NEC has unveiled a new 8-bit All Flash microcontroller (MCU) with integrated constant high-current drivers, and 32 kilobytes (KB) of flash memory, which expands the μPD78F8024 product line. The new device is suitable in applications such as home electric cookers, battery chargers, and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting.

Based on the µPD78F8024 MCU, an NEC Electronics’ all flash 78K0/KB2 MCU with integrated constant high-current drivers, the µPD78F8025 has expanded memory of 32KB to meet increasing software requirements.

NEC Electronics’ new µPD78F8025 MCU features:

• integration of an All Flash MCU and constant current driver in a single-chip for smaller board space and fewer off-chip components;
• NEC Electronics’ All Flash MCU with an A/D convertor, and I2C and UART interfaces, offering precise sensing and flexible communication interface;
• built-in current drivers with protection circuits for efficient and highly reliable drive systems. Both the new µPD78F8025 and µPD78F8024 devices offer higher performance in a compact single-chip design.

Samples of NEC Electronics’ μPD78F8025 device are available now, starting at US$5 per unit. Mass production is slated to begin in 2010, with expected monthly mass production of 4,000,000 units.

(Source) Press

Tags: battery chargers, board space, chip components, chip design, communication interface, flash memory, flash microcontroller, flexible communication, increasing software, Laptops, led lighting, mass production, mcu, microcontroller solutions, Mobile News, nec electronics, Portable Devices, protection circuits, Ultra Mobile PCs

The stars are aligned in the right position for a new iPhone to be created. Apple hints that a new generation iPhone is on its way as it has just purchased Samsung’s whole output of flash memory until April. And since Samsung makes about 40% of the world’s flash memory we should only assume that Apple is going to get a lot of flash memory by April, which will need to be placed in new devices that would be able to use flash memory. If it’s not an iPhone, what could it be then?

via digitaldaily

Tags: Apple, Apple, flash memory, iPhone, Mobile News, Other Brands, Samsung, Samsung

All phones are prone to drops and this offering from Honeywell should be able to help address that. This pistol-like Dolphin 9950 smartphone is powered by Windows Mobile 6.0.

Just how tough is the Dolphin 9950? Well, Honeywell claims that it is definitely no Humpty Dumpty, capable of withstanding multiple five-foot drops onto concrete as well as over 2,000 three-foot tumbles.

This will be a bulky handset, which does help in housing a 2500mAh lithium-ion battery that boasts a whopping ten-hour battery life. It will probably outlast humans without special clothing by withstanding a wide temperature range between -10 to 50 degrees Celsius.

Features:

Marvell PXA270 624MHz processor
256MB RAM

1GB flash memory

SD memory card slot

3.5″ QVGA TFT touchscreen display at 240 x 320 resolution

43-key shifted alphanumeric keyboard

GPS navigation

Quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz), GSM release 99, EDGE multi-slot class 12, PRS multi-slot class 12

Bluetooth connectivity

802.11b/g support

Barcode scanner

IrDA

Internal speaker, microphone, headset jack

(Source) Windows for Devices

Tags: battery life, bluetooth connectivity, Cell Phones, flash memory, honeywell, humpty dumpty, internal speaker, memory card slot, quad-band, sd memory card slot, speaker microphone

Toshiba, one of the world’s largest makers of “flash memory” and computer chips, is reportedly interested in acquiring Fujitsu’s hard-disk drive business. Western Digital was rumored to be interested in Fujitsu as well but it looks like Toshiba has just sweetened the pot with its entry into the fray.

And if the grapevine is true, Fujitsu openly declared that they are negotiating with multiple parties but it looks like Toshiba has the inside track. And with the reputation of Toshiba obviously put into consideration it looks like Fujitsu is barking at the right party to take over.

A deal, which is expected to be priced at between Y30bn-Y40bn ($340m-$450m), would allow Fujitsu to exit another lossmaking hardware business, as the Japanese group seeks to concentrate on higher-margin IT services. Toshiba, meanwhile, would be able to spread its bets in the data storage market.

(Source) Financial Times

Tags: computer chips, data storage market, flash memory, Fujitsu, Fujitsu, fujitsu hard drives, hard disk drive, Mobile News, Toshiba, Toshiba, western digital

Samsung wants to apparently buy off flash memory makers Sandisk. Such a move would consolidate its share of the flash memory market. Samsung is currently the main chip supplier for Sandisk so a relationship is already there. According to Sandisk spokesmen:

Sandisk periodically has conversations with multiple parties, including Samsung, regarding a variety of potential business opportunities. We evaluate all of these opportunities, but maintain a policy of not commenting on market rumors or speculation.

So does this mean “yes, we are going to be bought out by Samsung but we don’t want to tell you guys” or what?

To further strengthen rumors it appears that J. P. Morgan has been hired as an adviser for the deal as Samsung would want to close the purchase within six months.

Tags: flash memory, Mobile News, Samsung, Samsung, SanDisk

Manufacturers are trying to get more environement friendly gadgets. We’ve seen phones made of wood, corn or recycled parts. We’ve seen a bamboo case for a mini desktop PC. It’s time we found an USB eco-friendly drive to go with all that. (more…)

Tags: bamboo, eco-friendly, environment, flash memory, Mobile News, Portable Devices, USB drive

Does your job involve secretly sneaking in corner offices around the world for certain secret spying missions? Do you happen to work in an enforced and heavily controlled environement? Or are you just paranoid about your data and its security.

With this watch you don’t need to worry anymore. Did I say watch? I meant USB flash drive. It sure looks like a watch but besides telling the time this watch secretly stores a 4GB USB flash drive. The watch itself is fully functional. It has a “plastic case covered by stainless steel mask with brushed silver finish and convex mineral glass with shiny raised index”. Or so they say in order to mask its simpleness.

Inside the watch there’s a compartment fitted for the flash drive itself. And 4GB is not so bad for a tiny flash drive. This watch/flash drive duo is available for $60. But what if I hate wearing watches?

Tags: flash memory, Portable Devices, USB drive, watch

I wonder who came up with this tool and what was s/he thinking? Is this a tool for elegant business people? You have 2GB of storage for your presentations, a laser to point out the most relevant things on a slide and, uhmm, a knife, to persuade your boss to give you that raise? And how would you slip this one through security? What about when going on those business trips by plane? Think you can get it to your first class seat?

I know! It was designed for that dangerous in-the-hood life. You know, you have the knife that comes in handy on the streets, the memory stick so your friends think you are smart enough to need it, and the laser pointer to burn out someone’s retina? If you know what a retina is of course!

Well there’s no point analyzing this creation and getting a scape goat to take the fall if it’s not going to be that successful. After all this is a SwissMemory Pocket Knife with Laser. This complicated Swiss Army memory stick retails for $148. If you don’t want all the tools, you can get the USB memory stick and laser for just $140. This looks better and better now. I don’t want the tools! The 1GB version will retail for $105 and $97 accordingly.

Tags: flash memory, laser, Portable Devices, swiss army

For whatever reason, man has started to make smaller and smaller things. When it comes to electronics and gadgets that’s a good thing. Smaller means easier to carry around, easier to use at all times. It also leads to efficiency as better time management as one would be able to perform his duties at any time.

After I showed you a Wester Digital external HDD that can easily be added to your key chain, now we have a flash memory which can get lost in your coins jar. When I think of memory solutions, I think SanDisk even if there are others out there quite as good or better. They have announced today the availability of SanDisk Mobile Ultra, microSD, microSDHC and Memory Stick Micro (M2) flash mobile memory cards. They come in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB depending on your needs. SanDisk will enhance your smartphone’s performance by allowing you to add more memory space for your documents, maps, videos and music. And they look good.

But what I like most is the extra MobileMateâ„¢ Micro Reader that plugs directly into your USB 2.0. Just plug your microSD in and then your new stick goes into your USB for fast download. Oh yeah, that’s what I almost forgot. Download and upload speeds have been significantly improved or so they say.
Tell me if you find it anywhere for a price lower than their suggested $119.99.

Tags: flash memory, memory, Mobile News, Portable Devices

Intel unveiled the new Z-P140 Parallel ATA solid state device (SSD), a tiny storage device for handheld devices. The device, smaller than a penny, can store 2GB and 4GB of data, is fast and consumes very little power. Using flash memory to store OS and computing data, the Z-P140 emulates a hard drive. The PATA SSD is optimized to enhance Intel-based computers, and it is slated to be an optional part of Intel’s Menlow platform for mobile Internet devices that will be unveiled in 2008.

The smallest SSD in its class, the Z-P140 can store not only an operating system but also supporting apps and data. It is even extendable to 16GB. With read speeds of 40 MB/s and write speeds of 30 MB/s, the active power usage is 300 mW, and only 1.1 mW in sleep mode.

(more…)

Tags: flash memory, Intel, mobile, Mobile News, solid state device, storage, z-p140