for Wyse Rapport, the Winterm 3820 TX
significantly reduces IT management costs and complexities and spares
non-technical staff from any need to update or maintain their mobile
device.
Wyse Rapport performs four critical desktop management functions from
one or more locations: software distribution, device diagnostics,
device configuration and asset management. While IT managers may appreciate
its management and security benefits, Wyse's tablet thin client provides
many advantages for users.
It comes with a 12.1-inch LCD touch screen, CalliGrapher(R) handwriting
recognition, a virtual keyboard, the Microsoft Windows CE operating
system, embedded support for Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol 5.0
and Citrix ICA resident communications protocols, and 32 MB of internal
memory for an estimated customer price of $1499. An optional eight-hour
battery is available that frees users from the need to recharge or
carry additional batteries during their workday.
For more information, visit the Wyse Website at www.wyse.com.
Jan 23 - PNY Technologies Introduces PNY
NVIDIA Quadro FX. PNY Technologies(R) today introduced groundbreaking
3D hardware, the PNY NVIDIA(R) Quadro(TM) FX(TM) series of professional
graphics solutions for workstation professionals.
Powered by NVIDIA Corporation's newest workstation graphics solution,
the PNY NVIDIA Quadro FX makes real-time rendering for leading computer
aided design (CAD) and digital content creation (DCC) applications
an integral part of the design workflow. In February, the PNY NVIDIA
Quadro FX 2000 and the PNY NVIDIA Quadro FX 1000 will be available
from PNY to system integrators, distributors and value-added resellers
throughout the United States and Europe.
"Partnering with a technology innovator such as NVIDIA allows
us to provide the widest range of professional graphics boards for
the most demanding range of CAD and DCC workstation applications,"
said Drew Singh, director of Quadro sales for PNY. "We will continue
to empower our channel partners with the kind of hardware that defines
performance and epitomizes the highest standard in quality--as the
PNY NVIDIA Quadro FX series has already been met with immediate industry
acceptance by leading Workstation System Integrators."
Workstation System Integrators announcing systems that include the
new PNY NVIDIA Quadro FX series of professional graphics boards include:
ARM Systems, BOXX Technologies, Colfax International, Core Microsystems,
MaxVision, NTSI, TriStar Systems and Xi Computers.
The PNY NVIDIA Quadro FX series delivers unmatched speed and efficiency
and includes an architecture that doubles previous industry leading
application performance. The boards now feature full 128-bit IEEE
floating-point precision that allows for the highest level of accuracy
and the ultimate visual quality. Moreover, advanced Cg programmability
empowers a new class of special effects for OpenGL(R) and DirectX(R)
applications for real-time rendering. Lastly, the new solution is
certified by the entire spectrum of CAD and DCC applications.
For additional information, visit PNY's website at www.pny.com/quadro.
Jan 22 - AMD Reports Fourth
Quarter and Annual Results. AMD (NYSE:AMD) today reported sales
of $686,430,000 and a net loss of $854,740,000 for the quarter ended
December 29, 2002. The net loss amounted to $2.49 per share. Excluding
the effects of restructuring and other charges to show the company's
results from ongoing operations, the fourth quarter net loss was $235,145,000,
or $0.68 per share.
Fourth quarter sales declined by 28 percent from the fourth quarter
of 2001 and increased by 35 percent from the third quarter of 2002.
In the fourth quarter of 2001, AMD reported sales of $951,873,000
and a net loss of $15,842,000, or $0.05 per share.
In the third quarter of 2002, AMD reported sales of $508,227,000
and a net loss of $254,171,000, or $0.74 per share.
For the full year ended December 29, 2002, sales declined by 31 percent
from 2001. AMD reported sales of $2,697,029,000 and a net loss of
$1,303,012,000, or $3.81 per share. AMD reported sales in 2001 of
$3,891,754,000 and a net loss of $60,581,000, or $0.18 per share.
As projected, we saw increased PC processor and Flash
memory sales in the fourth quarter," said Robert J. Rivet, AMD's
chief financial officer. "We executed on our plan to align AMD
PC processor inventory in the supply chain.
"We had record PC processor unit consumption (OEM billings,
plus OEM net inventory change, plus net distributor resales) in the
fourth quarter.
"We bolstered our capital structure by securing approximately
$400 million in proceeds from a successful convertible offering, ending
the year with more than $1 billion in cash.
"In addition, we renegotiated our long-term debt associated
with our Dresden fabrication facility and, as a result, reduced our
2003 cash requirements by $200 million."
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
PC processor sales of $420 million for the quarter increased by 60
percent from the $262 million reported in the third quarter of 2002.
This increase was driven by an increase in both processor units and
ASPs.
AMD's fourth quarter PC processor sales reflect a richer mix of product
offerings supported by new AMD Athlon(TM) XP 2400+, 2600+, 2700+ and
2800+ desktop products. AMD increased its penetration in the mobile
market with record unit sales in the fourth quarter, and introduced
the mobile AMD Athlon XP processor 2200+. In addition, AMD aligned
PC processor inventory in the supply chain resulting in record unit
consumption of AMD PC processors.
AMD expects to continue to improve its position in the market with
the February introduction of the AMD Athlon XP desktop processors
based on the "Barton" core and the April introduction of
the AMD Opteron(TM) processors for servers and workstations. With
the transition of all PC processor wafer production to 130nm technology
complete, in 2003 the company will be focusing on qualifying 90nm
technology. AMD plans to complete the qualification and start production
of 90nm technology in the fourth quarter of this year.
AMD memory sales of $217 million were up 15 percent from the $189
million in the third quarter of 2002. Based on AMD's increased penetration
in the mobile phone market, AMD Flash memory sales grew and bit shipments
were a record for the third quarter in a row. The company commenced
production of 130nm Flash memory in Fab 25 in Austin and JV3 in Aizu-Wakamatsu,
Japan.
CURRENT OUTLOOK
AMD's outlook statements are based on current expectations. The
following statements are forward-looking, and actual results could
differ materially. Economic and industry conditions remain uncertain,
and continue to make it particularly difficult to forecast product
demand. The company's current outlook for the first quarter is based
on the following projections:
-- Although historical seasonal patterns suggest PC Processor
sales will be down 5 - 8 percentage points from the fourth
quarter levels, based on a richer product mix, AMD expects
first quarter AMD processor revenue will increase and in
aggregate the company sales will be flat to nominally up.
-- We expect to realize the first benefits of our cost reductions
in the first quarter, and remain on target to reduce our
overall cost structure to below $800 million per quarter by
the second quarter.
For more information about AMD visit www.amd.com.
Jan 22 - Transmeta Corp.
Reports Financial Results for Q4 and Fiscal 2002. Transmeta Corporation
(Nasdaq:TMTA), designer and supplier of the energy-efficient Crusoe
processor, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter
and fiscal year ended Dec. 27, 2002.
Net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002 was $6.1 million,
compared with $6.4 million reported in the third quarter of 2002 and
$1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2001. GAAP net loss for the
fourth quarter of 2002 was $21.7 million, or a loss of $0.16 per share.
This compares with a GAAP net loss of $21.8 million, or a loss of
$0.16 per share in the third quarter and a GAAP net loss of $49.7
million, or a loss of $0.38 per share in the fourth quarter of 2001.
Net revenue for fiscal 2002 was $24.2 million, compared with $35.6
million for fiscal 2001. GAAP net loss for fiscal 2002 was $110.0
million, or a loss of $0.82 per share. This compares with a GAAP net
loss of $171.3 million, or a loss of $1.33 per share in 2001.
"In the fourth quarter we sampled our next-generation processor,
the TM8000, to several customers and the feedback has been very encouraging,"
said Dr. Matthew R. Perry, president and CEO of Transmeta.
"Customers tell us that the TM8000 provides the necessary balance
of high performance, long battery life, low cost and low power consumption
to fit their requirements. We believe this next-generation processor
will allow us to substantially increase our target markets to include
laptops with 12- and 14-inch displays, in addition to our existing
markets. Volume production of the TM8000 remains on plan for the third
quarter of this year.
"Design win activity was strong across many geographies and
product applications in the fourth quarter. We won many TM5800 designs
in Q4, especially in Taiwan, and interest in our next-generation Crusoe
TM8000 processor continued to gain momentum," said Dr. Perry.
On Jan. 6, 2003 Transmeta announced its new energy-efficient Crusoe(TM)
Special Embedded (SE) processors, which target a wide range of x86
embedded applications including industrial automation, scientific
instrumentation, retail kiosks, point-of-sale terminals, automotive
infotainment, process control and home automation systems.
"There is a growing need for processors that combine x86-compatibility,
high performance, power efficiency, low heat dissipation and chipset
integration to help create compact, passively cooled embedded systems.
Transmeta is the only company that offers this solution," said
Dr. Perry.
On Jan. 14, 2003 the company announced that it had received first
silicon for a Crusoe(TM) TM5800 processor with new, proprietary technologies
that enable its current and future microprocessors to increase security
for wireless computing, protect sensitive data, deter intellectual
property theft and deliver tamper-resistant x86 storage environments.
"As more and more people transmit and store digital data such
as personal passwords, financial records, proprietary business data
and national security secrets it is becoming even more important to
secure these operations," said Dr. Perry. "Our new embedded
security capabilities, which are unmatched by any other x86 processor,
allow our customers to secure hidden storage of confidential information
and accelerate encryption within a flexible processor architecture
that can easily be extended to support new features and industry standards.
"We expect to achieve growth in the second half of 2003 as we
begin volume shipments of our Crusoe TM8000 processor, as Tablet PCs
become more mainstream, embedded products using our new Crusoe SE
processors begin to sell in volume and several of our Ultra-Personal
Computer customers worldwide begin to ship in volume. Our goal remains
to be profitable by the fourth quarter of this year," said Dr.
Perry.
To learn more about Transmeta visit www.transmeta.com.
Jan 22 - Ontario Securities Commission
Accuses ATI Officers of Insider Trading. ATI Technologies Inc.
(NASDAQ:ATYT)(TSX:ATY) today announced that Staff of the Ontario Securities
Commission has filed a Notice of Hearing and Statement of Allegations
in relation to ATI and others.
The Notice, a copy of which is attached, alleges that ATI failed to
disclose information concerning the shortfall in revenues and earnings
that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2000, as required by
the listing rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Notice also alleges
that ATI made a misleading statement to Staff of the Commission in
August 2000 regarding the events leading up to the disclosure on May
24, 2000 of the shortfall.
Seven individuals are also named in the Notice. The Notice alleges
that six of these individuals, including K.Y. Ho, the Chief Executive
Officer of ATI, engaged in insider trading contrary to the Securities
Act.
The Company takes these allegations seriously. As previously announced,
a Special Committee consisting of Paul Russo, who joined the board
in January 2002, is conducting an independent review of the matters
contained in Staff's allegations. Mr. Peter Dey of Osler, Hoskin &
Harcourt LLP is acting as a special advisor to the Committee. About
ATI Technologies
NOTICE OF HEARING
TAKE NOTICE THAT the Ontario Securities Commission will hold a hearing
pursuant to section 127 under the Securities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.S.5,
as amended, at its offices on the 17th floor, 20 Queen Street West,
Toronto, Ontario, commencing on the 14th day of February, 2003 at
9:30 a.m. or so soon thereafter as the hearing can be held: TO CONSIDER:
Whether in the opinion of the Commission it is in the public interest
to make:
a) an order pursuant to subsection 127(1) clause 3 of the Act that
the exemptions contained in Ontario securities law, particularly Rule
45-503, Part 3, Section 3.1, that exempts trades by a listed issuer
of its own issues to executives, not apply to ATI for such period
as is specified in the order;
b) an order pursuant to subsection 127(1) clause 4 that ATI submit
to a review of its practices and procedures and institute such changes
as may be ordered by the Commission;
c) an order pursuant to subsection 127(1) clause 6 that the Respondents
be reprimanded;
d) an order pursuant to subsection 127(1) clause 2 that trading in
securities by K.Y. Ho, Betty Ho, Jo-Anne Chang, David Stone, Mary
de la Torre, Alan Rae, or Sally Daub cease permanently or for such
period as specified in the order;
e) an order pursuant to subsection 127(1) clause 3 that any exemptions
contained in Ontario securities law not apply to K.Y. Ho, Betty Ho,
Jo-Anne Chang, David Stone, Mary de la Torre, Alan Rae, or Sally Daub
permanently or for such period as specified in the order;
f) an order pursuant to subsection 127(1) clause 7 that K.Y. Ho,
Betty Ho, Jo-Anne Chang, David Stone, Mary de la Torre, Alan Rae,
or Sally Daub resign one or more positions that they hold or may hold
as officer or directors of any issuers;
g) an order pursuant to subsection 127(1) clause 8 that K.Y. Ho,
Betty Ho, Jo-Anne Chang, David Stone, Mary de la Torre, Alan Rae,
or Sally Daub be prohibited from becoming or acting as a director
or officer of any issuer;
h) an order pursuant to subsection 127.1 of the Act that the Respondents
pay the costs of Staff's investigation and the costs of and related
to this proceeding incurred by or on behalf of the Commission; and
i) to make such other orders as the Commission deems appropriate.
AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE THAT in the event that the Commission determines
that any of the Respondents have not complied with the Ontario securities
law Staff will request the Commission to consider whether, in the
opinion of the Commission, application should be made to the Superior
Court of Justice for a declaration pursuant to subsection 128(1) of
the Act, that such persons or companies have not complied with Ontario
securities law and that, if such declaration be made, the Superior
Court of Justice make such further orders pursuant to subsection 128(3)
of the Act as it considers appropriate including an order requiring
a person disgorge to the Minister any amounts attained as a result
of the non-compliance with Ontario securities law.
AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE THAT any party to the proceeding may be represented
by counsel.
AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE THAT if any party to the proceedings fails
to attend, the hearing may proceed in the absence of the party and
the party is not entitled to any further notice of the proceeding.
Dated at Toronto this 16th day of January, 2003.
ATI can be found online at www.ati.com.
Jan 22 - eBay Inc. Announces Fourth
Quarter and Year End 2002 Financial Results. eBay Inc. (Nasdaq:EBAY)(www.ebay.com),
the world's online marketplace, reported financial results for its
fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2002.
eBay reported consolidated net revenues for Q4-02 totaling a record
$413.9 million. Consolidated net income for the quarter was a record
$87.0 million, or $0.28 per diluted share. eBay's pro forma consolidated
net income, excluding certain items, was a record $87.6 million, or
$0.28 per diluted share, exceeding the company's October 30, 2002
guidance for pro forma earnings per diluted share of $0.22 to $0.23.
During Q4-02, consolidated net transaction revenues increased 122%
year over year to a record $396.5 million, driven by 58% year-over-year
transaction revenue growth in the core eBay U.S. business, 173% year-over-year
transaction revenue growth internationally, and a $72.6 million transaction
revenue contribution from PayPal.
For the full year, eBay generated consolidated net revenues of $1.21
billion, a 62% increase over the $748.8 million reported in 2001.
Consolidated net income increased 176% year over year to $249.9 million,
or $0.85 per diluted share. On a pro forma basis, eBay reported consolidated
net income of $254.9 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, a 78% year-over-year
increase from the $0.49 reported in 2001.
"Our Q4 results capped our most successful year ever,"
said Meg Whitman, President and CEO of eBay. "Our success goes
hand in hand with the success of our vibrant community of users. The
strength of our community, the growth of e-commerce, and our commitment
to business excellence, all led to these great results."
Business Outlook
Net Revenues -- The company now expects that revenues for 2003 could
be as high as $1.9 billion, $70 million higher than the upper end
of the company's most recent guidance. This higher revenue outlook
derives from the strength of eBay's U.S., International and Payments
businesses. From a quarterly perspective, eBay believes that Q1-03
revenues could be about $440 million, Q2-03 $460 million, Q3-03 $480
million and Q4-03 $520 million.
More information about eBay can be found at www.ebay.com.
Jan 22 - VIA Launches Seventh Generation
'Nehemiah' CPU Core. VIA Technologies, Inc., a leading innovator
and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions,
today announced its new generation VIA C3 processor integrating the
'Nehemiah' core.
With its powerful PadLock™ Data Encryption Engine, this next
generation VIA C3 is the first native x86 processor on the market
with embedded security features that enhance the protection of sensitive
corporate and personal data.
Available now at a speed of 1GHz, the new processor core is based
on an advanced new CoolStream processor architecture that delivers
all the necessary performance for running even the most demanding
digital media applications while maintaining ultra low levels of power
consumption and heat dissipation.
"The launch of the seventh generation VIA C3 processor extends
our leadership in enabling the development of secure, quiet-running
small form factor system designs for a rapidly growing number of exciting
new lifestyle and productivity applications such as home digital media
entertainment and connected computing," commented Paul Hsu, Executive
Assistant to the President and Head of VIA's CPU Business Unit.
"Integration of embedded security features in the processor provides
the most robust and cost-effective solution for addressing the increased
demands among individuals, businesses, and government organizations
for enhanced authentication and protection of their data in today's
connected world."
PadLock™ Data Encryption Engine
The PadLock Data Encryption Engine has been integrated into the
new generation VIA C3 processor to ensure greater confidentiality,
integrity, and authenticity of electronic data either stored in the
computer or transmitted over a network or the Internet, and enables
a host of powerful new security applications, including heavy-duty
data encryption and safer online transactions.
At its heart is an advanced Random Number Generator (RNG) that uses
random electrical noise on the chip to securely produce random number
values, and features a direct application level interface through
a new x86 instruction. Developers can obtain random numbers directly
from the hardware without having to use separate software drivers,
thereby providing an inherently more secure and efficient solution
than combined hardware/software RNG architectures. The RNG includes
several operating modes, offering performance from 750K bits per second
to as high as 6 million bits per second.
CoolStream™ Architecture
Based on the advanced CoolStream architecture, the new generation
VIA C3 processor has a highly efficient design that, when coupled
with the VIA Apollo CLE266 chipset, delivers performance increases
of up to 20% over the current version of the VIA C3 processor in mainstream
productivity applications and up to 73% for 3D graphics applications,
while continuing to deliver the same benefits of low power and minimal
heat dissipation.
New performance features include support for clock speeds of 1GHz
and beyond, four new pipeline stages, SSE multimedia instructions,
StepAhead™ Advanced Branch Prediction, an efficiency enhanced
64KB Full-Speed Exclusive L2 cache with 16-way associativity, and
a full-speed FPU.
With a typical maximum design power of just over 10 watts at 1GHz,
the processor runs extremely cool and delivers very low levels of
energy consumption. This not only makes the processor ideal for a
wide variety of low profile, small form factor devices, but also enables
very low noise system design implementations that are necessary for
the emerging new generation of living room digital media entertainment
devices.
New Generation VIA C3™ Processor Pricing & Availability
The new generation VIA C3 processor is available now in a choice
of Socket 370 CPGA and Enhanced BGA packages, priced at $45 per unit
in OEM volumes.
For more information on the new VIA C3 processor, visit http://www.via.com.tw/en/viac3/c3.jsp.
Jan 22 - Filing Taxes Online Now Free
for at Least 60 Percent of Americans. The federal government and
software manufacturers announced a new program that will allow millions
of Americans to electronically file their taxes for free.
Free File will allow at least 60 percent of Americans to prepare
and file their federal taxes electronically for free.
Most taxpayers find IRS e-file faster, simpler and more convenient
then mailing in forms. Since the system automatically scans the returns
as they come in, the e-file error rate for individual taxpayers is
less than one percent. With IRS e-file, taxpayers can receive their
refunds in about half the time as traditional filers, and in as few
as 10 days if they use direct deposit. Those who owe money can pay
electronically with an electric transfer from their bank account or
a credit card.
The IRS expects that more than 50 million taxpayers will file electronically
this year. For more information and eligibility criteria for Free
File, go to www.irs.gov.
Jan 21 - Intel Reports
Fourth-Quarter and Annual Results. Intel Corporation today announced
fourth-quarter revenue of $7.2 billion, up 10 percent sequentially
and up 3 percent year-over-year.
Fourth-quarter net income was $1.0 billion, up 53 percent
sequentially and up 108 percent year-over-year. Earnings per share
were $0.16, up 60 percent sequentially and up 129 percent from $0.07
in the fourth quarter of 2001.
"2002 ended with a strong quarter," said Craig
R. Barrett, Intel chief executive officer. "By successfully executing
our strategies, it appears we have increased our market segment share
in microprocessors, chipsets, graphics, motherboards, flash, PDA microprocessors
and LAN-on-motherboard gigabit Ethernet connections.
"In 2003, we will continue to deploy advanced technology, further
our silicon leadership, deliver industry-leading products, and improve
our competitiveness and cost structure so we can continue to outperform
now and when the economic picture improves."
FOURTH-QUARTER REVIEW AND RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Product Shipment Trends (Sequential)
-- Intel Architecture microprocessor unit shipments set a record.
-- Chipset unit shipments were higher.
-- Motherboard unit shipments set a record.
-- Flash memory unit shipments were higher.
-- Ethernet connectivity product unit shipments were higher.
Intel Architecture Business
Intel increased its desktop performance leadership with the introduction
of the Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor at 3.06 GHz with Hyper-Threading
(HT) Technology. HT Technology allows a variety of multithreaded operating
systems and application software to run as though the PC has two processors,
boosting performance by as much as 25 percent. The company also extended
its leadership in the value segment during the quarter with the introduction
of Intel(R) Celeron(R) processors at 2.2 GHz and 2.1 GHz.
In mobile, Intel began revenue shipments of its next-generation mobile
processor, previously known as Banias. The company announced the Intel(R)
Centrino(TM) brand name, which signifies the company's best technology
for notebook computers. Intel Centrino mobile technology is comprised
of the next-generation processor along with integrated wireless networking
capability, chipsets and features that enable extended battery life,
thinner and lighter notebook designs, and outstanding mobile performance.
The Intel Centrino mobile technology components are being designed,
optimized and validated by Intel to maximize the wireless mobile computing
user experience, and are scheduled to be introduced in March.
For the enterprise, Intel introduced 20 Intel(R) Xeon(TM) family-related
products, including seven processors at speeds up to 2.8 GHz along
with new chipsets, server boards, server chassis and RAID controllers.
Software momentum for the Intel(R) Itanium(R) 2 processor continued
to build as Oracle and SAS delivered production versions of their
enterprise applications.
The Itanium 2 processor set additional performance records, achieving
the world's highest 4-way results in database, SAP application, and
secure Web server benchmarks(2). According to the latest TOP500 supercomputer
ranking, 56 of the world's most powerful supercomputing environments
are based on Intel processors, as compared to only three systems in
the 1999 ranking.
Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com.
Jan 21 - Fujifilm Releases Results on
Consumer Digital Camera Printing Preferences. Fuji Photo Film
U.S.A., Inc., today announced its Year-Two study results on consumer
digital camera printing preferences, indicating the tremendous potential
for digital camera developing at retail.
The study, conducted by InfoTrends Research Group for Fujifilm in
September of 2002, tracked printing, storage and kiosk usage and preferences
of digital camera owners as well as those planning to purchase a digital
camera within a year, and compares these 2002 findings with those
of August 2001.
Digital camera usage continues to grow rapidly among "wired"
households - jumping from 23 percent in August 2001 to 31 percent
in September 2002. Projections show that by the end of 2003, 47 percent
of Internet households could own a digital camera. As sales of digital
cameras rise, significant demographic shifts are taking place. For
example, 71 percent of qualified participants were women - up 20 percent
from last year. As well, participants were increasingly younger and
less affluent than in the August 2001 study.
The study also found that there is greater recognition of the benefits
of digital camera developing at retail and a continued interest by
digital camera owners and would-be owners to use kiosks as a means
to get prints from their digital camera.
More consumers than ever before are open to printing at retail and,
in fact, would prefer to do so. An increasing number of digital camera
users are visiting their local retailer to get prints. However, the
majority of digital camera owners - 61 percent - do not know if their
local film processing location offers digital camera developing services.
"These figures clearly demonstrate that the face of the digital
camera user is changing - and it increasingly resembles the mainstream
imaging consumer," said Joe Welch, Director of Marketing, Retail
Digital Systems, Commercial Imaging Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A.,
Inc.
"We know that the mainstream imaging consumer is accustomed to
the ease, convenience and affordability of film developing at retail.
The challenge for retailers and manufacturers is to make digital camera
developing just as easy, convenient and affordable as traditional
retail film developing - and to drive this message home to the consumer."
Fujifilm has embarked on an aggressive, nationwide initiative to
educate consumers on the availability and benefits of printing at
retail. Fujifilm's Digital Camera Developing marketing initiative
includes advertising support, coupon inserts in newspapers nationwide,
Point-of-Sale and Promotional Packages for retailers and a dealer
locator Web site (www.digitalcameradeveloping.com),
which matches consumers to retail locations nearest them.
For more information on Fujifilm products, access the Fujifilm USA
Web site at www.fujifilm.com.
Jan 21 - ATI and There, Inc. Team Up.
ATI Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ATYT) (TSX:ATY), a world leader in the
design and manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and There, Inc. an
entertainment and communications software company that is creating
a new category of online interaction, today announced their strategic
marketing and development agreement.
The agreement will pair There's innovative online destination with
ATI's industry leading graphics products for the ultimate in online
3D communication.
The announced agreement will include cross-promotions between the
two companies including bundling of the There software in ATI products
and the integration and distribution of ATI graphics products in the
development and promotion of the There environment.
There, launched on January 8th at the Consumer Electronics Show,
is an immersive 3D world that gives people an online destination where
they can hang out with their friends, express themselves via personalized
avatars, and explore and shape the world around them. Leveraging the
popularity of online socializing and the growth of online games, There
represents a new category of online interaction and communication.
ATI is at the forefront of the 3D graphics industry, designing and
manufacturing leading edge graphics solutions and quickly making them
available to all segments of the market. ATI partners with innovative
and groundbreaking companies like There to revolutionize the visual
computing experience. With 3D graphics capabilities available in even
the most value-priced computers, the 3D world is opened up to the
mass market.
"Facilitating interactions between people is the Internet's
killer application, and for the first time There will make online
socializing a truly engaging and 3-dimensional experience," said
Tom Melcher, CEO of There, Inc. "There is not just a new way
to communicate - it's an online place, with real-world physics, natural
scenery and sounds, and the ability to interact freely with people
and objects. All of this is now possible because of 3D graphics technologies
- like the RADEON products from ATI."
"It won't be long until the entire computing experience will
be 3-dimensional. This is an impressive and innovative first step
in that direction," said Dave Orton, President and COO, ATI Technologies.
"There delivers an environment that is fun and immersive. ATI
delivers the graphics technology and power required to fully enjoy
the experience."
There's free public beta test is available at www.there.com.
For more information on ATI's products and product partners, please
visit www.ati.com.
Jan 21 - Symantec Reports 29 Percent
Revenue Growth in Fiscal Third Quarter. Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq:SYMC),
the world leader in Internet security, today reported results for
the fiscal third quarter 2003, ended Dec. 31, 2002.
Symantec posted revenue for the quarter of $376 million, a 29 percent
increase compared to $290 million for the same quarter last year.
Performance was driven by double-digit growth in all regions around
the world and continued strength in the company's consumer and enterprise
security offerings.
"We continue to see traction across the breadth of our enterprise
security solutions with double-digit growth in antivirus, firewall/VPN
and vulnerability management sales and more than 200 percent growth
in our services business," said John W. Thompson, Symantec chairman
and CEO. "In addition, our consumer business continues to overachieve,
and for the first time in the history of the company, international
revenues surpassed domestic revenue."
International revenues grew 39 percent over the same quarter last
year and represented 50.4 percent of total revenue in the third quarter.
Latin America led regional sales performance with a revenue growth
of 51 percent year-over-year followed by 46 percent growth in Europe,
Middle East and Africa, 31 percent growth in Japan, 28 percent growth
in Asia Pacific, 21 percent growth in the United States and 16 percent
growth in Canada.
For more information, please visit www.symantec.com.
Jan 21 - Road Runner is Broadband Market
Share Leader. New research data on consumers' use of broadband
Internet service indicate that Road Runner is the Internet Service
Provider (ISP) used by the greatest number of broadband customers.
AOL is the overall share leader among ISPs (when all connection types
and speeds are included), but it accounts for a smaller percentage
of broadband customers than does Road Runner. These findings come
from a July 2002 consumer telecommunications study by Solomon-Wolff
Associates.
"For the past three research periods, Road Runner has been the
largest provider of high speed broadband services, as reported by
consumers," said S. Joey Wolff, partner, Solomon-Wolff Associates.
"Our results show that Road Runner accounts for 15 percent of
all households using broadband."
Broadband services now account for more than one out of three Internet
households, and this has been increasing consistently during the past
four years, according to Solomon-Wolff Associates. In the past year
alone, use of broadband increased by 43 percent.
"We project that broadband will account for half of all household
Internet connections by the end of 2003," said Wolff. "This
is one of the only areas in consumer communications which is still
showing major growth."
This data is developed from the bi-annual communications survey conducted
through the Solomon-Wolff consumer survey Web site, www.consumerviews.com
in July 2002. A random sample of 6,800 participants from Solomon-Wolff's
online database of more than 250,000 Internet users completed a detailed
questionnaire.
Jan 21 - EA Ships SimCity 4. Electronic
Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) today announced the release of the long-awaited
4th generation of the PC game SimCity(TM), SimCity(TM) 4. Featuring
new simulation and graphics engines, new regional game play and the
new ability to track the lives of individual Sims as they go about
their daily routine, SimCity 4 is the most realistic, powerful and
personal SimCity experience ever.
"In SimCity 4 a city comes to life like never before,"
said Lucy Bradshaw, Executive in Charge of Production at Maxis(TM),
developers of the #1 selling PC game of all time, The Sims(TM). "This
is the most responsive, personal and satisfying SimCity yet."
Right from the start, players experience new God-like powers of creation
as they lay the groundwork for their cities by molding mountains,
carving valleys, seeding forests and laying rivers. With these new
landscape creation features, players can now construct the most realistic
metropolis imaginable.
Unlike earlier games in the series, SimCity 4 cities do not live
in isolation from the world, they are part of an entire region. Each
city a player creates becomes part of an ever-growing tapestry of
municipalities that, once connected by transportation networks, share
and compete for resources. Depending upon the choices made by a player,
this multi-city game play can result in a variety of outcomes within
that region.
For the first time ever, players can follow a Sim as they go about
their life in the city. Players can personalize their Sim and immediately
move him or her into any area and watch them experience life in the
city, first hand. Is he or she enjoying a happy existence in an urban
utopia or enduring a futile fight for survival in the inner-city?
A player's Sim provides valuable clues to improving the city.
SimCity 4 carries an ESRB rating of "E" for everyone.
It is available in stores now for a suggested retail price of US $49.99
or by direct order from the EA Store(SM) at www.ea.com.
For more information on SimCity 4, please visit www.simcity.com.
Jan 20 - Intel Enhances Performance
of Mobile Computing Processors. Intel Corporation today delivered
six new mobile processors, including its highest-performing mobile
processor to date, the Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor-M at
2.4 GHz. Additionally, Intel announced an integrated graphics chipset
for the mobile PC processor family: the Intel(R) 852GM.
Systems based on the new mobile processors are available from leading
computer makers worldwide.
High-Performance Integrated Graphics
Intel introduced the Intel 852GM integrated graphics mobile chipset,
which brings advanced levels of performance and flexibility to PC
users. When combined with either the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor
or the mobile Intel(R) Celeron(R) Processor, the chipset delivers
the advantages of Double Data-Rate (DDR) 266/200 memory capability
and a 400 MHz system bus.
The chipset includes six integrated, Hi-Speed Universal Serial Bus
(USB) 2.0 ports, which offer 40 times more bandwidth than USB 1.1.
PCs equipped with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 capabilities allow users to quickly
and easily add peripherals to PCs.
The Intel 852GM chipset supports advanced mobile power management
features that help extend battery life, including Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R)
technology, Intel's Deep Sleep and Deeper Sleep.
Benefits of Intel's Mobile Processors
Intel provides a complete family of mobile processors that offers
the right combination of high performance and low power consumption
to meet the requirements of every notebook market segment. Intel's
family of mobile PC processors gives consumers more choice by enabling
PC makers to design notebooks of every shape and size.
The Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor-M family of mobile processors
delivers great performance for full-size, thin-and-light and desktop-replacement
notebooks. Notebooks powered by these processors allow users to take
advantage of processor-intensive applications such as business multi-tasking,
collaborative workgroups, video encoding, digital media and gaming.
The Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) III Processor-M enables PC makers
to design sleek form factors with good performance and great battery
life. Intel also offers the Low Voltage and Ultra Low Voltage Mobile
Intel Pentium III Processor-M, which are optimized for mini, sub-notebooks
and Tablet PCs -- the smallest systems providing extreme mobility.
The Mobile Intel Pentium III Processors are ideal for the Tablet PC
market segment, as they provide the best balance of performance and
low power.
New Processors
The new processors include:
Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor-M at 2.40 GHz
Ultra Low Voltage Mobile Pentium III Processor-M at 933 MHz
Ultra Low Voltage Mobile Pentium III Processor-M at 900 MHz
Mobile Intel Celeron at 2 GHz
Low Voltage Mobile Intel Celeron at 866 MHz
Low Voltage Mobile Intel Celeron at 800 MHz.
Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com.
Jan 20 - Dell Debuts Point-of-Sale Offering
for Retail Industry. Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) today formally introduced
a standards-based Point-of-Sale (POS) offering, enabling medium to
large retailers to more economically manage their businesses.
A
provider of technology and services to 19 of the top 20 U.S. retailers,
Dell also announced today that it has successfully installed and upgraded
the POS hardware, software and peripherals of more than 1,100 systems
in 588 stores nationwide for The Wet Seal, Inc. (Nasdaq:WTSLA), a
specialty retailer of fashionable and contemporary apparel and accessory
items.
Dell's retail program matches industry-leading Dell(TM) desktops,
servers, storage and networking products and services with leading
peripherals appropriate for each customer. A typical Dell POS configuration
includes a Dell Optiplex(TM) desktop, a flat panel or CRT display
with standard or touch screen, keyboard with programmable keys, barcode
scanner, thermal receipt printer and cash drawer. Pricing for a Dell
POS configuration starts at $1,794.
Dell has developed alliances with independent software vendors Retek,
AutoGas, GERS and MSS Global to provide software that, when powered
by Dell's infrastructure technologies, automates store operations
including customer sales transactions, inventory management, payments,
accounting, customer data and corporate communications. This streamlined
approach, from the point-of-sale register to the back office to the
data center, enables retailers to more effectively manage store operations.
"Dell worked with us to identify the best register and peripherals
for our needs and pricing qualifications, and together we achieved
a nearly flawless success rate on first time installations,"
said Ron Hunt, operations manager, management information systems,
The Wet Seal, Inc. "This was particularly important to Wet Seal
as each system had to be up and running when the store opened the
following day."
A leader in entering mature, technology-driven markets with open
standards to drive costs down and efficiencies up, Dell's retail systems
provide an alternative to proprietary technology, which typically
costs more to acquire and support, and limits operational flexibility.
With standards-based equipment, retailers can efficiently implement
and integrate POS, networking, server and storage systems throughout
all aspects of their business at low costs.
"We're following our retail customers' requests to bring their
stores the same high performance and low cost of ownership we've already
brought to their corporate office and datacenters," said Joe
Marengi, senior vice president, Dell Americas. "Dell's POS offering
is an illustration of how Dell's direct model, which provides customers
with customized products and services, works well in retail, a market
that requires a seamless integration of technology, software and services
across multiple locations."
For more information about Dell's retail business, visit www.dell.com/retail.
Jan 20 - Transmeta Announces Security
Features for x86 Microprocessors. Transmeta Corporation (Nasdaq:TMTA)
today announced that it has received first silicon for a Crusoe(R)
TM5800 processor with new, proprietary technologies that enable the
company's current and future microprocessors to increase security
for wireless computing, protect sensitive data, deter intellectual
property theft and deliver tamper-resistant, x86 storage environments.
As the demand for transmitting and storing digital data continues
to increase, so does the need to secure these operations, especially
when managing confidential information ranging from personal passwords
and financial records to proprietary business data and national security
secrets.
"Today's corporate and government information technology managers
are concerned about data security in computer systems and across networks,"
said Tim Bajarin, president, Creative Strategies. "By addressing
security at the chip level, Transmeta is taking an important leadership
role on this critical issue facing the marketplace and the computer
industry."
Transmeta's Crusoe processors and accompanying Code Morphing(TM)
software, with the support of third-party technologies, provide robust
security features to address emerging requirements for securing sensitive
data and intellectual property. Embedding these features in the main
processor provides increased security over existing multi-chip solutions.
"As computer users worldwide become more mobile and communicate
via wireless technologies, the threat of information theft becomes
a major concern to consumers, businesses and governments," said
Dr. Matthew R. Perry, president and CEO, Transmeta Corporation. "Transmeta
has met this challenge by leveraging the company's unique software
and hardware processor design to enable embedded security capabilities
unmatched by any other x86 processor."
Transmeta's new security technologies are planned for customer availability
in the second half of 2003. These technologies include secure hidden
storage of confidential information, encryption acceleration and a
flexible processor architecture that can easily be extended to support
new features and industry standards, such as the Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES).
To learn more about Transmeta visit www.transmeta.com.
Jan 20 - Socket Announces Bluetooth GPS
Navigation Kit for Pocket PCs. Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCKT)(PSE:SOK),
the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, today announced the availability
of its Bluetooth GPS Navigation Kit featuring Socket's MyNavigator(TM)
complete in-car navigation software for Pocket PCs, as well as the
Socket Bluetooth GPS Receiver (announced November 18, 2002).
With the latest map information and a highly intuitive user interface,
drivers can plan their trips quickly and be on the road safely without
having to read a handheld map or cryptic instructions. Large graphics
and clear voice prompts ensure drivers can stay focused on their driving.
The software provides turn-by-turn instructions and map support for
the U.S. and U.K. European maps will be added in the near future.
"By combining Mobility Friendly(TM) software with the smallest
GPS receiver available for Pocket PCs, our Bluetooth GPS Navigation
Kit lets people make a single purchase that enables them to quickly
and easily get where they want to go without having to deal with cumbersome
cables," said John Doub, director of External Bluetooth Products
for Socket. "Built with the mobile user in mind, MyNavigator
has the most intuitive user interface on the market and includes an
array of helpful features including missed-turn correction, on-the-fly
route modifications, almanac functionality, and speed alerts settings,
enabling drivers to focus on their driving and not on where the next
turn will be."
"GPS assisted PocketPC road navigation is a fast-evolving area.
It's very exciting to see a solution where a lot of thought was put
into optimizing the user experience by offering extended features
while maintaining excellent usability," said Guillaume Perrotin,
founder of GpsPasSion.com, an online site dedicated to GPS on the
Pocket PC. "The Bluetooth GPS Navigation Kit is a very compelling
solution thanks to its entirely wireless concept and feature - and
usability-rich software."
Pricing and Availability
Socket's Bluetooth GPS Navigation Kit will be available February
10, 2003 through Socket's website (www.socketcom.com)
and through Socket's worldwide distribution channels for a suggested
retail price of U.S. $529.
Jan 20 - Rising Consumer Income,
Low Interest Rates Propel 2003 Economy. After a year of constant
economic ups and downs, the National Retail Federation (NRF) released
its forecast today, predicting that 2003 GAFS sales (general merchandise
stores, apparel stores, furniture and home furnishings stores, electronics
and appliances stores, and sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores)
are estimated to increase 5.6 percent from last year.
According to its Retail Sales Outlook Report, NRF cites gains in
consumer income and low interest rates as major contributors to growth
in 2003.
"The economy has been going through a 'soft spot' in activity
which will give way to accelerated growth this year," said NRF
Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. "2003 will not be a year of exceptional
strength, but rather of solid advance. GAFS sales trends will parallel
overall economic activity and improve during the year."
Wells said that this year's economy will be characterized by both
strengths and weaknesses. However, she said, "we see more positives
emerging than negatives." Wells said that one particular strength
is that consumers' income is rising. "By any measure of consumer
income, people have money to spend," she said. Increased productivity
and low interest rates are also positive factors in 2003.
Concerns in the outlook include weak labor markets and "geopolitical
risks." Though higher productivity is considered a strength,
companies have been hesitant to hire additional workers because they
are able to raise their output with the same amount or fewer staff
than before. Wells said that "geopolitical risks"--or, the
uncertainty which surrounds the Iraq conflict and terrorism--is the
largest obstacle to accelerated economic growth.
Although 2003 economic growth is expected to increase more than 2002,
retailers will continue to face the same challenges. "Until the
economy gets through this 'soft spot,' retailers will need to use
their ingenuity to attract shoppers to their stores," she said.
"Consumers will still feel compelled to seek out the best deal
for their money."
GAFS sales rose an estimated 5.4 percent in 2002. For more information
on NRF, visit www.nrf.com.
Jan 19 - Sunday Shopping
Watch.
Best Sunday Deals - See our Best
Sunday Ad Deals Table below for specific system prices.
Weekly Comparison. It's a very good week
to go out and buy a computer. CompUSA has some very good computer
prices and they are offering 18 month no payment, no interest, financing
which is a very good deal.
Laptops - Laptop prices are much lower this week.
Desktops - Desktop prices are lower this week.
This Sunday's Special Discounts and Financing.
In addition to sales on specific items, the following store-wide sales
are advertised this week. (Note that these
ads are for the Dayton, Ohio area. Prices or offerings may be different
where you live.)
Best Buy is offering 6 months of free MSN with any computer purchase.
They also have 12 month no-interest financing on all laptops. In addition
they are giving mail-in rebates of $100 on all desktop packages and
laptops.
Circuit City is offering
$100 gift cards with all AMD processor desktop packages and with all
laptop purchases. They also have 12 month no-interest financing on
all laptops.
Office
Depot
has 6 months no payment, no interest financing for new computer purchases
over $298.
CompUSA has 18 month no payment,
no interest financing for any purchases over $198. They are also offering
3 free months of AOL with any computer purchase. In addition they
have $100 instant savings on all AMD Athlon XP desktop packages and
on Pentium 4 processor notebooks. They are also offering an additional
$150 off all Toshiba notebooks.
Staples has no ad this Sunday.
Compare
to Online Prices - Compare the Sunday ad prices to
those being offered at DealTime, it searches over 160 online computer
stores.
InfoHQ Related Shopping Pages
Shopping Alerts
- Our latest shopping advisories on buying digital cameras and camcorders,
desktop computers, and laptops.
Windows XP
Upgrade Guide - All about upgrading to Windows XP.
What You Need to Know
About Dial-up Internet Service Rebates - The pros and cons of
'free' Internet service deals.
Definitions. A complete desktop system/package/complete
package is defined as a computer with monitor and printer
or scanner.
A build-to-order system is customized at the retailer
and then ordered from a computer manufacturer. In addition to the
computer's stated price, you still pay sales tax and shipping charges
(if you order direct from the vendor without going through the chain
store, you may not have to pay sales tax and you could get a better
warranty).
Caution about advertised prices.
When reading advertisements, read the fine print of the ad to make
sure you know what is being advertised and what it cost. For example,
many advertisers will show a complete system with computer, monitor,
and printer but advertise a price for the computer only.
* Prices discussed in this article. We report
prices after rebates and discounts are subtracted.
Items highlighted in Black are good deals.
Items highlighted in Red means prices have
gone up and the system is not a good buy this week.
Items in normal text means prices are about the same as the previous
weeks.
|
Best Sunday Ad Deals
|
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Category
|
Product Description
|
Price* (see above)
|
Prices up or Down this Week
|
Store
|
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Best Celeron Deal
|
HP 2.2 GHz complete system
|
$699
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