Thursday, July 03, 2008

Apple orders 50 million iPhone NAND chips from Samsung, rest of world put on hold?

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324808622/

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Daaaamn, talk about clout. If DigiTimes' sources are correct, then Samsung, the world's primary supplier of flash memory, just told its non-Apple customers to suck it in favor of a "large batch of orders" it received from Cupertino. The order is said to be for 50-million "8Gb-equivalent" (we assume they mean gigabyte, or GB) NAND chips "mainly for use in Apple's iPhone." This order follows a June procurement for 25 million of the same chips. In response, Samsung has reportedly told its lesser customers that it would "sharply cut supply" of NAND to them while the order is being fulfilled. The shortage is compounded by Samsung lowering its manufacturing output in April and May in an attempt to reduce oversupply. Still, if these numbers are true (they seem high and DigiTimes can be hit or miss with its Apple sources) then the world is about to be awash in iPhone 3Gs come July 11th.

Update: We've given the Gigabits vs. Gigabytes a bit more thought. If it's 50 million 8Gbit chips as stated, they would divide evenly across about 2.1 million 8GB iPhone 3Gs plus another 2.1 million 16GB models. A reasonable production run for Apple's global launch but an order which shouldn't be so taxing on Samsung's production capability. Something doesn't add up.
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Everex readying 10.2-inch Cloudbook with 3G WWAN?

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324874726/

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As we all wait tensely for Everex's Cloudbook MAX to land (and WiMAX to launch in a big way), rumors are swirling that First International Computer (FIC) -- Everex's affiliate and the maker of the Cloudbook -- is preparing a 10.2-inch "Eee PC killer." 'Course, by the time this thing comes out it'll have 27 Eees to kill, but we digress. Early word suggests that the unit will pack a 1,024 x 600 resolution panel, a 1.3-megapixel camera, up to 2GB of RAM, a 4-in-1 multicard reader, ExpressCard slot, 4- or 6-cell battery, 802.11b/g WiFi as well as optional 3G WWAN / WiMAX capabilities. With everyone and their first cousin twice removed getting into this arena, don't be shocked to see this turn up here in a few months.

[Via SlashGear]
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The Motorola RAZR 2 V9x for AT&T brings GPS, non-hideous color

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324874725/

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Shoot, all Motorola had to do was change from pink mahogany to this nice, normal, compliant shade of black, and that would've been enough of an update to justify a model name change. There's more, though: the V9x will officially offer AT&T Navigator, the Telenav-powered navigation system already found on the Z9, and we can see from these press shots that it'll even work on the secondary display, which is pretty trick. This appears to be the same update that we'd originally heard would drop way back in January, which means we can likely expect Video Share support as well. Take a stroll on over to Engadget Mobile for the full gallery.
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MSI Wind shipping in "3 to 5 weeks," Advent rebadge available now

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324900592/

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Okay, so we've got hard evidence the Wind is shipping out somewhere in the world, but the latest status check on Amazon reveals that it'll be another 3 to 5 weeks before Americans can indulge. Granted, we've seen these dates slip around a bit, so hopefully it'll slide to "sooner" if anything. Interestingly enough, the Advent 4211 rebadge is shipping this very moment to customers in the UK for £279.99, though that currency conversion is apt to be a real thorn in your side when looking to import.

Read - MSI Wind availability, via ComputerMonger, thanks Ivana
Read - Advent 4211, thanks zeesh
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Machine Collective reveals modular prototyping platform

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/324979154/

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While Bug Labs may have brought modular gadget kits to the forefront, you won't find us kvetching about yet another formidable opponent. Machine Collective has just launched a website to showcase its modular prototyping platform, which essentially consists of a number of interchangeable I/O modules "designed to work with development platforms such as Arduino and Wiring." Needless to say, the possibilities for DIYers and electrical engineers are pretty much endless here, though you'll have to "wait a few weeks" before excitedly beaming in your order and credit card information.

[Via MAKE]
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