ATi + AMD = Opportunity For VIA & SiS?

There is speculation that, since AMD-ATi is rumored to be cutting back on Intel support, there will be a hole left in the entry-level chipset market that will be filled by VIA and SiS.

Assuming that AMD, which recently acquired ATI, will eventually sell ATI chipsets bundled with its own processors, PC vendors may begin considering VIA and SiS as more preferable suppliers of entry-level chipsets for the Intel platform, the sources guessed.

While we have no doubt that any gap in production will be filled by someone, whether it be VIA, SiS or someone else, making assumptions based on rumors might not be in your best interest.

Logitech VX & MX Revolution

While not a review, the guys at Engadget got a little hands on action with Logitech’s new mice and damn they look spanky. Don’t take my word for it, head on over and check out the pictures.

We told you we got a little face time with these bad boys; without having spent a terribly long time using the VX and MX Revolution, we can definitely tell you that the tactile feedback and movement of the wheel is really unlike anything you've ever experienced before on a consumer mouse.

Apple Recalls 1.8 Million Batteries

Another 1.8 million Sony laptop batteries are being recalled, this time around it is Apple being hit by the faulty batteries. If you are a Mac owner, check your battery.

The Mac maker's recall, while not as large as Dell's, affects users of its iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 laptop models sold between October 2003 and August 2006, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Users are advised to remove the batteries immediately and store them in a safe place.

Folding@Home On ATi GPUs

Stanford’s Folding@Home project has just announced support for ATi GPUs by the end of September. This means that those of you with ATi video cards will get an added boost to your Folding efforts. If you aren’t part of the best Folding team on the planet yet, you should be, we’d love to have you.

With this new software and hardware, we will be able to push Folding@Home a major step forward. We are beta testing the ATI GPU client software internally at the moment and will likely announce an open beta in four to five weeks (end of September).

Internet Explorer 7 Release Candidate 1

Internet Explorer 7 Release Candidate 1 is now available for Windows XP SP2, x64, ia64 and Windows Server 2003 SP1. Grab it if you want it, Windows validation is required.

Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) Release Candidate 1 (RC1) has been designed to make everyday tasks easier, provide dynamic security protection and improve the development platform and manageability. End user improvements include a streamlined interface, tabbed browsing, printing advances, improved search functionality, instant feeds (RSS), dynamic security protection, and more.

S. Koreans Win, Get Stripped Down Windows

It looks like S. Korea, after following the EU’s lead, will get their wish. The country will now get a stripped down version of XP, I like to call Windows EU (everything uninstalled), after suing MS for bundling media player and messenger.

South Korea's Fair Trade Commission fined Microsoft 32.5 billion won ($34 million) in December, saying the world's biggest software company breached anti-trust laws by selling a version of Windows that incorporated its media player and instant messaging services.

AMD To Complete China Expansion By 2008

According to this article, AMD has set a goal of completing a capacity expansion at its CPU packaging and testing facility in China by 2008.

AMD's packaging plant in Suzhou commenced volume production in April 2005, said Wang, adding that the plant undertakes approximately a third of AMD's total packaging capacity, worldwide, at present. AMD has aggressively expanded operations in China, in an attempt to bring its services closer to local customers.

Killer NIC Spotted in Austin, Texas

I was in Austin on Monday and I had the opportunity to stop by the BigFoot Networks offices. Seeing how we are advertising the Killer NIC I figured I had best go down and figure out what all the buzz is about. No matter what your thoughts are about the card, it is more than just the 3D rendering that has been shown up to now. We got to see it in action and find out some of the secrets about it. It is not for everyone, but there is no doubt that it will appeal to the hardcore gamer and hardware enthusiast and maybe even you Linux guys. Full details of what we saw coming soon.

AMD-ATi /TSMC-UMC Relationship To Remain Unchanged

Despite rumors to the contrary, AMD’s COO says that the relationship between TSMC-UMC and ATi-AMD will remain unchanged and AMD having its own foundry will have no impact on the relationship between the companies.

Meyer dismissed such speculations and stressed that the AMD-ATI deal won't affect the status quo of ATI's OEM business relations with TSMC or UMC, and that the production of ATI's graphics chips and IGPs will continue to be subcontracted to the two companies. Meyer made the remarks on the sidelines of the launch of the company's new R&D center in Shanghai.

Homebrew G-Meter

Here is a geeky little project for all of us car nuts / nerds. A DIY G-meter for your car that takes very little time to construct. The parts aren’t that inexpensive but they are hella cheaper than buying a new Z06 Corvette that comes with a built in G-meter. There is a step by step guide with plenty of pictures and video.

Texas Hold Em’ Free For 48 Hours

Microsoft is giving away Texas Hold Em’ FREE for 48 hours starting today. This is the full game, completely free, no charge to you. Just log in to Xbox Live before Friday the 25th and grab it.

For 48 hours only—through 0800 GMT (1:00 A.M. Pacific Time) Friday, August 25—as a special limited-time only promotion, all Xbox Live Gold and Silver members can download the game at no charge. Starting at 0801 GMT (1:01 A.M. Pacific Time) Friday, August 25, Texas Hold 'em will be available for 800 Microsoft Points.

ATi Cancels 65nm Chipsets For Intel

It looks as though the rumors of ATi canceling its 65-nm Intel chipset may come true if this DigiTimes report is to be believed. The article is citing several sources including the Chinese-language Commercial Times and HKEPC that claimed to have seen a leaked ATi roadmap.

The first impact of AMD's acquisition of ATI Technologies on TSMC and UMC has surfaced, as ATI has cancelled launch of the company's 65-nanometer (65nm) chipsets for the Intel platform, the RD700, RS700 and RC710, which were scheduled to be released during the second half of 2007, according to the Chinese-language Commercial Times. TSMC and UMC may lose the secured contract orders, indicated the paper.