“I’d like to add a few words about the display, for Gadgeteer readers who might not be familiar with electronic ink technology. E-ink is reflective; it’s made up of pigments on a surface. E-ink displays have no backlight, but unlike the LCDs used in most devices today they don’t need one in many cases, since they are readable in lighting conditions similar to ordinary ink on paper. Unfortunately, e-ink displays don’t have as much contrast as paper yet, so you will want to consider a clip-on book light if your reading conditions warrant it. I don’t find it hard to read the Kindle’s display in the same conditions I normally read books in, but I still hope that Amazon finds a way to put in some kind of built-in lighting that you can turn on to read in the dark. Another thing worth mentioning about e-ink displays is that they are slow to refresh, and when turning pages the Kindle, like the Sony I reviewed earlier this year, flashes the entire screen briefly to “reset” the ink and avoid ghost images. With all of that, you might be wondering what the point of e-ink is. Primarily, it’s about a more comfortable reading experience. Like paper, it’s reflective, so it’s quite usable in full daylight and at just about any angle, and reading for hours on it isn’t like staring into a light bulb. The technology is far from perfect, but it is very comfortable to read on, compared to a backlit PDA.” Read more here:
Quanta Computer Licences Intrinsyc’s Soleus Platform
Intrinsyc Software International, Inc. (TSX: ICS), a global wireless software solutions provider, today announced that Quanta Computer Inc., the world’s largest notebook computer Original Design Manufacturer (ODM), has entered into an agreement to licence the Soleus mobile handset platform. Quanta is using Soleus to develop a Third Generation (3G)/High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) mobile device, expected to be a breakthrough in the design concept and user experience of today’s wireless communications electronics. Quanta has also engaged Intrinsyc’s wireless engineering services to support development and accelerate this product’s time to market, which is expected to be in the third quarter of 2008. This marks the fourth Soleus SLA in 2007.“We are very pleased that Quanta chose Soleus as the software platform for this innovative new product,” said Glenda Dorchak, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Intrinsyc Software. “This engagement draws on Intrinsyc’s Soleus software strength and the wireless systems integration expertise provided by our Taipei-based operation. This engagement also validates Soleus’ flexibility in enabling a wide range of wireless products, which now include this high-end 3G/HSDPA mobile device, personal navigation connected devices, a GPS-capable phone, and a handset that supports the new Mobile Digital TV (MDTV) standard.” “To satisfy our customer’s requirements, we needed a software platform that would allow our engineers to scale features and customize future devices into a complete product line,” said Dr. George Chiou, R&D Sr. Director of Wireless Business Unit at Quanta Computer. “The Soleus platform gives us a very flexible and versatile software foundation with pre-certified telephony and pre-integrated applications. Our engineers see great potential in Soleus’ architecture and intuitive UI Framework, which quickly delivers a high level of integration and flexibility in software customization; features that many of our customers require.”By leveraging the turnkey Soleus platform, Quanta will reduce the project’s time-to-market, lower its bill-of-materials (BOM) cost, and make the device upgradable from Windows® Embedded CE 5.0 to CE 6.0. Intrinsyc has also won an engineering services engagement to support Quanta’s development team with the integration of the Windows Embedded CE operating system software and its 3G/HSDPA hardware platform. Both the software engagement and engineering services will be provided by Intrinsyc’s Taiwan operation, with support from Vancouver, BC and Bellevue, WA. Further details on the 3G/HSDPA mobile device will be made available upon product release. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.About QuantaQuanta Computer is a Fortune Global 500 Company that is an industry leader in providing technology products to many of the world’s most prestigious electronics companies through ODM and EMS business models. Quanta also holds the distinction as the world’s largest manufacturer of notebook computers with around 30% market share worldwide. Products that the Company provides range from information, communication, networking, consumer electronics and car electronics to storage.Founded in 1988, Quanta is headquartered in Taiwan and has major operations set up in Asia, America and Europe. The Company employs over 40,000 employees worldwide. The revenue for Quanta Computer Inc. during the last fiscal year, 2006, was US$14 billion. For further information, please visit Quanta’s website at www.quantatw.com/ About Intrinsyc Software International, Inc. Intrinsyc provides wireless software solutions that enable next-generation handheld products, including mobile handsets, smart phones and converged devices. The company’s software products, engineering services, and years of expertise help device makers, service providers, and silicon providers deliver compelling wireless products with faster time-to-market and improved development cost. Intrinsyc is the licensor of the Soleus™ platform based on Windows® Embedded CE for consumer handset development. Intrinsyc is a Microsoft® Windows® Embedded Gold Partner, the 2007 Windows Embedded Excellence Award winner for System Integrator, and a Symbian Platinum Partner. Intrinsyc is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: ICS) and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with regional offices in, the United States, Taiwan and Barbados.