Software-Based GPS Solution Provides Access to Rapidly Expanding
Location-Based Services Without the Need for Dedicated Hardware
EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands and TAIPEI, Taiwan, September 13
/PRNewswire/ -- NXP Software and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS) today
announced the world's first mainstream notebook PC with integrated GPS
capability, the ASUS U3S. This is the first product design to result from
the collaboration between the two companies. The U3S uses NXP Software's
swGPS(TM) Spot software GPS baseband technology to perform all necessary
GPS signal processing entirely in software, allowing users to access the
fast-growing range of location-based services from navigation and local
search to theft protection.
By performing position fix calculations in software, NXP Software's
swGPS(TM) Spot eliminates the need for separate GPS baseband hardware,
saving board space. Proven in real-world products, it also ensures
excellent practical performance for responsive, accurate and reliable
location-finding. Plus, as a software solution, it is flexible, enabling
in-field upgrades to new services such as Galileo and the rapidly expanding
range of GPS applications, without the need for hardware modifications.
The U3S is a stylish 13.3" widescreen notebook for urban professionals
on the move. Its unique design, which features a piano-painted LCD cover,
stainless steel contour, magnesium aluminum alloy housing and genuine
leather-bound palm rests, has been created to reflect sophisticated tastes.
Based on the latest Intel(R) Centrino(R) Duo Processor Technology,
Windows(R) Vista(TM) operating system and exclusive ASUS innovations, the
U3S also offers a dynamic computing experience and powerful performance. In
addition, a special Power Saving key allows users to switch between the
integrated graphics chipset and an additional, discrete GPU for enhanced
graphics performance. Effective use of this option can extend battery life
by 50%.
The U3S offers integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) technology as
an innovative option. This valuable feature is bundled with leading
navigation application software to allow the user to make immediate use of
the U3S GPS solution.
"ASUS is committed to bringing customers the most advanced technologies
and we are excited about Intel's next generation platform," said Tony Chen,
General Manager of ASUS Notebook Business. "We are pleased to offer the
swGPS(TM) Spot technology from NXP Software in our U3S notebook. The
drop-in GPS solution will enable our product to provide users with
practical performance with ensured future-proofing."
"We are very excited to be working closely with ASUS to bring this
innovation to market," says Hans Streng, NXP Vice President and General
Manager of the Business Unit Emerging Business. "ASUS is one of the leading
ODM/OEM notebook suppliers and has a track record of delivering products
with leading-edge features. With the U3S, we are delighted to help continue
this trend through swGPS(TM) Spot, and bring GPS technology to the consumer
notebook market."
About NXP Software
NXP Software is an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) with worldwide
local sales and support. It specializes in innovative multimedia solutions
to help mobile device and consumer electronics manufacturers deliver
vibrant, easy-to-enjoy multimedia experiences that truly stand out from the
crowd. NXP Software has established strong partnerships with key vendors to
ensure optimum flexibility, ease-of-integration and interoperability
between hardware and software platforms. Its LifeVibes(TM) software is used
in over 250 million mobile devices, making the company the market leader in
software solutions for mobile multimedia.
NXP Forward-looking Statements
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with
respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of
NXP and certain plans and objectives of NXP with respect to these items. By
their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty
because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur
in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results
and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements.
Web site: http://www.software.nxp.com
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