IBM shows PowerPC chips for IAs
IBM Microelectronics has debuted a family of SoC (System on Chip) processors it hopes will enable powerful new Internet appliances. The IBM PowerPC Internet Appliance Platform (IAP) combines a microprocessor with features including touch-screen support, memory drivers, and LCD drivers on one chip. The low-power, low-price chips (about $60) allow customization for specific uses and is part of IBM's push for what it calls "pervasive computing applications."
IBM says the processor will reduce the number of chip needed to connect devices to the Internet by a factor of 10 and will facilitate lower-cost Web phones and other new consumer information appliances. The company expects the platform to be customized for embedded software and operating systems, including Linux and IBM's WebSphere.
More information is at electronicnews.com,
siliconstrategies.com
and pcworld.com.
