Philips reveals successor to the Pronto TSU2000 – part 1!
Waiting for a Pronto remote with more hard buttons? You may not have to wait much longer! Philips is revamping the black and white TSU2000 remote as a new model – the TSU3000, which will be shown later this month at CEDIA 2002. Although it has not yet been officially announced, I’m pleased to present a few tantalizing details on the new model:

• LCD touchscreen with 16 grey shades
• 4mb memory
• USB communications
• 19 hard buttons
• Backlighting for the screen and all hard buttons.

Note that the photo shown does not fully represent the finished product – some minor color changes will still be made. Additional details on this remote will follow tomorrow!

[ Talk about the Pronto TSU3000 ]

Philips announces Pronto++ Software & Systems reference platform.
Philips has announced a joint collaboration with Intel on a new digital multimedia reference platform called “Pronto++ Software & Systems” (but for simplicity we’ll just call it Pronto++). This new platform, in addition to being based loosely on the Pronto remote control’s operational concept, will allow other companies to easily create new audio and video “infotainment” devices that will also control consumer electronic components.

OK, so this may be a little confusing... think back to our recent coverage of the UEI Nevo – this is a similar, although broader, concept. Basically, Philips and Intel will be offering hardware and/or software design services for any manufacturer who wants to use the Intel PXA250 XScale processor in a new device with home theater control capabilities.

With Pronto++, developers will be able to connect their devices with a variety of audio/visual components and provide a consistent control interface. The system is apparently modular and will support different screen sizes, storage options, hardware accessories and networking options (such as wireless “8211b” with a base PC). The main appeal of this will be that a company can save a lot of the development time needed to bring a new consumer electronics product to market, by basing theirs on parts of the Pronto++ reference design.

Philips themselves will be launching the first product based on the Pronto++ architecture at CEDIA 2002, called the iPronto, but I can’t tell you any more about that just yet! Below you’ll find the full Pronto++ press release.

PHILIPS, INTEL WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE NEW TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM FOR MULTIMEDIA DEVICES

Philips Pronto++ Software & Systems Platform and Intel® PXA250 Processors Together Enable New Categories of Digital Multimedia Devices

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 3, 2002—Royal Philips Electronics and Intel Corporation today announced that the two companies have collaborated to create a new digital multimedia reference platform called Pronto++ Software & Systems. This platform will enable Philips and its original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to create next-generation interactive, digital audio and video devices running on Intel® PXA250 processors.

The Pronto++ Software & Systems platform consists of reference hardware, a complete stack of enabling software and multimedia services geared toward consumer simplicity and ease-of-use. The Intel PXA250 processor—part of the Intel Personal Internet Client Architecture – is based on Intel XScale™ technology, which enables low-power, high-performance building blocks for the wireless, hand-held and consumer electronic market segments.

“Over the last few years, the opportunity to provide new digital systems and solutions to home, mobile and automotive consumer environments has been quickly accelerating,” said Matt Medeiros, CEO of Philips’ Components Division. “Philips’ leadership in home and audio/visual market segments, coupled with Intel’s strengths in technology, provides us with a significant opportunity to deliver more powerful, robust solutions to our customers.”

“This multimedia platform is a complete solution powered by Intel XScale technology and provides major components and entertainment services to enable OEMs to quickly design a new category of multimedia devices,” said Peter Green, general manager, Intel Extended Computing Division. “In a single device, consumers will have access to interactive digital content consisting of music, pictures, video, gaming and other unique infotainment services. These devices will help expand the digital multimedia experience from the PC throughout the digital home.”

The Philips Pronto++ Software & Systems platform is available immediately and builds on the heritage of the company’s Pronto product line, a leader in advanced remote controls for complex and diverse multimedia entertainment systems. This platform brings two sets of solutions: fully integrated hardware devices that include software and services, and software-only solutions for other devices, including PDAs, Smart Phones and notebook PCs.

The Pronto++ Software & Systems platform will be shown at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), Sept. 9-12, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. For more information, go to www.pronto.philips.com or http://developer.intel.com. Philips will launch its first product using this platform and the Intel PXA250 processor at CEDIA Trade Show, Sept. 25-29, in Minneapolis.

[ Talk about the iPronto ]