June 08, 2006

Pepper Pad 改用 AMD Geode

LinuxDevices.com 的新聞 [Device Profile: Pepper Pad 3 web tablet]，提到 [Pepper] 的 web tablet 產品在第三代設計，捨棄原本的 Intel PXA27x 硬體架構，改用 x86 陣營的 AMD Geode，而今天早上才收到某公司業務分享的訊息，提到最近 Intel 的通訊晶片事業群獲利不如預期，然後可能出售的「八卦」(與「傳聞」的分野總是一線之間)，不禁令人多做了些聯想。

言歸正傳，[Pepper] 的 web tablet 第三代改用 x86 架構應該是著重於軟體考量，之前 Checko 整理一篇關於這個產品的介紹，可參考 [Pepper Pad : alternative to MS' origami]。LinuxDevices.com 的新聞稿提到該裝置的軟體構成：
    Proprietary user-space applications include Pepper's own "Pepper Keeper" application framework, said to provide a suite of Java and XML-based utilities for securely downloading and installing software upgrades; WMDRM10 DRM (digital rights management); Amazon.com's MobiPocket eBook reader; and Macromedia Flash 7, the same somewhat out-dated, Flash-video-challenged version included with Nokia 770.

    Open source user-space applications include Firefox 1.5, MPlayer, and Real Networks's open source Helix media streaming framework. Additional software functionality includes VoIP, Yahoo! and Flickr photo-sharing, IR learn and transmit possibly based on LIRC, a UPnP media controller and renderer, POP3/IMAP/web mail, and a multi-protocol IM client.
可以發現，[Pepper] 在擁抱 Free / Open Source 與商業產品發展上，其軟體部份的核心技術是 "Pepper Keeper" application framework，這是個整合 Java 與 XML 技術作為整體畫面、功能，以及軟體間互動的 application framework，跟已經倒閉的 Transvirtual 的 PocketLinux/XOE 在概念上有點類似，此外，封閉專屬性軟體還有 Microsoft DRM、e-MobiPocket、Macromedia Flash，以及 Java Runtime 等，這是 web tablet 產品訴求的重要項目，剩下來很多加值軟體都是 open source 的，如整合 Real Networks 的 Helix media streaming framework、Firefox/Mozilla、GAIM、Mplayer、... 等等，可以發現，有些軟體元件在 Intel PXA27x 沒辦法獲得合理的運作效能 (多媒體相關的)，有些元件甚至沒有 Linux/Xscale 的版本 (Sun Java Runtime 或 Microsoft DRM)，這是驅使 [Pepper] 改用 AMD Geode/x86 的動力。

擁抱 x86 陣營，那真的足以支撐這類消費性電子裝置嗎？看看新聞稿怎麼說：
    Although low power has traditionally not been a strongpoint for embedded x86, Pepper claims its new Pad offers up to fifty percent better battery life than its ARM-based predecessor, thanks to the lower power requirements of its AMD Geode processor, enhanced power management, and a new lithium ion battery.

    The third-generation Pepper Pad 3 is based on an AMD Geode LX800@0.9W processor, the first Geode chip designed by AMD's chip design team subsequent to AMD's acquisition of the Geode product line from National Semiconductor in mid-2003. Pepper's previous Pad design was based on an Intel PXA270 processor.
看來挺有趣的，AMD Geode/x86 是否有機會填補 Intel PXA27x 產品線的「空缺」呢？拭目以待。
由 jserv 發表於 June 8, 2006 02:26 PM
迴響