Intrinsyc announced it will offer a complete software reference design platform for tablets based on Freescale’s i.MX53 chipset. In addition to tablets, this platform can also be used on smartbooks, gaming devices, video enabled IP phones and more. Availability is expected in Q1 2011.
Those unfamiliar with Freescale’s i.MX53 should know the following (from the press release):
The i.MX53 family of processors represents Freescale’s highly advanced multimedia and power-efficient implementation of the ARM Cortex-A8 core. The first product in this family, the i.MX53, prepares your end device for tomorrow’s smart mobile technology today. The i.MX53 enables hours of full HD 1080p video playback and an amazing Adobe Flash 10.1 experience. Up to 2GB external memory support equips your end device for cloud computing applications and future OSs and browsers. With core processing speeds up to 1.2 GHz as well as a high level of integration, the i.MX53 enables a great user experience at a lower retail price point.
The i.MX53 features 1080p video decode, 720p video encode, improved graphics performance, and a 400MHz-capable external memory bus that enables larger LCD screens. The device also integrates a vast array of key peripherals including DDR3, Serial ATA, LVDS, Ethernet and four USB ports, thereby boosting scalability and lowering bill of material costs.
So what does this mean for the end users? It does a lot actually as we may get a number of companies embracing Intrinsyc’s platform to make their own Android-powered tablets and other devices. In other words, that means more choice, lower prices… you get the point. If I were at ZTE or Huawei I would be looking forward grabbing some off-the-shelf solution to get my feet in the growing tablet market. We’ll definitely keep watching for all the tablet news. Stay tuned…