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Europe Netherlands : NXP Semiconductors and Purple Labs announced today the release of a 3G Linux reference feature phone offering video telephony, music playback, high-speed Internet browsing and video streaming at a transfer price below US$100. The new Purple Magic phone serves as a reference design for phone manufacturers creating entry-level 3G handsets, including those targeting mobile markets such as Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
According to the GSA mobile industry trade group, there are now 197 commercial 3G/WCDMA networks in 87 countries, but the adoption of 3G services is concentrated in mature European and Asian markets. The viability of 3G services in emerging markets requires large volumes of affordable data-capable devices – and the 3G Purple Magic has been highly optimized specifically to meet this market challenge.
“During the recent holiday period, mobile operators were purchasing entry-level 3G phones for $120 to $145,” commented Simon Wilkinson, CEO of Purple Labs. “Leveraging our Linux technology, the Purple Magic design now enables manufacturers to deliver compelling 3G products at a transfer price below $100.”
The Purple Magic reference phone is based on the NXP Nexperia Cellular System Solution 7210 for 3G, coupled with the Purple Labs Linux suite, and is available as a fully integrated, turnkey solution. Production of an initial quantity of fully working phones has enabled Purple Labs to undertake considerable testing and validation, further reducing investment and time to market for OEMs and ODMs that leverage the Purple Magic design.
Hardware requirements
• NXP 7210 single core chipset (ARM9, 208MHz)
• 64MB RAM
• 128MB Flash (96MB user memory available)
Technical specifications
• 8,5 call hours
• 15 days standby mode
• Weight: 95 g
• Dimensions: 92 x 50 x 15.2 mm (clamshell)
• Video telephony
Enjoy videoconferencing with your friends, family or business contacts and share whole new experiences with your phone.
• Music and photo
Listen to mp3 music, take photos or videos, record voice memos... enjoy rich multimedia experience.
• Broadband Internet
Browse the Web or download emails at full 3G speed and enjoy the convenience of the high resolution QVGA screen.
• Video streaming
Video streaming takes full advantage of 3G ... TV news, movie trailers or sports highlights are just one click away.
• Games and more
Download applications and play right away with the embedded Java virtual machine. Use Bluetooth wireless technology and discover how easy it is to share files, photos and music.
NXP offers powerful 3G and 3.5G multimedia platforms running on a single ARM926 processor core. The Nexperia Cellular System Solutions with Linux support true UMTS performance, delivering seamless service coverage in 2G and 3G networks as well as advanced multimedia features that allow consumers to take full advantage of next generation applications and mobile operator services.
“NXP believes in Linux as the basis for the next generation of mobile handset innovation," said Dan Rabinovitsj, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cellular Business, NXP Semiconductors. “We’ve been working closely with Purple Labs to develop Linux-based mobile terminals that meet the cost and performance requirements of the mass market. Our joint achievement is to bring the advantages of an Open OS environment to the mass market based on industry leading silicon and software.”
“The Purple Magic reference phone clearly demonstrates our combined leadership in the mobile Linux arena," added Wilkinson. “While the mobile Linux industry has largely concentrated on high-end devices, the Purple Magic is the first 3G Linux mass-market reference feature phone available today.”
The Purple Magic phone will be exhibited at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain on February 11-14, 2008 in the NXP booth (Hall 8, B110).