Seoul , Korea – September 11, 2006 : Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology solutions, announced that it has completed the first working prototype of what is expected to be the main memory device to replace high density NOR flash within the next decade – a Phase-change Random Access Memory (PRAM). The company unveiled the 512M-Megabit (Mb) device at its sixth annual press conference in Seoul today.

More scalable than any other memory architecture being researched, PRAM features the fast processing speed of RAM for its operating functions combined with the non-volatile features of flash memory for storage, giving it the nickname: perfect RAM.

A key advantage in PRAM is its extremely fast performance. Because PRAM can rewrite data without having to first erase data previously accumulated, it is effectively 30-times faster than conventional flash memory. Incredibly durable, PRAM is also expected to have at least 10-times the life span of flash memory.

PRAM will be a highly competitive choice over NOR flash, available beginning sometime in 2008. Samsung designed the cell size of its PRAM to be only half the size of NOR flash. Moreover, it requires 20 percent fewer process steps to produce than those used in the manufacturing of NOR flash memory.

Samsung’s new PRAM was developed by adopting the use of vertical diodes with the three–dimensional transistor structure that it now uses to produce DRAM. The new PRAM has the smallest 0.0467um 2 cell size of any working memory that is free of inter-cell noise, allowing virtually unlimited scalability.

Adoption of PRAM is expected to be especially popular in the future designs of multi-function handsets and for other mobile applications, where faster speeds translate into immediately noticeable boosts in performance . High-density versions will be produced first, starting with 512 Mb.

Via Samsung Press Release

HTC (High Tech Computer), the world’s leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile devices, today launched its Q4 product portfolio.

The four new additions to the HTC range are each specifically designed to appeal to new market segments, bringing the benefits of Microsoft’s smart mobility to new audiences.
The innovative form factors and new designs showcase the latest mobile applications – from E-Mail to navigation:

• HTC S620 (HTC Excalibur) – HTC’s new, super slim form factor with integrated QWERTY keyboard: perfect for email and messaging
• HTC P3300 (HTC Artemis) – HTC’s first dedicated navigation PDA with in-built GPS and complete with TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 software
• HTC P3600 (HTC Trinity) – HTC’s next generation multimedia compact PDA with 3G connectivity and HSDPA-ready
• HTC S310 (HTC Oxygen) – a small yet powerful messaging and internet Smartphone for both business and consumer use

The launch of these devices, hot on the heels of the HTC TyTN and HTC MTeoR in June, underpins HTC’s continual leadership in innovation and its commitment to extending the reach and appeal of smart devices to encompass both advanced business users and ‘first-time’ Smartphone and Pocket PC Phone Edition owners. All devices will be available under the HTC brand as well as in customized versions for operator partners.

Florian Seiche, Vice President of HTC Europe commented: “Being able to offer the best customer experience on a dedicated device is extremely important for us – no matter if it is for email, navigation or multimedia focus. This new range of devices will enable both consumer and business users to make their personal choice within the rapidly growing segment of Smart Devices based on the powerful Windows Mobile platform.”

“We’re thrilled to see HTC expanding its portfolio with the HTC S620, S3300, P3600 and S310 smartphones, which further add to HTC’s stellar record of innovation on the Windows Mobile platform,” Scott Horn, General Manager, Mobile & Embedded Devices Division, Microsoft Corp. “These devices are defining a whole new category of phones with a range of entertainment and productivity options for business users and consumers. With HTC, we’re bringing more choice to Windows Mobile customers in a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse mobile market”

“As a preferred navigation partner for HTC going forward, we can collectively offer customers an easy to use, high performance handheld mobile navigation solution so they need never be lost while on the move again,” said Eric Pité, vice president, Product Management at TomTom.

HTC has already lined up leading European mobile operator partners for these new devices. As the first operator T-Mobile will be launching the HTC P3300 as its own customized version – called MDA Compact III – in several European markets.

Since its brand relaunch and strategy change back in summer this year, HTC is growing rapidly in Europe. It has already extended its footprint to include a dedicated local presence in Italy and France, with plans for Germany, Scandinavia, Russia and Spain by the end of the year.

All new HTC Windows Moobile devices will become available across Europe during this fall. Prices weren’t given today.

Via theunwired

Could the PSP be used as a replacement for your phone, or will Sony introduce a PlayStation-branded phone with gaming functionality? Either are possibilities, according to comments from SCE and Sony Ericsson executives.

While Nintendo’s DS continues to sell like hotcakes with its gaming focus, Sony has clearly taken a more multifunctional/multimedia approach with its portable. The PSP can already play movies, music, display photos, and surf the Internet (all in addition to games of course), and at some point in the near future users may be able to add phone calls to the list of functions.

Although no official announcement has been made yet, it’s clear that Sony has plans to leverage its massive PlayStation brand equity among gamers looking at the phone market. The real question is whether the company intends to add phone functionality to the PSP, introduce an entirely separate PlayStation phone device from Sony Ericsson, or do something else entirely.

According to an interview in Japan’s Nikkei BP with Sony Computer Entertainment corporate executive Izumi Kawanishi, Sony hinted that going forward the PSP may become more and more of a network device.

“The PSP started off clearly with the position of a portable game machine,” stated Kawanishi, according to a partial translation by IGN. “However, looking long term, there’s the thought that it ought to become a portable network device. At that time, if there’s demand for an information terminal, it is possible to take it in that direction.”

In fact, for some users the PSP may even be able to replace the phone. “There is a possibility,” said Kawanishi. “I won’t deny it. Personally, I’m interested in it. Of course, it’s not the case that you can connect to wireless LAN everywhere, so you can’t call it a permanent connection. But cell phones are permanently connected. Cell phones get more interesting as their data transfer rate increases, and I think it would be extremely interesting to try something like that.”

Another possibility is for Sony Ericsson to introduce a cell phone with PlayStation branding and some gaming capabilities. In fact, according to Sony Ericsson’s senior vice president of Product and Application Planning, Rikko Sakaguchi, such a phone may actually be in the works. Sakaguchi cryptically revealed to CNET Asia that the company “is working on something” related to a PlayStation phone, but that “the surprise must be kept for the future.”

We actually think the cell phone route makes more sense and is more likely to happen, but it’s possible that Sony could attempt both. The mobile market is growing by the day, and with mobile gaming slowly taking on more importance Sony could do well to introduce its PlayStation brand to the phone market.

Phones are already multimedia convergent devices with music, ringtones, photos, games, Internet and more, and it seems that a number of companies are heading in this direction. Apple could actually be one such company. The latest buzz suggests that Apple will introduce its own cell phones in early 2007. Already rumored to be getting into the gaming industry with a portable, perhaps Apple will combine its own iTunes business with gaming on an Apple phone. That would create some very stiff competition for Sony, if Sony does indeed launch a PlayStation phone.

Via GameDaily BIZ

Vinyl records are becoming a rarity these days, the old-school songs that aren’t available elsewhere (besides on the LPs) are pretty valuable so it’s better if you record them to your computer.

The Ion USB Turntable makes that task easier than ever before, it’s a Plug-and-Play system that connects to your computer via USB and besides having software to edit/clean up the audio tracks and afterwards record them on the computer, it can also play the vinyl LPs. Compatible with the small 33rpm and big 45rpm records, it’s available X-TremeGeek for for $139.

Via Gadgets Weblog

Canon EOS 40D will be unveiled on September 26th – at least if you trust the word on the street. Even though the Canon EOS 30D haven’t been around for too long its quite a logical step to launch a 10.1 megapixel camera in the semipro segment.

Here’s what we know:

1.6x 10.1M CMOS senor (30D has 1.6x 8.2M CMOS Sensor)
Anti-dust feature New!
2.5 inch LCD (30D has 2.5 inch LCD)
9 focus points (30D has 9 focus points)
5 fps (30D has 5fps)
Compact flash based memory cards (same as 30D).

And yes, the photo is a mockup.

Via fosfor gadget