Yes it is fast - and we have a certificate to prove it!

The VIA VL700 USB 3.0-SATA controller that was announced a month or so ago has been certified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The chip, which can be included on motherboards, on add-on cards, or in notebooks/netbooks, allows you to connect a SATA HDD, SSD or optical drive to your computer using the new super fast USB 3.0 speeds. This certification basically gives a stamp of approval to say that this chip is as fast as VIA claims. Cool!
"Components that achieve certification qualify to use the SuperSpeed USB logo, designed to provide consumers with a way to evaluate a product’s quality. Additionally, certified products are added to an Integrators List of compliant SuperSpeed USB devices, which is available to manufacturers at www.usb.org/developers/compliance. The Integrators List enables manufacturers to quickly check for USB 3.0 components that have met the USB-IF Certification and Compliance Program criteria. " - more.

Microsoft and VIA heading to the cloud

Microsoft's Windows Server 2008 will support virtual desktop environments for enterprise level computing more than any other Microsoft-based software designed for clients and centralised computing has in the past. One of the features is called RemoteFX and VIA has announced plans to support the technology in their media system processor technologies.

VIA's chips have long been popular in thin client designs because of their low cost and power efficiency.
“As organizations plan to deploy a centralized computing architecture with virtualized or session-based desktops, IT professionals want to deliver a premium user experience to connected workers,” said Mike Schutz, director of product management at Microsoft Corp. “The Microsoft RemoteFX feature in Windows Server will allow remote workers to access any type of application or screen content, including rich media and 3D applications. Companies such as VIA Technologies are offering a path to the future by investing in solutions today that will increase the flexibility and performance of a centralized desktop environment.”

VIA ARTiGO around Oz

The VIA ARTiGO Pico-ITX builder kit, it has to be said, is a darn cute little PC. You can literally hold it on the palm of your hand and yet it's a complete PC with a 1GHz processor, HD audio, Ethernet and the VX700 chipset.

Of course the size of 15x11x4.5 cm makes it ideal for modding, it is of course designed for developing an embedded application using VIA's Pico-ITX platform. To get your project on the way, I've had a look around to see where you can pick one up in Australia ...

AusPCMarket has them for $568.70

Eyo will ship one to you for %531.93

TechBuy's price is $592

Enthusiasts like their lips at the VIA ART-3000

Didn't I say it? When I first mentioned the VIA ART-3000 I said it reminded me of a car PC. Slashgear has now made the same comment, in fact they go further, to say that it would make a good one. Liliputing also says the "little guy has enough oomph to function halfway decently as a low power, small form factor desktop." Let's review the specs again ...

• 1.3GHz VIA Nano processor
• VX800 media system processor
• 2GB DDR2
• SATA HDD support

That is more than powerful enough for most everyday tasks. Hell, netbooks have sold like hot cakes and they have less power than this thing!

New VIA ART-3000 embedded box PC - pint sized versatility

The Press Release announcing the VIA ART-3000 mentions a quote from VIA's Embedded Platform Division VP, Daniel Wu, that “The VIA ART series really underlines our strength in offering system level products that exceed expectations". This certainly suggest that this embedded box PC is just the first in a series, much like the ARTiGO products are also a series.

The look of this little unit reminds me of a Voom PC, a product that was originally designed for car PC applications. Although car PCs are not a target of this device, the ART-3000 could certainly end up in some diverse applications. It's being pitched for kiosk, POI, industrial automation and digital signage since it can be wall, table, reverse and VESA mounted.

The platform behind the box, so to speak, is the Em-ITX EITX-3000 with a 1.3GHz VIA Nano processor and the VX800 media system processor. The Press Release does also mention a fanless option although it's not specified what the spec would be for that.

8 screens at 1080p

VIA has a booth this week at the Digital Signage Expo in Vegas where they will be showing off an S3 Graphics Chome 5400E setup, of two cards diplaying 1080p playback on eight monitors at once. The configuration can show up to four different video streams at a time. Nice ... Press Release.

VIA announce Pico-ITXe expansion board for fleet management

The Pico-ITXe platform was launched by VIA in October 2008. The platform is in effect an expansion of the Pico-ITX form factor, with expansion boards that stack together like Lego to bring whatever I/O or extra features a developer needs for a particular project. VIA calls the bumps in the Lego building blocks SUMIT™ technology, which stands for Stackable Unified Module Interconnect Technology. The EPIA-P710-D expansion module that's just been announced is to first to use that technology.

VIA's miniature x86 platforms have been used in car PCs for a long time. What was once a DIY project, and not for the feint-hearted for ripping apart your dash and playing with wires, is now something manufacturers get done by professionals. Embedded computer designers install car PCs in corporate fleet vehicles, taxis, trucks, etc. This new module is designed for these fleet management in-car PCs.

Like a lot of VIA products now, the modular design is attractive for embedded developers since they are then presented with the hardware they need, without what they don't need-and the teent tiny form factor is an obvious boon for in-dash designs. - Press Release.