Archive for the ‘marvell armada 166e’ tag
New Freescale SoC Could Result in Cheaper and Faster Ereaders no comments
Freescale has announced a new Soc that integrates ARM Cortex A8 technology running at 800 MHz with a hardware-based e-Ink display controller. The 
i.MX508 processor is said to be twice as fast as previous ereader processors from Freescale. Other benefits include lower cost and better power management resulting in longer battery life.
From the press release:
AUSTIN, Texas – March 1, 2010 – Freescale Semiconductor is helping drive down the cost of next-generation eReaders with its i.MX508 applications processor, the first system-on-chip (SoC) to integrate advanced ARM Cortex™-A8 technology together with the newest hardware-based display controller from E Ink. Freescale’s highly integrated i.MX508 processor is designed to deliver the performance, energy efficiency and system cost savings necessary to help OEMs evolve and grow the dynamic eReader product category.
With the ARM core running at 800 MHz, the i.MX508 provides twice the rendering performance of Freescale’s previous eReader processors, resulting in faster page turns and snappy responsiveness for consumers. The increased processing capability also gives manufacturers the additional performance to add features like advanced touch solutions and the ability to run other value-added applications.
The i.MX508 is notable for its support of next-generation eReader panels, which are expected to feature larger dimensions, faster page turns and significantly better resolution. The processor supports panel resolutions up to 2048 x1536 pixels at 106 hertz. Leveraging the ARM Cortex™-A8 engine, the i.MX508 processor has the potential performance to quickly handle complex image manipulations and color processing. …
Longer battery life
The i.MX508 processor includes special power modes created for eReaders that allow the CPU and some peripherals to operate at full speed while rendering a page and then turn off to save power when they are not needed. As eReader panel resolution increases, the i.MX508 with its integrated display controller, offers lower power than software-based display controller solutions. …Availability and pricing
The i.MX508 applications processor is expected to be priced at less than $10 (USD) in quantities greater than 250K units. Freescale plans to begin providing samples to select customers early in the third quarter of 2010. The SABRE platform for eReaders based on the i.MX51 is available for purchase now from Freescale. The suggested resale price is $1,995 (USD). For more information, visit www.freescale.com/eReader.
Processors made by Freescale are used in many current ereaders including the Kindle. Marvell also recently announced a new SoC for ereader applications.
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Faster and Cheaper eReaders on the Way no comments
Several days ago chip maker Marvell announced that in collaboration with E-Ink it has developed an integrated system-on-a-chip that is not only faster than present solutions, but should bring us lower ereader prices. Marvell’s new Armada 166E chip is said to as much as triple the screen refresh rates of present ereaders and is also designed to enable ultra-fast PDF rendering.
Some of the already announced ereaders that are due out by the first quarter of 2010 and use the Armada 166E include Plastic Logic’s Que, the enTourage eDGe and Spring Design’s Alex.
Speaking of the Alex, Maximum PC has some new photos of this ereader and
it definitely looks more impressive than it did in the first picture that was released by Spring Design. Unlike Barnes and Noble’s nook, which also has a small LCD screen under the e-ink screen for navigation, the Alex’s larger LCD screen also is used for web browsing. You can select a web page or sections of it and reflow it to the e-ink screen for reading. The LCD is also used for navigation.
Photo: Maximum PC
£149.00
£109
