Chinese consumer electronics maker Malata recently formed alliance with system firmware provider Insyde Software to develop low-cost notebook PCs for the Chinese market. The alliance marks Malata’s official entrance to the notebook market.

Wireless technology developer TechFaith Wireless (NASDAQ: CNTF) announced today that it has formed a subsidiary dedicated to developing contents and applications for wireless devices. According to the company, the subsidiary will first launch three studios to develop mobile online games.

As part of China’s WTO entrance agreement, the Ministry of Information Industry recently announced the new tariff schedule, which showed decreases on 83 categories of electronics. The tariff reduction included various key components for the production of consumer electronics including LCD parts and camera lenses.

Chinese PC maker Lenovo announced today that it will launch a new line of desktop and notebook PCs under the company’s new consumer oriented brands IdeaCentre and IdeaPad. These computers will first be offered in countries including the US, Russia and China. Local sources believe the new line will replace Lenovo’s existing consumer lineup in China including Tianyi and Jiayue.

China’s second largest retailer of home appliance and consumer electronics Suning announced recently that it will spend 300 million RMB ($41 million) to buy back all (120) of its licensed franchises across the country.

Chinese semiconductor manufacturer SMIC today announced that it has licensed IBM’s 45nm bulk CMOS technology for its 300mm wafer foundry. The technology can be used to fabricate chips for mobile devices as well as other consumer devices. As the largest Chinese foundry, the new technology will complement the company’s ongoing research and development, including its 65nm low-power technology.

China’s largest search engine firm Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) and chip maker Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) announced yesterday that they will jointly form a lab to develop next generation server technologies with a special focus on energy-efficient server solutions. The lab will consist of engineers from both companies.

Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei announced that it has formed a joint venture with Global Marine System. The new company, Huawei Submarine will deliver end-to-end submarine network equipment. “There is enormous scope to improve the competitiveness of this market and with Huawei’s impressive global R&D and manufacturing capabilities and Global Marine’s broad submarine engineering expertise, we intend to improve value for customers by offering unique solutions for all our customers future network plans,” says Peng Guo, CSO of Huawei.

Iomega (NASDAQ: IOM) announced yesterday that it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire storage device maker ExcelStor, a subsidiary of Great Wall Technology (HK: 0074). In 2006, ExcelStor had revenue of $707 million and Iomega expects to see over $1 billion in annual revenue for 2007 for the combined the company. As a result of the transaction, Great Wall Technology and its affiliates will hold approximately 43% of Iomega’s common stock, making it the largest stakeholder of Iomega. “We are excited about our potential to bombine the vast computer and consumer electronics product development and manufacturing capabilities of ExcelStor with our global brand and sales channels, our 27 years of experience building a successful company in the Americas and Europe,” said Jonathan Huberman, CEO of Iomega.

Local media reported today that Lenovo has picked IdeaPad as its new brand targeting the consumer laptop market and the company is planning on launching the brand in January 2008. According to the report, Lenovo’s existing consumer brands such as Tianyi will be merged with IdeaPad and the company plans on making a global push in the consumer laptop market with the new line.