2012: Samsung new Exynos quad-core chip with 32-nanometer technology

Samsung Electronics will use its single-chip solutions for its next smartphone, the Galaxy S III, to lower dependence on U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm.

The move comes as Samsung, the world’s top memory chipmaker, aggressively shifting focus to more profitable and less-volatile non-memory chips.

Memory chips like DRAMs and NAND flashes are used to read and write data with these chips being commoditized.

Thus they are cheap, compared with non-memory chips. Non-memories are to control an entire computing system and require advanced chip-making technology.

``Samsung’s single-chip solution is a combination of long-term evolution (LTE), telecommunications and W-CDMA functions,’’ a high-ranking company executive said Monday.

The firm’s Exynos-branded quad-core mobile application processors (APs) are to be equipped in the Galaxy S II’s successor, according to the executive.

``We don’t think there will be big technology-related problems as we have already tested our telecommunications chips in some smartphones and tablets for consumers in North America. Also, Google’s first reference mobile, the Galaxy Nexus, is using Samsung's telecom chips,’’ said the executive.

``Samsung has a stronger intent to lower its dependence on Qualcomm and our technicians believe that we have made significant progress in producing logic-based chips for high-end devices, combined logic and memory chips for graphic controllers and core communication chips for Internet-enabled consumer devices,’’ said the executive.

Amid the explosive growth for LTE-enabled smartphones globally, the decision could hurt San Diego-based Qualcomm in the mid- to long-term, according to analysts.

``Samsung is paying huge amounts to Qualcomm in return for using its single-chip solutions in strategic digital devices, however, Qualcomm is gradually losing its edge,’’ said another Samsung executive. Both executives asked not to be identified as they don’t have the right to officially speak to the media.

Samsung, which was the world’s biggest smartphone seller last year, plans to sell 250 million smartphones this year, up 25 percent from its earlier target of 200 million.

Ambitious Samsung, uneasy Qualcomm

So far, Samsung Electronics is an earnings propeller for Qualcomm because the American firm was the sole provider of one-chip solutions. 

``It was believed that Qualcomm chips had greater stability and suited easy upgrades. But, that’s the old story,’’ said the Samsung executives.

In line with its plan, Samsung is improving ``through silicon via’’ (TSV) memory stocking technology. ``Our long-term plan is clear. Using Samsung solutions for Samsung products.’’

To prevent Qualcomm from losing one of its top customers, it recently announced the launch of its fifth-generation Gobi reference platform that seeks to pack support nearly all major worldwide mobile standards into a single chip. 

Based on the company’s Gobi LTE wireless baseband modems, the MDM9615 and MDM9215 deliver fast LTE connectivity with backwards compatibility to both HSPA+ and EV-DO networks, Qualcomm insists. 

``This will allow support for regional LTE frequencies with backwards compatibility to existing 2G and 3G technologies, allowing Gobi LTE devices to connect to faster LTE network locallys and stay connected to the Internet globally on 3G networks worldwide,’’ it added. 

Both Qualcomm officials in South Korea, and Samsung Electronics spokesman Ken Noh declined to comment on the Korean firm’s plans.

Samsung’s transition towards becoming a solutions provider and a chip supplier is strengthening as its mobile head Shin Jong-kyun is injecting more resources to expand the management of its own telecom chips.

``Our division is not just to produce smartphones and tablets. In order to diversify portfolios, our division should do better for telecom chips,’’ said Shin.

The chip division is handling mobile APs and the head of the company’s device solution unit, which encompasses flat-screens and memory chips, recently told The Korea Times that its mobile AP-making factory in Austin, Texas, became fully operational last year. Apple’s i-devices use Samsung’s mobile APs produced at the Austin plant.

The Exynos chip is currently built using a 45-nanometer process but the new Exynos chip will be made with 32-nanometer technology, giving better performance quality without using as much power. Samsung said that in terms of performance, it gives up to 26 percent more than the current 45-nanometer chip, with battery life improved by half. The new version will be used in the Galaxy S III.

This in itself is good news for consumers who rely on battery performance when choosing devices.

``The development of quad-core mobile APs is finalized and the decision to make one-chip solutions was by Shin,’’ said an executive at the company’s semiconductor division.

``If Samsung successfully strengthens its management for telecommunications chips, then it expects to see more revenue from smartphones and tablets. That’s the scenario we hope,’’ said the unnamed executive.

Samsung has a cross-licensing deal with Qualcomm until 2024 to use the American firm’s single-chip solutions.

Switzerland-based brokerage UBS has raised its target for Samsung Electronics shares to 1.48 million won citing a rising shares in smartphones.

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IPTV World Forum 2012: Intel in Smart TV business with the Intel® Atom™ CE5300 Media Processor

 Consumers will have even more options for their TVs whether it’s a flat panel, HDTV, 3DTV or the newest OLED TV, when service providers use the Intel® Atom™ CE5300 Media Processor (codenamed Berryville) in their set-top boxes, announced today at IPTV World Forum in London by Intel’s Service Provider Division.

What’s a Media Processor?

It’s the brains in a set-top box that seamlessly combines the Internet with TV. It means that Intel and service providers are all working to bring you an easy-to-use interface, 3D graphics capabilities, improved search, and of course, downloadable apps and games for your various digital TVs.

Imagine not crowding around a PC to video chat. Instead, this new chip from Intel will enable you to video conference with friends and family from your big screen TV in the living room. You’ll be able to show your girlfriends your new dance moves without having to worry about getting your laptop camera aimed properly.

Also imagine a great new 3D user interface and console-level graphics for gaming with this high performance chip in set-top boxes.

Your Pay TV Service Gets Better

In addition to the main three services offered today from most service providers (Pay TV, broadband, and fixed voice), you will also start to see new services: gaming, home security, IT/help desk, and home automation.

What’s Next: Residential/Video Gateways Coming Soon

Gateways typically include a modem, VoIP processor, router, tuners, and an applications processor. Some service providers may even include a hard drive so the gateway can be used as DVR or media server. And with almost any device now able to tap into Pay TV and other services, gateways will help traffic multiple TV streams to a viewers’ main TV, the PC in another room, or the tablet in their kitchen – all at the same time.

The Technical Details

The Intel® Atom™ CE5300 Media Processor (codenamed Berryville) is our 4th-generation SoC and our first 32nm part for this market segment that features a dual Intel Atom core with support for hyperthreading and virtualization, an advanced 3D/2D graphics engine, integrated power management, and an H.264 B-picture hardware encoder.

So, is Intel Still Making Silicon for the Smart TV Experience?

Intel’s Service Provider Division (SPD) was created last October when the company wound down its Retail Digital TV business. Intel continues to target the Smart TV experience through various platform solutions for service providers. In fact, over the last year leading Service Providers like Comcast, Free, Liberty Global/UPC, Bouygues Telecom, Numericable and Telecom Italia have announced or launched products on Intel silicon.

So what products does SPD design and manufacture? We target Telcos, and Cable Multi-service Operators (MSOs), and Satellite with Media Processor SoCs. Our line of Cable Modem SoCs, the Puma Family, is designed for set-top boxes, headed and headless gateways (the primary difference between headless and headed gateways is that the headed gateway renders to a display).

Other Announcements at IPTV World Forum in London

Amino will showcase the Amino* Freedom Live Media Gateway, their first Hybrid/OTT media gateway, as well as the latest Opera* TV Browser and Web GL technology, both using the Intel Atom CE5300.

Additionally, Locatel* will launch their STB 10 featuring the Intel Atom CE4150 – a set-top box targeting the hospitality industry at the show.

Intel is at the IPTV World Forum,  at booth 39.

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HP Recognizes Telefónica

 

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- At its Technology Services Leadership Summit, HP today named Telefónica S.A. the 2011 Technology Services Customer of the Year for successfully using HP expertise over the past year to drive its business forward.

HP has been collaborating with Telefónica, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, for more than 30 years.

Over the past seven years, Telefónica has expanded its relationship with HP from basic reactive services to multivendor support and infrastructure consulting. HP recently initiated an effort to help Telefónica migrate individual email platforms from multiple countries to one centralized global email platform, providing greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

“As a leader in the telecommunications sector, Telefónica’s business depends on a reliable technology infrastructure that is flexible enough to meet demands in the future,” said Joaquin Castano Gomez, director, Global Infrastructure and Workplace Services, Telefónica. “By collaborating with HP, not only do we receive excellent technology support, but we also gain a trusted advisor who understands our business and helps us meet ever-changing needs.”

Telefónica was selected by a panel of experts that evaluated the complexity of services, innovation strategy and collaboration with HP Technology Services in 2011. Telefónica’s willingness to partner with HP to develop strategy and proactively resolve issues set the company apart from the other nominees. This partner relationship is the model that both companies strive for and is a leading example in the industry.

“To maximize technology investments, clients need a partner who can support IT solutions and help plan for the organization’s future,” said Antonio Neri, senior vice president and general manager, Technology Services, HP. “By working closely with HP Technology Services, Telefónica receives personalized technology consulting and support to help expand its global business.”

HP services help business and governments in their pursuit of an Instant-On Enterprise. In a world of continuous connectivity, the Instant-On Enterprise embeds technology in everything it does to serve customers, employees, partners and citizens with whatever they need, instantly.

HP’s premier client event, HP DISCOVER, takes place June 4- 7 in Las Vegas.

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Is the Google Nexus tablet a done deal? Could be priced $149.-

An anonymous tipster within the supply chain told  Android and Me  “It’s a done deal,” and  the target price is $149-199.

One Android Insider’s take on the rumor:

• Many are referring to the device as the “Nexus tablet.”
• Google is choosing a cheaper processor over the quad-core Tegra 3 processor, which the tablet was rumored to use. Since ASUS, which some are saying is Google’s hardware partner, has close ties to Qualcomm, the Nexus tablet might use a Snapdragon processor.
• The Nexus tablet might arrive at the CTIA wireless convention May 8 to 10 in New Orleans.

Other than the 7-inch display, no additional information has been provided on the specs. 

Source: Forbes  via Android and Me

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New Intel SSDs

Intel, following the launch of 520 series SSDs in February 2012, will release 300 series models, codenamed Maple Crest, in May and 720 series, codenamed Ramsdale, both based on 25nm MLC technology, according to Taiwan-based PC vendors and makers.

With two storage capacity options of 400GB and 800 GB and featuring a PCIe interface, Ramsdale SSDs are specifically for business use.

In addition, Intel will release 500 series SSDs, King Crest, based on 20nm MLC technology in the third quarter as well as models under the three series, including 700 series Taylorsville (100GB, 200GB, 400GB, 800GB) and 300 series Jay Crest and Oak Crest, in the fourth quarter.

Although SSDs are much more expensive than HDDs, replacement of HDDs with SSDs has become a trend and 2012 is a key year.

Source 

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Samsung's Galaxy Note smartphone with 5.3 inch screen and stylus.

Samsung's Galaxy Note  next to the Samsung Galaxy II.

Samsung showed its new Note smartphone today at IFA, just 12 months after it showed the Galaxy Tab to great acclaim, and when history judges the 5.3" supersized smartphone it just might play a much greater role in the development of the personal computer form factor. The incorporation of a stylus and the 1280×800 high-resolution Super AMOLED screen give the thin Android phone additional functionality by way of both sketching and note-taking and when Gizmag's Tim Hanlon tried the phone with its 1.4GHz dual-core processor, he's now thinking of trading in his Galaxy SII.

"It might look like the awkward stepchild of a phone and tablet, but as soon as I went from my iPhone to the Galaxy SII, I became used to the additional screen-size instantly", said Tim.

"My old iPhone now seems like a toy compared to the SII and although the 5.3 inch Note looks awkward, it just might be indispensable once you get used to it. It is bigger than the Galaxy SII, but because it's thin, at 9.65mm, it's still small enough to slip into my jeans pocket."

"I wasn't crazy about the note taking feature as there was a slight lag, but it's likely to be a lot quicker than typing for a lot of people. The Note also loads web pages very quickly, and the camera seems much snappier than the Samsung Galaxy SII."

"It's funny, but I think the odd form factor is the type of thing that people might mock until they try it, then they'll have their opinion turned around like mine was. I pull out my iPad or laptop noticeably less with the Galaxy SII in my pocket, and I expect this would be amplified significantly if I had a Note...and although the Note won't replace my iPad, it will probably replace my Galaxy SII."

"Last but not least, it's surprisingly comfortable to use as a phone."

Computer research done on desktop computers has shown many times that the amount of screen real estate is almost directly proportional to productivity, so it may well be that the 5.3" HD Super AMOLED display offers considerable productivity advantages over existing smartphones.

Samsung also demonstrated two apps which leverage the Note's large screen and are sure to be sought after. One is the S Planner, a cross between a personal organizer and a management planning tool which integrates a To-Do list and schedule and will make a very useful life organizer. The other is a multimedia app named S Memo, which can take any form of user-created content (pictures, voice recordings, typed text, handwritten notes and sketches) and combine them in a memo which can be edited, annotated and shared. Those two apps alone will make the Note a very useful tool.

There's also a really easy-to-use screen-capture which means you can capture any screen and make notes on it before being filing or sharing - a genuinely useful tool .

There are several other trump cards associated with the Note. Firstly, its connectivity speed is exceptional as it has both HSPA+ and LTE, making it fast enough to stream video in real-time or participate in online gaming.

The other is via the use of Juniper Networks' Junos Pulse SSL VPN which enables secure remote access to corporate networks. This last one could prove to be a killer app as large enterprises have until now had very little choice in the smartphone arena and the SSL Virtual Private Network meets high-volume secure access and authorization requirements. By offering a smartphone that enables IT managers to centralize control and protect corporate data, Samsung has produced a device which can finally go head-to-head with the iPhone.

The Note will also no doubt sidestep most of Apple's legal complaints about "look and feel" too, as it's entirely different to either the iPad or iPhone and hence it looms as a real competitor to both as Apple is unlikely to be able to block its arrival in the marketplace.

The Note has enough smarts to significantly influence the form factor of the personal computer once more.

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Intel Developer Forum (IDF) 2012: Intel expected to reveal details of its cooperation with China players.

Intel is set to host its Intel Developer Forum (IDF) for China on April 11 in Beijing, China with the market expecting the company will reveal details about its cooperation with China-based players such as Lenovo and ZTE in the smartphone industry as well as the performance in China's embedded industry.

Sean Maloney, executive vice-president of Intel and chairman of Intel China will make a speech on the first day of the show and is also expected to reveal details of Intel's plans for the latest notebook, smartphone and tablet PC platforms.

In addition, Kirk Skaugen, who just recently took over Intel's PC Client Group as the president, is also expected to explain the details of the Ivy Bridge platform as well as the related technologies R&D and plans for second-generation ultrabook platform.

Meanwhile, players such as Asustek Computer, Gigabyte Technology, Micro-Star International (MSI), ASRock and BioStar are all expected to showcase their latest Z77-based motherboard at the show.

On the second day, Diane Bryant, vice president and chief information officer (CIO) of Intel as well as Ian Yang, vice president of Intel's Sales and Marketing Group and General Manager of Intel China will make speeches about server platform development and Intel's performance in China in 2011.

For smartphones, after launching the Atom Z2460 processor (Medfield), Intel is set to launch Atom Z2580 with a performance close to double of that of the Z2460. The Z2580 will feature built-in LTE/3G/2G integrated solutions and will start supplying testing samples in the second half of 2012 with related products to appear in the first half of 2013.

For emerging markets, Intel also plans to launch the Atom Z2000 series processor for the entry-level smartphone market, supporting Intel XMM 6265 3G HSPA+ and Dual-SIM 2G/3G dual-SIM card technologies. Intel will start supplying samples of Z2000 in mid-2012 with the related products to show up in early 2013.

Meanwhile, Intel's 22nm SoC will start shipping in 2013 and the company will also start developing a 14nm SoC.

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