TI shows 4G Net audio chipset

Texas Instruments is promoting its fourth-generation chip for Internet audio applications. The tiny, programmable digital signal processor (DSP) features improved power management that will allow digital audio players to run for up to 70 hours on two AA batteries. It integrates USB 1.1, Sony Memory Stick and Secure Digital Memory Card interfaces. Devices using the chip should be available by the end of next year, when TI will begin selling a new version of the chip using a 0.13-micron process that will lower power use an additional 50 percent. The chip supports most common memory storage technologies, audio compression formats and Digital Rights Management algorithms that can prevent music recorded on one device being played on another. The chips will sell for $10 in quantities of 250,000.

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