Enemies Unite

Forget about the anticompetive allegations and the cut-throat micro-processor business: AMD and Intel-owned Havok have begun working together to optimize the performance of Havok technology on AMD machines. Havok's multi-platform technology is used in over 300 games, according to today's press release. "The success of Havok as a cross platform software company is predicated our willingness to listen to the needs of our customers," noted Havok director David O'Meara.

Kuma Still on Track

Responding to claims that AMD plans to cancel its upcoming Kuma, AMD spokesman Jake Whitman said "The speculation is completely untrue. We're still on track to launch a dual-core - code named Kuma - part in the second half of '08. It will be 65 nanometers, still be based on the Star's core. So, that's coming." And while AMD did initially state Phenom would carry a dual-core variant, Whitman disassociated Kuma from the Phenom branding. More here.

Nvidia Bumps Up GT200 Release Date

Quoting an email sent out to reviewers, TheInquirer.net reports Nvidia's next generation GT200 videocard will launch a day early:

• NDA Lifted: June 16th
• GT280: June 17th
• GT260: June 26th

With AMD also readying the release of their HD 4870 and HD 4850 videocards, let the GPU wars begin...

Sharing is Caring, USB 3.0 Host Controller Spec Will be Free

Despite rumblings that Intel might try to leverage the USB 3.0 host controller specification away from competitors, the chipmaker plans to make the spec freely available during the second half of the this year. "Basically: free, gratis, unpaid, zero dollars, free of charge, at no cost, on the house," wrote Nick Knupffer, an Intel spokesman, on a company blog. USB 3.0 promises a ten-fold speed increase over existing standards, while remaining backwards compatible.

FCC to Determine Fate of Early Termination Fees

Are you missing out on the iPhone/AT&T partnership because you're already locked into a long-term contract elsewhere? Pending the results of an FCC hearing today, customers may soon get a break on early termination fees. One of the proposed changes is giving new customers a 30-day grace period to cancel a contract after they sign it, after which point the applicable fees would be prorated based on the contract's remaining time.

One for the Car Buffs

Tweaking computers often gets compared to tuning fast cars, but we've never seen a PC with an exoskeleton like this. BMW's been showing off GINA (Geometry and Functions in 'N' Adaptations), who's sexy exterior consists of textile fabric that's pulled taut around a metal and carbon fiber wire frame. GINA's skin changes shape and can hide or expose the headlights, creating an effect similar to blinking. Check out the video below: