Freescale to reveal 7-inch touchscreen tablet at CES 2010
Freescale is all set to unfurl its new 7-inch touchscreen device at CES 2010, featuring a tablet design with four times the larger area than a smartphone and almost one-third the size of a netbook.
Taking advantage of the ARM processor technology, it has been designed to offer instant-on functionality, longer battery life and persistent connectivity. At CES, the tablet will be demonstrated featuring both Linux and Android OS. The tablet is based on Freescale’s highly integrated i.MX515 processor incorporating ARM Cortex-A8 technology and also includes Freescale’s MC13892 power management IC, SGTL5000 audio codec and MMA8450Q 3-axis accelerometer.
“Freescale’s new tablet opens the door to an exciting new world of compelling form factors specifically designed and optimized to support common online activities including social media, high-quality audio/video playback and light gaming,” said Henri Richard, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for Freescale. “We believe the tablet will emerge as a popular form factor for the next generation of smartbooks. By introducing this prototype reference design, Freescale intends to play a vital role in propelling the mainstream adoption of smartbooks.”
This design is said to be the first platform in Freescale’s Smart Application Blueprint for Rapid Engineering (SABRE) series. It packs in an array of functions such as support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a 3D desktop framework with touch screen/QWERTY keyboard and 3G modem and RF4CE protocol options. It has as a modular approach to 3G connectivity that allows system designers to select carrier-specific air interfaces for different regions.
“Semiconductor providers looking to differentiate in the nascent tablet market will need to offer solutions-focused system reference designs if they are to succeed with the world’s foremost consumer electronics OEMs,” said Jeff Orr, senior mobile devices analyst at ABI Research. “There is clearly strong end-user demand for tablet form-factors, and new reference designs look to play a major role in helping OEMs speed tablet smartbook products to market.”
The tablet is said to be capable of running the various essential applications while some other attributes are 4GB to 64GB internal storage with support for microSD card, USB 2.0 and USB mini ports, Bluetooth 2.1, and 3 Mpixel camera.
The device’s reference design will be available by beginning February 2010 through local Freescale sales representatives while the end-products will be put up on retail shelves during summer 2010.
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