National Semiconductor Introduces Geode Origami Portable Mobile Communicator

Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- National Semiconductor today unveiled a new handheld conceptual device that integrates today's most popular Internet and multimedia functions into a single, portable unit. About the size and weight of a small digital camcorder, the National Geode Origami Mobile Communicator is a flexible unit that folds and unfolds to perform eight popular consumer electronics functions in one easy-to-use device. The Geode Origami Mobile Communicator is a proof-of-concept device for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), developed under a joint agreement between National Semiconductor's Conceptual Products Group, Studio RED Inc., and CoCom International, Ltd. "Origami is a glimpse into the future. It is a revolutionary convergence concept that artfully blends National's Geode integrated processor, and wireless, display and analog technologies," said Michael Polacek, vice president of the Information Appliance Division at National Semiconductor. "Origami combines National's silicon and software technologies, innovative industrial design, and the Microsoft Windows Embedded XP operating system into a package that's small, incredibly feature rich, and ultimately fun to use."

Key Features of the Geode Origami Mobile Communicator
Measuring just 7 1/2" long, less than 4" wide, 1 1/2" thick and weighing about 10 ounces, Origami's flexible form factor reflects its multiple uses. The Origami folds and pivots into a digital camera, video camcorder, smartphone, MP3 audio player, PDA, Internet access or Internet picture frame, email device or video conferencing terminal.

"Origami is perfect for people on the move who want to stay connected to family, friends and business associates while accessing the information they need," said Michael Polacek.

Key features of the Origami include a 4" TFT LCD 640 x 480 resolution display with integrated touch screen support, integrated 16-bit stereo sound capability with built-in microphone and speaker, headphone and hands-free headset connectors, USB and Compact Flash ports and long battery life for hours of mobility.

Origami utilizes Bluetooth(TM) wireless technology for network connectivity. PAN and LAN networks use a Bluetooth-equipped access point, while WAN uses a Bluetooth GSM or CDMA phone. Origami can also be scaled for future 2.5 and 3G cellular networks such as GPRS and W-CDMA.

The device runs Microsoft Windows Embedded XP and leverages the broad array of applications already available for that platform -- applications such as NetMeeting for videoconferencing, Internet Explorer 6.0 for browsing and Windows Media Player.

"Easy-to-use multifunction products will be popular with a large portion of the population," said Egil Juliussen, president of eTForecasts, a computer and Internet industry analyst firm. "Multifunction or convergence products tend to be a bargain versus several single-function products, and they take up less space."

National's Technology Partners
Studio RED, Inc., a Silicon Valley product development firm, has designed and engineered high-tech consumer products for almost 20 years. National approached Studio RED to create the industrial design for its revolutionary Origami prototype.

"The challenge for Studio RED was to develop a totally new product identity that was the visual equivalent of National Semiconductor's incredibly advanced technology," said Victor Lazzaro, vice president of design for Studio RED. "With a tight, unforgiving deadline, we produced a rugged, sophisticated design that complemented the wizardry housed inside. We enjoyed working with an imaginative company like National. Their innovation and curiosity freed us to really push the limits in pursuit of something spectacular."

CoCom International, Ltd., a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, completed the manufacturing process by combining the silicon content from National with the industrial design from Studio RED.

National Technology Inside
National's award-winning, high performance, low power Geode SC3200 processor is at the heart of Origami. This processor features integrated, high-end video graphics and full 16-bit stereo audio that offers the optimal balance between cost, performance and power consumption, enabling manufacturers to build affordable, full-function devices.

National's analog technology brings the Geode Origami Mobile Communicator to life with sound powered by National's Boomer(R) audio products, a display enhanced by National's LVDS technology, power management products that prolong battery life while increasing portability, and temperature sensors that monitor and maintain overall system health. Origami is also designed to take full advantage of the complete range of features of National's Wireless Solutions Bluetooth Compact Flash card.

Origami is the latest in a series of industry-shaping products National has introduced at COMDEX Fall. In 1998, the company unveiled the WebPAD(TM) device, which spawned a new category of products: information appliances. Last year, National received the "Best of Show" award in the services category for its Geode WebPAD Metro, a wide-area mobile personal access device. National named its new Origami device after the Japanese art of folding paper into birds, animals or other artistic shapes. Additional information about Origami is available at http://www.national.com/origami.

About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; information appliances; information infrastructure; and display, imaging and human interface technologies. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2001 and employs about 9,700 people worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com .

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here

SOURCE National Semiconductor Corporation