Lenovo Adopts Texas Instruments 'LoCosto' Single-Chip Platform for Low-Cost Handsets in China


BEIJING, June 13 / - Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) today announced the selection of its "LoCosto" single-chip platform for a new family of low-cost, multimedia-rich handsets from Lenovo Mobile, China's leading handset manufacturer. Lenovo is leveraging TI's scalable "LoCosto" solution to deliver low-cost handsets with exceptional performance and leading-edge features at a competitive, entry-level price. The i323 handset, the second in this series, is available to China consumers now, followed by the i515 available in June. The i366 handset is also available today.

"To meet the increasingly diverse needs of our customers, we are providing targeted solutions for the entry-level market where cost and performance are critical," said Eric Zhao, general manager of product department of Lenovo. "TI's 'LoCosto' single-chip platform is at the heart of the new i323 and i515, allowing us to meet the needs of this rapidly-growing market in China with handsets that are fashionable, yet affordable."

TI's "LoCosto" single-chip solution incorporates TI's DRP(TM) technology to lower overall system costs while enabling sleeker, more affordable handsets with a wide range of robust multimedia features. Taking advantage of the "LoCosto" solution's highly-flexible integrated multimedia capabilities, including 15 frames-per-second MPEG4 record and playback, VGA and megapixel camera and MP3 music player, Lenovo's family of phones will offer high-quality, slim, stylish low-cost handsets packed with multimedia functionality. TI's low-power "LoCosto" device also extends battery life, an important feature for consumers in regions that often lack a reliable power source.

"Building on our strong partnership with Lenovo in China, we are pleased to work with them as they broaden their 'LoCosto'-based handset offerings to include entry multimedia phones," said Victor Epifani, general manager of TI's entry phone business unit. "Using TI's 'LoCosto' technology, Lenovo's family of phones delivers exceptional voice quality, extended talk time, and multimedia features for an enhanced user experience."

TI's "LoCosto" platform is shipping in volume production today with more than 15 customers worldwide ramping. Handsets based on "LoCosto" technology offer consumers a range of capabilities - from GSM voice-centric to phones to those that include high-end features, such as MPEG4, MP3 and AAC audio encoding, Bluetooth® wireless technology, megapixel camera, calendaring and more.

Availability

Lenovo's "LoCosto"-based V350, E200, E303, i366, i323, i515 are available in the market today. Additional Lenovo handsets based on TI's "LoCosto" single-chip platform are expected to be available during the first & second half of 2007.

Texas Instruments - Making Wireless

TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless technology and building solutions for tomorrow. TI provides a breadth of silicon and software and 16 years of wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN, GPS, Digital TV, Bluetooth® and Ultra Wideband. TI offers custom to turn-key solutions, including complete chipsets and reference designs, OMAP(TM) application processors, as well as core digital signal processor and analog technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes. Please visit www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for additional information.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company includes the Education Technology business. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.

Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com/.

Source: Texas Instruments Incorporated; Lenovo Mobile

Web site: http://www.ti.com/

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