press releases
PortalPlayer Introduces Preface
Personal Media Display Technology Supporting Microsoft Windows Sideshow
In Notebook Computers
Leader In Personal Media Player
Platforms Launches New Technology And Establishes New Division To
Diversify Into New Market Segments
San Jose, Calif., Jan. 4, 2006 - PortalPlayer
Inc. (Nasdaq: PLAY), a leading supplier of semiconductors, firmware
and software for the personal media player market, today announced
during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2006, a new technology
platform called Preface™ that will give notebook users instant
access to data, music and photos without opening the notebook, booting
the system and loading the needed application.
"This is an exciting time for the company
as we begin our diversification into new markets beyond our traditional
MP3 business," said Gary Johnson, president and chief executive
officer of PortalPlayer. "Gartner Inc. estimates that the combined
global professional and home mobile market will grow from shipping
73.6 million units in 2006 to 111.7 million units in 2009 . We believe
our new Preface technology platform will stimulate increased demand
for next-generation notebook designs because it is one of the first
readily visible new innovations in notebooks in years."
"The line is blurring between consumer electronics
and PCs as products in both these categories add features from a
shared list," said Jon Erensen, senior research analyst with
Gartner. "Semiconductor vendors that focus on the consumer
market will play a critical role in integrating functions and capabilities
traditionally associated with CE products into the PC platform.
For many of these vendors, the PC market is an opportunity for diversification
and revenue growth."
About Preface - Enabling the Second User Interface
The PortalPlayer Preface technology platform enables a second user
interface in new notebook computers that seamlessly integrates with
a flexible new feature set in Microsoft Windows Vista called Windows
SideShow. The combination of these technologies enables notebook
computer manufacturers, working with application developers, to
introduce a second user interface for notebooks and a set of applications
that link to the programs and data stored on the main system. The
new interface is "always on," providing immediate access
to critical content such as e-mail, contacts and other digital media.
The main components of the complete secondary subsystem include
an ultra-low-power processor, a second display and user controls
that can be installed in various locations, including the notebook
cover on the other side of the main display.
"The Preface technology platform brings a separate low-power
multimedia processor to the notebook PC architecture that will enable
consumers to enjoy their media content for up to hundreds of hours
instead of just a few," said Arman Toorians, vice president
of marketing for PortalPlayer's Personal Media Display Division.
"Notebooks incorporating the Preface technology and Windows
SideShow will enable users to instantly access data in Microsoft
Office Outlook, play music, view pictures or access other new features
not available in existing notebooks. The second display is available
even when the laptop is off or in standby mode."
Multiple Configurations for Notebook Computer Manufacturers
Notebook computer manufacturers can choose from a wide variety of
PortalPlayer processors, firmware and software options. Typical
solutions may include a small color screen and navigation buttons,
finger print sensor or touchpad. Included in the platform are several
native software applets, represented as icons, which enable access
to the applications on the primary system from the second user interface.
Some examples of these applications include:
- instant access to e-mails, contacts, calendars, to-do lists,
memos and system status information such as battery life
- access to digital multimedia content such as PlaysForSure music
playlists and photo slideshows
- scheduling event alarms and viewing world time
- adding advanced biometric security features
- controlling applications such as Microsoft Office PowerPoint
and Microsoft Windows Media Player while the system is running
with the lid closed
In addition, Microsoft is encouraging software developers to create
new applets for Windows SideShow called gadgets, which add new information
lookup functionality. Windows SideShow gadgets give users the ability
to personalize the second interface by letting them choose which
functions and capabilities to include. For more information on gadgets
see http://microsoftgadgets.com.
Key Components of the Preface Technology Platform
Important elements of the Preface technology platform include the
System-In-Package (SIP) semiconductor solutions. One of the first
semiconductors available is the PP5024, which integrates all processor,
peripheral interfaces, audio and power management capabilities.
The PP5024 uses dual ARM7 cores in a parallel architecture that
maximizes peak performance and extends battery life in "always
on" situations. When combined with other unique design elements
and PortalPlayer's power-optimized firmware, the solution draws
very little power and can enable hundreds of hours of music playback
from a full battery or tens of hours of playback even after the
battery runs too low for the notebook to operate. In addition, PortalPlayer's
Firmware Development Kit--with multiple music formats, digital rights
management technologies and multimedia codecs--enables a rich platform
for delivering today's leading media content.
How Preface and Windows SideShow Work Together
PortalPlayer and Microsoft worked together to ensure that the Preface
technology platform integrates seamlessly with Windows Vista. The
technology includes specific Application Programming Interfaces
(APIs) to enable native functions and the easy development of customized
Windows SideShow gadgets. Depending on the native applications and
gadgets installed, the second interface will automatically synchronize
with Windows Vista and cache the data requested. This synchronization
will occur through a Microsoft module called Windows SideShow firmware,
which runs on top of PortalPlayer's firmware. This will provide
a complete API layer for seamless integration with Windows SideShow
firmware and the Microsoft .Net development framework.
"We've heard from our customers that having instant access
to their data while on the go is very important," said Dave
Mendlen, director of Windows Consumer Marketing at Microsoft Corp.
"Through Windows SideShow, our development efforts with PortalPlayer
will enhance the usability of notebook computers and provide our
customers with the access they desire whether at home or away."
Windows Vista, scheduled to be available for the 2006 holiday season,
will bring clarity to the world of personal computing, so consumers
can more safely and easily enjoy everything on their PC at home
or on-the-go.
The Preface technology platform is available now and is expected
to appear in notebook computers in the second half of 2006. PortalPlayer
and Microsoft will be demonstrating Preface and Windows SideShow
implemented on Quanta and ASUS notebook computers during CES this
week. The Preface reference design, including the PP5024 System-In-Package,
optimized Firmware Development Kit and PC Software Development Kit,
is available now.
Reference boards are priced at $2,250. Pricing for the PP5024 in
10,000 unit per month quantities is $12.00 per unit. For more information
on the Preface technology platform, please visit the PortalPlayer
Web site at www.portalplayer.com/preface.
Editor's Note:
Implementations of PortalPlayer's Preface technology and Windows
SideShow are on display in multiple partner booths at CES 2006.
In addition, PortalPlayer is hosting a series of Preface and Windows
SideShow demonstrations at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. To make
an appointment, please contact Tim Yankey at 650-201-8810 or
tyankey@arpartners.com.
Investor's Note:
A presentation regarding the Preface technology and related markets
will be posted on the PortalPlayer Web site at
http://investor.portalplayer.com/MediaList.cfm at noon Eastern
time (9 a.m. Pacific Time) on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006.
About PortalPlayer
PortalPlayer develops semiconductor, firmware and software platforms
for portable multimedia products such as personal media players
and secondary display enabled notebook computers. PortalPlayer products
empower consumers to quickly and easily manage, enjoy and have access
to multimedia content and other forms of information. PortalPlayer
is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with offices in Kirkland,
Wash., Taipei, Taiwan and Hyderabad, India.
PortalPlayer, the PortalPlayer logo and Preface are trademarks
of PortalPlayer, Inc. All other product and company names herein
may be trademarks of their registered owners.
Contacts
Tim Yankey
Public Relations
A&R Partners
(650) 762-2806
tyankey@arpartners.com
Kristine Mozes
Investor Relations
Mozes Communications LLC
(781) 652-8875
kristine@mozescomm.com
# # #
Forward-Looking Statements:
Except for the historical information contained
herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including,
but not limited to, statements regarding the availability of Windows
Vista and Windows SideShow, the availability of notebook computers
with Preface technology platform functionality, the timing of the
introduction of notebook computers containing the Preface technology
platform, stimulating increased demand for next generation notebook
designs, the creation of new SideShow applets, and the anticipated
performance of implementations of the Preface technology platform
are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expect,"
"believes," "anticipates," "plans,"
"expects," "will," "designed to,"
"forward" and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees
of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from
those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result
of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, the market
for notebook computers with Preface technology platform capabilities,
manufacturing and supply risks, the timing and introduction of Windows
Vista and Windows SideShow products, the acceptance of PortalPlayer's
Preface technology platform by notebook computer manufacturers,
and other risks and uncertainties detailed in PortalPlayer's quarterly
report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and
from time to time in PortalPlayer's SEC filings. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date hereof. PortalPlayer does not
undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
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