The key feature about Arrandale, versus current Core i5/i7 processors, is that it’s manufactured using a 32nm process, meaning it’ll be less power hungry. Remember the jump to the Penryn Core 2 chips a couple of years ago? Same speeds, better efficiency? Like that. The three coming out in the first half of 2010 are the Core i7-640UM (1.2GHz), Core i7-620UM (1.06GHz) and Core i5-520UM, all for “ultra thin” laptops.

We’ll also see some 32nm chips for the desktop, codenamed Clarksdale, announced in January. Mmm, chips. [Digitimes]

Multiple sources hint that the camera will be a number of things, including “premium”, “compact” and that it will feature two interchangeable lenses at launch, possibly in December.

More details, discovered and translated by Photo Rumors, include:

* APS-C sensor
* Mirror Loose house with live-view
* Not so much larger than the GR-D cameras
* The same operation / control that the GR-D
* Electronic viewfinder accessory shoe for optional

More to come, as Phone Rumors appears to be updating their posts with some regularity today. [Phone Rumors]

Why Extras—which are like DVD extras, with bonus clips, interviews and photo galleries, but for iTunes movies—is just now on its way to Apple TV is sorta mystifying, even for their most neglected product. (What does Apple have against its tinier boxes?) It’s like, the thing Apple makes expressly to plug into your TV, where you might want to watch those things.

Since Apple TV 2.0, the last major update to the sad little box happened almost two years ago, maybe, just maybe, there’s more to Apple TV 3.0 than just Extras and iTunes LP. Or you know, not. [AppleInsider]

It seems that a few versions of the phone will be available: a 900/2100MHz version for the EU, and 800/1900MHz version for the US and an 850/2100MHz version for Telstra. It’s the only carrier specifically named on the site.

Considering how chummy the Big T is with HTC in regards to Winmo phones, this wouldn’t be a big surprise. Also, even though it’s pureley coincidental, when HTC showed me the handset a few months ago it had a Telstra SIM card in it.

The good news is that even if the Hero is a Telstra-exclusive in Australia, the fact there are different versions for different markets means you can probably get an OS model for different networks here in Australia, as the EU version matches the networks used by Optus and Vodafone.

Of course, this is all purely speculation until HTC drops the official word, but it’s looking pretty convincing…

[HTC Canada via Whirlpool – Thanks Michael!]

Though it’s been speculated that the Droid Eris will run Android 1.6 and sport a hard-to-get-excited-about 528MHz Qualcomm CPU, it would be the cheapest Android phone yet in the US. Verizon didn’t mention it at all today, so we’re a little skeptical of it making that rumoured November 6 launch date, but we’ll see. [gdgt via Twitter]

Without Intel supporting the standard, motherboard manufacturers and gadget makers alike would probably hold off on using USB 3.0, since it would require a relatively expensive third-party controller (as it does now). An Intel rep said he hadn’t heard of such a delay, but with Intel focused on its next-gen Nehalem chips (and given the company’s neglect of wireless USB), it’s not impossible. We’ll keep you updated if we get confirmation either way. [EE Times via Tech Report]

A second store in Mission Viejo, California is expected to follow in the immediate weeks after. Ahh, the glitz and the glam. The paper confirms the floorplan will showcase everything form Windows 7 to WinMo 6.5 and the Xbox 360. And yep, there will be a 94-inch screen for folks to play on.

More: Inside the Microsoft Store With Wall-Sized Screens and the Answers Bar

And Apple isn’t the only inspiration. The Microsoft stores will also be close to either a Best Buy or Wal-Mart. Oh, and the Microsoft store head-honcho was actually poached from Wal-Mart. I think I was more optimistic when I heard they were head-hunting Apple Store staff. [Wall Street Journal]

Despite contacting the network, Mediaspy didn’t actually get confirmation that this is the name for Seven’s second channel, so this remains in the rumour camp for now. After all, it could be some new type of universal remote or something, or some TiVo related gadget. But if it is the name of the second channel, am I alone in thinking it’s the stupidest TV channel name ever?

[Mediaspy via AVHub]

It’s rumoured that Nvidia has won a contract to supply Nintendo with Tegra chips for the next generation DS. The specific chip Nintendo plans on using is unknown, so we don’t know exactly how powerful the next model could be. Considering the current DS runs on two incredibly slow processors, any Tegra would be a huge boost in power.

As a bonus, the source reports that the new hardware should allow backwards compatibility. Hopefully not à la PSP Go, where backwards compatibility really means you have to buy all the games you already own again. [Bright Side of the News via Electronista]