Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/07/nvidia_mobilemedia_play/
Computex 2006 Nvidia today extended its foray into the handheld graphics arena, moving beyond mobile phones to Windows Mobile 5.0 PDAs. Dubbed the MobileMedia Platform, the product comprises hardware, middleware and development tools device makers can use to create Nvidia-equipped handhelds.
The company also announced Windows Mobile 5.0-based reference designs and development utilities in partnership with PDA processor makers Intel and Freescale.
It's all about selling more GPUs, of course, but there's a clear trend toward more capable mobile devices, particularly those providing media playback and internet access. MobileMedia is about encouraging the makers of such products to select Nvidia chips rather than one from ATI or any of the many other phone-oriented GPU suppliers. Nvidia is essentially doing all the hard work for the device developer.
Nvidia's deal with Intel aligns MobileMedia with XScale, in particular 'Monahans', the next-generation Intel ARM-based CPU. The partnership with Freescale likewise associates the Nvidia platform with the former Motorola subsidiary's i.MX ARM-derived processor line.
Undoubtedly, Nvidia has approached other PDA CPU makers, such as Samsung and Texas Instruments, but as the general manager of the company's handheld products division, Mike Rayfield, told us, MobileMedia works with any other Windows Mobile 5.0-friendly, ARM-based CPU.
MobileMedia-based products have already been announced, such as the HTC-made digital TV handset Modeo is planning to offer in the US (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/04/06/modeo_unveils_dvb-h_phone/). iRiver's G10 device - codenamed 'Wing', by the way - is another (above), as is Samsung's i310 hard disk-equipped phone and Acer's n310 PDA. ®
Full Computex coverage at Reg Hardware (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/07/rh_computex_2006_coverage/)
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