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.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $ 28.8 billion (EUR 32.3 billion) in 2001. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Its 184,000 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at www.newscenter.philips.com/usa.

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