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ARM Works with Microsoft to Optimize Windows Media Audio for ARM Architecture
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 1999--
ARM Powered(R) implementation from Cirrus Logic is the first embedded processor-specific support for Windows Media Technologies
ARM ((LSE:ARM);(Nasdaq:ARMHY)) today announced it worked with Microsoft Corp. to optimize the Windows Media Audio format to support the ARM(R) architecture. Driven by chip manufacturer demand for ARM Powered(R) digital audio products with Windows Media Audio support, the ARM implementation is the first embedded processor-specific Windows Media Support. ARM and Microsoft were able to decrease power consumption and memory requirements by a factor of four, resulting in reduced system costs for digital audio devices running the Windows Media Audio file format and codec on ARM cores.
With the availability of Windows Media Audio for ARM, manufacturers of ARM core-based products can now provide CD-quality audio at twice the download speed and half the storage space of competing audio formats. This will help provide consumers with the highest quality music fidelity and make it easier for a broad variety of portable music device manufacturers to drive the growth of downloadable Internet music. The ARM and Microsoft implementation of Windows Media extends the range of digital audio decoding standards available for the ARM architecture, reinforcing it as the processor of choice for digital consumer applications.
Cirrus Logic is among the first to leverage ARM cores to support Windows Media Audio. Cirrus today announced a licensing agreement with Microsoft for Windows Media Audio technology for its ARM core-based Maverick line of Internet audio processors. The Maverick 7209, the first Cirrus System-on-a-Chip (SOC) to incorporate support for Microsoft's Windows Media Audio technology for handheld multifunction devices, will make its debut at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, California.
"Cirrus recognizes the promise of the emerging market for handheld Internet audio devices, " said Matthew Perry, vice president and general manager of the Cirrus Logic Embedded Processor Division. "ARM-driven support for Windows Media Technologies will continue to keep Cirrus Logic ahead of the competition in the booming market for portable Internet audio players, and the emerging market for converging Internet appliances, such as PDAs and electronic books that incorporate high-quality digital audio. We see the ARM CPU core as a key competitive advantage for our rapidly growing family of Maverick Internet audio SOC processors."
"The ARM implementation of Windows Media Audio offers chip vendors an industry leading chip-based solution that also effectively addresses battery life and memory usage concerns," said Anthony Bay, general manager, Streaming Media Division, Microsoft Corp. "Device manufacturers who utilize ARM core-based chipsets will receive the benefits of Windows Media Audio's outstanding fidelity, small file size and broad selection of content."
"Recognizing ARM as the industry's embedded processor of choice for digital audio applications, Microsoft used ARM's software optimization capability to create the fastest, most-efficient implementation of Windows Media Technologies for ARM Powered systems," said Reynette Au, vice president of Worldwide Marketing, ARM. "As a total solution provider, ARM is committed to working with industry-leading applications technology providers like Microsoft, leveraging our software expertise to support ARM processors with leading-edge applications software and enabling OEMs to easily integrate value-added functionality into their products."
Availability
Windows Media Audio for the ARM architecture, part of the Windows Media Technologies platform, is available now. For more information on Windows Media Audio, contact Microsoft at wma@microsoft.com. For more information on ARM Software Applications and optimizations services, contact ARM at www.arm.com. For more information on the Cirrus Logic Maverick technology, contact Joe Maurin, Director of Business Development, Cirrus Logic Embedded Processor Division, (512) 912-3016, jmaurin@crystal.cirrus.com.
About ARM
ARM, a leading intellectual property (IP) provider, licenses high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multi-media and networking. ARM serves its growing partnership base from offices in Cambridge and Maidenhead, UK; Los Gatos, Calif.; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Wash.; Boston, Mass., USA; Paris, France; Munich, Germany; Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Korea. More information on ARM is available at arm.com.
ARM, Thumb, StrongARM and ARM Powered are registered trademarks of ARM Ltd. All other brand or product names are property of their respective owners. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and NASDAQ: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM, INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.
CONTACT: ARM
Julie Seymour, 408/579-2234
julie.seymour@arm.com
or
Cain Communications, Inc.
Sylvia Tam, 408/341-8974
sylvia-tam@caincomm.com
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