I just purchased the SAM3U4-EK and am excited to get started on a design for a new product using this chip. In an effort to determine when the chip would be in production (currently it's listed on atmel.com as sampling), I called my distributor and after a few exchanges, my contact there has repeatedly stated that it is EOL (end of life). This makes no sense to me and seems that it's most likely just a miscommunication, but I want to be sure that the line hasn't been dropped by Atmel or something before opening the evaluation kit and investing time developing for the platform. Does anyone have any information to the contrary, or even better, any confirmation from Atmel on when the chips will begin shipping?

Thanks.

I have some samples of the LQFP 144 pin SAM3U4E. I did order some 100 pin SAM3U2C but they never shipped.

Perhaps ATMEL is only shipping the one part at this time.

Good to hear.

BTW, I also just heard back from the distributor today that they had made an error and that the parts are projected to ship in November.

all right
SAM-BA 2.9 could use to download the bin file,very helpful.
you can also have a emulator and a free OS from http://www.coocox.org ,both especially for Cortex-M3.

The ATMEL SAM3U Starter Kit included an ATMEL SAM3U Cortex-M3 Board and a JTAG Emulator is an evaluation tools for ATMEL SAM3U Cortex-M3 Series processor, more info about this starter kit can be found here.

I have no real info. I have samples and they work fine. I am off doing a different project so it is little concern to me if they shipping. Untill the project heats back up. But it sure looks like they are not shipping. So they have been sampling for 4-5 months?

Your distributer is probably wacky. How can a new product be end-of-life? It might get cancled due to lack of interest, but neither TI or Philips offer High Speed USB.