Freescale's i.MX21 Processor Selected for ''World's Smallest Windows CE.Net(TM) PDA Phone''
AUSTIN, Texas--Sept. 20, 2005--Size is an important design element, especially when you want to develop a harmonica-size mobile phone that delivers laptop-size functionality and performance for enterprise and entertainment applications. To achieve the critical balance between size and performance, Oswin Technology, an original design manufacturer in Singapore, chose Freescale Semiconductor's i.MX21 multimedia applications processor for its Zircon PDA phone.Oswin selected the i.MX21 processor after extensive evaluation of competing applications processors. Key selection criteria included: package size for what the company touts as "the world's smallest Windows CE.Net PDA phone;" processor performance for superb video and graphics resolution and crisp visuals on the 2.2" LCD display; and extremely low power consumption to ensure long hours of performance regardless of the mix of applications running in parallel.
"The i.MX21 applications processor proved to be a very exceptional processor on the Windows CE.Net OS," said Stuart Tan, general manager, Oswin Technology. "We were impressed with its hardware accelerated MPEG4 capabilities and strong multimedia framework. We chose Freescale because the i.MX21 met our requirements at the right price point, and because of the very competent and dedicated local technical support team," Tan remarked.
Wrapped in a sleek black and silver candy bar package, the GSM tri-band Zircon PDA phone is an engineering accomplishment. The phone is complex in design, yet simple and intuitive to use, thanks to features like the touch-sensitive screen and the keyboard. The PDA phone is packed with applications for business users, including Microsoft Word and Excel document editors, and communications applications like MMS, SMS, IM and email. For entertainment and fun, users can browse the Web, listen to MP3s on the Windows Media Player, play games or take pictures and instantly e-mail them.
"The Zircon PDA phone is a testament to the Smart Speed(TM) technology performance of our i.MX21 multimedia applications processor," said Brandon Tolany, manager of multimedia operations for Freescale's Wireless and Mobile Systems Group. "Consumers are demanding high-end multimedia performance but do not want to sacrifice battery life. As a result, OEMs and ODMs like Oswin Technology choose the highly integrated i.MX21 processor because it drives rich video, audio and a host of business and entertainment applications at exceptionally low power."
Zircon PDA Phone Features
The key features and specifications for the Zircon PDA phone include:
-- Processor - Freescale i.MX21 Multimedia Applications Processor -- Memory - 64 MB SDRAM (50 MB user accessible); 64 MB Flash -- Display - 2.2-inch transflective TFT LCD, 18-bit color, 4 LED backlight -- Camera: -- 1.3 megapixel -- 240x320 to 960x1280 photo resolution in JPEG format -- Supports MPEG 4 and H.263 format video recording, at up to 30 fps -- Wireless communications - Tri-band GSM (900, 1800, 1900 MHz), GPRS Class 10 -- Other I/O - USB and IrDA -- Expansion Slot - SDIO-capable mini-Secure Digital slot -- Dimensions - 110 x 48 x 22.25 mm (4.3 x 1.9 x 0.9 inches) -- Weight - 116 g
Other software bundled with the Windows CE 4.2-based Zircon PDA phone includes Microsoft's Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Image Viewer, MSN Messenger, TextMaker, PlanMaker and handwriting recognition.
i.MX21 Processor
The i.MX21 multimedia applications processor is a member of the widely used i.MX family and is designed for use in smartphones, wireless PDAs, mobile gaming consoles, video and audio media players, GPS systems and many other mobile wireless applications. i.MX processors feature an extensive suite of software including Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE and PocketPC(R), Palm OS(R), Symbian OS(TM), Linux(R) OS and many leading RTOSes and reference designs to greatly accelerate the creation of next-generation mobile communication products.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (USD). www.freescale.com
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