(1) AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES 1.3-MP sensor improves image quality for camera phones eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: " Avago Technologies raises the price and performance bar with its 1/4-inch optical format, 1.3-megapixel (MP) CMOS image sensor for camera phones." Readers say: » "I like the low price » "What can I say; it is a "me too" product.'' » "Small size with good quality.'' » "Excellent. Small size, enhanced image quality, a must try.'' » "This product sounds very interesting. Can this be used in mobile phones for video services? What is the cost?'' » "Having a cell phone that can take high quality pictures is a huge plus. A lot of times you come across something and wish you had a camera, the old technology the pictures would be poor quality, now with this 1.3 mega pixel module, you can take a picture that will be of good quality. I'm definitely going to purchase a phone with one of the ADCC-3000 modules.'' » "Awesome Product.'' » "Good for small size & performance but most applications are trying for higher resolution these days.'' » "Well, not that inexpensive, not that small, and not that great at capture resolution. Should be a good middle of the road solution if the power needs can be met.'' » "For a product claiming good or improved image quality there are very few subjective results or analysis provided in all this text.'' USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) AUTHENTEC Fingerprint sensor upgrades with advanced security eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: " Touted as the industry's first fingerprint sensor with the most advanced security features, AuthenTec has unveiled the EntrePad 1610 with advanced biometric security and a small footprint for portable applications such as notebook and tablet PCs. In addition, the integrated solution - sensor and associated circuitry including a built-in USB interface - comes with a price tag of about $5, said to be the sweet spot for laptop manufacturers." Readers say:
» "Unless Home Depot or WalMart stars requiring a thumb scan from me, I'm not likely to use these dudes.''
» "I use biometic sensors now, the $5 price is very attractive.''
» "Not alone, but part of a growing crowd of bio-authentication devices becoming available at enabling price points.''
» "Local company with great concept.''
USABILITY RANK: 6
(3) BIVAR LED block offers modular design eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Offering a building-block approach to solid-state lighting, Bivar's Design Center Solutions Business Unit has introduced a 1-watt LED block series with optional configurations for power, lighting styles and mounting methods." Readers say:
» "Powerful but a little too pricey.''
» "Nice product.''
USABILITY RANK: 3
(4) VISHAY White LED touts high brightness, small size eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. offers a small and bright white MiniLED in a low-profile 2.3 x 1.3 x 1.4 package. This surface-mount LED can be used in high-power applications even in harsh automotive and industrial environments." Readers say: » "Love miniLED's in car dashboards. Hopefully it'll spell the end of busted bulbs.''
» "Already using this product.''
» "Outstanding! A truly useful package and mount, ideal for many lowpower apps as well!''
USABILITY RANK: 2
(5) FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMS sensors detect in combo of x/y/z axis eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Freescale Semiconductor has rolled out three highly-sensitive micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors that extend the company's offering from 1.5 g to 10 g for low-cost consumer applications at this week's Embedded World 2006." Readers say: » "I may be interested in an Development tools and evaluation kit.''
» "I don't design with these, either, but I do fly RC helicopters and I can imagine such accelerometers will begin appearing in them for stability functions.''
» "I look foward to using this product.''
» "Wish it had a serial output for for easier integration.''
USABILITY RANK: 7
(6) OMNIVISION SMIA sensor integrates autofocus in single chip eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "OmniVision Technologies, Inc. said it has launched the industry's first 1/4-inch, 2-megapixel CameraChip with fully integrated autofocus (AF) control on a single chip for mobile handsets. With a 10 x 10-mm footprint, the AF camera modules are about 30 percent smaller than competitive solutions." Readers say:
» "Great for Cell Phones.''
» "Haven't tested image quality but 2MP/$10/AF module is certainly a new benchmark on the surface.''
» "Nice design.''
» "Exciting progress in this area. I would expect more detail showing the picture taking ability - which is the primay purpose here.''
USABILITY RANK: 9
(7) TAIYO YUDEN MLCCs boast high capacitance in small packages eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Taiyo Yuden (U.S.A.) Inc. has announced high-volume availability of two AMK series high-capacitance multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). The company said these devices are the industry's first 100 μF MLCC in a 1206 case size and 47 μF MLCC in a 0805 package." Readers say: » "Ideal for small application work...''
» "That's a lot of cpacitance in a small package.''
» "Giving tantalums a serious run for the money and helping to lower market pricing for this capacity range.''
» "Already using similar products.''
» "Very cool! A bit on the expensive side, but for a sma cap we are begining to see some real high value caps finally.''
USABILITY RANK: 4
(8) AMPHENOL TCS Connector platform supports 25 Gbits/s data rates eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Amphenol TCS (ATCS), formerly Teradyne Connection Systems, has unveiled its Crossbow connector platform, featuring Crossbow Matrix for orthogonal midplane architectures, and Crossbow 2mm+ for standard backplane configurations. Crossbow Matrix is said to be the first differential connector optimized for orthogonal midplane configurations, and the fastest platform in the industry, enabling data rates up to 25 Gbit/s." Readers say: » "25 Gbit/s is pretty quick for this application.''
» "Nice design.''
USABILITY RANK: 5
(9) MICRON TECHNOLOGIES 2 MP image sensor first to offer MIPI eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "Delivering a smaller form factor, Micron Technology, Inc. touts that its 1/4-inch, 2-megapixel CMOS image sensor not only enables mainstream camera phones to capture higher quality digital pictures, but it is also the first to incorporate the Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) standards into an image sensor, allowing cameras to be more easily designed into mobile phones." Readers say: » "Great for Cell Phones.''
» "Lots of pixels in an optically-compact format - image quality still short of CCD-based alternatives or larger format CMOS based on our testing but cost/power is substantially lower.''
» "2 mega pixel phone, WOW!''
» "15 fps is so 1990's. I am grateful for a standard interface however.''
USABILITY RANK: 10
(10) CALIFORNIA MICRO DEVICES EMI filter protects camera modules eeProductCenter's Gina Roos says: "California Micro Devices has expanded its Praetorian Application Specific Integrated Passive (ASIP) inductor-based filter array family with the CM1470 EMI filter for camera module interfaces in wireless handsets." Readers say: » "Interesting concept.''
» "What the heck is "Praetorian?" I've been impressed with CAMD's EMI/RFI/ESD line. I don't know why most of the phones I tear apart always seem to have STMicro protection in them.''
» "Decent product.''
USABILITY RANK: 8
