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TTPCom and ASUSTeK announce development of 3G handsets
February 24, 2004
TTPCom and ASUSTeK Computer, a manufacturer of handheld devices and computing equipment, announced the development of a wide range of 3G handsets based on TTPCom's dual mode 3GSM technology and application suite. The ASUSTeK range of 3G products will include both feature phones and smartphones and in addition, the company is developing a range of GPRS handsets; all products will offer exciting multimedia services such as video, games and music downloads. The first ASUSTeK products are due for launch in Europe and Asia towards the end of 2004.
ASUSTeK have licensed TTPCom's entire technology suite including dual mode protocol software, development tools and AJAR, TTPCom's applications framework, which delivers a pre-integrated suite of messaging, multimedia, gaming, browser and JAVA technology.
"TTPCom has a very strong reputation and their software and hardware designs are used in many innovative products worldwide. By delivering a complete software solution that is fully integrated with the modem, they provide us with a low risk and very fast time to market. We are particularly impressed with the flexibility of TTPCom's software platform which is enabling us to develop a whole range of products for all sectors of the market - from high end 3G smartphones to entry level feature phones. In particular their AJAR platform allows us to quickly customise the user interface and applications set for individual operators round the world," stated HC Hung, Vice President of ASUSTeK Computer.
Fully integrated 3G/GSM technology for competitive handsets
In order to facilitate the development of competitive 3G handsets, which are equivalent in terms of size, power consumption and reliability to today's mobiles, TTPCom has pioneered a fully integrated dual mode approach from the start. This complex approach concentrates on maximising the integration of common elements between 3G and GSM/GPRS, minimises the memory requirements and enables devices to use a single baseband chip, and therefore keeps cost, size and power consumption to a minimum. In addition a fully integrated approach improves the user experience as the phones are able to handover seamlessly between 3G and GSM/GPRS networks.
"The whole market is crying out for competitive 3G handsets, with exciting services, long battery life and small form factor, and at TTPCom we have always maintained that such devices would be available from 2004 onwards. ASUSTeK are right on track to deliver competitive 3G handsets just as volume demand starts to take off", stated Chris Tunsley, Software Protocols Group Manager at TTPCom.
To complement its protocol software TTPCom has developed a flexible and portable applications platform that enables handset manufacturers to develop feature phones and smartphones based on any combination of 3G, GPRS and GSM protocols. For the development of smartphones, TTPCom has integrated its protocol platform with all major open operating systems, including Microsoft and Symbian. For feature phones, TTPCom's applications platform, AJAR, delivers a pre-integrated suite of messaging, multimedia, gaming, browser and JAVA technology, plus secure download and tools to easily customise the user interface and create new applications. TTPCom has utilised its systems expertise to extract the maximum performance from the hardware, enabling the feature phones to offer a rich multimedia experience without the need for a separate applications processor.
Demonstrations at 3GSM World Congress - 3G and multimedia
At 3GSM World Congress TTPCom will be demonstrating its 3G and multimedia technology and visitors will be able to experience how the AJAR toolset can be used to easily customise the phone's user interface. TTPCom's stand is number A3, Hall 1.
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