Michael Karas wrote:
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Digikey in the USA, here in Minnesota ;-) , handles the Winbond VoiceCorder products and has some of the part numbers in stock.

According to their website all they have is the VoiceCorders though...

If you are looking for a bit more general purpose type of microcontroller you should really take a look at the Cygnal line.

I have a couple of reasons for not choosing Cygnal.

1. They don't have "manageable" packages available (PLCC, DIL).

2. They are expensive. The cheapest one I could find (C8051F022) costs $25 - I don't need the A/D and D/A converters, but they apparently don't make any "cheap" models (when you need an external memory interface and many I/Os).

3. Programming. The programming is not explained very well in the datasheet. I have found an app. note that explains it more clearly, but it looks like it would take a couple of years to get working. Why don't they just provide a DOS application or an open-source tool for programming? Most of the other chips (Atmel, Winbond, Dallas) can be programmed in parallel-mode simmilar to standard 87C51 chips, which is a lot easier when you have to do the programming yourself.

Cygnal parts and development boards are available also from DigiKey as well as direct from the Cygnal web site.

I wish all the manufacturers would sell parts online - it makes life a lot simpler...

Best regards,

Mikkel C. Simonsen