Opinion: Can AMD reinvent the microprocessor?

Groundbreaking developments in the microprocessor space typically come along once a decade. Think about the Gigahertz race in the late 90s and the multi-core trend started last year. AMD is now convinced that multi-core may be a short-lived era and shifts towards what it calls "APUs." But: is it really a breakaway from multi-core and can AMD establish a new type of CPU all by itself?

Lightscribe CD disc labeling now available in five colors

Hewlett-Packard today announced the availability of color Lightscribe CDs, which join the plain grey etching on a gold background. The labeling is still a monochromatic process, but can now be applied to discs with red, orange, yellow, blue and green backgrounds.

Hynix introduces 60nm made DDR2 800 MHz modules

Hynix Semiconductor today introduced a family of components and high capacity modules based on its 60 nm-made 1 Gbit DDR2 DRAM chips.

XFX releases 630 MHz, triple-x Geforce 8800 graphics card

Graphics card vendor XFX today announced its first two overclocked add-in cards.

Microsoft updates Vista in latest piracy crackdown

Microsoft released an update to Windows Vista that will shut down unauthorized versions of the OS that allow users to skip the product's activation system.

Adobe to roll out Photoshop CS3 beta

Adobe has announced that it will be releasing a beta version of their upcoming Photoshop CS3 tomorrow. The program will be available for both Mac and Windows computers and should be available in the morning on the Adobe Labs website.

Toshiba, Sony, NEC develop 45 nm production platform

San Francisco (CA) - Toshiba, Sony and NEC announced that the companies have completed the development of a mass-production platform for 45 nm LSI devices.

Dell and Intel rebound in workstation market, says Jon Peddie Research

Despite their dominance, workstation industry leaders Dell and Intel were in a tailspin 12 months ago, both steadily losing ground to their respective rivals Hewlett Packard (HP) and AMD, according to Jon Peddie Research (JPR).

AMD releases Catalyst 6.12 graphics chip driver

AMD's graphics division (formerly ATI) today released what will most likely be the last graphics driver update for this year. Catalyst 6.12 brings DirectX video acceleration for Crossfire configurations as it main update.

Quad-core Xeon E5335 makes early debut

Media reports are in that Intel is ready to release a new quad-core processor, marking yet another new product for Intel this year. The Xeon E5335, which was originally scheduled for a February 2007 release, takes its position as the fifth quad-core processor since Intel first released the Kentsfield/Clovertown cores earlier this autumn.

Microsoft sets up common robotics development platform

While all eyes are on Microsoft for the upcoming Vista and Office 07 product launches, the software giant today made another announcement aimed at a completely new audience - robotics engineers. Microsoft Robotics Studios was released yesterday, which gives developers a universal platform for robotic programming.

Samsung OneDRAM: High-end memory hits cellphones

Samsung today announced a new high-performance memory that promises to boost the performance of high-end smartphones.

Dell expands recycling worldwide

Dell has expanded its recycling efforts worldwide and now offers free recycling of its products in Asia, Brazil, and Mexico. Customers will be able to either recycle or donate old computers to support local non-profit organizations. According to Dell, it is the first computer make to have such a far-reaching program.

Google open sources Web Toolkit

Google is open sourcing the same software that helped to produce popular sites like Google Maps and Gmail. The company has released the Google Web Toolkit under the Apache 2.0 open source license. Independent developers can now use the toolkit to make and debug their own Java applications.

AMD and IBM promise more performance for 45 nm processors

AMD and IBM presented first details of its 45 nm production process at the International Electron Device Meeting (IEDM) today. While practical data for the consumer remains scarce, the two companies indicated that their production approach will bring performance improvements of about 15%.

AMD adds new flagship Athlon 64 X2 processors 5400+, 5600+

Sunnyvale (CA) - AMD today launched new dual-core mainstream processors in order to regain at least some of its competitiveness in the segment of higher-end mainstream processors. The new 5400+ and 5600+ bring an increase of clock speed and are squarely aimed at Intel's Core 2 Duo E6600 and E6700 processors. See the AMD AM2 processor slide show here...

Epson develops next-generation HTPS panel for LCD projection TVs

Seiko Epson has announced a new high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) LCD panel that will boost the performance of 3LCD front projectors and large-screen LCD projection TVs.

Broadcom announces single-chip, 65nm 1080p digital TV solution

Broadcom has announced what it claims to be the industry's first high-definition (HD) digital TV silicon solution designed on 65nm node that supports full 1080p display resolution.

Novell announces OpenSuse 10.2

Novell rolled out a new version of its Open Suse Linux distribution.

Art Lebedev scraps $1200 b/w Optimus keyboard

Chicago (IL) - Russian design studio had some bad - or good, depending on your perspective - news over the weekend. The Optimus LED keyboard, which was announced to be made available for pre-order in a limited edition for $1200 a piece later this year - has been canceled. The good news here is that design studio perhaps figured out that $1200 for a b/w LED keyboard that was originally promised to come with color LED keys to cost as much as a good cellphone did not make much sense.