From: "Pick, Sarah" <SPick@applieddata.net>
To: "'lwn@lwn.net'" <lwn@lwn.net>
Subject: multimedia & Linux tool package on StrongARM...
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 18:40:54 -0500

Michael FYI,

For Immediate Release 
	
LINUX WORLD
								BOOTH #769 
Contact:

Century Software Embedded Technologies				Applied Data
Systems
Jon Beutler	801-268-3088x145
Sarah Pick	301-490-4007x128
jonb@centurysoftware.com
spick@applieddata.net


Applied Data Systems Announces Strategic Partnership with Century Software
for Development of Embedded Applications Toolkit for OEM StrongARM( Product
Line

New partnership enhances ADS' embedded systems with graphical, multimedia
and application development

New York, NY - January 29, 2001 - Applied Data Systems (ADS), a leading
developer of RISC-based application-ready embedded systems, announced today
its strategic partnership with Century Software Embedded Technologies, a
leading developer of applications technologies for embedded Linux at
LinuxWorld Expo in New York. Together, the companies are releasing a
richly-featured new toolkit which runs on ADS' line of OEM Intel
StrongARM-based systems, which will be marketed jointly by the two
companies.

The strategic partnership recognizes the synergy of the core competencies of
each company. Century Software Embedded Technologies, based in Salt Lake
City, Utah, specializes in developing embedded Linux middleware applications
on PDA and handheld platforms, with particular expertise in embedded
multimedia technologies. ADS, based in Columbia, Maryland, specializes in
designing and manufacturing low-power consuming RISC-based systems that
enable mobile, networked applications with wireless connectivity and
sophisticated graphics capabilities, working with a variety of operating
systems, including embedded Linux. ADS systems are noted for being quickly
reconfigurable, allowing customers to be able to meet very challenging
time-to-market requirements.

ADS has selected Century to provide an enhanced version of its
Microwindows-based applications toolkit and PDA operating environment to run
on ADS' line of embedded systems. These systems include ADS' flagship
product - the Graphics Client Plus, which includes a powerful IO package on
a 4 x 6" footprint; the new handheld computer, the Bitsy, built on a 3 x 5"
footprint with wireless capability, and the Graphics Master, which has rich
multimedia capabilities and USB connectivity. All ADS systems include
signature capabilities such as on-board Ethernet, PCMCIA (providing a second
Ethernet port for LAN and WAN), an on board 8-bit microcontroller for a
user-selectable and robust IO suite and serial port options that include 





RS232, 485 and IrDA. Century's richly-featured toolkit features new
capabilities in multiple areas: the graphical operating environment,
applications and multimedia. 

"This partnership sets a new standard for embedded Linux on StrongARM for
OEM development. Century is providing our customers an embedded Linux
package that greatly facilitates their path to product application, also for
our future web pad lines," said Robert Olsen, CEO of ADS. "With Century's
rich multimedia capabilities and toolkit enhancements in one package, with
complete support for our 'application-ready' products."

According to Gregory Haerr, CEO of Century Software Embedded Technologies,
"ADS' incorporation of our middleware on their line of StrongARM systems
will reduce development time for embedded Linux customers, both in the
hardware and software areas, who are particularly interested in wireless,
mobile and multimedia applications. These applications might be used in
products ranging from Internet appliances, web pads, wireless and portable
devices."

The applications toolkit and operating environment is based on the popular
Microwindows graphical windowing system for embedded Linux
(www.microwindows.org). A specialized "Screen Top" window manager, developed
by Century, handles the look and feel of the operating environment for the
systems. The Screentop is customizable with a configuration file that allows
various directories to be searched and displayed as icons. 

The system has a rich multimedia package which includes MP3 audio and Mpeg 1
with streaming video capabilities, image viewers and games. Century
Software's new core multimedia audio and video technologies include a
multi-threaded MP3 player, optionally with a user interface using the
Microwindows embedded graphical windowing system and the Fast Light Tool Kit
applications framework.  Playlists and shuffling, as well as streaming audio
from the flash file system or Internet are supported, as well as multiple
bitrates and volume adjustments.  An MPEG-1 video player, with support for
connectivity via TCP/IP for video source as well as from the local file
system, is also available.  Video image resizing to any width and height is
supported.  The Graphics Client supports video display in 8 and 16 bits per
pixel.

Applied Data Systems and Century Software Embedded Technologies will be
jointly marketing their systems with both companies' sales forces
domestically and internationally. Together, the ADS Bitsy and Century
Software's suite of embedded Linux tool chain enhancements and multimedia
technologies allow an OEM or systems integrator quickly produce an
application requiring web connectivity or audio/video on Linux.  Contact
Fred Salloum at Applied Data Systems at 301-490-4007 or Jon Beutler at
Century Software Embedded Technologies at (801) 268-3088 x145. 
###

About Applied Data Systems
ADS is the leading supplier of RISC-based single board computers for the
embedded systems market. Applications include medical devices, process
control, vehicle / asset management, GPS, electronic signage, check
approval, mail extraction and information displays. ADS is headquartered in
Columbia, Maryland. For more information on ADS call 301-490-4007, or visit
the website at www.applieddata.net.