As we predicted yesterday, AMD's Thunderbird prices are go... nearly, VIA has today confirmed that it is dropping the initials KZ from its forthcoming Socket A chipset, due to unfortunate connotations with Nazi concentration camps. The product will henceforth be known as the VIA Apollo KT133.

"We have decided to rename our Socket A chipset the VIA Apollo KT133 in response to concerns raised by customers in Germany and other European markets," said Richard Brown, Director of Marketing. "We would like to express our sincere apologies for any offence that we may have caused through the use of the term 'KZ' and thank everyone who provided us with their feedback and comments."

VIA will now have to stump up for the cost of reprinting all the documentation and marketing handouts for the chipset. ®