XTR Ltd. and Texas Instruments Inc. (NYSE: TSX) yesterday unveiled a joint development at the 2010 Mobile World Congress. XTR technology is included in Texas Instruments' OMAP platform, enabling developers to adapt all their applications to new movement-based products.
XTR's concept is to use the forward video camera that is found in most current handsets on the market for navigating media and game interfaces. In theory, this is a much more convenient operating method compared with handsets' tiny keypads, but the theory will only be seen to be practical when commercial products hit the market. Brief demonstrations by the companies at a conference won't do the trick.
XTR CEO Dor Givon told "Globes", "We created an application for developers, which will enable them to use their products with a camera instead of the telephone's touch screen. The product's current use will not resemble our next generation product. For example, it will be possible to carry out actions with volume, distance, and even use of both hands, or the entire body, by cellular."
XTR and Texas Instruments plan to launch their product in 2011, but Texas Instruments has not yet disclosed which handset manufacturers are interested in it. Texas Instruments' components are found in a wide range of handsets, including the iPhone, so there is a good chance that the device will be seen in the products of one of the world's major handset manufacturers.
Texas Instruments OMAP marketing director Avner Goren told "Globes", "For now, Texas Instruments has committed to making human-machine interface easier. We'll do this by hand or body movements that influence the machine. We looked at several companies before deciding to collaborate very aggressively with XTR. Nevertheless, we'll also work with other companies in this field."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 16, 2010
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010