Qualcomm announces PC alternative for emerging markets
Qualcomm has announced a new PC alternative to make high-speed wireless Internet access more widely available and affordable in emerging markets. The Kayak PC alternative includes a reference design and recommended software specifications that will be made available to device manufacturers, which can then design a wide range of Internet enabling devices that leverage the widespread availability of 3G wireless broadband networks in markets where wired Internet access has often been difficult to access or unaffordable.
The company explained that the Kayak PC alternative will fill the niche that exists between desktop PCs, which normally require landlines or separate accessories for connectivity, and smaller Internet-capable wireless devices such as handsets.
The Kayak reference design will be based on Qualcomm's dual-core Mobile Station Modem (MSM) MSM7xxx-series chipsets to provide both computing and connectivity. Related devices will also offer a full-featured Web 2.0-capable browser from Opera Software that is able to perform at desktop resolutions. The browser is also expected to provide users access to Web 2.0 productivity applications.
While comparable connectivity is already provided through smartphones, Qualcomm indicated that the Kayak PC will offer support for both television sets and computer monitors to be used as displays and/or for a built-in display. Compatibility with a standard keyboard and mouse for input will also be supported.
Device makers need not only focus on PC-type designs though, as Qualcomm indicated that music player and 3D gaming console functionality will also be supported, so various products can be developed based on the reference design.
Initial Kayak PC alternative units will be manufactured by Taiwan-based Inventec and used to initiate user trials during the first quarter of 2009 in Southeast Asia on both CDMA2000 and WCDMA (UMTS) networks.
In addition, while the current platform is based on MSM7xxx-series chipsets, Qualcomm said that commercial Kayak-based devices may also feature the more comprehensive Snapdragon solution in the future.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform includes chipsets that feature a custom gigahertz microprocessor core paired with the company's sixth-generation DSP core running at 600MHz dedicated to applications processing. Other features of the Snapdragon platform include integrated cellular broadband as well as support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile TV; high definition video recording and playback; up to WXGA resolution (1280×768); assisted-GPS; and hardware-accelerated 3D graphics.
Qualcomm has big plans for the Snapdragon platform, with the company describing the platform as blending the best of the smartphone and notebook computing categories to deliver on the promise of mobile Internet. The platform has exceptionally low-power operation that enables all-day battery life, and Snapdragon-powered devices can have a wide range of form-factors and operating system support, including Microsoft Windows Mobile, Android, and a number of Linux-based operating systems. The company is touting Snapdragon solutions as delivering power-efficient computing, immersive multimedia, comprehensive connectivity and an "always on, always awake and always connected" experience.
Currently, more than 15 device manufacturers are developing more than 30 device designs using Snapdragon chipsets to enable mobile computing devices. Qualcomm's customers for Snapdragon include Acer, Asustek Computer, C-motech, Compal Electronics, Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), High Tech Computer (HTC), Inventec, LG Electronics, Quanta Computer, Samsung Electronics, Toshiba and Wistron.
The first Snapdragon devices are expected to be launched by customers in the first half of next year, and that according to independent industry research, this market segment is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 80% over the next several years.
The company explained that the Kayak PC alternative will fill the niche that exists between desktop PCs, which normally require landlines or separate accessories for connectivity, and smaller Internet-capable wireless devices such as handsets.
The Kayak reference design will be based on Qualcomm's dual-core Mobile Station Modem (MSM) MSM7xxx-series chipsets to provide both computing and connectivity. Related devices will also offer a full-featured Web 2.0-capable browser from Opera Software that is able to perform at desktop resolutions. The browser is also expected to provide users access to Web 2.0 productivity applications.
While comparable connectivity is already provided through smartphones, Qualcomm indicated that the Kayak PC will offer support for both television sets and computer monitors to be used as displays and/or for a built-in display. Compatibility with a standard keyboard and mouse for input will also be supported.
Device makers need not only focus on PC-type designs though, as Qualcomm indicated that music player and 3D gaming console functionality will also be supported, so various products can be developed based on the reference design.
Initial Kayak PC alternative units will be manufactured by Taiwan-based Inventec and used to initiate user trials during the first quarter of 2009 in Southeast Asia on both CDMA2000 and WCDMA (UMTS) networks.
In addition, while the current platform is based on MSM7xxx-series chipsets, Qualcomm said that commercial Kayak-based devices may also feature the more comprehensive Snapdragon solution in the future.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform includes chipsets that feature a custom gigahertz microprocessor core paired with the company's sixth-generation DSP core running at 600MHz dedicated to applications processing. Other features of the Snapdragon platform include integrated cellular broadband as well as support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile TV; high definition video recording and playback; up to WXGA resolution (1280×768); assisted-GPS; and hardware-accelerated 3D graphics.
Qualcomm has big plans for the Snapdragon platform, with the company describing the platform as blending the best of the smartphone and notebook computing categories to deliver on the promise of mobile Internet. The platform has exceptionally low-power operation that enables all-day battery life, and Snapdragon-powered devices can have a wide range of form-factors and operating system support, including Microsoft Windows Mobile, Android, and a number of Linux-based operating systems. The company is touting Snapdragon solutions as delivering power-efficient computing, immersive multimedia, comprehensive connectivity and an "always on, always awake and always connected" experience.
Currently, more than 15 device manufacturers are developing more than 30 device designs using Snapdragon chipsets to enable mobile computing devices. Qualcomm's customers for Snapdragon include Acer, Asustek Computer, C-motech, Compal Electronics, Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), High Tech Computer (HTC), Inventec, LG Electronics, Quanta Computer, Samsung Electronics, Toshiba and Wistron.
The first Snapdragon devices are expected to be launched by customers in the first half of next year, and that according to independent industry research, this market segment is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 80% over the next several years.
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