Beatnik Applies StrongARM Power

By Michael Foley

(03/13/01, 12:24:21 PM EDT)

The Beatnik Audio Engine (BAE) from Beatnik, Inc. is now available. The BAE has been optimized for the Intel StrongARM SA-1110 microprocessors by making use of the Intel Integrated Performance Primitives (IPP) software library. As a result, BAE users can experience CD-quality audio and music through a variety of digital devices.

The BAE for Intel StrongARM provides a complete audio system, including MP3, MIDI, and RMF playback, multi-effects processor, and a 64-channel mixer. The Intel StrongARM processing power will allow developers to create gaming, music, and other multimedia applications on a variety of devices, including mobile phones, PDAs, and set-top boxes, using extremely small file sizes. BAE does not require special hardware and uses low bandwidth.

RMF allows complete songs to be encapsulated in files that can be up to 10 times smaller than the equivalent MP3 file. A SDK will soon be available for developers to create gaming, music, and other multimedia applications using the BAE.

Beatnik also plans to support the Intel XScale microarchitecture, Intel's next generation StrongARM architecture. Processors based on this new microarchitecture will enhance Beatnik's wireless audio technology and provide longer battery life and higher processing power to wireless devices.