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Intel acquires ZiiLabs from Creative Technology for $50 million
Intel has signed a $50 million deal with Creative Technology to acquire ZiiLabs, a UK-based subsidiary responsible for Android-optimized chip designs like the ZMS-40 and the ZMS-20. Of that $50 million, $30m will be for asset sales and engineering resources while the remainder will be for patent licensing in regards to ZiiLabs GPU technology, which might indicate a move away from PowerVR. We're not sure if this means Creative will soldier on with OEM-focused devices like the HanZPad, but at least now it'll have more money in the bank to explore alternative endeavors.
Creative HanZpad hurdles FCC, will deliver ICS and quad-core goodness to China
Creative Labs might want to get some white gloves, because we recognized its fingerprints on the HanZPad, a Chinese tablet platform which just landed at the FCC. Using its own ZiiLABS division's ZMS-40 ICS optimized SoC (system on chip), the thinnish 7.95mm tab looks to have meaty specs with a quad-core ARM 1.5GHz processor, 1280 x 800 10-inch IPS display, 1GB RAM and microSD slot allowing up to 64GB of external storage. On top of Android 4.0 support, Creative will be developing its own OS for the device, which will be distributed through OEMs and its own channels. While currently tapped for the Chinese market, Creative's weighty US presence may suggest it'll eventually reach across the Pacific -- if it does, let's just hope it leaves the smudges behind.
ZiiLabs debuts '100-core' ZMS-40 processor optimized for Android 4.0, you can call it quad-core
When is a quad-core processor not a quad-core processor? When it's a "100-core" processor. ZiiLabs's new ZMS-40 model away with that moniker by squeezing in 96 StemCell Media Processing cores alongside the four main 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A9 CPUs, which combined promise to double the performance of the company's previous ZMS-20 processor while also cutting power consumption in half. The processor is also specifically optimized for Android 4.0 devices (tablets, in particular), some of which will on display at CES (in one form or another). Complete specs can be found in the press release after the break and at the source link below.
ZiiLabs demos Ice Cream Sandwich on its Jaguar 7 tablet, looks swift and tasty (video)
It's been few months since ZiiLabs introduced more hardware designs for its Jaguar line of OEM-oriented reference tablets, and now, the company has released a brief demo video of its seven-inch variant tasting Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Up until this point, we'd only seen the devices rocking Honeycomb atop Zii's ZMS-20 dual-core processor, but it appears to handle Google's latest frozen treat -- specifically Android OS version 4.0.1 -- with relative ease. The clip highlights quick transitions through a few menu interfaces, followed by a showcase of the slate's OpenGL graphics and StemCell media acceleration with decidedly smooth looking multitouch interactions. Curious to see for yourself? You'll find the whole 57 seconds of video goodness just past the break. [Thanks, Tim]
ZiiLabs unleashes Jaguar3 super slim slate reference design
ZiiLabs' first foray into the tablet market, the ZiiO series, didn't exactly get our gadget senses tingling, but that hasn't stopped the company from churning out reference designs for OEMs looking to cash in on the tablet craze. The latest in its line of Jaguar designs is the Jaguar3, a 10.1-inch tablet packing the company's 1.5GHz dual-core ZMS-20 or quad-core ZMS-40 SoC and both front (of unknown resolution) and rear facing cameras (up to 12 megapixels). Sporting a magnesium case with a svelte 8.1mm or 7.4mm-thin profile depending on your preference and pocketbook, it packs a 1200 x 800 capacitive multitouch display running Android 3.2. In addition to the menu of hardware options, ZiiLabs is offering audio upgrades courtesy of Creative's Sound Blaster technology, plus custom software for HDR support and panoramic picture-taking. That's quite an impressive menu of options for you OEMs to choose from, now let's get some of these things to market, shall we? PR's after the break.
ZiiLabs unveils Jaguar family of Honeycomb tablets for OEMs to devour
Just a few weeks after unveiling its ZMS-20 and ZMS-40 StemCell processors, ZiiLabs has now designed a new family of slates to house them. Developed with the OEM market in mind, the company's new Jaguar Honeycomb tablets come in two breeds -- one with a seven-inch, 1024x600 LCD and another with a ten-inch 1280x800 display. Unlike their ZiiO predecessors, these 64GB siamese twins call for both capacitive and resistive touchscreen capabilities, support OpenGL ES 2.0 3D graphics and, as you can see in the image above, feature front- and rear-facing five-megapixel cameras. And, of course, there's a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 ZMS-20 or quad-core ZMS-40 helping them purr right along, both clocking in at 1.5 GHz. The two Jaguars will be uncaged at next week's Computex tradeshow in Taiwan, but you can find more information in the PR that awaits you after the break.
ZiiLabs outs dual-core ZMS-20 and quad-core ZMS-40 for Honeycomb tablets, clocks 'em at 1.5GHz
For now, the HTC Flyer can console itself for not having a second core (like all the other guys) by noting that its 1.5GHz clock speed is faster than any other tablet. Pretty soon, however, the choice between speed and core count might not have to be made at all, as ZiiLabs has just announced new dual-core and quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 systems-on-chip that run at the same 1500MHz speed as the Flyer. Dubbed ZMS-20 and ZMS-40, respectively, they're taking the ZMS-08 legacy of focusing on HD video decoding even further, while also throwing in specific optimizations for Android Honeycomb tablets. The earlier-gen SOC was only picked up by parent company Creative, who inserted it in its ZiiO tablets, so let's hope the new silicon proves compelling enough for us to see it in more manufacturers' slates. Full PR and an intro video follow after the break.
Creative ZiiO 10 follows little brother into the halls of FCC
Two haikus: FCC archives, The Creative ZiiO 10. Seven was there first. Manual reminds A lack of Android market. Gallery's below. %Gallery-110465%
Creative's 7-inch ZiiO tablet hits the FCC, ripped into component circuitry
Creative hasn't gone public with a US release window for its Ziio tablets, but it's probably only a matter of time -- the 7-inch model arrived at the FCC this week, complete with user manual and lovely snapshots of its innards all laid out. There's no mistaking that ZiiLABS ZMS-08 system-on-a-chip front and center, flanked by four slabs of NAND flash from Hynix Semiconductor, and in the upper left-hand corner you can even see the AzureWave chip responsible for its 802.11 b/g WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth functions. None of this simple beauty can make up for the fact that a resistive touchscreen is calling all the shots, but battery life should be relatively long -- FCC documentation describes a chunky 5,000mAh lithium-ion cell, images of which are below. Also pictured: the FCC squishing the poor device into copious amounts of styrofoam. %Gallery-108254%
Creative's 7- and 10-inch ZiiO Android tablets get the hands-on treatment
They're cheap, they can't access the Android Market and they're rocking resistive touchscreens. They're the two newest devices from the lairs at Creative, and the folks over at PCPro were able to spend a few quality minutes with both the 7- and 10-inch ZiiO slates. They noted that the ZiiLabs ZMS-08 processor managed to handle the Android 2.1 load quite well, and while they definitely would've preferred a capacitive, multitouch display, they... managed without one. Hit the source link for a few more impressions and glamor shots, but don't go in expecting a Galaxy Tab killer or anything.
Zii Labs and ARM team up for SiVO home media devices
Remember CES last year, when Creative debuted the Zii and -- true to its marketing pitch -- everything you know changed? Looks like the company (in the form of its subsidiary, ZiiLabs) is teaming up with ARM this go 'round to further blow minds with its new SiVO Digital Home Platform. Harnessing the newly released Zii Labs ZMS-08 (not to mention ARM's 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor), the digital media hub boasts 1080p HDTV playback, 3D graphics, support for all your favorite media (including H.264, H.263, XVid and DivX, WMV9/VC1, MP3, WMA8 lossless, AAC-LC, and FLAC), web browser, Adobe Flash Player 10, and Adobe AIR. If you're an OEM, ODM, or just a huge fan of Stem Cell computing, you're in luck -- this bad boy is making its debut this week in LV. PR after the break.
Zii Trinity smartphone concept handled on video
It's an all too brief look, but it's infinitely more than we've seen so far. CNET Asia has managed some hands-on time the Zii Trinity concept smartphone. Quite a looker, and here we also get a glimpse of it next to the good ol' Zii Egg. As noted by the narrator, the bottom proprietary slot can be swapped for microUSB or mini-HDMI, there's a notably-sized 5 megapixel camera on the back, as well as one on the front for video conferencing. Enough talk, take a gander for yourself after the break. [Thanks, kumar]
Zii Trinity mobile platform packs 1080p punch, looking for OEM love
Ready to start lusting after a new smartphone? If Creative has its way, you'll soon be enjoying Full HD video on a 3.5 / 4G device, with built-in WiFi, 5 megapixel autofocus camera, accelerated 3D graphics, and mini-HDMI and Composite video outputs. The newly announced 3.1-inch, multitouch-capable Zii Trinity has been designed by Creative subsidiary Ziilabs, and will be licensed out to clients who'll be able to customize a Zii-optimized Android install and Plaszma interface. As if we haven't got enough smartphone ecosystems knocking about already, this also marks the introduction of ZiiLife, which aims to be both a content delivery and productivity suite. Powered by the ARM-based ZMS-05 or ZMS-08, the new handset actually seems destined to perform plenty of KIRF and grey market duties, judging by Creative's "strategic partnerships" with Chinese manufacturers, but that might be no bad thing as, according to Gartner, the grey market is booming right now.
ZiiLABS ZMS-08 offers Cortex A8-powered Full HD and Flash acceleration for netbooks
We haven't even seen the Zii EGG make its long-anticipated consumer debut yet, but Creative is already building up steam for its next Zii venture. ZiiLABS' ZMS-08 is a third generation mobile media accelerator / system-on-a-chip that boasts its predecessor's 1080p playback and 24fps encoding, and HD video conferencing via simultaneous 720p encoding and decoding, while adding all-new OpenGL ES 2.0 support, an integrated HDMI controller, X-Fi audio and Flash acceleration. Paired to a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8, and running a custom flavor of Android alongside Plaszma OS, the new Zii chip will look for homes in "web tablets, netbooks, connected TVs" and the like, but seemingly not smartphones. ZiiLABS has already signed up a number of clients, who'll start receiving shipments in Q1 of 2010. Full PR and an architectural diagram after the break.
Zii Egg Android installer arrives next week, consumer devices nowhere in sight
Zii hopefuls will be pleased to hear that ZiiLABS is releasing the Android installer "next week." The tweeted update means that developers with the Zii EGG will have the chance to get friendly with Google's droid as Creative's project attempts to walk our for retail on something other than its homegrown Plaszma OS. While this would have made stellar headlines in early 2009, at this point, with Microsoft and Apple both offering a stunning pair of dedicated, full-screen media devices, and a shedload of media-capable Android-based phones now hitting the market, well, it all seems to be too little and much too late for Creative. But if its only intention is to serve as the foundation for China's KIRF market then why should we care anyway? [Thanks, Jonathan K.]
Creative patent filing reveals drag and drop interface with "action tabs"
Creative's made itself pretty well acquainted with the FCC as of late, and it looks like it's also been doing its part to keep the old Patent and Trademark Office busy as well, with a recently revealed application showing off some plans for a drag and drop touchscreen interface. That's obviously somewhat of a tricky area to patent, but it seems that Creative's big new idea is something called "action tabs" that could be used for something as simple as tabbed web browsing, but would apparently also be applied to other OS elements as well -- letting you drag something to the clipboard, for instance, or drag a photo to an action item of some sort. Just as interesting as the patent itself, however, is the fact that it's assigned to Creative subsidiary 3DLABS, now known as ZiiLABS, makers of the touchscreen-based Zii EGG. Like we said, interesting.[Via Tech in Hiding]
Video: ZiiLABS demos Android in HD on ZMS-05 processor
ZiiLABS -- that same company that blew up the hype machine with its StemCell Computing initiative at CES -- is making good on its promise to demonstrate Android in HD on its ZMS-05 media-rich processor / development platform. There's not much here that can't be better explained via video than words, so hop on past the break for a look at the (admittedly silky smooth) demonstration.
ZiiLabs to demo HD demo for Android at MWC
Looks like the zany folks over at ZiiLabs have more in store for us. They've announced that they'll be demoing HD video playback for Android with their ZMS-05 CPU at MWC (which starts on Monday, February 16th). So -- in essence, there's not too much new here -- the chip was on-hand at CES -- but we're happy to see it befriending old Android. There'll surely be more info coming out of Barcelona over the next week, but until then, you'll have to make due with the press release which is after the break.
ZiiLabs to demo HD video for Android at MWC
Looks like the zany folks over at ZiiLabs have more in store for us. They've announced that they'll be demoing HD video playback for Android with their ZMS-05 CPU at MWC (which starts on Monday, February 16th). So -- in essence, there's not too much new here -- the chip was on-hand at CES -- but we're happy to see it befriending old Android. There'll surely be more info coming out of Barcelona over the next week, but until then, you'll have to make due with the press release which is after the break.
