Mobile graphics/multimedia chips driven by demands for increased performance, integration, and functionality

SCOTTSDALE, USA: With the increasing use of media-rich content, Internet-connected mobile devices need robust multimedia performance to provide a quality user experience, reports In-Stat. As a result, graphics, video, and audio are now at the forefront of semiconductor and system design.

“Multimedia features have moved from simple co-processing functions to the forefront of semiconductor and system design,” says Jim McGregor In-Stat analyst. “However, there appears to be an alarming trend of fewer in-house and third-party solutions available despite the growth prospects of the mobile market.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
* The total available market (TAM) for Internet-connected devices is projected to grow at a 22.3 percent CAGR through 2013.
* Ninety-one (91) percent of Internet-connected devices will be using processors with integrated multimedia acceleration, including 72 percent of mobile PCs, by 2013.
* With fewer in-house multimedia solutions and third-party IP providers, ARM, CEVA, and Imagination are poised to benefit the most from increased multimedia functionality in mobile devices.
* Carriers will account for over 60 percent of Internet device unit sales in 2013.
* ARM, CEVA, DMP, Imagination Technologies and Vivente are all offering IP solutions to address the market.
* There is no shortage of semiconductor chip vendors that are looking to address the burgeoning need. They include Anyka, AMD/ATI, Broadcom, Chipnuts, Freescale, Intel, Jade Technology, MagicEyes, Marvell, MtekVision, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Renesas, Samsung, Texas Instruments (TI), VIA Technologies, Vimicro, and others.