Philips Semiconductors' Handheld Computing Group Enters Low-End Market
Both Samsung Electronics Co. and Philips Mobile Computing Group have chosen Philips' TwoChipPIC Plus processor to power their pen-based, pocket-sized computers. These two design wins, marking Philips' entry into the low-end handheld computing market, follow on the heels of its recently announced high-end design wins with Samsung and Philips Electronics.
By embedding its processor into Samsung's InfoGear and Philips Electronics' Nino, Philips Semiconductors not only establishes its presence in this low-end market, but extends its alliances with these leading electronics manufacturers. Samsung, which earlier this year selected the TwoChipPIC Plus for its Smartphone SCS, decided once again to partner with Philips Semiconductors for its InfoGear palm PC.
Additionally, Philips Electronics Mobile Computing Group has worked closely with the Handheld Computing Group to power its award-winning Velo 500, and continues to build on that relationship with the introduction of the Nino.
Samsung's pen-based InfoGear is a palm PC featuring a Microsoft Windows CE(R) 2.0 suite of software applications, which include a pocket version of Microsoft's Outlook(TM) as well as InkNotes, Voicenotes, Inbox and Channel browser.
Philips' Nino is a pocket-sized, Windows CE-based personal companion device which focuses primarily on personal information management (PIM), information services and light mail and messaging. It comes equipped with 4MB of RAM and has an LCD display of up to 320x240 pixels.
The TwoChipPIC Plus consists of Philips' PR31700, UCB 1200 and V.34 softmodem, as well as Windows CE device drivers. The chipset offer end users improved performance (72 MIPS), color LCD support, and integrated touch, phone and audio functions for handheld computers.