AMD announced the availability of its next-generation notebook platform, delivering the ultimate HD visual performance and increased energy efficiency on the go. The platform features new AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processors with ATI Radeon HD 3000 Series Graphics, as well as industry-leading wireless for greater throughput and range. This next-generation AMD notebook platform also serves as the foundation for new AMD Business Class, AMD GAME! and AMD LIVE! notebook solutions.

AMD's new ATI Mobility Radeon 3800 Series 

As a part of the new platform, AMD today also announced a new notebook processor and chipset, which together deliver the ultimate in HD visual performance on the go. The AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile processor includes top enhancements including AMD Independent Dynamic Core Technology, a new mobile-optimized memory controller, and power-optimized HyperTransport 3.0. The new mobile AMD 7-series chipset, AMD M780G and AMD SB700, features integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics and delivers support for Microsoft DirectX 10. The integrated graphics deliver up to three times the 3D graphics performance of comparable competitor graphics and offer ATI Avivo HD Technology for smooth video playback in hi-def format.

Complementing the video capabilities to deliver a rich visual experience, the platform also offers the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3000 series discrete graphics, including the previously announced ATI Mobility Radeon 3400 and 3600 Series, and the new ATI Mobility Radeon 3800 Series, also introduced today. The 3800 Series delivers the highest levels of graphics performance in the ATI Mobility Radeon HD family, with support for PCI Express 2.0, the only graphics processor with DirectX 10.1, integrated digital output support for HDMI, DVI and Display Port, and multi-monitor functionality with native support for up to 4 monitors for mainstream notebooks. When using notebooks with both integrated and discrete graphics, users can also benefit from ATI CrossFireX Technology, a feature of ATI Hybrid Graphics Technology designed to boost graphics performance up to 70 percent by running the integrated and discrete graphics together. 

Read on for more. 

Intel Corporation executive Sean Maloney said more powerful microprocessors and high-speed WiMAX wireless networks will usher in a new era of the full Internet on mobile devices. During the opening keynote speech at one of the world’s largest technology trade shows, Maloney also unveiled new chipsets that make high-definition (HD) images on a desktop computer’s screen look more realistic. He also announced the availability of new versions of Intel Atom processors for an emerging class of compact, easy-to-use devices called netbooks and nettops that will bring the Internet to new users.

“The convergence of mobile computers, WiMAX wireless broadband, and powerful, HD-rich computer technologies point to a tremendous growth opportunity,” said Maloney, Intel Corporation executive vice president and general manager, Sales and Marketing Group. “Individuals – not households – will drive the next era of growth with people each owning one or more computing devices. People have an innate desire to be ‘connected’ all the time and see personalized, mobile technology as the way to meet that need.” 

Viewsonic has launched its VP50 Series – 22-inch widescreen VP2250wb, 26-inch widescreen VP2650wb and traditional 4:3 19-inch VP950b - exceeds color capability of traditional LCDs and delivers advanced ergonomic adjustments and PerfectSuite Plus Control Software for industry leading performance. Taking LED backlight down to size, the VLED221wm, a 22-inch widescreen desktop monitor, leads the pack with the world’s first 12000:1 dynamic contrast ratio in a LED desktop display.

Viewsonic also unveiled their DLP projectors PJ551D & PJ560D to meet the diverse presentation and entertainment needs of homes, classrooms, boardrooms and road warriors with its ViewMatch colour technolgy and Texas Instruments’ BrilliantColor at affordable price points. 

"Our history as a desktop display leader has established the ViewSonic brand as an industry benchmark for innovation and performance," said Denny Ong, Country Manager of ViewSonic Singapore. "Our technology surpasses the expectations of discerning consumers and professionals who demand the true-to-life, crisp colors and contrast ratios prevalent in high-definition content.” 

Read on for more info. 

Dell today announced the Energy Smart Vostro 410 desktop, delivering industry-leading performance and expandability in a system designed exclusively for small businesses. The latest in a series of energy-efficient products and initiatives designed to drive unprecedented customer savings, the Vostro 410 starts at RM3,099 and saves customers up to 47 percent in annual energy costs. For more information, visit www.dell.com/vostro, and share your feedback on the new small-business blog.

The Vostro 410 is immediately available to customers in Asia on June 2 and the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa on June 5. "Small businesses are increasingly concerned about rising energy costs," said Saleh Haji Munshi, General Manager, SMB, Dell APACS. "With the Energy Smart Vostro desktop, we're able to save our customers money and collectively cut down on CO2 emissions, while delivering the features and functionality they require - especially high-performance processing power, graphics technology, fast networking and maximum expandability."

Read on for more information. 

For those of you who have been playing around with Nokia's beta of Maps 2.0 you're in for a treat. The update for Nokia Maps has left beta stage and is now ready for consumers to download. Downloaded over 240,000 times since announced in February, Nokia Maps 2.0 has improved its optional Car Navigation, enhanced its pedestrian navigation, added multimedia city guides, now offers satellite images, and is sporting a redesigned user interface. Nokia’s mapping and navigation solutions give people navigation features, local content and world maps directly on their mobile device, in a way that only connected devices can.

Nokia Maps 2.0 uses vector maps provided by Navteq and TeleAtlas, Nokia Maps now has maps covering over 200 countries, with over 70 of them navigable. Maps can be downloaded over the air directly to selected devices or by using the Nokia Map Loader on a PC. A new beta version of the Nokia Map Loader is available on the Nokia Betalabs web site.  

Nokia Maps 2.0 and the current commercial version of the Nokia Maps Loader is freely available for selected devices. For download and more information, please visit http://www.maps.nokia.com. 

Read on for more info. 

Acer has announced a whole new design and feature line up for its desktop Aspire series of PCs. Both the new, "Stream of Power" design and key entertainment features, respond to foreseen consumer demands for the latest technology in a distinctive design.

Acer’s new Aspire desktops come in two versions: the stunning M5 series offering a full gloss, two-tone surface and the most powerful specs; and the M1 which packs valuable features in a pleasing mono-tone design.  Consumers tired of the constant, boxy design of many desktops will be please by the new Aspire PCs. With a full 30L, micro-tower space for robust expandability, the new Aspire PCs offer rounded contours and a multi-angled surface for true visual pleasure.

The new Aspire series updates its entertainment capabilities along with its classy design. Depending on which model you choose, Aspire computers offer you such productive, powerful features, such as quad-core processing – both Intel and AMD solutions, discrete graphics, up to 3GB of Memory, and hard drives featuring up to 500 GB of space per disk. 

Stay tuned for local pricing and read on for more info. 

Asus has released the ASUS P5N72-T Premium motherboard. Equipped with the ASUS exclusive EPU technology for astounding energy savings, this high performance motherboard supports enhanced specifications of the front side bus and memory – able to reach an FSB of 1600MHz (O.C.) (originally 1333MHz) and 1200MHz(O.C.) for memory (originally 1066MHz).

 

The new ASUS exclusive EPU is the world’s first intelligent on-demand power saving microprocessor. This intelligent automatic energy saving chip is more stable than software-driven solutions, and provides users with superior performance while in energy-saving mode in comparison to other solutions. By utilizing an innovative power technology, the EPU is able to digitally monitor current CPU usage and automatically fine-tune the CPU power supply with improved VRM efficiency to suit any loading. The EPU is thus able to provide users with the ability to moderate power for higher performance if required, or save CPU power under low processing periods for the best possible performance with the least amount of power – achieving industry-leading power savings.  

With small form factor notebooks like the Asus EEE PC getting rave reviews and hype, it's no surprise that almost every other manufacturer and brand is heading that route. After all nothing screams sexy and cool then a small cute little notebook being toted around. So in comes HP with its entrant to the small notebook market, with their HP 2133 Mini-Note PC or HP Mini for short.

As HP’s first 8.9 inch WXGA widescreen ultra-mobile mini notebook, the HP Mini has a simple yet refined design that features one of the largest usable QWERTY keyboard and touchpad for a superior computing experience. Weighing in at only 1.19 kg, the HP Mini has a sleek anodised aluminium casing with a durable magnesium alloy structure As an added security measure, there are no visible screws on the notebook to prevent tampering and thereby enhancing its aesthetics at the same time.  

The Mini Note is already available and is retailing at the price of RM2,299 with Microsoft Windows OS. Read on for more info or go here for technical specs.

"Today we mark a new era in mobile phone evolution, an era where beauty and size integrate with uncompromising innovation at broadband speeds,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. “The HTC Touch Diamond will make browsing the Web and using web-enabled applications just as practical and easy to use as making calls."

HP today announced breakthroughs in toner, ink, and media technologies that allow customers unprecedented color printing capabilities. The new printing supplies portfolio includes HP’s newly formulated HP ColorSphere Toner that will deliver 117% higher gloss, and 39% wider color gamut, previously unseen in HP Color LaserJet printing.

“Today’s announcement represents HP’s commitment to remain at the forefront of the industry through its unwavering commitment to technological innovation. We continue to raise the bar on customer printing experiences by investing in research that delivers products which delight our customers and meet their need for developing more impressive documents and in house collateral,” said Leong Han Kong, Vice-President for Supplies, HP Imaging and Printing Group Asia Pacific & Japan.

Read on for more info.

Celcom has recently introduced the Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Stick and the Celcom Broadband Wireless Gateway. The newly announced Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Stick is a continuation of the signed partnership agreement to jointly market products and services under a dual brand while the Huawei produced Celcom Broadband Wireless Gateway is a continuation of the partnership with Huawei which began with the Celcom Huawei 3G data card introduced in 2005.

Read on for more info and pricing structure.

Symantec announced that it is strengthening its partnership with the Malaysian government and industry players through its involvement in the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber-Terrorism (IMPACT). IMPACT is the first global public-private initiative against cyber-terrorism, which drives collaboration among governments, industry leaders and cyber-security experts to enhance the global community’s capacity to prevent and respond to cyber-threats. The inaugural meeting of the IMPACT International Advisory Board is taking place today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as a part of the IMPACT World Cyber Security Summit.

“IMPACT is an excellent platform for governments and industry players to exchange ideas, best practices, share skills and work together in combating cyber threats. Symantec is committed to working with governments and industry players globally to help provide consumers and businesses with a safe and confident connected experience,” said David Thompson, group president, Information Technology and Services Group, Symantec Corporation.

Commenting on Symantec’s participation, Mohd Noor Amin, Chairman of IMPACT, said, "Symantec's participation in IMPACT is a crucial component for our success. Cyberspace knows no national boundaries and its security depends on global companies like Symantec. We commend Symantec for stepping forward to do its part." 

Read on for more info. 

Apacer announced the latest addition to its proud line of memory storage solution, the Apacer Handy Steno AH225. Apacer's USB 2.0 Flash Drive AH225 trumps the commonplace features found in today's flash drives with an added ability to organize those all-too-often runaway office notes with its magnetic cap - providing a memo stand function. The magnetic cap makes your work life easy as you post up the most important tasks and information in front of you on any magnetized surface, wall or office partition. The cap can also be clipped to the tail end of the USB drive while in use to avoid it being lost.

The AH225's unique transparent colored cap and circular design brings a young and energetic outlook. With its high speed USB 2.0 performance and up to 4GB capacity it’s perfect for carrying documents, photos, presentations, videos and music files anywhere you go. AH225 blends in perfectly with your busy work routine and fun digital lifestyle. The Apacer Handy Steno AH225 also comes preloaded with ACE, Apacer Compression Explorer – a software application that provides file compression, decompression and password protection.  

The AH255 comes in a flexible range of memory capacities - 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB. Pricing details can only be obtained through Servex (M) Sdn Bhd.  

Microsoft announced that Windows Live SkyDrive, launched at skydrive.live.com, will be available to all Malaysians starting today. This offers the 7.4 million-strong MSN and Windows Live community in Malaysia with a free, password-protected online storage and sharing space to access files and share with the people they choose.

Windows Live SkyDrive provides consumers with 5 GB of free online storage, which equates to approximately 1,000 songs, over 30,000 Microsoft Office documents of average size, or 30,000 digital photos at a resolution of 1200x1200. However, there is a 50MB limit on each file uploaded. 

“Windows Live SkyDrive is a great way for people to keep the information they need at their fingertips in order to access directly or to share with other people,” said Craig Law-Smith, Marketing Director, Microsoft Online Service Group, Southeast Asia.  “Our goal is to provide a service that people really love and value. Part of that is providing plenty of free storage to meet the majority of our customers’ needs. During the beta period, one of the main pieces of feedback we got was that people wished we provided more storage. We listened to them,” said Craig.