By Dan Jones
In a coup for National Semiconductor Inc, Microsoft Corp is using the firm’s WebPad reference design, with the Geode GVX ‘PC-on-a- chip’, as the basis of its first Web Companion devices, which will be built by Acer Group. The Web Companion concept, Microsoft’s first foray into the new world of internet appliances, will eventually see the company delivering a variety of wireline and wireless devices, from terminal-style devices to touch-screen ‘tablets’. However, according to NatSemi spokesperson, the first Web Companion from Microsoft will be a cousin to Acer’s first WebPad device, a CE-based terminal. Philips Electronics and Thomson Consumer Electronics will also use the WebPad reference design as the basis for their Web Companions.
Microsoft’s use of the Geode GVX two die, chipset, which combines an x86 processor, with graphics and audio functions, is one of the first indications that Natsemi has finally hit on a winning strategy for what remains of its Cyrix chip line. The company sold off its x86 PC processor unit to Via Technologies Inc this summer, to concentrate on chips for set-top boxes and internet appliances. Cyrix was roundly beaten out of the low-end PC processor market by Intel Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
According to the spokesperson, a number of tier one OEMs are looking at using the WebPad and Geode as the basis of their own internet appliances. Dell Computer Corp and Compaq Computer Corp are both looking at bringing out internet appliance style devices. These devices would be manufactured by WebPad original device manufacturers (ODM), Acer and Tatung. Separately, Samsung Electronics Co has developed a prototype wireless device based on WebPad design.
The first Geode chip to integrate all of the functions of the chipset onto one piece of silicon is sampling now. The SC1400, which is aimed at the set-top box market is due in the third quarter of next year. NatSemi will also bring out Geode chips aimed at the thin client market and ‘tablet’ computer market next year.
After insisting that it couldn’t be done, Intel is now working on its own PC-on-a-chip, the Timna, which is expected to be delivered in mid-2000. That Microsoft has chosen to go with a rival chip, shows a further weakening of the Wintel alliance.
