TMCnet News
|
[December 08, 2003] Cypress Semiconductor and Twin Paradox Bring USB Host Connectivity to PDAs Twin Paradox Corp., a designer of USB connectivity solutions for mobile computer users, and Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:CY), a leading provider of USB technology, today announced a unique new CompactFlash USB host adapter card that enables mobile professionals to connect multiple USB devices such as USB mini Flash hard drives, full-size USB keyboards, and USB printers to their PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The device is designed for a new generation of PDAs with PC-type operating systems, called Pocket PCs.Leveraging EZ-OTG USB embedded host technology from Cypress Semiconductor Corp., Twin Paradox’s SolarExpress™ PDA is the industry’s first fully integrated CompactFlash USB host adapter card to provide two ports of low- and full-speed USB connectivity to Pocket PCs. It’s also the industry’s most affordable PDA USB adapter, priced at just $89.00 (MSRP). "Pocket PC owners want the same USB connectivity experience that they enjoy with their laptops," said Twin Paradox president Curtis Lewis. "Our unique and affordable dual-port design delivers new levels of flexibility and freedom to the mobile worker." Lewis added that Cypress's EZ-USB technology was key to product development. "Cypress’s flexible USB architecture with on-board BIOS helped us simplify the product design," he said. "Cypress's USB technology is second-to-none in PCs," said Brian Booker, product manager of USB embedded host devices at Cypress. "Twin Paradox provides us a great opportunity to extend our USB product reach into portable devices." Booker said the companies are planning to co-develop other portable USB solutions. SolarExpress PDA uses the PocketPC’s existing CF card slot to offer fully integrated USB connectivity without compromising the PDA's compact form factor. It is designed for use in PocketPCs with Windows Mobile 2003 (Pocket PC 2003) installed. The device can be operated with an included AC adapter that supplies 5V of power at 500 mA to each USB host port. Without the adapter, it delivers 5V at 100 mA to each port. |