Communications and Technology Industry Research

Consumer demand for quicker, compact and longer lasting mobile equipment has ensured that Freescale Semiconductor (News - Alert) achieve an early advantage in the smart mobile devices segment that includes smartbooks, eBook readers, smartphones and other mobile consumer products.

 

The transition from fixed computing platforms to mobile devices has significantly led to the proliferation of intelligent devices across the globe and created major opportunities for Freescale. In under a year, Freescale has helped promote the smartbook category thereby increasing its market reach in the growing eBook reader market and introduced quite a few consumer products.

 

This trend is based on the depth of Freescale’s portfolio of embedded processors, sensors, dedicated software and power management integrated circuits, or “ICs.” This year the company has delivered over 90 million ICs to manufacturers of smart mobile devices.

 

One of the most popular eBook reader products available today uses the Freescale’s i.MX31 device as its main processor and also includes the MC13783 power management IC and MMA7660 inertial sensor. Other mobile connected devices similarly use Freescale processors with the company’s sensor, power management, and audio codec technologies. By delivering expansive solutions, the company helps customers innovate and ensures faster time to market.

 

Among Freescale’s most encouraging consumer opportunities are smartbooks. These are based on ARM (News - Alert) processor technology that brings together the key features of smartphones and notebook PCs. Freescale announced the availability of the first end-product of the category in mid-2009, soon after the emergence of the category.

 

Sharp’s (News - Alert) NetWalker mobile device also employs Freescale power management and i.MX applications processor technologies. Freescale is also now collaborating with multiple OEMs on products for the smartbook market expected to begin delivery by the first quarter 2010.Freescale has set up a wide smartbook ecosystem, comprising support for OS environments from Canonical, Google (News - Alert), Thundersoft and Xandros, and with top ODMs like Foxconn, Inventec, Kinpo, Pegatron, Quanta and Wistron

 

The widespread popularity of eBook reader products has also boosted Freescale’s growth in the smart devices segment. According to a recent prediction from market research firm iSuppli Corp, the global eBook market is expected to grow to more than 18 million units in 2012. Freescale’s i.MX processor, analog audio, sensor and power management technologies deliver exceptional processing performance and energy and cost efficiencies to several eBook reader OEMs.

 

At the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, Freescale plans to demonstrate seven eBook reader products that employ i.MX processors. Freescale and E Ink Corporation recently announced a collaboration agreement to develop system-on-a-chip solutions that combine Freescale’s i.MX processor technology with E Ink’s Vizplex display controller.