Start with the news release Saelig USB isolator for PC-connected devices from Saelig, which we summarised at the time by saying "Saelig has introduced a USB1.1 isolator designed for removing ground loops and preventing damage to USB-connected devices.". Several months prior to that, we featured the news release Freescale MCUs target automotive applications from Freescale Semiconductor: "Freescale Semiconductor's next-generation 32-bit MCUs are designed specifically for automotive applications. ".
 
In June 2010, we covered the news from Texas Instruments - take a look at Development kit for MSP430 Value Line MCUs which says: "Texas Instruments has launched the MSP430 MCU Value Line Launchpad development kit that provides a development environment to enable applications including 3D glasses and wireless networking.".
 
Take a look also at the news release from ARM, ARM Vstream for software development applications, as well as IAR Embedded Workbench available for Renesas MCUs from IAR Systems, and Abatron debugger gets development support from Computer Solutions.