Chip samples...

codlink:
Just tried with ST Microelectronics (http://www.st.com/) and their website sucks. Keeps giving me internal server errors.

I had some trouble with them too. I think I had to ditch IE and use Firefox with their webapp. Also, the last time I ordered something there it disallowed parts that it allowed me to add to the order right at the end (old Dallas battery backed SRAM modules, e.g. M48Z08-100PC1 STMicroelectronics | Integrated Circuits (ICs) | DigiKey). But they did send the MEMS mics and MEMS 3-axis accelerometer/magnetometers with no issues. I am going to try for the NVRAMs next time...

ST has a great parametric search app. I wouldn't say it sucks, but it is incompatible with some browsers so they need to work on it. It's slick as heck when it works.