E Ink and Freescale partner to develop integrated processors
for the fast-growing eBook market
Collaboration between market leaders designed to speed eBook evolution and enable
new product categories
AUSTIN, Texas and Cambridge, MA – Oct. 19,
2009 – The industryÕs top provider of processors for eBooks has joined
forces with the leading supplier of eBook electronic paper displays to develop
highly integrated embedded solutions that lower costs and foster innovation for
eBook manufacturers and their customers.
Freescale Semiconductor and E
Ink Corporation have agreed to jointly develop System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solutions
that integrate FreescaleÕs i.MX processor technology with E InkÕs Vizplex¨ display
controller. The partnership is designed to lower costs and expand the ecosystem
of supporting electronics for the eBook market. The collaboration is also
expected to spark innovation for emerging product categories such as
eNewspapers, tablet PCs, laptop secondary displays, eNotebooks, and
eDictionaries.
"Our aim is to provide the worldÕs best
digital reading experience.Ó said Sriram Peruvemba, vice president of Marketing
for E Ink Corporation. ÒE InkÕs joint development work with Freescale will
enable several new markets, including eNewspapers and eTextbooks.Ó
According to a 2009
DisplaySearch report, eBook unit shipments are expected to grow
from 1 million units in 2008 to over 75 million units in 2018 with a value of
approximately $3.8 billion. Market drivers include new eBooks in the market,
international expansion of eBook availability, anticipated price declines, and
the electronic distribution of newspapers and textbooks.
"Freescale is the worldÕs leading supplier of
processors for the fast growing eBook marketÓ said Glen Buchers, marketing
director of FreescaleÕs Consumer Segment.
ÒIntegrating E InkÕs market-leading electronic paper display controller with i.MX
processor technology will result in lower-cost, sleeker form
factor ebooks – a great combination for consumers.Ó
ÒWe are very excited to see this cooperation. The market demand for electronic paper
displays has outpaced even the most optimistic market projections with many new
companies around the world entering the eBook reader market. This cooperation between E Ink and
Freescale is an exciting next step to enabling this trend to continue,Ó said
Johnson Lee, VP of Prime View International.
About
E Ink Corporation
E Ink Corporation is the world's leading supplier of
electronic paper display (EPD) technologies. E Ink's technology is ideal for
many consumer and industrial applications spanning handheld devices, eBooks,
eNewspapers, PC-accessories, public information displays and promotional signs.
E Ink is a private corporation that includes among its investors and strategic
partners Air Products and Chemicals, ChiLin
Technology, Epson, Hearst Corp, Intel Capital, LG Display, Motorola, Philips,
Prime View International, Toppan Printing Co and Wacom. E Ink's customers
include Amazon, Casio, Citizen, Hanwang, Hitachi, iRex,
Lexar, Plastic Logic, Samsung and Sony. Recently, E Ink has signed an agreement
to merge with Prime View International (8069: TWO) with the intent to close the
merger by December 2009. E Ink news can be found at: www.eink.com.
About Freescale
Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and
manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial
and networking markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas,
and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations
around the world. www.freescale.com.
# # #
E
Ink Media Contacts:
E Ink
Corporation / US
Doug Russell or Bill Donlan
Schwartz Communications
Phone: 781-684-0770
eink@schwartz-pr.com
Asia Pacific
Gloria Shiu
Freescale Semiconductor
(85-22) 666-8237
gloria.shiu@freescale.com
laurent.massicot@freescale.com
Reader Inquiry Response:
Freescale Semiconductor
P.O. Box 17927
Denver, CO 80217 USA