Phoenix Beefs Up the BIOS

By Michael Foley
iApplianceWeb
(06/26/01, 09:09:02 AM EDT)

Phoenix Technologies, Ltd. is bringing Web connectivity down into the BIOs. Its FirstView Connect family of instant-on Internet Access Software aims at reducing time to market and manufacturing costs for OEMs while providing new functionality for end-users. Phoenix is attempting to streamline the layers of software needed to run iAppliances by combining the BIOS, OS, and application layers of software.

Phoenix FirstView Connect provides next generation consumer electronics and digital appliance OEMs with the ability to launch rich interactive platforms capable of accessing today's new breed of Web services. Phoenix's FirstView Connect is an advanced suite of embedded platformware technologies designed to deliver a software architecture capable of supporting Internet TV, Internet Video Players (iVP), interactive screen phones, game consoles, direct-from-memory set top boxes, handheld appliances, and more.

The software includes:

• Optimized browsing on low-resolution monitors.
• Complex language handling for clearly readable presentation of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters.
• Compact code size for fast, efficient reformatting of Web pages for TV.
• Device Platform Management based on a compact, state-of-the-art embedded, instant-on operating environment.
• Rich media and interactive services, including email, streaming media, and Java support.
• Support for emerging iTV standards that integrate the TV viewing and Web experiences.

  
  

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