Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology, announced today that it has begun mass producing the industry's first low-power (green) four gigabit (Gb) DDR3 devices using 40 nanometer (nm) class process technology. The high-density memory is expected to bring significant power savings to data centers, server systems and high-end notebooks.

"When our 40nm-class DDR3 was first introduced last July, we were well ahead of the curve for high density, high performance DDR3," said Dong-Soo Jun, executive vice president, memory marketing, Samsung Electronics. "Now, in just seven more months, we have introduced an ultra-low power 'Green Memory' - the 4Gb DDR3, which is double the density of its predecessor. At a module density of 16-gigabyte (GB), the 4Gb based module can save 35 percent in power consumption, to support customer requirements for more energy-efficient designs."

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, today announced the Samsung S2 Portable, a fully transportable external hard drive, pre-loaded with the movie 'Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT'.

Timed with the DVD and Blu-ray Disc release of 'Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT', the pre-loaded external HDD will be available at major European retailers from February 22, 2010.

"We are excited to present this movie starring Michael Jackson, the greatest entertainer of all time, pre-loaded on the Samsung S2 Portable," said H.S. Lee, Vice President, Storage Marketing, Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology today announced the F3EG, its new high-performance environmentally-friendly HDD (hard disk drive) for the desktop market. The EcoGreen F3EG, a higher capacity model from its predecessor the F2EG, features 2TB capacity with 500GB per disk that is capable of storing up to 880 hours of DVD video or 500,000 or more songs in MP3 format. With increased recording density, the EcoGreen F3 drive is more power efficient by supporting a capacity up to 2TB with four disks.

"Storage-hungry multimedia professionals, gamers and home PC users continue to increase the amount of video, music, photo and other personal data they store and back-up," said In Cheol Park, vice president, Storage Sales, Samsung Electronics. "The F3EG delivers all the benefits of a low-power drive yet features high performance and is environmentally friendly."

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology solutions, today announced that the industry's first 30-nanometer-class DRAM has just successfully completed customer evaluations, in two gigabit (Gb) densities. With DDR3 SDRAM becoming the predominant main memory this quarter, Samsung's aggressive advancement in process technology will raise productivity and expedite dissemination of high performance, 1.5V and 1.35V DDR3 for servers, desktops and notebook PCs.

"Our accelerated development of next generation 30nm-class DRAM should keep us in the most competitive position in the memory market," said Soo-In Cho, president, Memory Division, Samsung Electronics.

Samsung introduced two high contrast LCD monitors - the SyncMaster 70 Series F2370H and SyncMaster 80 Series F2380MX. The latter targets the casual user, while the former targets professionals. Both are 23-inch displays with native resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD). The selling point here is a dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1 and static ratio of 3,000:1. Both use HDMI for input apart from the usual DVI. Both displays further feature a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees. The F2370H and F2380MX are expected to be priced at around 640€ and 675€, respectively, when the release later this month in Korea.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology solutions, today announced two high-density memory solutions for mobile devices. The new storage solutions - a 64-gigabyte (GB) moviNAND memory device and a 32GB micro secure digital (microSD) memory card - satisfy mobile handset designers' requirements for advanced compact high-density memory.

"Samsung's high-density memory solutions bring the storage capacity levels of computing systems to small, mobile devices," said Dong-Soo Jun, executive vice president, memory marketing, Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, today announced the G Series, its new line-up of external hard drives, designed under an eco-friendly green concept. The new G series strengthen Samsung's external drive portfolio of 1.8", 2.5" and 3.5" drives, targeting the young adult market, which are looking for a fashionably styled mobile drive but that is also reliable with high density.

Samsung's new G-Series, introduced at the International Consumer Electronics Show, consists of the 2.5-inch G2 Portable with 250/320/500/640GB densities and the 3.5-inch G3 Station available in 1/1.5/2TB versions.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a market leader in consumer electronics and world leader in IT technology, today announced the extension of its R-Series range of notebooks with six ultra-stylish new models - the powerful R780, R580 and R480 and the stylish R730, R530 and R430.

The R780, R580 and R480's built- in Intel Core i5-520M Processor moves faster than you do by automatically allocating processing power where it's needed most. So, whether you're creating high definition (HD) video, composing digital music, editing photos, or playing the coolest PC games, they enable you to multitask with ease and be more productive than ever.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, announced today it will display a prototype of its new slim external DVD writer, the SE-S084D optical disk drive (ODD) at the Treasure Island Hotel in a private product display room during CES 2010. Featuring a more compact footprint and lighter weight than competitive offerings, the new DVD writer also delivers high-performance with a USB power source to eliminate electrical outlet requirements.

"Because netbooks are designed for ultra mobility, they aren't typically equipped with optical disc drives, which can potentially make booting from a CD or playing a DVD movie a problem," said John Suh, director of OMS sales and marketing, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. "But with the lightweight, portable SE-S084D Optical Disc Drive, you have the perfect on-the-go, stand-alone. And thanks to its USB BUS power source, you can write at maximum speed with no outlet in sight."

Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, the number one worldwide brand of LCD display products, today announced the launch of its latest premium LED monitor, the 23 inch Samsung Syncmaster PX2370. The PX2370 will be available in April from Samsung resellers at a price of $369, giving customers outstanding performance combined with sleek, attractive design and energy-efficient technology.

"With its slim 18mm depth and eco-sensitive design, the PX2370 leads the way with the smallest footprint possible, both on the desktop and the environment," said Young Bae, director Display Marketing, Samsung Information Technology Division. "Consumers no longer have to choose between a high-performance, feature-laden product and green technology."

Samsung Electronics, a market leader in consumer electronics and world leader in IT technology, today launched the latest additions to its award-winning range of netbooks, the Samsung N210, N220, N150 and NB30. Designed to provide maximum personal freedom, the N210 and N220 deliver up to 12 hours* of secure connected mobility, while the N150 and NB30 keep on going for up to 8.5 hours* and 11 hours* respectively. This impressive battery-powered performance is possible because overall power consumption is reduced by their energy efficient LED display, optimized processing performance and Samsung's proprietary Enhanced Battery Life solution.

The N210, N220, N150 and NB30 also have several display features that enhance the visual experience. The new netbooks' 10.1" LED anti-reflective display fine-tunes movies and images with the sharpest details and boldest colors, with no mirror effect under bright lights or in sunny weather. Using the integrated Easy Resolution Manager tool, screen resolution can easily be changed if a program or game needs to be viewed in 1024x768. For added visual enhancements, the N210, N220, N150 and NB30 offer an integrated Digital LiveCam for video-conferencing or live messaging.

Broadcom Corporation, a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that its Crystal HD technology will be available to OEMs wanting to deliver best-in-class video playback on the new Intel Atom processor platform for netbooks. The Broadcom BCM70015 Crystal HD solution will be offered as an option for OEMs designing netbooks using the Intel Atom processor N450 and Intel NM10 Express chipset platform. Crystal HD technology provides netbook users with a rich multimedia experience by enabling cost effective, quality playback of multi-format, high definition (HD) video and will be featured on select 2010 netbook platforms from top-tier OEMs including ASUS, Dell and Samsung.

Corsair, a worldwide leader in high-performance computer and flash memory products, today announced that it has released firmware with TRIM support and a firmware update tool for its award-winning Performance Series P64, P128 and P256 solid-state drives.

The firmware (revisionVBM19C1Q) and update tool were both developed by Samsung, and have been rigorously qualified by both Samsung and Corsair using a large number of test platforms, in conjunction with a controlled end-user BETA test of the new firmware.

Intel Corporation announced new Intel Atom processors today that feature integrated graphics built directly into the CPU, enabling improved performance and smaller, more energy-efficient designs in a new generation of netbooks and Atom-based entry level desktop PCs. Major OEMs have committed to having systems on the new Intel Atom processors and a new companion chipset available within the next few weeks.

The newest Intel Atom platform for netbooks consists of a new Intel Atom processor, the N450, and a new low-power Intel NM10 Express Chipset. For entry level desktop PCs, it consists of either the Intel Atom processor D410 or the dual core D510, also paired with the Intel NM10 Express Chipset. The Intel Atom processor was designed from the ground up for small devices and low power, and remains Intel's smallest chip, built on the company's 45nm high-k metal gate manufacturing process. The overall package, including chipset, just got smaller due to the increasing integration and 45nm manufacturing, which means smaller, more compact system designs, lower costs for OEMs and improved performance.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today announced the finalization and release of the "Blu-ray 3D" specification. The specification, which represents the work of the leading Hollywood studios and consumer electronic and computer manufacturers, will enable the home entertainment industry to bring the 3D experience into consumers' living rooms on Blu-ray Disc, the most capable high definition home entertainment platform.

"Throughout this year, movie goers have shown an overwhelming preference for 3D when presented with the option to see a theatrical release in either 3D or 2D," said Victor Matsuda, chairman, BDA Global Promotions Committee. "We believe this demand for 3D content will carry over into the home now that we have, in Blu-ray Disc, a medium that can deliver a quality Full HD 3D experience to the living room."

The "Blu-ray 3D" specification fully leverages the technical advantages of the Blu-ray Disc format to deliver unmatched picture quality as well as uniformity and compatibility across the full range of Blu-ray 3D products, both hardware and software. Notably, the specification allows every Blu-ray 3D player and movie to deliver Full HD 1080p resolution to each eye, thereby maintaining the industry leading image quality to which Blu-ray Disc viewers are accustomed. Moreover, the specification is display agnostic, meaning that Blu-ray 3D products will deliver the 3D image to any compatible 3D display, regardless of whether that display uses LCD, Plasma or other technology and regardless of what 3D technology the display uses to deliver the image to the viewer's eyes.

Rambus Inc., one of the world's premier technology licensing companies specializing in high-speed memory architectures, today announced that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. will offer a 1 Gigabit XDR DRAM memory device. XDR DRAM is a key component of Rambus' award-winning XDR memory architecture. Samsung's 1Gb XDR DRAM device will broaden the availability of XDR technology for gaming, computing and consumer electronics applications.

"Samsung's market leadership means system manufacturers can be assured of a reliable supply of our XDR DRAM," said Sharon Holt, senior vice president of Licensing and Marketing at Rambus. "With XDR memory's world-leading bandwidth performance, designers can meet their system requirements with fewer devices and greater power efficiency."

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology solutions, announced today that it commenced the industry's first volume production of 3-bit, multi-level-cell (MLC) NAND flash chips using 30-nanometer (nm)-class process technology at the end of November. The chips will be used in NAND flash modules accompanied by exclusive Samsung 3-bit NAND controllers to initially produce eight gigabyte (GB) micro Secure Digital (microSD) cards.

"Introducing cost-efficient, 30nm-class 3-bit technology widens our NAND memory solution base to make NAND even more enticing for increasingly diverse market applications," said Soo-In Cho, executive vice president and general manager of the Memory Division at Samsung Electronics. "Our 3-bit NAND memory will support the development of more cost-competitive, high-density consumer electronics storage solutions," he added.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology solutions, announced today that it has developed the world's thinnest multi-die package, one that measures a mere 0.6mm in height. Designed initially for 32 gigabyte (GB) densities, the new memory package is just half the thickness of a conventional memory package of eight stacked chips (or dies). The advanced packaging technology delivers a 40 percent thinner and lighter memory solution for high-density multimedia handsets and mobile devices.

"Thin remains the action word in today's mobile environment and we're taking a big step here at Samsung to make higher density memory less than half the thickness of what it was before," said Jim Elliott, vice president, memory marketing, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc.

Samsung Electronics is releasing a new energy-efficient version of its Story Station external hard drive. Adhering to the European Union's EuP (Energy Using Products) Directive for Standby Regulation, effective January 2010, the new Story Station draws a mere 0.09W of power when in standby, down from its current 2.5W standby power draw. "User requirements for external hard drives now include eco-friendliness and lower power levels in addition to performance, reliability and exceptional design," said C.H. Lee, vice president, Storage sales & marketing, Samsung Electronics. "Samsung's STORY Station, which has been praised for its appealing external-drive design, takes a huge step forward in setting the stage for the timely introduction of environmentally-conscious hard drive technology," he added. The Story Station external hard drive comes in capacities of 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB. Included are features that automatically backup data on to it, encrypting, and password-protecting it. It uses USB 2.0 for connectivity. The new drives will reach stores next month.

Following its recent announcement of a pair of netbooks, Samsung also unveiled its newest CULV ultraportable notebook, the X120. With a chassis more or less resembling that of the N100 series albeit larger, the X120 doesn't target the ULPC/netbook crowd. It holds a 11.6-inch display with a native resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It is powered by an Intel CULV-class Celeron M 723 processor, up to 4 GB of system memory, and 500 GB of storage. Connectivity options include 10/100 Ethernet, 801.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth (optional), and 6-cell or 4-cell battery. The 6-cell one provides up to 9 hours of usage. It will be available later this month priced at around 700€.

Samsung announced its N130 and N140 netbooks today. These feature 10.1 inch LED-backlit screens, Intel Atom N270 1.60 GHz or Atom N280 1.66 GHz processor, 1 GB of memory, and 160 GB of storage. Connectivity options include 10/100 Ethernet, 801.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth,and 3-in-1 memory card reader. A VGA webcam heads the screen. The two largely similar models differ with the N130 having 1.5W speakers, and a 3-cell battery, while the N140 having 3W speakers and a 6-cell battery that is rated to last for 11 hours. Both measure 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches, and weigh in at 2.8 lbs (1.27 kg). When it starts selling, the two are reportedly going to come with Windows 7 Starter Edition, Office Home and Student, and a Microsoft SkyDrive-based backup solution pre-installed. There is no word on pricing yet. Pictured below (in order) are N130 and N140.

Samsung Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, announced today its new line-up of high-density hard drives for high-end computing environments, the Spinpoint F3. The F3 operates at 7200 RPM with offerings of up to 1 Terabyte (TB) data storage capacity by using two 500 Gigabyte (GB) per platter disks. As well as meeting data center requirements for addition storage to meet rising demand and increasing performance needs, the new drives also deliver high-performance with lower power for desktop computers and servers.
The Spinpoint F3 utilizes advanced 500 GB per platter technology, so that two-platter 1 TB capacity is achieved. Increased areal density per platter provides up to a 30 percent higher performance than a three-platter 1 TB in the same 3.5" form factor. A reduction in mechanical parts also contributes to enhanced reliability in terms of anti-shock and data failure.

Outsourcing is all the rage in modern times. Every company is hoping to score a contract for a good price and then push the workload off to the local guy. That way they make the big bucks and the local guy can get some money as well. There are plenty of insane little stories of outsourcing like the ones for the "rebuilding" contracts in Iraq, which were awarded to big US companies for unbelievable sums. These then turned around and outsourced that work to a small local company in the country for a fraction of the price.

The Onion News Network - a satire based on real life big shots like CNN and NBC - has been going after that issue with their YouTube video of personal outsourcing of americans. This brings me to my current issue: Samsung and their warranty service.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology, announced today that it has begun mass producing the industry's first two gigabit (Gb) DDR3 devices using 40 nanometer (nm) class process technology.

"We see market adoption to DDR3 picking up steam and are accommodating that with early entry of 2Gb DDR3 using the most efficient DRAM manufacturing technology available today," said Jim Elliott, Vice President, Memory Marketing, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. "This will set the pace for a new standard in premium, eco-friendly DRAM solutions offering the most advanced, low power RDIMM for servers anywhere."

Mushkin today announced the third-generation of its flagship solid-state disk lineup, the Europa III. The new series revolves around using a high-performance controller chip made by Samsung. The NAND flash configuration is of the multi-level cell (MLC) type, and in conjunction with the controller, provides high transfer rates.

The first model in this series is the Mushkin esi25607. This 250 GB SSD is of the standard 2.5 inch form-factor, and weighs 80.1 g. It is driven by Samsung S3C29RBB controller, which helps this drive churn out speeds of 220 MB/s (read), 200 MB/s (write). It uses the standard SATA II interface. The drive maintains a low power draw of 0.15W when idling, and 0.25W when active. It has its MTBF rated at one million hours. The drive comes packed in a fancy aluminum case. Details on its pricing and availability are yet to surface.