Here comes one of the first announcements from the Windows Mobile camp for 3GSM. This is an announcement between Texas Instruments, who already have quick a few CPU’s in Windows Mobile handsets (the TI OMAP850 can be found in the Orange SPV C600 and T-Mobile MDA Vario amongst many others), and Microsoft to use the faster OMAPV1030 EDGE chipset. This means that handsets will be based on a lower-cost, high-performance chipsets letting you use more advanced multimedia and productivity features on your phone.
For the full press release, click below
Device-Makers Amoi, HTC and Sagem Select Innovative Solution to Spur Windows Mobile-Based Smartphone Growth.
Barcelona, Spain — Feb. 13, 2006 — Today Microsoft Corp. and Texas Instruments (TI) announced that Amoi Electronics, HTC Corp. and Sagem Communication are developing new Windows Mobile®-based Smartphones leveraging TI’s OMAPV1030 EDGE chipset. These phones will be based on a lower-cost, high-performance chipset architecture for Windows Mobile device-makers, previously only available for feature phones. Until now, many smartphones running on a high-level operating system such as Microsoft® Windows Mobile necessitated a more expensive dual-core chipset to power the rich user interface, data networking and additional personal and business applications.
Compared to previous multi-core architectures, this single-core solution offers significant costs savings on the total bill of materials. This has been achieved through higher levels of integration, more aggressive process technology and better system partitioning. Microsoft leveraged TI’s OMAPV1030 chipset with its own Windows Mobile software to enable smart device capabilities at feature phone costs, thereby spurring smartphone market growth.
Analysts suggest that an increasing number of companies prefer employees to have access to critical business information while outside of the office. Driving down the costs of smart devices is critical to maximizing this demand for increased sales and services.
Gartner predicts a huge rise over the next three years or so in the number of people using wireless e-mail. By the end of 2006, there will be at least 16 million business and consumer users. And, by the end of 2008, half of all employees who access e-mail via PCs will also have access to wireless e-mail.
“TI’s integrated and optimized OMAPV1030 solution was designed to deliver enhanced features at a reduced cost,” said Edgar Auslander, general manager, worldwide strategy and corporate development, TI’s wireless business unit. “Combined with Windows Mobile software from Microsoft, the OMAPV1030 will enable handset manufacturers like Amoi, HTC and Sagem Communication to bring advanced multimedia and productivity features to mainstream mobile phones.”
“Our mobile operator partners are eager to expand their customer base with a diverse and affordable portfolio of Windows Mobile-based devices,” said Kevin Dallas, general manager, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. “Texas Instruments’ innovative hardware platform, coupled with our software, will help device makers sell more smartphones to an increasing number of mobile workers who want to stay connected while away from the office.”
Availability of these handsets is expected within 12 months.