Via
Latest
VIA makes its first ARM-based Pico-ITX board, adds dual graphics for your in-car pleasure
VIA has only ever really had a dalliance with ARM; the VAB-800 might be a sign that it's willing to go steady for awhile. As the company's first Pico-ITX board with an ARM chip, the 800 stuffs up to a 1GHz, Freescale-made ARM Cortex-A8 and 1GB of RAM into a tiny, 3.9 x 2.8-inch board. Somehow, it still fits up to four USB 2.0 ports, mini HDMI, VGA and as much as 64GB of storage. The board's real tricks are its dual integrated graphics processors: the VAB-800 can independently steer two displays, just in case your in-car infotainment system can't be contained by merely one screen. You'll likely have to be a car designer or an industrial device maker to make an order, although the 5W power draw and support for Android, Ubuntu Linux and Windows Embedded Compact 7 should soon see the VAB-800 crammed into logic-defying spaces everywhere.
Android PC gets wrapped in maple, hits that premium sweet spot
If you feel that a typical barebones Android PC really won't do alongside your chaise longue and stack of hardback first editions, you may be interested in Jeffrey Stephenson's latest case mod. Underneath the birds eye maple, acrylic panelling and mesh, the Acero houses VIA's humble $49 Neo-ITX-based system card, running an iteration of Android 2.3 ready for mouse and keyboard add-ons. Up to 720p graphics is possible, which can be output through its VGA or HDMI ports and although that 800MHz processor may not be up to delivering the greatest gaming thrills, we've already got our joystick picked out.
VIA Technologies' $49 Android barebones PC available for pre-order, ships in July
VIA Technologies' small -- but not bite-sized -- Neo-ITX-based barebones Android PC is now up for pre-order. Folks willing to plunk down $49 now will be among the first to play with the APC's version of Gingerbread that's been modified for use with a mouse and keyboard. When can you expect the return on investment? Well, it's slated to ship in early July, meaning you'll get your hands on its 800MHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 2GB of storage before the end of summer. [Thanks, Nikolas]
VIA ARTiGO A1200 lets you roll your own miniscule, fanless PC
Most ultra-compact, fanless PCs are intended for the embedded market -- that is, not for the proletariat to tinker with directly. VIA's no stranger to serving that crowd, but it's making a point of addressing home users who want this class of PC for DIY projects, like home media servers, with the ARTiGO A1200. The new design is still using the dual-core, 1GHz Eden X2 of VIA's usual embedded PCs at its heart, but it comes wrapped in a smaller, more eye-catching package with HDMI video out and support for Windows 7. That's not to say that the A1200 represents a softening, inside or out. The PC can still survive temperatures between 32F and 113F with dust resistance in the bargain, and there's an array of ports you're still less likely to find on an everyday computer, such as a CFast slot (for storage) and dual gigabit Ethernet jacks. The $320 it costs to buy the new ARTiGO today won't get you an OS, RAM or a hard drive, but its ability to survive for years in a hot, dusty closet just might be worth the cost.
VIA Technologies outs $49 APC Android barebones, nods towards Raspberry Pi
Android might have already spilled over into the desktop world in one form or another, but what if you want something a little more project-friendly? VIA Technologies has developed the APC, a Neo-ITX-based barebones system running a custom version of Android 2.3 optimized for mouse and keyboard input. The board is compatible with Mini-ITX and MacroATX form factors, and comes with a VIA 800MHz processor, 512MB RAM, 2GB flash memory, and built-in (up to 720p) graphics. HDMI, VGA, 4 x USB, audio out / in, microSD and Ethernet come along for the ride too, for a reasonable spread of connectivity. Best of all? The whole lot will only cost $49. No word on when pre-orders will open, but drop your email in over at the source link to find out when they do.
VIA unveils fanless, Eden X2-packing AMOS-3002, promises tiny dual-core PC in your car
VIA is planning to get some serious mileage out of its Eden X2 processor -- in the most literal sense possible. It's now producing the AMOS-3002, a Pico-ITX-sized PC intended for in-car infotainment and other situations where an embedded PC needs to have a little more juice for media tasks. The Eden X2 in question comes in a dual-core 1GHz flavor that's completely fanless, but it's fast enough to show 1080p video (when your car is parked, we hope) and can handle more intensive work like dual gigabit Ethernet jacks, optional 3G and even a 2.5-inch hard drive. That breadbox-sized shell can also take a lot of abuse, surviving temperatures between -4F and 140F as well as 50 Gs' worth of shock. You'll have to wait until your favorite car designer or digital sign maker uses the AMOS-3002 to see it in action, but until then, you can get the full details after the break.
Skype videoconferencing app and add-on camera come to Vizio Internet Apps HDTVs
Vizio snuck mention of its $150 XCV100 Skype-enabled webcam into its CES 2012 accessories announcements, and now the two companies have announced its compatibility with "most" Vizio Internet App TVs. There's no list of which models specifically support it, and which can manage up to 720p streams, but owners can check the capabilities of their model on Vizio's website. The webcam itself features an HD camera and four built in mics, and clips directly on the top of Vizio's flatscreens. Assuming you're into videoconferencing from your living room, have one of the HDTVs and are ready to drop a benjamin and a half for the privilege, all that's left is to find one of the cameras, currently marked as sold out on Vizio and Amazon. Now, if we could just get an update on that $99 ARM-powered Google TV set-top box...
Blockbuster On Demand pulls back from TiVo and others, is it on its way out?
From Zatz Not Funny comes word that TiVo owners are being notified their access to Blockbuster On Demand will come to an end March 31st, ending a run originally announced three years before. While this certainly affects TiVo's ability to offer the one box to search multiple services idea introduced with the Premiere, it could be more telling about Blockbuster's plans for the current incarnation of its internet movie service. As forum posters on TiVo Community point out, the list of supported devices is rapidly shrinking, with Vizio and Western Digital WD TV Live owners getting their own Dear John letters only a year or so after the app originally rolled out. Currently, the list of connected TV devices is limited exclusively to Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players, plus some cellphones and tablets. Once upon a time, Blockbuster desired an On Demand presence in "nearly every connected device" -- not to mention "major market presence" for the now Redbox-owned Express kiosks -- but after its purchase by Dish Network clearly those days are over. Now the only question is if / when we'll see a new service that better fits with the already announced Movie Pass package and what devices it might work on.
Vizio ultrawidescreen, Google TV and Cinema 3D HDTV hands-on
After Vizio gave the world a preview of its PC and tablet plans it also announced plans for new HDTVs and a couple of set-top boxes, so we couldn't resist traveling back over to its Wynn-based lounge to view the beasts in their natural habitat. We won't make too much of it, but if you read last year's hands-on preview, unfortunately much of this is similar, as we mentioned when they were announced -- much of this tech was originally planned to ship in 2011. That said, while TBD is still the watchword when it comes to release dates and pricing, we're told highly anticipated sets like the first ultrawidescreen units should be available for preorder soon.
Vizio's CES 2012 HDTV lineup includes 3D, Google TV and ultrawidescreen... again
After lighting things up with new PCs and a 10-inch tablet, Vizio is returning to its roots by unveiling a series of new HDTVs during CES, along with a few old ones. Among its more conventional sets, the E3D series has been bringing value priced passive 3D since last year, but it will be joined by the M3D series in a 47- and 55-inch model, the latter of which includes a Bluetooth QWERTY remote. If that's not enough, users can step up to the R3D series which come in the same sizes and have better backlighting. The more interesting news however, is that the 65-inch versions of both M- and R- lines feature VIA Plus, which is Vizio's customized spin on Google TV. We first got a peek at it last year, however the delayed introduction of Honeycomb and adoption of ARM processors likely doomed any chance of a release. In another blast from the past, Vizio has also queued up three 21:9 "CinemaWide" ultrawidescreen WFHD (2560x1080) models (above), in sizes of 50-, 58- and 71-inches with 3D and Yahoo! Widgets. We were heartbroken when we never saw these come home in 2011, although in all fairness no one else brought an ultrawidescreen flat-panel to us either so there's still an extremely rectangular space on our wall that needs filling. Prices and ship dates for all the new TVs are still TBD, and those without Google TV include Yahoo TV widgets. Check the press release after the break for the available details, before we check out the new models and try to find out if they'll actually arrive this time around.
VIA Technologies Leo U8500 hands-on (video)
When stopping by the ST-Ericsson booth at CES Unveiled tonight, we weren't expecting to stumble upon a phone we'd never seen before. Fortunately we were treated to a splendid surprise, as a new device designed by VIA Technologies was hanging out on the desk like a villain. The handset is designated as the "Leo U8500" and is touted as one of the first phones containing a full ST-Ericsson chipset. The yet-to-be-branded Gingerbread device sports the NovaThor U8500 smartphone platform, which rocks a 1GHz dual-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU, Mali 400 GPU and 14.4Mbps HSPA+ radio. Its chipset supports cameras with up to 20MP sensors and 1080p HD video capture. While the phone is production-ready, it appears that VIA is still shopping for potential suitors, and it's most likely China-bound when all is said and done. A few images and a video can be found below. Myriam Joire contributed to this report.
VIA VB7009 Mini-ITX board intended for POS, but HTPCs might want a piece too
We love a powerful punch in a puny package, and VIA's latest embedded Mini-ITX board is just that. You can have up to a 1.6GHz C7-D processor or dual-core 1.2GHz Nano X2 paired with 4GB of DDR3 memory and an onboard ChromotionHD 2.0 video processor that'll do hardware video acceleration up to 1080p. It's intended for Point of Sale terminals and the like but, at just 17 x 17cm, it could make for a potent little HTPC.
Lenovo and VIA Technologies A30 internet TV set top box bumps up your boob tube's IQ
Lenovo's known for making quality computers, but the company's plans for a television set top box have been in the works for months, and now the day has finally come. Lenovo, along with VIA Technologies, has launched the A30 internet TV device that packs a 1.2GHz VIA Nano CPU and VX900 media processor. Further hardware details are scarce at this point, but we do know that the A30 will have a BesTV service providing new and exclusive content, including movies of unknown origin "within a month of their release date," along with picture-in-picture functionality and, of course, internet access. There's mobile functionality too, as your smartphone can serve as both the box's remote and as an additional screen on which to view content. Naturally, Lenovo's not telling how much it'll cost, but our friends in the Far East will be able to pick one up in Q1 of 2012. PR after the break.
VIA adds Android support to embedded x86 line (video)
VIA is hardly the first hawker of x86-based chips to start bragging about its Android compatibility, but it certainly doesn't want to be left behind as the open source OS starts worming its way into more and more machines. The EITX-3002 is the first of its offerings to sport official support for Google's OS. At the heart of the Em-ITX board is your choice of a 1.2GHz NANO X2 or a 1GHz Eden X2, and a VX900H, which casn push 1080p video to dual monitors. The target devices are obviously touch-based systems like in-car entertainment computers and kiosks. To see the board in action head on after the break and, please, try to stay calm -- we all know how exciting Froyo-based kiosks are.
VIA's ARTiGO 1150: a $265 barebones nettop with big potential (video)
That VE-900 mini-ITX kit still too big for you, eh? Then check out VIA's latest pico-ITX alternative: the ARTiGO 1150 DIY nettop. It improves on last year's 1100 model with a dual-core Eden X2 processor clocked at 1GHz and a VX900H media system processor for accelerated decoding of video up to 1080p. The palm-sized chassis houses the usual HDMI and VGA outputs, gigabit Ethernet and four USB 2.0 host ports, while also leaving just enough room for you to install up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM, one 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD, plus optional WiFi and SD card reader modules. We've found the 1150 selling for $265, which strikes us as appropriately diminutive, but there's a promo video and press release after the break to help you weigh it up for yourself.
Vizio's M-Series Theater 3D TVs are officially available, at last
Last CES Vizio announced a slew of new LCD HDTVs with its passive glasses-compatible Theater 3D capabilities and Vizio Internet Apps built in, and now it's finally ready to announced the M-series midrange lineup is shipping nationwide. M3D models in various 40- and 50-inch sizes have been popping up over the last few weeks, featuring edge LED backlighting for between $1,039 (42-inch) and $1,649 (55-inch). Need something bigger on your wall? There's also a 65-inch version on the way in 2012, with a pricetag of $2,099. As usual, Vizio's displays bring a rather complete line of features without an ultra-high price tag, but there'd be more reasons to share the included four pairs of 3D glasses with friends if the NBA season would just ever start. As is, buyers will have to make do with whatever videogames and college sports they can find for now -- check after the break for more specs and prices.
VIA offers $89 processor and motherboard combo for custom HTPCs
If you're looking to craft a small form factor HTPC to an equally small budget, then VIA's own-brand internals deserve some serious consideration. The company's 1.4GHz dual-core Nano X2 CPU was recently put to good effect in Zotac's ZBOX Nano VD01 and is now available as part of a DIY combo called the VE-900, which puts the processor on a compact mini-ITX motherboard alongside a VX900 dedicated media accelerator for smooth video handling up to 1080p. The board has a single PCI slot, room for up to 8GB of DDR3, two SATA pin headers and four USB 2.0 ports. The rear panel adds to this with HDMI and VGA video outs, three analog audio jacks, Gigabit LAN, four more USB 2.0 ports and other standard fare -- but alas, it seems that the $89 price tag won't fetch you digital audio outs or USB 3.0. You'll find a full PR and promo video after the break, plus some Nano X2 benchmarks at the More Coverage link.
Zotac's ZBOX nano VD01 packs dual-core VIA CPU in a tiny, tiny box
Zotac isn't the biggest name in computers, but the company does do one thing particularly well -- cram capable HTPC components in itty-bitty boxes for a reasonable price. VD01 series ditches more well known solutions from Intel and AMD for chips from VIA, specifically the Nano X2 U4025 CPU with its Chrome9 media processor. Inside is room for a 2.5-inch HDD and a single DDR3 slot, but you can get those pre-populated with a 320GB disk and 2GB RAM by opting for the Plus model. Outside is your usual selection of USB 3.0, 2.0, eSATA, Ethernet and HDMI ports while inside are both Bluetooth 3.0 and 802.11n radios. There's even an IR receiver and bundled remote to make this truly living room friendly. Check out the gallery below, as well as the PR after the break. %Gallery-135999%
Daily Update for September 23, 2011
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes, which is perfect for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen.
Apple's A4 and A5 processors targeted in a new lawsuit filed by Via
According to a Bloomberg report, well-known motherboard and chipset manufacturer Via has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple. Filed in Delaware Federal court, the complaint accuses Apple of infringing three US patents that cover microprocessor technology used in smartphones and tablets. Presumably, this lawsuit is targeting Apple's A4 and A5 processor used in the iPhone 4, iPad and the iPod touch. The Taiwanese manufacturer is asking for an injunction against Apple products containing these microprocessors and a jury trial. Apple, as expected, has not commented on this latest lawsuit.
