Microsoft and National are working together to develop complete, ready-to-build reference designs for various connected devices such as mobile WebPAD? devices, residential gateways, thin clients and set-top boxes. Microsoft is expected to ship Windows XP Embedded by the end of this year.
"We have just achieved a significant milestone with the release of Windows XP Embedded beta 2, and feedback from our Rapid Development Program participants is critical in helping us deliver cutting-edge technologies to our customers," said Keith White, senior director of marketing for the Embedded Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "The combination of National's expertise in hardware reference designs and Microsoft's embedded technologies will allow our customers to bring their next generation Windows XP Embedded-based client devices to market faster and less expensively than in the past."
The combination of National's Geode processor and Windows XP Embedded technologies promises to enable a myriad of connected devices with unparalleled capabilities. As highly integrated processors designed specifically for the information appliance market, National's Geode processor family brings an optimal balance of the "three Ps" - price, power and performance. Windows XP Embedded mirrors and complements this strategy by delivering a low-cost solution with a small memory footprint operating system; a low-power solution through state-of-the-art ACPI power management; and the ability to run web plug-ins created for the PC-oriented Internet.
"Working together, Microsoft and National are helping to bring the power of the Internet to a whole new group of consumers. The combination of Windows XP Embedded and Geode technology is a great solution for personal access devices, thin clients, set-top boxes, and residential gateway products," said Mike Polacek, vice president of National Semiconductor's Information Appliance division. "This collaboration will enable the industry to create flexible yet cost effective information appliances."
Projects are in development with a number of OEMs on mobile devices featuring the Geode processor and running Windows XP Embedded. These devices will bring together the mobility of a PDA and an Internet experience comparable to what has before only been available on a PC.
"Wyse and National Semiconductor have an outstanding relationship in the development of thin client solutions, and we are collaborating on a next generation thin-client system based on National's Geode technology that will feature Microsoft's upcoming Windows XP Embedded operating system," said George Skaff, vice president of worldwide marketing for Wyse Technology. "Geode technology helps Wyse's current thin client devices deliver high-quality streaming media, Internet access, and other value-added applications to enterprises, education, hospitality, banking, financial, and healthcare markets."
About National Semiconductor and Microsoft Products
The award-winning Geode family of processors are based on a 32-bit Pentium-class x86 processor with MMX? support that integrates fully accelerated 2D graphics, a memory controller with 64-bit SDRAM interface, 16KB L1 Cache and PCI bus host controller. The low-power chip integrates sound, graphics, memory control and the PCI interface.
The Microsoft Windows Embedded operating systems and tools provide comprehensive software platforms for building the next generation of intelligent, 32-bit connected Windows Powered devices that demand rich applications and Internet services for a wide range of flexible solutions. In addition, Microsoft offers a wide range of programs and services designed to meet the specific needs of Windows Embedded customers, industry partners and developers.
About National
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; information appliances; information infrastructure; and display, imaging and human interface technologies. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2001 and employs about 9,700 people worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
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