(Product Announcement) CenDyne Inc. has announced three new CD-RW drives with USB 2.0 interfaces; the CenDyne External USB 2.0 24x10x40, 16x10x40 and 12X10X32 CD-RW drives. Unlike most USB 2.0 CD-RW drives available via retail, each of the CenDyne USB 2.0 CD-RW drives come complete with a USB 2.0 adapter card, giving customers a complete solution. As a result, customers can easily connect the new USB 2.0 drives to their PC to immediately enjoy remarkably quick CD-RW recording supported by transfer speeds up to 40 times faster than USB 1.1 connections.

"The CenDyne 24x10x40, 16x10x40 and 12X10X32 USB 2.0 CD-RW drives come complete with everything necessary to begin recording CD's right away, including a USB 2.0 PCI host controller card, for a fast, easy connection to desktop computers. PC computer users can quickly burn, manage and store their music, video, photos and data with user-friendly software. PC users will enjoy the award winning Nero CD recording software, and In CD drag- and-drop packet writing software. The drive also comes with CD-R media, a USB 2.0 interface cable and an AC power cable, drivers and documentation."
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(Product Announcement) Creative Technology Ltd. has introduced a line of PC cameras with a bold new form factor and smart set of features. Slated for immediate availability in North America with an estimated street price of US$149.99, the PC-CAM 300 is the first in this new line of compact portable digital cameras that connect to the PC to double as webcams. While staying true to Creative's tradition of combining the convenience and flexibility of a portable digital camera and a desktop PC webcam into one product, the PC-CAM 300 is loaded with features such as an advanced CCD image sensor for realistic skin tones, vibrant colors and clearer video. Thanks to the added multi-mode flash, users can now take pictures in the shade or dimly lit surroundings with less worry about dark or blurred images. With 8MB of built-in memory, the camera stores up to 128 snapshots at 640x480 resolution or 255 snapshots at 320x240 resolution when the camera is detached from the PC. The introduction of the PC-CAM 300 transforms the look and feel of Creative's traditional camera products. An exciting and ergonomic form factor allows the camera to fit comfortably into the palm.
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(Reuters) - Europe's number two chipmaker Infineon Technologies and Japan's Toshiba Corp are discussing cooperating in memory chip production in a bid to revive profits in a sector crushed by overcapacity. An Infineon spokeswoman said on Monday that several options for an agreement with Japan's largest chipmaker were being considered but declined to give further details. Toshiba Corp did not confirm the Infineon talks specifically but said it was planning to combine its dynamic random access memory (DRAM) business with those of a new partner. The semiconductor industry has felt the full force of an abrupt slowdown in global sales of computers and telecoms equipment, which has led to a rapid build-up of component inventories and a collapse in prices.
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Elsewhere on the web today:

NeoSeeker has posted a review of the ATI Radeon VE:
"The convenience of working on a large desktop spread of over two inexpensive monitors, cannot be underestimated. Whether you are a system administrator, multi-tasking between telnet sessions, research, and troubleshooting other projects, or a web designer/graphics artist working on multiple images, ftp and and e-mail, these products are indispensable. The ATI Radeon VE is a prime example of this move to inexpensive solutions for work place productivity."

Rage3d has posted a preview of the Mobility Radeon 7500 technology:
"Two weeks ago ATI unveiled their next generation desktop graphics cards to the world in the form of the Radeon 7500/8500 and FireGL 8800. Today, ATI is kicking it into high gear yet again and announcing their latest mobile offering, the Mobility Radeon 7500."

Storgaereview has a new Plextor PX-W2410TA review:
"Rumor abounded about Plextor eventually producing a 16X SCSI model, but it has not yet surfaced (nor may it ever). Instead, we are greeted by the PX-W2410TA, an ATAPI burner with unprecedented 24X write speeds"

NeoSeeker has a new Matrox G550 review:
"As you can see in the specs, the G550 is no graphics powerhouse. With only a ~125MHz/333MHz core and memory ratings, the G550 is by no means fast when compared to the 250MHz/460MHz of the GeForce2 Ultra and 200MHz/460MHz of the GeForce3. (As an aside, the “~125MHz” is only a rough estimate because Matrox keeps that info secret.) But since this is not a gamers card, mind bending speed is of little concern; what it lacks in power it makes up for in features."
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CNET has tested two 2GHz Pentium 4 machines from Dell and Gateway to find out just how impressive (or not) Intel's new processor is. The full article can be found here.

"But before you become the first on the block to own one of these screamers, check your OS. The first two 2GHz Pentium 4 systems to hit CNET Labs' test benches, Gateway's Performance 2000XL and Dell's Dimension 8100, arrived with Windows Me installed. Windows Me tests about 15 percent slower than Windows 2000 does. Normally, we test systems with only their installed OS, but just for kicks, we installed Windows 2000 on the Gateway and watched its scores soar by 19 percent. That's far faster than the quickest system we'd seen until then (a 1.4GHz Athlon with 256MB of RAM). For now, bragging rights definitely belong to Intel."
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(Product Announcement) Gateway, Inc. has introduced the new Gateway Solo 9550 portable computer. The Solo 9550's new Mobile Intel Pentium III Processor-M, huge 15.7-inch screen and leading-edge multimedia capabilities make it the notebook of choice for business and home users who need a powerful computer that also provides the freedom of mobility. The new notebook is certified Wi-Fi compliant with optional integrated 802.11b wireless capability, enabling customers to connect to a wireless Local Area Network at speeds that rival wired networks. The Solo 9550 is available now at a starting price of $1,799. Integrated 802.11b wireless adds an additional $159 to the price of the computer.
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"All-in-one" technology from Sharp Microelectronics that folds LCD panel, video decoder, graphic engine, controller and inverter right into the LCD module is used in two flat-panel monitors from Compaq Computer Corp,. The TFT5015 and TFT5030 monitors incorporate Sharp's ASV technology, enabling a viewing angle of 170 degrees x 170 degrees , a response time of 25 milliseconds or less and no bright-pixel defects. The modules also contain Pixelworks' PW112 image-processor IC, which contributes a fail-safe recovery mode, scaling and automatic image optimization, digital and analog interface compatibility, and an intuitive on-screen display.

The 15-inch TFT5015 monitor, targeted for home and office users, is said to feature crystal-clear native XGA resolution and up to 200-nit brightness. It boasts an ergonomic design, small footprint and a screen with a viewable size that's virtually the same as a standard 17-inch CRT monitor, according to the company. The 15-inch TFT5030, meanwhile, offers 0.3-mm pitch, brightness of up to 300 nits, 170 degrees viewing angles, and both digital and analog compatibility. It packs interface electronics and an inverter to drive the backlight directly onto the LCD module.

The TFT5015 carries a suggested retail price of $499 and the TFT5030 of $639. Both are now available.
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