VIA Labs launches new USB 3.0 to NAND Flash Controller

Boasting 100% more performance than VIA Labs' previous design, the VIA Labs VL751 controller has just got USB-IF certification. The controller will allow for mass storage connection of NAND Flash via USB 3.0, working under Windows, Mac and Linux plaforms with no additional driver required.

"In addition to high performance, the VIA Labs VL751 is also designed for ease of implementation and support. Powered by advanced in-house PHYs, VIA Labs VL751 is a single-chip solution that offers outstanding signal integrity characteristics while supporting popular 2X-3X nm flash memories." - more.

Samsung's VIA Telecom decision attracting more attention

Market Watch has published a correction and edition to statements from Business Wire about Samsung's recent decision to get CDMA chips from VIA Telecom instead of Qualcomm for its new Droid Charge phone.

"In what ABI Research sees as a significant shift in component sourcing strategy, Samsung has chosen Via Telecom to supply the CDMA chipset for new Droid "CHARGE" handset that it is providing to the US market via Verizon. This may represent the first salvo of a market assault on Qualcomm's long-undisputed command of CDMA markets in the US and elsewhere. In addition to the Via Telecom CDMA chip, Samsung is using its own proprietary baseband chip for the LTE.

According to vice president of engineering James Mielke, "We have been following Samsung's decision-making closely for some time, and we see a trend towards using suppliers from closer to home, in the East-Asia region. For example, the RF for both CDMA and LTE in this phone is supplied by Korean vendor FCI."

This represents Via Telecom's first venture into the CDMA market in the United States, although ABI Research believes versions of this phone will ship into all of Samsung's CDMA markets worldwide." - Source.

VIA Telecom beats Qualcomm to get Samsung Droid Charge contract

VIA Telecom, a subsiduary of VIA's, will provide EV-DO Rev modem chips for Samsung's new handset model. The deal went down in the US and VIA Telecom hopes that the win will help bolster their brand's visibility and popularity in that key market.

"I think the other operators, other Tier 1s, are taking notice," Daniel Lee, Via's director of international sales, told FierceWireless. "We believe that will lead to more commercialization for the company."

Read more: Via Telecom challenges Qualcomm in U.S. with Samsung Droid Charge win - FierceWireless http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/telecom-challenges-qualcomm-us-samsung-droid-charge-win/2011-07-01#ixzz1RlS8EFLe

VIA sells S3 Graphics to HTC

VIA has sold its share of S3 Graphics to the mobile handset and tablet maker, HTC. VIA will still retain the rights to manufacture and sell current chips using S3 graphics designs.

VIA originally bough the graphics core division back in 2001 for $323 million. VIA are now selling their share to HTC for $147 million. Another company has sold their share to HTC for a further $153 million.

VIA tried to develop S3 Graphics into a rival of ATI and Nvidia, enjoying some success early on with the XP Savage range of video cards. But it's been some time since S3 Graphics has been part of the mainstream video card market. They are better known for graphics core designs that have found their way into VIA North Bridge chips and later media system processors.

HTC is not doubt looking to use the technology in smartphone and tablet PC designs. - Source.