Components

Components provided to OEMs

AJAX Alert: Opera Browser With AJAX To Sigma CE Chip Range
Web browser company Opera today announce they’re bring their Web browser with AJAX support to chips for use in Consumer Electronics (CE) applications.
It’s not long back that Opera made the decision to give their Web browser away after a long period of charging for it. A very brave and noble act many though – not a bad way to raise your profile we thought.
They’ve been putting their browsers on different platforms for a while, like the mini-browser for mobile phones they brought out back in August 05.
The reasoning behind the give-away move becomes clearer today as they announce that they’ve been working with US chip company Sigma Designs to bring their browser software to embedded hardware via Sigma’s SMP8630 family of chipsets.
Clearly looking to tread on Intel’s toes, Sigma say the SMP8630 family of chipsets can be used in digital media adapters, IPTV set-top boxes and networked DVD players that OEM’s may want to build.
To get to use the browser and the oh-so-desirable AJAX, OEM’s will need to get in touch with Opera to license their Software Development Kit (SDK). Once familiar with it they should be able to create some snazzy application.
So what’s so exciting about embedded Web browsing software? Their supports the darling of the hour buzzword – AJAX.
We’re sure you, dear reader, know what AJAX is, but just incase – it stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. This translates to being able to use a Web browser more like a computer-based application.
The most notable difference from a ‘normal’ Web app is information and updates can be carried out without needing reload the Web page each time. It’s an intergral part of the Web 2.0 landscape.
The most often cited example is Google’s Gmail.
We at Digital-Lifestyles see the rise of AJAX as the event that broke Microsoft’s domination of computers. So pretty significant really.
Expect this news to generate great excitement in the Blog-world.
Opera
Sigma
Opera-related stories on Digital-Lifestyles
5 January, 2006
MSP-M/MAP-M: World’s First Dolby Virtual Speaker For TVs
We like “world firsts” so when integrated-circuit providers Micronas announced that they were the planet’s first company to incorporate a Dolby Virtual Speaker into a chipset designed specifically for televisions, we simply had to tell you all about it.
Unfortunately, their announcement was such a dull, techie-tastic affair, our enthusiasm waned somewhat, but after wading through pages of “solutions” and acronyms, we can tell you that they’ve invented a new chip which adds surround sound capability to televisions with only two speakers.
Designed for mid-range to high-end televisions, the chips can be slapped into flat-panel, projection or traditional CRT TVs and are capable of outputting surround sound from any audio source (including stereo and 5.1 channels).
Dolby Virtual Speaker creates the illusion of five speakers by using room modelling techniques. This, apparently, sets it apart from other virtualizers.
“This is the world’s first TV-specific audio solution to feature Dolby Virtual Speaker, which we believe allows the television to perform at a level of real home-cinema quality,” enthused Stefan Hepp, director marketing consumer audio, Micronas.
“This technology offers consumers the illusion of a five speaker surround sound system from just two speakers. However, up until now it has only been available in selected PC software and some A/V and home theater systems,” enthused Tony Spath, vice president, international marketing, Dolby Laboratories.
“Bringing Dolby Virtual Speaker direct to televisions will allow many more consumers to experience the excitement of surround sound, regardless of the source of the content,” he added.
Micronas expects to see their snappily-named MSP-M/MAP-M sound processors being fitted into TVs around the second quarter of 2006.
Micronas
20 December, 2005
Mio A201 GPS PDA Out For Chrimbo
Out just in time for overgrown boys to stick it on their Santa wish list, Mio Technology have announced their new Mio A201 integrated GPS model.
In an increasingly crowded marketplace the Mio A201 aims to stand out from the pack by offering a rotating GPS antenna, letting users navigate in both portrait and landscape mode.
Screen modes can be automatically switched by rotating the antenna or tapping a button, with the addition of the latest 20-channel SirfStar III GPS Chipset enhancing GPS satellite signal pick up and reception.
Mio are promoting the device as a ‘go anywhere’ portable sat-nav device which can be used for drivers, mountain bikes or walkers ambling through the countryside.
The Mio A201 is fully compatible with the TMC (Traffic Message Channel) which provides constant updates and routing options on nearby traffic problems, automatically calculating alternative routes through problem areas.
That all sounds great except users have to fork out extra for the required TMC receiver and even then the service doesn’t work in the UK and France. But thanks for telling us what we can’t use Mio!
The Mio A201 will, however, support the latest version of the Mio Map software, version 2 for Pocket PC, now sporting what the makers call a “fresh new interface.”
There’s the usual Outlook synchronisation options available, and we rather liked the new Compass Mode designed for navigating off road on foot or on a bicycle.
The onboard Points of Interest (POI) database has also been updated to include restaurant telephone numbers, with the ability to download new or customised point of interest lists from a Web-based subscription service.
Running on Windows Mobile 5, the Sat Nav PDA sports a 320 x 240 pixel, colour LCD touch-screen and purrs along on a 312Mhz Intel Bulverde processor supported by 64MB of RAM.
Bundled software includes Outlook Mobile Contacts and Calendar, Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile, games and Windows Media Player.
There’s Bluetooth connectivity onboard with the swappable lithium-ion 1200 mAh battery delivering a claimed 4.5 hours of operation.
The Mio A201 will be available mid- December priced at £239, with the stingy fellows not including any mapping software.
Mio
13 December, 2005
LG PM 80: PDA With Built-In T-DMB Receiver
LG Electronics’ PR department clearly don’t believe in a day of rest because Sunday saw them busily announcing the impending release of their LG PM 80, a PDA capable of receiving T-DMB (terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting).
The pocket-swelling, man-sized device sports a large 3.5inch QVGA LCD screen, with a claimed battery life of up to 2.5 hours of continuous viewing (fine for watching the match, but you might get unstuck if the final goes to extra time followed by penalties).
T-DMB has been described as a “promising cross between telecom and broadcasting, enabling people to enjoy crystal-clear video, CD-quality audio and data on the move via mobile handsets”, and LG is claiming that it’ll work just dandy on the move, saying that the PM 80 could provide stable reception at speeds over 100km/h.
The actual device, presented here in the traditional manner by near-ecstatic Korean ladies (if only we got so much unbridled joy from our gadgets) follows the traditional PDA form factor, with the addition of an old-school pull out aerial for TV reception.
Users can control the channels and volume via a “5 way key” and tune into DMB with a click of DMB/PDA key.
There’s 64mb RAM and 64mb ROM internal memory onboard with a SD slot for expansion.
Powered by an Intel Bulverde 312MHz processor running MS Pocket PC 2003 OS, the PM 80 can connect to a PC, allowing users to manage their e-mail lists, schedules or phone book.
As ever, the Koreans will get to play with this device for ages before we even get a peek at it – if they don’t decide to keep it to themselves for ever, of course.
And then there’s the usual compatibility problems, the lack of available spectrum in the UK, our ‘Luddite‘ approach to the technology…[moan]….[grumble]…
28 November, 2005
Samsung M70 Hybrid PC With Detachable Screen Unveiled
The best thing about Samsung’s press photos is that they always feature groups of attractive young ladies deliriously happy to be touching their latest products.
Whether it be phones, TV displays, laptops or detachable screens, you’ve only got to thrust the product into the willing arms of these beaming ladies and a winning PR photo is ready for the taking.
So when we heard about Samsung’s new “desktop and laptop in one” hybrid PC, the M70, we knew we were in for a treat. And we weren’t disappointed.
Coming in two parts – the laptop and its detachable 19″ screen – we were confident that we’d be in for double the fun and, sure enough, we were rewarded with happy-clappy shots of two ladies near-ecstatic to be fondling the electronics.
Although we’d like to think that we’d never get quite that excited about gadgets, we have to say that Samsung’s new laptop looks like a winner.
Anyone who’s used a laptop for a long time will soon get fed up with the uncomfortably low viewing angle, so being able to yank the display off and stick it on a taller stand might certainly do wonders for your posture.
Happily, Samsung have had the nous to ensure that they used standard monitor connectors too, so that the laptop can be connected to a bigger screen (for giving a corporate presentation, for example) – and even the display can be used with a different PC.
This interoperability also means that if the screen packs up on the laptop, you can still use the thing with a cheap desktop replacement. Neat.
Full technical details, pricing and availability is yet to be announced, but we can tell you that the laptop packs a whopping 19″ WSXGA+ (1680×1050) HDTV compatible screen and is powered by a Pentium M770 (2.13GHz) CPU.
The machine ships with 1Gb of DDR 533MHz RAM onboard, offers 100Gb HDD storage, has high quality stereo speakers and Wireless LAN built in and weighs a shoulder-bothering 4.4kg.
Samsung
2 November, 2005
Fujitsu Siemens Launches Pocket LOOX N GPS PDAs
Fujitsu Siemens have launched the “first handhelds with fully integrated GPS functionality”, the Pocket LOOX N500 and Pocket LOOX N520 PDAs.
Delivered with Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 and optional NAVIGON MobileNavigator 5, the new LOOX models offer an integrated SiRFStar III GPS Receiver for GPS functionality, making them “robust without compromising on design”.
Powered by an Intel XScale PXA270 312 MHz CPU, the devices come with a SD/MMC slot (with support for SDIO), USB 1.1, IrDA and Bluetooth, with the Pocket LOOX N520 offering integrated wireless LAN 802.11g Wi-Fi.
Both units offer a large 3.5″ screen (active area: 53×71 mm) with a resolution of 240×320 pixels, 64K colours and 10 levels of backlighting brightness, supported by 64Mb RAM and 64Mb flash memory (LOOX N500) and 128Mb (LOOX N520).
The attractively finished silver and slate grey LOOX devices come with a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery which should provide something like 16 hours of MP3 playback.
A new Persistent Memory feature has also been added, providing secure storage for programmes and documents when the power gets low.
There’s also a ton of Fujitsu Siemens-branded applications bundled in the package, including Voice recorder, AudioPath and Key Look, along with a Microsoft Mobile suite including Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Internet Explorer.
They’re not the smallest PDAs on the market, with pocket-straining dimensions of 116x71x14 mm (bigger than the previous LOOX 420 model) and a weight of 160g, but they do come with a cool blue illuminated keypad and base station with headphones.
Both handhelds are available now from £239.00 (~US$434, €351~) and £259.00 (~US$459, €381~) respectively (excluding VAT).
Fujitsu Siemens
26 October, 2005
Archer Field PC ‘Extreme Environments’ Pocket PC
Hardcore outdoor types with lantern jaws will be whooping in their Goretex trews at the prospect of getting their hands on the new rugged Archer Field PC Pocket PC by Juniper Systems.
Designed for ‘in-the-field information management’, the super tough Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 device is waterproof and dustproof to IP67, and laughs in the face of 5 foot drops on to concrete.
Sporting a magnesium case clad in a protective elastomer overmould, the Archer Field PC measures 6.5″ x 3.5″ x 1.7″ (165 x 89 x 43 mm) and weighs 17 ounces (482 grams).
Lurking inside, there’s a nippy Intel Xscale PXA270 CPU running at 520MHz, with 64MB RAM and 128MB flash ROM.
Memory can be expanded by using either the Compact Flash (Type I or Type II) or SD slot, with all the connectors fully sealed against the elements. Also bundled in the package is Microsoft ActiveSync 4.0, Terminal Services Client, Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, MSN Messenger and Pocket Internet Explorer.
The 3.5″ (89 mm) TFT active matrix transflective LCD offers QVGA resolution (240 x 320 pixels) and supports portrait and landscape views.
The rechargeable Li-Ion battery pack serves up 20 hours on a full charge, with 3 to 4 hours needed to completely recharge the battery.
Juniper Systems
11 October, 2005
Japan’s Ceatec Show Opens Today
Japan’s largest annual IT show, Ceatec (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies), opens today and will feature around 700 companies, according to the organisers.
Last year, the show – the largest international exhibition in Asia for the technology and electronics sectors – attracted 182,000 people with greater numbers anticipated this year.
Naturally, Simon Perry – the Digi-Lifestyles big cheese – is at the show, so you can expect hot news and updates from the floor over the next couple of days.
Running from Tuesday until Saturday at the Makuhari Messe convention centre, Chiba, just outside Tokyo, the show is designed to provide a platform for Japan’s technology vendors to display their latest gear and showcase prototype products.
The anticipated unveiling of rival HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc players could prove to be a show highlight, and there’s great interest in the eagerly awaited new high-definition TVs.
Sharp is expected to show off a hard-disk drive-based digital recorder that is capable of recording two HDTV programs at once, with the machine ready to roll just one second after being switched on.
Toshiba has promised to display a super-slim 12.7 millimetre high drive designed for laptops which can read HD-DVD discs and read and write DVDs and CDs.
Naturally, there’s loads of activity on the mobile phone front, with new products and technology on offer, including portable fuel cells from network operator KDDI.
The company has been working with Hitachi and Toshiba to develop fuel cell-based chargers for cell phones, with the first commercial products expected on sale before the end of March 2006.
As well as shiny new consumer boxes, Ceatec also showcases the products of component makers, with Matsushita showing off a flexible optical circuit board and Seiko Epson displaying a flexible memory chip for use in flat-panel displays.
Born out of a merger between Japan Electronics Show and Com Japan, Ceatec attracted 172,053 visitors in its debut year in 2000, rising to 182,490 visitors last year.
Ceatec
4 October, 2005
Samsung Go Memory Mad, Investing $33Bn
Blimey, Samsung have announced that they are planning to invest $33 Billion in memory chip production over the next 7 years, Reuters is reporting.
By expanding its production lines in its main semiconductor fabrication site near Kiheung, and its seperate site at its Hwaseong semiconductor plant, by eight fab lines and one R&D, it should reach its target by 2012.
Samsung currently a major supplier of memory chips to much of the industry including Apple, for their iPod, Sony Corp.’s PlayStation Portable and Dell. This move marks confidence in their increase in demand as more devices become user memory storage over hard disc.
Earlier this month Samsung got a lot of attention when they announced a 16G-bit NAND flash memory chip that will lead to removable memory cards of up to 32Gb, when 16 of them are gathered on a single card.
Samsung originally entered the semiconductor business in 1974, and with this move they are hoping to reach $61 billion earnings from total semiconductor sales by 2012.
Reuters report
Samsung
29 September, 2005
Dell Axim X51v PDA Rolled Out
Dell has announced three updates to its popular Axim PDA series, headed up by the powerful, VGA-enabled X51v.
The flagship model is physically very similar to their existing X50v, but runs on the new Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system and comes with more memory and powerful features.
With a hefty 624 MHz Intel PXA270 processor lurking inside, the Dell Axim X51v incorporates a 3.7-inch 640 x 480 VGA TFT display, powered by an Intel 2700G Multimedia Accelerator offering 16 MB of dedicated video memory.
Onboard storage comes in the form of 256 MB of non-volatile memory, with expansion taken care of by SDIO compatible SD/MMC and CompactFlash Type II card slots.
One big difference from previous models is the use of non-volatile memory, which means that the new Axim X51v uses RAM exclusively for running programs and stores all programs and data in flash.
The good news is that this results in extended battery life and means that data stays intact when the battery goes dead, but there is a downside.
Because flash memory is slower than RAM, activities that involve shunting a lot of data between storage flash and operational RAM (like opening files or rebooting the device) become slower.
PC Magazine found that opening times on large Word documents were much slower than on earlier models, taking up to 18 seconds compared to the nippy 3 seconds on the X50v.
They also found that file writes to the default storage directory took three times as long as on the X50v, and reads took nearly eight times as long, but the machine performed well with video files and opening ClearVue PDF, Pocket Excel/Excel Mobile and Pocket Internet Explorer/IE Mobile documents.
Connectivity is taken care of with integrated Bluetooth 1.2 and Wi-Fi 802.11b support, with WPA and LEAP security for the latter.
Dell have bundled in a generous software bundle of games and applications including 3D mini-golf, Geo Rally 3D and full versions of the Battery Pack Lite utility and the excellent Resco Picture Viewer.
Looking down the range, Dell’s new Axim X51 and X51s devices offer 520 and 416 MHz processors respectively with smaller 3.5-inch QVGA displays and no Wi-Fi 802.11b connectivity in the X51s.
The Axim X51v is now available in the US and Europe, priced $500 USD (£271, €390) with the X51 and X51s knocking out for $400 USD (£220, €340) and $300 USD (£166, €280) respectively.
21 September, 2005