CPQ in bold.
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COMDEX '99 a Showcase for MIPS-based Applications: 30+ 'Post-PC' Era
Devices Utilizing MIPS Technologies' IP
Story Filed: Wednesday, December 01, 1999 4:45 PM EST
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec 1, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sony AIBO Entertainment Robot
and PlayStation 2 Demonstrated; Dozens of Handheld PCs, Digital Cameras, Information Appliances
and Printers
Feature MIPS-based 32- and 64-bit Processors
MIPS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIPS) today announced that dozens of new systems powered by
the MIPS(R) architecture were showcased at the recent COMDEX '99 show in Las Vegas. This
year's show, widely seen as illustrating the market's evolution into a "beyond the PC" era, introduced a
number of new information appliances, digital cameras, handheld PCs and office automation systems
based on the MIPS architecture. Highlighting the show were new initiatives by Microsoft, Sony and
others that reflect the market trends that will drive continued growth of embedded MIPS-based
processors.
Sony Corporation President and CEO Nobuyuki Idei highlighted three key hardware platforms for the
new digital age: digital entertainment devices (TVs and set-top boxes), mobile computing devices, and
advanced game consoles such as the Sony PlayStation 2 video game entertainment system in his
Comdex keynote address. Sony, a licensee of MIPS Technologies, has already indicated that
MIPS-based processor IP (intellectual property) will power its upcoming digital set-top box systems
and the PlayStation 2 game console. In addition to showing a demonstration of the highly anticipated
PlayStation 2, Sony featured a demonstration of its MIPS-based AIBO Entertainment Robot. Originally
only 5,000 AIBO units were manufactured with the first 3,000 units snapped up in 18 minutes of
Japanese retail sales. Sony announced that 10,000 additional units would be manufactured.
"MIPS-based 32- and 64-bit processors have become the preferred choice of OEMs developing
advanced digital entertainment devices such as digital and Internet-enabled set-top boxes, game
consoles and personal video recorders," said Brian Knowles, vice president of marketing at MIPS
Technologies. "This is because of the power of the architecture and the flexibility of MIPS
Technologies' IP business model."
A highlight of the show was Bill Gates unveiling the new "MSN Web Companion," a notebook-sized
device that uses Microsoft's Windows(R) CE operating system and connects to the Internet using
Microsoft's MSN Internet service. While noting that companies such as Acer and Philips Electronics, a
licensee of MIPS Technologies, among others will manufacture the system, Microsoft clearly hopes
that the new product initiative will propagate wider use of its Windows CE handheld operating system.
"This is good news for MIPS Technologies because more Windows CE systems utilize MIPS-based
processor IP," points out Knowles. "We anticipate that even more manufacturers will turn to the
proven MIPS architecture to power their advanced Windows CE devices."
Many Windows CE palm-sized PCs, handheld PCs, information appliances and wireless Internet
connection devices were on display at the show. A major hit were two mobile Windows CE-based
systems from Casio powered by 64-bit MIPS-based processors, the Cassiopia E-105 and the E-110
palm-sized PCs. These devices were highlighted on numerous broadcast roundups because of their
innovative color video display that enabled full-color video playback of real-time video captured with an
attachable video camera. The E-105 with 16 Mbytes of RAM and the E-110 with 32 Mbytes of RAM
are powered by a 131 MHz 64-bit processor from NEC Corporation, a MIPS Technologies licensee.
These new systems can show 16-bit color (65,000 hues) on a TFT-LCD display, and play digital music
in stereo.
Mainbrace Corporation also introduced at the show its first low cost wireless Windows CE-based web
appliance that allows users to access the Internet from any location in the home. The web appliance,
also featuring an advanced MIPS-based processor, can communicate to the Internet through a wireless
Ethernet connection to a cordless modem base station or through a direct link with a local personal
computer connected to an ISP. A touch screen and stylus, along with a soft keyboard, provide an
easy-to-use interface. A stereo headphone jack and IrDA (infrared) port give the user a high quality
user experience and the freedom of wireless links to printers and PCs.
Compaq Computer Corporation displayed its recently announced MIPS-based products, the Aero
1350, the thinnest Windows CE-based palm-sized PC available, and the Aero 2180 color palm-sized
PC. At 0.5 inches thick and weighing only 5 ounces, the Aero 1350 puts robust Windows CE
palm-sized PC performance into a lightweight pocket-sized package. Included in both platforms are
personal information management software, and a suite of additional applications. The Aero 2180
provides a TFT color display that is viewable even in direct sunlight.
Sharp Corporation showcased its comprehensive line of Mobilon(TM) handheld PCs (H/PCs) which
run the Microsoft(R) Windows CE operating system and are powered by MIPS-based CPUs. Sharp
featured the Mobilon TriPad PV-6000 and the sub-notebook sized Mobilon Pro PV-5000, both of
which are powered by 64-bit 70MHz MIPS-based CPUs from NEC; as well as the pocket-sized
Mobilon HC-4600, powered by a 32-bit 75MHz MIPS-based CPU from Philips Semiconductor.
NEC Corporation was also showing its MobilePro Handheld PCs, which use NEC's 64-bit
MIPS-based CPUs. These systems run Microsoft Windows CE, Handheld PC Professional Edition,
that comes pre-installed with pocket versions of key applications. The MobilePro H/PCs family also
supports thin client and web applications.
LSI Logic, another licensee of MIPS Technologies, demonstrated its new SC2000 digital set-top box
solution that is powered by a single chip that integrates the functions of DVB transport and MPEG-2
audio/video decoding, a 2-D graphics engine, a multi-standard video encoder and audio DACs with a
TinyRISC MIPS-based processor.
About MIPS Technologies, Inc.
MIPS Technologies, Inc. is the world's primary architect of embedded 32- and 64-bit RISC processors.
The company drives the broadest architectural alliance that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded
RISC solutions. The company licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor manufacturing
companies, ASIC developers, and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies, Inc. and its licensees offer the
widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific
products.
Licensees currently include: Alchemy Microprocessor Design Group; ATI; Broadcom Corporation;
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing; CommQuest (IBM); General Instruments; Integrated
Device Technology, Inc. (IDT); Lara Technology; LSI Logic Corporation; Macronix; NEC
Corporation; NKK Corporation; Philips Semiconductors; Quantum Effect Design, Inc. (QED); Sony
Corporation; SiByte; Synova; Texas Instruments Incorporated and Toshiba Corporation. Numerous
companies utilize MIPS-based(TM) intellectual property. MIPS Technologies, Inc. is based in
Mountain View, California, and can be reached at 650-567-5000 or mips.com.
MIPS-based is a trademark and MIPS is a registered trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective companies. All press materials are available on the
World Wide Web via: mips.com. |
