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Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rick who wrote (35491)	7/17/1999 4:01:00 PM
From: JohnG	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

Fred M/ engineer--Notice Barrons mentioned NSM w/ Q. Does the following technology apply to CDMA phones in any way? JohnG SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1999 JUL 15 (NB) -- By Martin Stone, Newsbytes. A computer chip scarcely larger than a thumbnail but capable of doing the work of six conventional chips has been developed by National Semiconductor Corp. [NAYSE:NSM] Unveiled today, the new Geode SC1400 chip will do the work of what would normally require six different chips, the company says. Spokesman Mike Brozda told Newsbytes that the first application is aimed at the television set-top box market but inherent flexibility makes the chip applicable to a wide-range of devices. "What we've done is combine a bunch of blocks of intellectual properties that we can kind of mix-and-match. By taking out one of those blocks, in other words, one of those sections on the chip and substituting say, a radio-frequency module, we can very quickly make a wireless information appliance. It's kind of like a Lego system, mix and match different functions, to tailor to different market applications." The tiny chip puts most of the functions of a PC on a single chip, and the company says this will engender more power and functionality to small information devices, a market niche they see as ready to blossom. Specifically, the chip can handle processing, system logic and graphics functions. The product reflects an industry-wide trend to integrate more and more functions onto a single chip. Future applications include handheld information devices like the Palm VII, and automotive navigation systems. "More and more people aren't using personal computers for computing," Brozda points out. "They are using them for access to information, e-mail, Internet, and with a computer you're tied to a desktop. We think there's going to be a whole emerging marketplace for all kinds of other information devices." He says that the new chip will allow National Semiconductor to pursue the evolving small-hardware market because of the Lego-like qualities of Geode SC1400 and its tiny size, about one-and-a-half inches on a side. A recent report by industry researchers International Data Corp., suggests the information appliance market will increase from 13 million units this year to 65 million by 2003. National Semiconductor reports the chip has speed of 266 megahertz, can manage most major PC functions, including Internet browsing and digital video, and consumes very little power. The company expects the chip will allow further shrinkage of electronic devices, as most will require only a few additional chips certain other functions, such as memory storage. Additionally, the need for fewer components will bring the cost of future information devices down, the company speculates. The Geode SC1400 is due to hit the market by next summer. The company hopes many of its present customers, which include America Online Inc. and with Philips Electronics, will help launch the new technology. Reported by Newsbytes.com, newsbytes.com