We’ve already seen an Intel motherboard hit the market with USB 3.0, but it’s technically manufactured by Asus, and it’s running a third-party USB (3.0) controller. So we’ll see USB 3.0, especially in the custom PC market, before 2011 (because we already are). But like we said, in terms of the standard arriving in mass anytime soon, things are looking grim. [TGDaily via Engadget]

There’s a ton of stuff here, some of it quite similar, but it’s pretty certain these will be popped into smartphones and other mobile devices come next year. The most interesting to me is that “5 megapixel CMOS system on a chip camera, which can process 1080p at 30 fps”, which could make for a pretty badass lens in a smartphone — I don’t think we’ve ever seen video recording that sharp. But they’ve also got a slew of ARM processors and a few low-power 1GHz chipsets called OneDRAM, along with a lot of other internals that may not be flashy but will doubtless be powering our mobile gadgets. [Engadget]

As we explained in our Giz Explains: Low-Power Chipsets, Nvidia’s Tegra proc is designed to handle high-def video and Flash with buttery smoothness in small packages, just like the Zune HD. So while this is as yet still a rumour, given that we haven’t had confirmation from Microsoft, it makes a lot of sense and would actually be a very smart move—and the sources reporting the rumour seem very certain that it’s true. With a Tegra processor, the Zune HD would certainly be able to decode videos with far less necessary power than with any other chipset, which means better battery life combined with better video quality. What else could you want from a next-gen PMP? [PC Perspective]

Versus the previous generation Athlon X2, it starts at 3GHz, supports DDR3 memory and is part of the new AM3 packaging (which is backward compatible with AM2+). Also in the bag is the Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition, which is their first dual-core Phenom chip—so it can hit $US100—but it’s overclocked.

Sadly, that’s it from AMD for Computex—no Atom killer or new hotness from ATI either.

AMD Introduces Next Generation AMD Athlon™ II Processor, Adds Dual Core to Record-Setting AMD Phenom™ II Processor Lineup

− AMD Athlon™ II processor delivers new native dual-core architecture, efficient 45nm technology and 3 GHz performance at an affordable price −

− AMD Phenom™ II X2 Black Edition processor combines value and unlocked potential for gamers and tuners on a budget −

COMPUTEX 2009 (TAIPEI, Taiwan) – June 2, 2009 – Bringing its acclaimed 45nm technology to new high-volume processor designs, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced two new dual-core desktop processors. Building on 10 years of AMD Athlon™ processor innovation, the new 45nm AMD Athlon™ II X2 250 processor gives mainstream consumers exceptional performance, efficiency and value. For enthusiasts and overclockers, AMD also announces the AMD Phenom™ II X2 550 Black Edition processor, the first ever dual-core AMD Phenom II CPU.* With this latest addition to the AMD Phenom II processor family, users can now experience the power of AMD platform technology, codenamed “Dragon,” with dual-, triple- and quad-core configurations.

AMD Athlon II X2 Processor Details
The AMD Athlon II X2 250 performs exceptionally well when combined with AMD chipsets and integrated graphics solutions to create an all-AMD platform. Platforms featuring all-AMD technology can deliver up to twice the graphics performance of those with Intel integrated graphics.¹

Windows® 7 is optimised for multi-core processors like AMD Athlon™ II processors to give consumers an amazingly fast, simple and engaging PC experience.** For example, Windows 7 is tuned to make the most of the these new processors’ power management features, such as AMD PowerNow!™ 3.0 technology. AMD power management technologies, in combination with Windows 7, can help OEMs and partners to build exceptionally green, cool and quiet PCs.
Based on AMD’s acclaimed 45nm process technology, the AMD Athlon II dual-core processor has a TDP of 65W and can slash power consumption by up to 50 percent when doing basic tasks, up to 40 percent when running heavy workloads and up to 50 percent when at idle.²

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Details
AMD Black Edition processors, like the AMD Phenom™ II X2 550, help users to take control and unleash the maximum potential of Dragon platform technology’s unprecedented performance tuning capabilities.* The same massive headroom that set world records in recent months is at users’ finger tips, offering impressive performance at a price the competition can’t beat.³

Users can also maximize their overclocking experience by utilizing the new features and capabilities of AMD OverDrive™ 3.0, designed to enable quick and effective tuning of their PC experience for optimal performance.*
With dual-, triple- or quad-core processors, AMD provides platform level solutions at multiple price points, each of which exceeds expectations for virtually any user.

[AMD]

The WSJ reports that Apple is putting together an all-star chip design team, starting with the former CTO of AMD, to work on in-house units for mobile devices. Old habits die hard, I guess.

Apple is prone to occasional fits of vertical integration, and has never been terribly reluctant to run counter to the prevailing hardware winds, but this doesn’t sound like some Jobsian act of contrarianism. The report indicates that it’s the iPhone’s unique power and performance demands that are driving this move, at least ostensibly:

Apple could use the internally developed chips to sharply reduce the power consumption of its hit iPhone and iPod touch devices, and possibly add graphics circuitry to help its hardware play realistic game software and high-definition videos, people familiar with its plans say.

Apple already works with Samsung, the manufacturer of the ARM-based processors used in the iPhone and iPod Touch, to design chips suited to their specific needs, and Apple is a large enough company that it doesn’t have trouble coaxing tailor-made hardware out of its suppliers. But totally in-house chip design boasts the huge advantage of secrecy; removing Samsung from the equation ensures that any power-saving, graphics-boosting chip features Apple manages to conjure for their next iWhatever don’t eventually find their way into units available to other industry giants like HTC or RIM.

So don’t confuse Apple’s latest move with an effort to spur innovation—from here, this looks like technology-hoarding, pure and simple; a bid to further insulate their mobile devices from competition by locking down their hardware as hard as they do their software. [WSJ]

Although Ion was pitched as a fast netbook platform, its poor battery life makes it a better mini desktop. And that’s what it will first appear in. This confirms the suspicions of many. [electronista]

The first Westmere chips will be the dual-core Clarkdale and Annendale processors, for desktop and mobile uses, respectively. In addition to the 32nm CPU, these chips will feature a 45nm integrated graphics and memory controller. Integration in particular was a big point of emphasis for Intel, and said they plan to continue down this path, because it cuts costs in development and production, and also gets products to market faster. A six-core, 32nm processor (codename: Gulftown), is also planned for a future release.

Also announced early this morning, and reiterated at today’s event, is that Intel scrapped plans for refreshed dual-core 45nm processors, Havendale (desktop) and Auburndale (mobile), in favour of the Clarkdale and Annendale processors, for desktop and mobile uses, respectively. Intel said than an “accelerated product ramp” is allowing them to overlap the newer, smaller dual-core chips with the upcoming pair of 45nm quad-core processors, Lynnfield (desktop) and Clarksfield (mobile, and not to be confused with Clarkdale), which will give end-users options when it comes to CPU performance.

These four upcoming chips will run on a new Intel Series 5 chipset, codenamed Kings Creek (shown above) for desktop and Calpella for mobile. Intel showed off these new 32nm processors and chipsets at the event in a very informal demo, just to show that these products work and exist (the mobile platform even ran Spore).

It’s also interesting to note that normally, most Intel processors are released to the server market first, then go to the consumer PC market for consumption. With the upcoming Westmere processors, Intel will produce the chips for consumer PCs first, marking a departure in strategy for them.

While Intel is probably jumping forward to stay ahead of the pack in a slumping economy, what this means for you, the consumer, is that you’ll get better performing processors even sooner than expected, which should be early 2010.

Intel Demonstrates First Working 32nm-based Microprocessor in Both Mobile and Desktop Systems

Feb. 10, 2009 – At a media briefing in San Francisco today, Intel Corporation discussed new milestones for 32nm manufacturing and progress toward future products. Earlier that day, in Washington, DC, Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini disclosed that Intel is making the largest-ever investment in a single process technology in the United States to support upgrades to advanced manufacturing facilities in the country and the move to its next-generation, 32nm chip manufacturing technology. Intel is investing approximately $7 billion in 2009-10 on 32nm manufacturing technology, raising the total by the end of that timeframe to approximately $US8 billion (for 32nm investment in the United States).

Below is a summary of the product roadmap news at the briefing in San Francisco:
First-ever demonstration of a working 32nm-based microprocessor:
– Intel is demonstrating the first 32nm working microprocessor in both mobile and desktop systems.
– Great 32nm process and product health are enabling Intel to accelerate 32nm product ramp
– Westmere mobile and desktop processor production in the fourth quarter of 2009
– 32nm enables increased performance and power flexibility
– Intel processors based on Westmere will ramp into mobile, desktop, and server segments over time, as the 32nm process ramps

For client, Westmere brings Nehalem through Intel’s mainstream processor product line
– Increased performance, smaller processor core size
– New multi-chip package with graphics integrated in the processor
– Repartitioned system architecture, simplified motherboards
– Volume ramp; expect 32nm in server market in 2010

Westmere key features
– Intel® Turbo Boost technology
– Intel® Hyper-Threading technology (2 Cores, 4 threads)
– Integrated graphics, discrete/switchable graphics support
– 4MB cache, Integrated Memory Controller (IMC) – 2ch DDR3
– AES Instructions

The 32nm process with second-generation high-k + metal gate transistor era begins
Intel’s strength as an integrated device manufacturer allows the company to continue to deliver new generations of advanced process technology on a 2-year cadence. Intel has developed a 32nm logic technology with industry-leading features:
– Second-generation high-k + metal gate transistors
– 32nm marks the first time Intel uses immersion lithography on critical layers
– 9 copper + low-k interconnect layers
– About 70 percent dimension scaling from 45nm generation
– Pb- and halogen-free packages

The 1.66GHz N280 is only a 0.06GHz jump over its N270 processor, but the 667MHz front-side bus and the pairing of the GN40 chipset with its hardware-based 720p HD video decoder is really where its at. That will lead to better HD viewing with less power consumption.

However, Nvidia is still looming looming on the horizon with their Atom-ion plaform and its full on 1080p capability. If you simply can’t wait for that to go down, the Eee PC 1000HE will be the first netbook to ship with the N280/GN40 combo and is now available for pre-order. [PC World via Wired Gadget Lab]