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Freescale Semiconductor announced a series of 28nm-fabbed QorIQ multicore processors, featuring a 64-bit PowerPC core clocked up to 2.5GHz. The Linux-ready Advanced Multiprocessing (AMP) QorIQ series will debut in early 2012 with the T4240, offering 12 cores dual-threaded to 24 virtual cores, numerous acceleration engines, and cascading power management, says Freescale.
Intel quietly unveiled three new entries in its “Sandy Bridge” line of Core processors, each with a TDP of just 17 Watts. They're the 1.8GHz Core i7-2677M, the 1.7GHz Core i7-2637M, and the 1.7GHz Core i5-2557M, according to the company.
Nokia announced its long-awaited MeeGo Linux-based follow-up to the N900 phone — but when this ships later this year it may well be the company's first and last MeeGo device. The Nokia N9 features an OMAP3630 processor, up to 64GB storage, a 3.9-inch AMOLED display, an eight-megapixel Carl Zeiss camera, NFC, and a “Harmattan” UI with swipe-gesture support, says the company.
Despite challenges posed by the Japan earthquake and tsunami, the semiconductor market continues to grow, according to analysts from IHS iSuppli and Gartner. Both firms warned that the uncertain economy will play a role in how the rest of the year shakes out, however.
Sigma Designs announced an IPTV set-top-box (STB) reference design that uses HomePlug AV powerline networking to transmit HD and 3D IPTV streams to TVs around the home. The Ultra-Thin Reference Platform runs Android, Linux, or Windows CE on a new, low-power SMP8670 media processor, and integrates Z-Wave RF technology for non-line-of-sight remote control and home automation, says the company.
Samsung announced a netbook with a built-in solar panel and 14.5-hour battery life. The NC215S also offers hybrid fast start technology, the ability to charge portable devices even when it's turned off, a choice of Atom processors, and a 250GB or 320GB hard disk drive.
A startup called Naratte has released an ultrasonic alternative to near field communication (NFC) short-range transaction technology for Android and iOS devices. The software-based technology uses a device's microphone and speaker, thereby avoiding the need for a special NFC chip.
Huawei announced a seven-inch tablet that will apparently be the first to include an upcoming Android 3.2 version of Honeycomb — said to be better optimized for seven-inch designs. The MediaPad offers a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, as well as a WSVGA display with a pixel density of 217 points per inch (ppi), and is set for a global launch in the third quarter.
Oracle disclosed that it's asking for damages running in the billions of dollars in its patent lawsuit against Google regarding the use of Java patents in Android. The damage figure is based in part on Oracle's estimation that Google makes $3.35 a year per Android device via mobile ads.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary IBM threw itself a party and, oh, what a bash it was. It's IBM's culture that has kept it going, CEO Sam Palmisano told an audience of thousands.
The Linux-based Powertop energy monitoring tool is nearing a final version 2.0 release, rewritten using the Linux 2.6.36 kernel's “perf” event subsystem to offer more granular power-consumption diagnostic options. The new version is mainly developer-focused, but gains a new user interface and offers an easier way to tune a notebook's power-saving features, says the Intel-backed LessWatts.org project.
T-Mobile launched a “More for Me” local deals aggregation service on Android Market, letting Android users on any carrier pick and choose from Groupon and Living Social deals. The carrier also announced it has doubled the speed of its 4G network to HSPA+ 42 service in 41 additional markets, offering up to 27Mbps peak download speeds and bringing the total to 96.
T-Mobile and LG are reportedly prepping a novel Android phone that offers a secondary display — apparently dedicated to app shortcuts — embedded in the middle of a split-QWERTY keypad. The slider phone may well be the “Flip II” phone that appeared in a recently leaked T-Mobile product roadmap, says the Pocket-Lint website.
Adink announced a fanless embedded computer with a dual-core Core i7 processor and a cable-free design. The MXC-6000 offers up to 4GB of RAM, two CompactFlash slots, and room for two 2.5-inch hard drives, plus dual expansion slots — two PCI, or one PCI and one PCI Express x4, according to the company.
Starbucks has introduced an application that lets users pay for coffee and other treats from the java chain via their Android smartphones. Available free, the software works at nearly 9,000 locations, according to the company.