Agere Unveils Multimedia Framework for Mobile Handsets

Agere Systems announced a new technology framework that enables mobile handset vendors to rapidly develop wireless phones supporting the latest advancements in multimedia for such applications as audio and video streaming and playback, video recording, digital photo imaging and downloadable ring tones.



Agere said its multimedia framework simplifies the process of combining and incorporating additional video and audio components, which helps phone makers to customize their solutions for specific segments of the market. Its modular structure also provides a stable software and hardware continuum as standards for new or enhanced multimedia applications emerge. The framework can be used for handsets based on 2.5G/GPRS, EDGE and 3G/UMTS network technologies. In addition, Agere's solution supports MPEG-4 and H.263 video, JPEG images, MP3 music, AAC and aacPlus audio, as well as MIDI ring tone synthesizers.



Agere recently began offering the multimedia framework as part of its baseband silicon and software solutions for GPRS and EDGE mobile phones. Presently, the company is sampling the solution to select customers.http;//www.agere.com