Intel reveals 32nm Westmere processor roadmap

Intel has announced an update to its 32nm next-generation processor plans,revealing that it is accelerating the process shrink by skipping some CPUs that were going to arrive later this yearand said it will spend $7 billion to build “advanced manufacturing facilities” in the United Statesover the next couple of years.Specifically, the company scrapped plans for 45nm dual-core Nehalem variants for desktopsand notebooks to increase production of 32nm desktop and notebook chips.


The first Intel processors to be built using 32nm technology are codenamed Westmereand will be a die-shrink of the current Nehalem architecture,but the smaller process technology will also free up room on the package to integrate a 45nm graphics and memory controller on a separate die.The initial chips will target mainstream mobile and desktop systems,and were demonstrated by Intel at an event in San Francisco today.
The chipmaker also said that its 32nm process will be split into two versions,one optimized for mainstream chips and one for system-on-a-chip ( SoC ) processors aimed at netbooks and other mobile devices.All of this, however, will be preceded by 45nm quad-core Nehalem parts codenamed Lynnfieldand Clarksfield that target mainstream desktop and laptops respectively.

Samsung kicks out new touchscreen LCDs for your public smudging

See that. No, not that, that, the new touchscreen from Samsung. It's part of its new TS series of Magicinfo LCDs targeting businesses and digital advertising markets. The LCD panels measure 32-, 40-, 46-, 70-, and 82-inches and can be linked together to form a massive touch experience. Just don't forget your hand sanitizer and bus glove, Mr. Pantywaist.

iriver's E100 reaches Season 2 on the Who Cares channel

Really? Was it just the choice of color holding you back from purchasing iriver's respectable, monument to plastic? If so, you're in luck, the E100 just reached "Season 2" which includes a re-run of all the same specs (up to 8GB storage, 2.4-inch display, audio/video playback) dipped in a few new color combinations. Better, yes, but it's still just the E100. We'll wait and see if they blow-out CES again like they did in January 2008 -- that's something worth caring about.

OCZ expands Fatal1ty line with new PSUs

Coming to expand its range of gaming-oriented Fatal1ty products, OCZ Technology has officially announced three new power supply units designed to be part of the series, available in 400W non-modular, 550W modular and 700W +12V single-rail configurations.

All three feature a bright-red 120mm LED fan to add some of that extra gaming appeal and are 80 Plus certified for 80 percent or better efficiency at 20, 50 and 100 percent loads – SLI certification is limited to 550W and 700W models. The entire line of Fatal1ty power supplies will be available in December, but the price still remains a mystery.

Toshiba unveils 16GB microSDHC card of its own

SanDisk was first out of the gate with a 16GB microSDHC card, but Toshiba's just two months behind with the announcement of its iteration. Slated for mass production in January of 2009, the capacious SD-C16G should provide plenty of room for your EMF albums and that Rage Against the Machine discography. In related news, Tosh also introduced the soon-to-come SD-F16G and SD-F08G, 16GB / 8GB Class 6 SDHC cards that should handle even the quickest of cameras when they launch over the next few months. No prices to chew on just yet, but we'd wager they'll be competitive.

Creative's $200 Vado HD pocket camcorder ready for pre-order

We've seen these Amazon "leaks" time and again. So while the December 7th date for the Vado HD might be an educated guess, the details including that $200 price tag certainly look real enough. The display still measures 2-inches, but the beefier 3.3 x 7.9 x 6.3-inch solid state camcorder now brings 8GB of storage for up to 2 hours of 720p MPEG-4 recordings -- 8 hours at VGA quality. It also ships with an HDMI cable for instant playback to your like-equipped television. Otherwise, slot the cam into your PC's (XP and Vista, only) USB port to instantly share your works to YouTube and others with the help of the cam's built-in Vado Central Software. With this, the Kodak Zi6, and Flip Mino HD, there certainly won't be any shortage of pocket HD cameras of suspect-tweener quality to choose from this holiday season.

iPhone 3G and firmware 2.0 - one week later

We know it's been a whirlwind week of either: a) patiently sitting outside your local Apple store, b) losing touch with family, friends, and significant others while buried knee-deep in your new phone / firmware, or c) desperately trying to ignore the iPhone. But it's time to come up for air and take stock. We're all aware that things didn't go quite as planned with Apple's trifecta (iPhone 3G, firmware 2.0, MobileMe) launch last week, and we're just starting to see the fallout from last Friday's debacle.
The most prevalent complaint we've been hearing from users concerns ongoing issues with the phone's new firmware, which has delivered on a lot of its promises, yet is also exhibiting frustrating bugs that make us think this one needed a little more time in the oven. In particular, we've experienced -- and have been assailed with reports about -- painful lag times when typing, as well as choppy, clunky behavior while scrolling through or searching contacts, calls which can't be answered, and even outright crashes while receiving a call. Some owners have encountered repeated forced quits while trying to use the App Store, while a group of our editors vented about an SMS issue which not only grinds the phone's performance to a halt, but makes the keyboard inaccessible altogether.
When you toss in problems other users are having with email, MobileMe syncing, and assorted minor kinks (trouble rotating Safari anyone?), it seems obvious that there's cruft beneath this firmware creating hiccups in usability. Coupled with 3G reception concerns, the company's continuing struggle to get MobileMe working as advertised, and rumors that 2.0.1 is already in the works, you get the impression that everyone is looking for a little relief here... Apple and its customers alike.