NVIDIA Tegra-based devices revolutionize ‘MID’ market

COMPUTEX 2009, TAIPEI, TAIWAN: NVIDIA Corp. and industry partners today unveiled 12 new high-definition mobile Internet devices (MIDs) all powered by the NVIDIA Tegra processor, the world’s smallest and lowest power computer-on-a-chip.

These new Tegra-based devices, which include netbooks and tablets, deliver desktop-class Internet browsing with Flash video and animation acceleration, and up to 1080p video playback. NVIDIA Tegra processors feature always-on operation for instant access to the Internet, which compares to that of cell phone-class power management, and up to 5x the battery life of current netbooks—making days of HD mobile Internet experiences a reality.

“The mobile computing revolution has arrived,” stated Michael Rayfield, general manager of mobile business at NVIDIA. “These new Tegra-based products combine excellent Internet and media capabilities, always-on operation, and wireless connectivity for the untethered Internet experience consumers have been craving.”

With more than 20 Tegra-based projects currently in the works today, those attending Computex can see the following devices:

* Compal Communications, Inc. CN88 (netbook)
* ICD Ultra (tablet)
* Inventec Applications Corp. Rainbow (netbook)
* Mobinnova Mabo (tablet)
* Mobinnova ViewBook N910 (netbook)
* Pegatron Vivid (netbook)
* Wistron M5 (netbook)

“We’ve seen a groundswell of demand from consumers and telcos around the globe for a highly capable, low power, low cost netbook,” stated Mike Holland, vice president of business development, Mobinnova. “Thanks to Tegra we’ve been able to deliver that and more. With three new Tegra-based devices, we’ll be one of the first to meet that demand.”

Wireless phone carriers around the world are looking to expand the reach of the broadband Internet and agree that the always-on mobile Internet experiences enabled by Tegra-based MIDs will help drive new revenue streams and demand for 3G networks. Government programs to deliver the Internet to more people will have a greater impact since the subsidy budgets will go farther because of the lower system cost that Tegra enables. NVIDIA Tegra-based MIDs will support 3G, WiFi, and WiMax solutions from Motorola, Sierra Wireless modules based on Qualcomm, Icera, Via telesystems, and ST Ericsson to meet the needs of every carrier in every geography.

“Devices based on NVIDIA Tegra will allow us to offer a mobile Internet device that delivers an amazing level of functionality at minimal cost or even free through subsidies,” stated Antonio Domit, Executive Technology Advisor to America Movil, Grupo Carso, and Inbursa. “The combination of a Tegra-based MID and our high-speed national coverage will allow millions of people to access the Internet and have an unprecedented experience. I can imagine the story is the same for every country around the world.”

The Internet experience cannot be complete without great support for Adobe Flash, which is included in over 80 percent of the top 100 Web sites. In a separate announcement, NVIDIA announced that it has joined forces with Adobe to optimize and enable Adobe Flash to leverage the GPU (graphics processing unit) for visual computing so consumers can experience fluid Flash video and animations using a small fraction of the power needed by other netbooks. In addition to browsing Web sites with Flash, Tegra-based MIDs deliver all-day media processing, including:

* Listening to music for 25 days straight on one charge.
* Watching 1080p HD video for up to 10 hours.
* Playing video games at 46 frames per second.

The NVIDIA Tegra processor is a heterogeneous multiprocessor architecture. Each processor unit is architected for a specific class of tasks—a CPU for running html and Java, an HD video processor that makes streaming HD video playback possible on a netbook for the first time*, and an ultra-low power NVIDIA GPU for a compelling user interface and for Flash acceleration. These processors are used together or independently to deliver a wonderful experience while utilizing minimal power. With its ultra-low-power processor design, NVIDIA Tegra processors achieve up to 5 times the power efficiency of existing products in battery-operated computer systems running compelling visual computing applications.

Intel, Novell to drive Moblin adoption

SANTA CLARA & WALTHAM, USA: Intel Corp. and Novell Inc. announced broad efforts to closely collaborate and encourage original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs) to adopt Moblin, an optimized open source Linux software platform for enabling rich Internet experiences on Intel Atom processor-based netbooks and other mobile systems.

Intel and Novell signed an agreement outlining their plan for collaboration. Novell also announced it will create a Moblin-based product for netbooks that it will take to market to a wide range of OEMs and ODMs. Additionally, Novell will establish Novell Open Labs in Taiwan to foster the adoption of Moblin and will work with the Taiwan Moblin Enabling Center (MEC), a joint effort of Intel and the Taiwan Institute for Information Industry, to validate designs for Moblin compliance.

Intel launched Moblin in 2007 and incubated the effort until last month when the Linux Foundation became host of the community. Intel continues to contribute key technologies and work with the developer community to advance the effort. Novell began contributing to the Moblin project last October.

“Novell has taken a significant leadership role in the Moblin community since joining the effort late last year, and today’s announcement will extend Novell’s level of involvement,” said Doug Fisher, vice president of Intel’s Software and Services Group and general manager of the System Software Division. “The combination of Intel Atom processor-based platforms and Moblin-based Novell software will provide even more opportunities for OEMs, ODMs and the broader Moblin community to deliver excellent mobile Internet solutions.”

Novell’s contributions to the Moblin ecosystem include leading the open source development of key operating system features such as window, e-mail and media management.

"We are extending our involvement with Moblin because we believe that it provides a richer mobile Internet experience," said Ron Hovsepian, Novell president and CEO. "The emergence of such mobile computing platforms as netbooks presents a significant growth opportunity. We believe that Moblin-based Novell software on Intel-based platforms will offer OEMs and ODMs exceptional solutions for delivering a full Internet experience on such devices."

IDF Taiwan: Father of the Atom an Indian!

Delegates at the Intel Developer Forum, Taiwan were treated to a a rare spectacle when Intel's executive Anand Chandrasekher introduced Belliappa Kuttanna, Senior Principle Engineer, Chief Architect Intel Atom Processor, whom he dubbed as ''The father of Atom,'' during the opening day keynote.



When asked about specific challenges faced while developing the Atom processor, Kuttanna said, "It was pretty challenging to reduce the power levels, while maintaining the balance with Intel architecture." The Atom processor has brought about a fundamental shift in design, and was launched at the Shanghai IDF.

The Atom processor is said to be addressing four market segments: embedded, consumer electronics, mobile Internet devices (MIDs), and netbooks and net-tops.

The immersive Web
The digital home has been dubbed as the TV-Internet ecosystem. "Consumers love the rich, social experience of the TV. They can't get it on the Internet," added Chandrasekher. "We are merging the TV and PC worlds seamlessly."

The Intel executive highlighted the CE 3100 media processor, which is said to be the first optimized media processor for consumer electronics, a third-generation SoC. He cited Yahoo's example of the "Cinematic Internet."

Focusing on the embedded segment, Chandrasekher added: "Fifteen billion devices will get connected by 2015. People will interact 24x7 with the Internet. Embedded will be everywhere. Devices will be built for specific applications." Consequently, he felt that mobile Internet would explode. "Social networking today accounts for 27 percent of all traffic on the Internet. Rich media and social networking are driving the immersive Web," he said.

Send emails using voice dictation
Intel's partners took the opportunity to showcase their products and solutions. Eric Montague, vice president, Asia Pacific sales, Nuance, demonstrated two applications: one, sending email using voice dictation easily, even via a Bluetooth headset, and two, doing a voice search on the Web, over an MID.

Montague said: "We are leveraging on the power of the Atom processor on the MID. The Atom is built for mobility." It was no surprise that the IDF saw as many as 38 MID designs, 50 netbook designs, and over 70 net-top designs.

Next, Jonney Shih, chairman, ASUS, demonstrated an ultra-slim netbook. Shih said: "We have been able to achieve a compact design with low power. Besides a lot of our Eee PC products, we will implement the Atom processor into our eTops, eBoxes, etc. Our Eee family of products answers to the future evolution. We are also very excited about Moorestown."

WiMAX and broadband key
A robust broadband infrastructure is key for delivering an ultimate full Internet experience. Intel has been aggressively promoting WiMAX, which has so far had about 407 deployments in 133 countries.

Chandrasekher took time out to introduce Atish Gude, senior vice president, mobile broadband operations, Sprint. For the reference, the entire city of Baltimore is now on XOHM, a Sprint network. Speaking on this particular deployment, Gude said: "The in-building coverage has been fantastic. You know that our network is not complete yet. However, we have not had even one issue with our systems yet! Our highlight has been offering embedded devices."

Chandrasekher wrapped up his session adding that innovation had been his theme. He also highlighted the fact that Intel has been investing in education in over 50 countries. Intel invests over $100 million annually on education.