Two electronics industry giants, Royal Philips Electronics and Intel Corp., are collaborating on a digital multimedia reference platform. Their actions come in response to the emergence of new digital systems and solutions for home, mobile, and consumer automotive applications.
The Pronto++ Software & Systems Platform enables Philips and its OEMs to create next-generation interactive digital audio and video devices running on Intel's PXA250 microprocessor. The platform consists of reference hardware, a complete stack of enabling software, and multimedia services geared toward consumer simplicity and ease of use (see the figure).
"In a single device, consumers will have access to interactive digital content consisting of music, pictures, video, gaming, and other unique infotainment services," explains Peter Green, general manager of Intel's Extended Computing Division. "This will help expand the digital multimedia experience from the PC throughout the digital home."
Part of Intel's Personal Internet Client Architecture, the PXA250 microprocessor is based on Intel's low-power, high-performance XScale technology geared at creating building blocks for wireless, handheld, and consumer electronic market segments.
"Coupling Intel's strength in technology with Philips' leadership in home and audio/visual markets provides us with a significant opportunity to deliver more powerful and robust solutions to our customers," explains Matt Medeiros, CEO of Philips' Components Division.
The platform is available now. The first product using this platform was unveiled last month. Contact Ronald Brown at (408) 617-4393 or [email protected], or Mary Ninow at (916) 356-4870 or [email protected].