Pop quiz: what has a 32-bit processor, runs Android or Linux, and comes with a high-speed DRAM interface, options for an LCD and touch screen, NAND flash with error correction, connection to a camera, dual CAN bus interfaces, a V.90 modem, and high-speed USB?

Is it a new tablet computer? The latest smart phone? A laptop PC?

Nope. It's a $6 microcontroller chip from Atmel. Meet SAM9. Oh, and it consumes only 100 mW at full throttle. Nice.

Atmel's new SAM9 chips (there are five of them) are the newest mighty mites from the San Jose company. They're all based on the ARM9 processor core, so they're programmable by practically every code jockey on the planet. And they all run at 400 MHz, so they can plow though just about any code you're likely to throw at them. With prices starting at just six bucks, you could use them by the handful.