The defense industry may already have its share of deadly high-tech toys, but when it comes to the latest in mobile, it's often left to watch from the highly-secured sidelines. Enter Elektrobit Corporation with a just announced Specialized Device Platform that crafts made-to-order, Android-based devices for the public safety, security and aforementioned defense markets. Citing its lower cost, faster development approach, EB's service marries the "best of the traditional mobile world... with product-and industry-specific features" so clients won't have to deal with last year's Android OS. Oh wait, actually they will. The currently on offer Froyo-flavored, 1GHz single-core OMAP3 model packs a WVGA capacitive touchscreen (either 4-, or 4.3-inch), 5 megapixel camera, VGA front-facing camera, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS with quad-band GSM, tri-band UMTS / HSDPA and CDMA2K / EVDO support. Clients interested in a 700MHz LTE, Gingerbread option -- that's right, no Ice Cream Sandwich -- will have to hold off until the first half of 2012, when the company's 1.5GHz dual-core OMAP4 models will be available for production. Alright, so these specs aren't exactly bleeding edge tech, but hey -- who needs a quad-core phone when you've got this.
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EB UNVEILS SPECIALIZED DEVICE PLATFORM, A VERSATILE ANDROID-BASED MOBILE PLATFORM DESIGNED FOR SPECIALIZED VERTICAL MARKETS
New Android-Based Platform Provides Defense, Public Safety Markets Tailor-made Mobile Devices, Specific to Vertical Requirements-All with Minimal Development Risk, Lower Development Costs and Faster Time-to-Market
PHILADELPHIA, (APCO International Conference & Expo), August 8, 2011 - EB, Elektrobit Corporation, a developer of leading edge embedded technology solutions for automotive and wireless industries, today announced the EB Specialized Device Platform, an Android-based mobile device platform for specialized markets. Leveraging mass market mobile device hardware/software technologies and economies of scale, the platform enables vertical markets such as defense, public safety and security to roll-out customized mobile devices that meet specific industry functional or performance requirements-faster and with lower development risks and costs.
"Specialized verticals, particularly those in the defense sector, deploy mobile devices with extended product life cycles - yet they still want mobile solutions that offer the latest technological advancements," said Michael Valenti, senior research analyst with Frost & Sullivan. "EB is well positioned to serve these vertical interests, as the company has a rich heritage in mobile device design, integration, and development as well as a depth and expertise in bringing unique mobile solutions to specialized markets."
A versatile platform, the EB Specialized Device Platform allows EB's customers to benefit from the commercial technologies driving the rapid growth of the consumer wireless device market while giving market specific features and device type customization to specialized market organizations. As a smartphone-tablet platform, organizations get a 'made-to-order' mobile device that incorporates key design features desired for a particular mobile device with specific hardware and software features required by their market segment. For example, military vendors can specify MIL-STD-810G mechanics for a ruggedized Android handset, integration of a proprietary security engine or optimization of a proprietary software application to extend the device battery life.
The platform is comprised of components specifically focused to extend product life cycle, deliver excellent performance and simplify the platform evolution. It is anchored by the Texas Instruments OMAP(TM) family of application processors and includes both OMAP3(TM) series single-core and OMAP4(TM) series dual-core options. EB chose TI's OMAP processors for their balance between competitive mass market performance and unique features, such as integrated and fully programmable C64x Digital Signal Processor, that appeals to the target vertical markets. Other key features include integrated cellular connectivity options including LTE with Band 14 support for the U.S. Public Safety market, a high-resolution touch-screen enabled display with superior sunlight readability, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and advanced battery and power management features. Additionally, EB offers other advanced features such as integrated mobile satellite connectivity.
"Specific markets such as defense and public safety require unique mobile devices that must meet stringent compliance and regulatory requirements; thereby making it difficult for them to deploy traditional smartphones and tablets across their field teams," said Jani Lyrintzis, vice president and general manager, EB. "EB has solved this problem, by introducing the Specialized Device Platform - that uniquely offers the best of the traditional mobile world, with the Android operating system and key mobile hardware/software/radio features, combined with product-and industry-specific features-which allows these vertical organizations to bring new mobile devices to market quicker, more cost-effectively and with less development risk.
Availability and Engagement Model
The EB Specialized Device Platform is generally available today for devices to be commercialized with the OMAP3 Series applications processor and 3G cellular connectivity options. Devices requiring the OMAP4 Series applications processors or the 4G/LTE cellular connectivity options can be commercialized in the first half of 2012.
EB offers the platform in three engagement models - a complete turnkey solution, in which EB will develop, manufacture (using partners) and supply the end-product; a joint development approach - in which EB and its customer cooperate on the device development, followed by EB handling all aspects of the manufacturing and end-product supply chain cycles; and finally a joint development plus licensing model - in which EB and its customer cooperate on the device development, but the customer is responsible for the end-device manufacturing and supply.
For more information on the EB Specialized Device Platform please visit: http://www.elektrobit.com
