Today’s agreement signifies one of the many industry initiatives National Semiconductor undertakes in the region. With a view to expediting Windows® CE production, CCL/ITRI, ITE and National Semiconductor join force to help Windows® CE product manufacturers realize their product roadmap. Following the formation of this partnership, Windows® CE product manufacturers in the region will benefit from its technical support in research and development. National Semiconductor adds value to CCL/ITRI’s and ITE’s initiatives by bringing in National’s cutting edge integrated chip technology to a wide spectrum of Windows® CE manufacturers, including Windows-based Terminal (WBT), Set-top Box (STB), Auto PC and other information appliance (IA) devices.
“CCL/ITRI emphasizes the collaboration with global information technology companies in the development of internet and communications technologies so as to expedite technology dissemination to Taiwan’s manufacturers and help them grasp global market opportunities,” said Dr. Ted C Yang, Vice President & General Director of CCL/IRTI. “CCL/ITRT provides software driver for National Audio and Video and programs for Mini-ROM and boot loader. Our collaboration with National Semiconductor has involved technology transfer of National’s highly integrated high-performance CPU, the MediaGXÔ processor, and on that basis we have developed a variety of solutions for Windows® CE products such as Internet Set-top-Box and Windows-based-Terminal.”
Quote from ITE, “Michael Polacek, vice president of Information Appliance Business Unit, National Semiconductor said, “Based on National’s highly integrated chip technology and platform solutions, we are able to help Asia’s Windows® CE manufacturers step up their production and development for Windows® CE products. ITE and CCL/ITRI are capable system integrators support our customers in analog products and information appliance manufactures, while National Semiconductor could concentrate on the hardware support and consultant. Today’s agreement with CCL/ITRI and ITE is another evidence of National’s commitment to participation in IT industry in Asia. We wish to continue partnering with appropriate entities to expedite the growth of information appliances manufacturing across the region and globally.”
Windows® CE Center of Excellence was established in the third quarter of 1998. An initiative partly funded by Microsoft and managed by CCL/IRTI in Taiwan. The mission of CCL/IRTI is to provide technical support and training to Taiwan industry in order to facilitate the development of locally designed Windows® CE products. Besides, ITE provides its expertise on the highly integrated solutions for Windows® CE-based operating platforms and I/O chipsets. The alliance among National Semiconductor, ITE and CCL/IRTI are motivated to welcome the information appliance era.
Integrated Technology Express,Inc was founded in 1995. Integrated Technology Express, Inc. identifies the corporate mission to be a technology and market leader in Consumer Computing total solutions. ITE is headquartered in Hsin-Chu City, Taiwan with a subsidiary in Santa Clara, California and sales offices in Taipei, Taiwan, and Round Rock, Texas . In July 1997, ITE obtained official Microsoft® SI (System Integrator) status for Windows® CE. In April 1998, ITE became one of the first two official MicrosoftR authorized distributors for Windows® CE in Taiwan. ITE is also the first company outside the United States to receive Microsoft® SI status.
ITE product families are centered on four product lines -- Desktop Product Line, Mobile Product Line, Multimedia Product Line, and Windows® CE System Integrator. The Desktop Product Line designs a full range of Super I/O, LPC (Low-Pin Count) I/O and PCI-to-ISA Bridge controller. The Mobile Product Line provides total solutions for Windows® CE software and ASSPs (Application Specific Standard Products). The Multimedia Product Line develops state-of-the-art technologies and products for LCD/VGA controllers including audio and video related controllers, and high-speed communications codecs/transceivers. Working closely with Microsoft®, the System Integrator provides professional porting services for Windows® CE operating systems, reference hardware platforms, turn-key design services and consulting.
National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of the-art digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the personal computer, communications, and consumer markets. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National has annual sales of more than $2 billion and 11,000 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com
MediaGX is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor. All other trade names referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark or trade name of their respective companies.
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Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide/Taiwan
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Weiwei Chen – (02) 2500-5143; weiwei.chen@ogilvy.com
National Semiconductor
Karina Lam - (852) 2737 1651; karina.lam@nsc.com