Ericsson (News - Alert) has introduced its U500 mobile platform, which is next generation architecture with a triple processor solution and a multimedia subsystem, enabling new multimedia functionality and multitasking capabilities.

 

The U500 is expected to not only pave the way for new consumer services, but also improve the usability and quality of existing multimedia services.

 

The Ericsson U500 mobile platform combines raw power through the implementation of three ARM11 CPUs and hardware accelerators, with platform architecture through the integration of the digital baseband and a multimedia companion chip into a single-die processor, according to the company.

 

Indicating that the U500 is a powerful multimedia platform with performance, graphics and usability, more resembling a mobile computer than today's mobile phones, Robert Puskaric, head of mobile platforms business at Ericsson, said in a statement, “With the U500 platform Ericsson will keep its world leading position within the multimedia mass market for years to come.”

 

He also pointed out that the U500 mobile platform is a response to the rapidly growing demand for advanced multimedia features and services requiring enhanced user experience.

 

Designed for mass market mobile devices, the U500 features camcorder, 12 Mpix camera, WVGA displays, advanced 3D gaming and 3D user interface, CD quality audio performance and high resolution video for a true mobile TV experience.

 

Puskaric explained that the advanced graphics capabilities available in the U500 are enabled through the implementation of ARM (News - Alert) Mali200 GPU, a programmable, OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics processor producing fast graphics with the low power consumption required for a handheld device.

 

The company plans to make U500 commercially available in the first half of 2009.

 

Earlier this month, Ericsson provided built-in HSPA mobile broadband technology for Lenovo notebook PCs. Lenovo is said to be Ericsson's first announced mobile broadband module customer.