It seems that Microsoft is letting us all know that software is sexier than hardware, as evidenced by this link to a Swiss advertisement for WinXP (thanks to Kieren McCarthy over at the Reg for this little midday befuddlement - and I mean that in a good way). However, to get down to business, you really need the appropriate hardware, and there are times when only silicon will get the job done. (Note: that's where I try to tie the naughty link into a story about esoteric chips.) Xicor just let us know about the availability of some extremely sexy system management ICs that integrate Xicor's digitally controlled potentiometers (XDCP). The X40231, X40233, X40235, X40237 and X40239 integrated system management ICs include power-on-reset, triple voltage monitors, and a two-kbit EEPROM integrated with one or two XDCPs in a 16-pin package. Xicor says its XDCPs can be used for applications like optimizing throughput for DDR SDRAM, RAMBUS, GTL BUS or other SSTL interfaces by adjusting VTT, Vref and VDDQ, Varactor/PIN Diode Control for RF Systems in Industrial PDAs, LCD control (adjusting contrast, purity or backlight in portable products such as POS Terminals and LCD TV/displays), computerized instrumentation (XDCPs used to measure/adjust sensors in portable test equipment and medical instrumentation), and power supply margining in telecom systems. Pricing starts at under $3.00 in 10k unit quantities. And, to finish the software/hardware sexiness discussion, please speak with a parent or spiritual leader.