Digitimes

"AMD is planning to launch its 45nm server processor Shanghai in the second half of this year, which features HyperTransport 3.0, instruction-per clock enhancement (IPC) and will have its L3 cache increased from 2MB to 6MB, while the company will launch a six-core server processor codenamed Istanbul in the second half of 2009. The processors will fit with the current Socket F1 (1207) and will feature the company's Direct Connect Architecture.

In 2010, AMD expects to introduce its third-generation AMD Opteron processor socket G34 platform, which will offer features including DDR3 memory capabilities and AMD's RD890 chipset for non-coherent HyperTransport 3.0, along with an additional HT link."

LINK

The INQ

The problems, which first arose just one day after the push, have been causing lots of noise on Microsoft support sites and angry user bogs.

One user reported, "I just installed Windows XP SP3 and after completing the processes and when the system reboots, the system cannot proceed to load the Windows. It just displays the flash screen of Windows then after it reboots again."

Angry users have also reported that, after the installation, it is not even possible to boot in safe mode, usually the last resort before setting up a repeated forehead/screen interface."

LINK

Aqua PC

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DailyTech

"A new report released Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal indicates that Microsoft expressed interest in acquiring Facebook, the second largest social network, painting a more interesting picture of the waning talks with Yahoo.  Microsoft already owns a $240M USD, 1.6 percent stake in the company.  A full acquisition could be valued at $15B USD or more.

According to the reporter, Microsoft's bankers subtly inquired about Facebook's interest in a possible full acquisition.  The talks were first made public by All Things Digital, a website owned by publisher Dow Jones, which also owns the Wall Street Journal. Microsoft's spokespeople did not make themselves immediately available for comment on the report.  Facebook spokeswoman Brandee Barker also refused comments.

The report indicates that no current talks are going on between the two companies, as apparently Microsoft was rebuffed.  Facebook is one of the hottest internet properties, founded in 2004 by Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg.  The site has over 70 million registered users and boasts high site loyalty and traffic volume.  Zuckerberg in the past has opposed selling the whole company, working instead to develop partnerships and move toward an initial public offering.

It is unclear exactly where the comments fall in the chronology of Microsoft's online dealings, but it appears that they were made before Gates comments on Wednesday.  Perhaps Microsoft only decided to go it alone after being rejected by Facebook, if the reports are to be believed."

More..

DailyTech

"People all over the planet depend on the GPS satellite positioning system for all sorts of things from navigating in their cars to keeping up with equipment and personnel. China says that it intendeds to have an operational GPS system covering all of Asia by 2010.

Despite the 2010 date specified, Chinese officials aren’t giving up much information. In fact officials from Japan say that it and China have had no talks concerning interoperability of the two nations GPS satellite systems. This is despite the fact that both China and Japan are members of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICGNSS) that was founded to ensure global interoperability of navigation satellite networks.

China has also not yet completed frequency coordination with the other ICGNSS member nations including the U.S., Europe, Russia and others. According to Space.com, Chinese officials said at the Toulouse Space Show that China’s global Compass/Beidou system would be fully compatible with the U.S. GPS, European Galileo, and Russian Glonass global navigation constellations."

More..

The Tech Report

"Bill Gates, who plans largely to abandon his duties at Microsoft starting this July, is still quite keen on pimping the company's software. As News.com reports, Gates claimed Vista is selling at a "rapid" rate during a speech in Tokyo, Japan.

According to Gates, Microsoft has sold 140 million copies of Windows Vista so far. The Microsoft co-founder stated in January that Vista had sold 100 million copies since its launch 11 months before, so it looks like sales of the operating system haven't waned since last year. With Service Pack 1 out the door, more businesses may make the jump to the new OS, too.

These apparently good sales results might explain why Microsoft decided not to extend Windows XP's general retail presence beyond the June 30 deadline. Makers of low-cost laptops will be able to keep offering the operating system until at least 2010, but folks shopping for regular PCs and notebooks should be stuck with Vista from July 1 onward."

Link

In 2010, AMD expects to introduce its third-generation AMD Opteron processor socket G34 platform, which will offer features including DDR3 memory capabilities and AMD's RD890 chipset for non-coherent HyperTransport 3.0, along with an additional HT link.

The company will also launch socket G34-based processor codenamed Sao Paolo in the first half of 2010, the processor will incorporate DDR3 memory, an additional HyperTransport 3.0 link and six-core design, while a 12-core processor codenamed Magny Cours will also leverage these features and launched in the first half of 2010."

Link

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Digitimes

"Affected by the traditional slow season, April consolidated revenues of Universal Scientific Industrial dropped 19% on month to NT$5.33 billion (US$173.45 million), but still was up 14% on year. The company's accumulated revenues for the first four months of 2008 reached NT$23.54 billion, an increase of 21% compared to the same period last year.

The company's computer and component segments, including motherboards, port replicators, Abit and mobile PCs, contributed NT$1.65 billion to April revenues, accounting for 31% of total revenues and decreasing 26% on month, but up 5% on year.

The company's microelectronics technology and manufacturing segments contributed NT$1.47 billion, accounting for 28% of April revenues with a decrease of 4% on month, but an increase of 25% on year.

The company's communications segment, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SIP and ADSL products, contributed NT$1.08 billion, accounting for around 20% of April revenues with a decrease of 26% on month but an increase of 44% on year."

LINK

Xbitlabs

"Nvidia GeForce 9 graphics card family keeps getting new members. Today we are going t talk about Nvidia GeForce 9800 GTX from Gainward – a graphics accelerator that tends to be the fastest single-chip solution today, but which is not that very much different from a well-known GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB. Is it worth the $349 they ask for it?"

LINK