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q2

PC chip shipments see Q2 rise but outlook wary

Global PC microprocessor shipments saw a healthy rise in the second quarter, though the outlook is cautious for the third quarter, IDC said.

Worldwide PC microprocessor unit shipments and revenues in the second calendar quarter of 2010 increased 3.6 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively, compared with the first quarter, according to market researcher IDC, in a report released Thursday.

The average sequential change in unit shipments between calendar-year first quarter and second quarter is an increase of 1.6 percent. For revenues, the average sequential change is a decrease of 2.8 percent, IDC said. So, the percentages … Read more

AMD tops Nvidia in graphics chip shipments

Advanced Micro Devices passed Nvidia in graphics chip shipments in the second quarter, according to a report from a marketing research firm on Wednesday, adding to Nvidia's woes.

AMD's ATI graphics unit took 51 percent of the standalone, or "discrete," graphics chip market compared to Nvidia's share that was just shy of 49 percent, according to Mercury Research, a Cave Creek, Arizona firm that tracks graphics chip shipments. This is a sharp reversal from the same period a year ago when Nvidia had about 59 percent of the market and AMD had just under 41 … Read more

BlueAnt introduces the Q2

We liked the BlueAnt Q1, as well as the more recent T1, but it seems BlueAnt isn't content to stop there. It just introduced the BlueAnt Q2, which promises to have even better sound quality than before.

Like the other BlueAnt headsets, the Q2 has an excellent voice control interface, an integrated text-to-speech feature that will announce incoming caller names if they're in your phone book, wind resistance of up to 22 mph, integration with BING 411, A2DP audio, and multipoint connectivity. Interestingly, the Q2 is also compatible with a free Android app that'll read out SMS … Read more

Q2 Cube Internet radio is a real pushover

People who like getting physical with their gadgets may warm to a new Internet radio that must be moved around to operate.

The Q2 Cube radio from Cambridge Consultants and Armour Group will change to one of four preselected stations when it's turned over on its side. Tilting the speaker back or forward lowers or raises the volume.

The Cube seems to be a bit bigger than palm-sized, so it would fit neatly on a cluttered desk. It wouldn't do as an alarm clock, since tossing it from the bedside table would presumably only change the station.

The … Read more

AMD posts narrower loss, lower sales

Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday reported a net second-quarter loss of $330 million as the chipmaker offered a muted outlook for the rest of the year.

The $330 million loss, or 49 cents per share, compares favorably to a $1.2 billion loss, or $1.97 per share, in the same period last year. Analysts had forecast a loss of 47 cents per share.

Revenue of $1.18 was flat compared to the first quarter of 2009 and decreased 13 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008.

AMD expects revenue for the product company--which excludes the spun-off manufacturing operations--to … Read more

Samsung Q2 MP3 player offers 16GB at 8GB prices

The MP3 player market has done nothing but benefit from the decline in flash memory prices. One of many examples can be found in the Samsung Q2, a plain-looking device that comes in 8GB and 16GB versions for just $99.99 and $129.99, respectively.

The Q2 is priced well below its competitors--particularly the 16GB version--and it delivers an excellent value, thanks to good sound quality and a nice array of handy features. However, we're not too taken with the player's design.

Read the full review of the Samsung Q2.

Samsung U5 and Q2 MP3 players unveiled for U.S.

During Tuesday's Spring Fever press event, Samsung spilled their guts on two new MP3 players for 2009, the YP-U5 and YP-Q2, both scheduled for an April release.

The Samsung YP-U5 (aka the U5, aka DoReMi) has been roaming the wilds of Europe and Asia for a few months now, making a reputation for its affordable price ($39/2GB) and playful design. The player comes in a handful of colors (black, white, red, pink, blue), and includes a built-in USB stick, FM radio, FM recorder, custom EQ, DNSe audio enhancement, and support for MP3, WMA, and Ogg music formats. Battery … Read more

Answer calls on your motorcycle without dying (maybe)

I don't ride a motorcycle, but if I did, I'd probably be in a motorcycle gang, and if so, I'd definitely want to be able to communicate with my fellow gang members quickly. If a guy's coming from behind me with a chain, ready to take my head off, I need to know this.

Cardo Systems, a developer of Bluetooth helmet headsets for motorcycles, apparently agrees with me. While the company isn't marketing its new Bluetooth Motorcycle kit directly to motorcycle gangs, I can read between the lines.

The Scala Rider Q2 Multiset purportedly gives … Read more

Intel CEO on Atom chip shortage, flash problems

Intel CEO Paul Otellini had mostly upbeat news on Tuesday when the world's largest chipmaker reported solid earnings, but Atom processor issues and weakness in the flash memory business were recurring themes in the earnings conference call.

One of the most interesting comments made during the conference call on Tuesday by Otellini was about the Atom processor. "(Atom) is less than a third the performance of our Centrino (processor). You're dealing with something that most of us wouldn't use," he said.

Though he qualified this by repeating the mantra that Atom is "principally designed … Read more