NXP, Purple Labs Debut $100 3G Linux Mobile Phone

• Posted: Wednesday, February 06, 2008
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• Author: pradhana
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• Filed under: 3G Handset

Semiconductor manufacturer NXP and embedded Linux solutions supplier Purple Labs jointly announced the release of a 3G Linux reference feature phone boasting video telephony, music playback, high-speed Internet browsing and video streaming at a transfer price below $100.

Dubbed Purple Magic, the mobile Linux-based phone is intended as a reference design for handset makers developing entry-level 3G handsets for the Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America markets.

According to the GSA mobile industry trade group, there are now 197 commercial 3G/WCDMA networks in 87 countries, but the adoption of 3G services is concentrated in mature European and Asian markets. The viability of 3G services in emerging markets requires large volumes of affordable data-capable devices - and the 3G Purple Magic has been highly optimised specifically to meet this market challenge.

"During the recent holiday period, mobile operators were purchasing entry-level 3G phones for $120 to $145," said Purple Labs CEO Simon Wilkinson in a prepared statement. "Leveraging our Linux technology, the Purple Magic design now enables manufacturers to deliver compelling 3G products at a transfer price below $100."

The Purple Magic device is based on NXP's Nexperia Cellular System Solution 7210 for 3G, coupled with the Purple Labs Linux suite. Purple Labs has produced an initial quantity of fully working phones for testing and validation, promising a further reduction of investment and time to market for OEMs and ODMs leveraging the design. NXP's 3G and 3.5G multimedia platforms run on a single ARM926 processor core, and supports true UMTS performance.

“NXP believes in Linux as the basis for the next generation of mobile handset innovation," said Dan Rabinovitsj, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cellular Business, NXP Semiconductors. “We’ve been working closely with Purple Labs to develop Linux-based mobile terminals that meet the cost and performance requirements of the mass market. Our joint achievement is to bring the advantages of an Open OS environment to the mass market based on industry leading silicon and software.” [FierceDeveloper/PurpleLabs]

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