NVIDIA Announces $70 Million Acquisition of MediaQ

[Robert Levy]

http://www.stockworld.de/msg/569862.html

"NVIDIA Corporation , the worldwide leader in visual processing solutions, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire MediaQ, Inc., the leading provider of graphics and multimedia technology for wireless mobile devices."

"Founded in 1997, MediaQ's core technologies enhance visual display capabilities, improve connectivity, and minimize chip and system-level power consumption. The company enhances its semiconductor product offerings with a comprehensive set of software, including drivers for major mobile operating systems (Microsoft PocketPC, Microsoft SmartPhone, Palm, Symbian) and APIs that improve OEM time to market. Key market segments are 3G and 2.5G handsets, PDAs, LCD displays, and other mobile devices."

The MiTAC Mio 8380 Smartphone is already using a low-power MediaQ chip which handles graphics acceleration, image rendering, and connectivity to peripherals. With NVIDIA jumping on board, hopes are raised that other manufacturers will take advantage of this technology to build cutting edge devices.

Here's a more information from the MiTAC/MediaQ press release:

“Among the Mio 8380’s most exciting features are its video and gaming functionalities. The Mio 8380 offers superb visual and sound effects for users who want the multimedia entertainment experience,“ said Samuel Wang, General Manager of Mobile Communications Unit, MiTAC International Corp. “MiTAC is very pleased to work with MediaQ to support the unique features of the Mio 8380 smartphone. The MQ1188 controller provides image enhancement, low power consumption, and long battery life, helping make the Mio 8380 one of the ‘smartest’ mobile phones.” In addition to multimedia and screen display functions, the MediaQ MQ1188 controller also provides the Mio 8380 Smartphone with built-in popular peripheral interfaces, such as USB host/device controllers for data synch cradle, keyboard, mouse, etc., and 4-bit SD/SDIO controller for unparalleled expandability and connectivity options using memory cards as well as card-based peripherals, i.e., Bluetooth, Wi Fi, GPS card."

Running at 66 MHz, the MQ1188 controller enables OEMs to design and deliver handset/handheld devices capable of handling a new generation of multimedia and wireless applications and services. An embedded frame buffer and a 64-bit 2D graphics engine enhance game playing and other graphics-intensive applications. The new chip also features built-in interfaces to popular baseband processors for wireless connectivity. To address OEM concerns over system power budgets, especially in mobile handheld devices, the MQ1188 is designed for ultra low power consumption. To add connectivity to handheld designs, MQ1188 supports AC97/IS, SPI interfaces as well as 4-bit SD/SDIO and USB host/device controllers."

[Robert Levy]

http://www.stockworld.de/msg/569862.html

"NVIDIA Corporation , the worldwide leader in visual processing solutions, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire MediaQ, Inc., the leading provider of graphics and multimedia technology for wireless mobile devices."

"Founded in 1997, MediaQ's core technologies enhance visual display capabilities, improve connectivity, and minimize chip and system-level power consumption. The company enhances its semiconductor product offerings with a comprehensive set of software, including drivers for major mobile operating systems (Microsoft PocketPC, Microsoft SmartPhone, Palm, Symbian) and APIs that improve OEM time to market. Key market segments are 3G and 2.5G handsets, PDAs, LCD displays, and other mobile devices."

The MiTAC Mio 8380 Smartphone is already using a low-power MediaQ chip which handles graphics acceleration, image rendering, and connectivity to peripherals. With NVIDIA jumping on board, hopes are raised that other manufacturers will take advantage of this technology to build cutting edge devices.

Here's a more information from the MiTAC/MediaQ press release:

“Among the Mio 8380’s most exciting features are its video and gaming functionalities. The Mio 8380 offers superb visual and sound effects for users who want the multimedia entertainment experience,“ said Samuel Wang, General Manager of Mobile Communications Unit, MiTAC International Corp. “MiTAC is very pleased to work with MediaQ to support the unique features of the Mio 8380 smartphone. The MQ1188 controller provides image enhancement, low power consumption, and long battery life, helping make the Mio 8380 one of the ‘smartest’ mobile phones.” In addition to multimedia and screen display functions, the MediaQ MQ1188 controller also provides the Mio 8380 Smartphone with built-in popular peripheral interfaces, such as USB host/device controllers for data synch cradle, keyboard, mouse, etc., and 4-bit SD/SDIO controller for unparalleled expandability and connectivity options using memory cards as well as card-based peripherals, i.e., Bluetooth, Wi Fi, GPS card."

Running at 66 MHz, the MQ1188 controller enables OEMs to design and deliver handset/handheld devices capable of handling a new generation of multimedia and wireless applications and services. An embedded frame buffer and a 64-bit 2D graphics engine enhance game playing and other graphics-intensive applications. The new chip also features built-in interfaces to popular baseband processors for wireless connectivity. To address OEM concerns over system power budgets, especially in mobile handheld devices, the MQ1188 is designed for ultra low power consumption. To add connectivity to handheld designs, MQ1188 supports AC97/IS, SPI interfaces as well as 4-bit SD/SDIO and USB host/device controllers."