AMD's ElanSC400 to Power First True Electronic 'Book'.AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 1997--AMD today announced that Everybook, Inc. (EBI; York, Pa.) will use the Elan(TM)SC400 microcontroller to power the breakthrough Everybook Dedicated Reader. The new Dedicated Reader is a leather-bound, handheld electronic `book' which enables a reader to download, store and page through entire publications electronically, effectively bridging the gap between books and computers. AMD's ElanSC400 microcontroller will perform all central processing functions in the EB Dedicated Reader, managing an integrated circuit board, dual active-matrix LCD screens, a dual screen controller, a PCMCIA port, storage card interface, a high- speed modem and battery power consumption. The Everybook Reader will use AMD's Am29LV-series low-voltage flash memory to store custom system and video BIOS code. "We have chosen AMD's ElanSC400 microcontroller to be the enabling processor in the EB Dedicated Reader," said Everybook founder and president Daniel Munyan. "The Elan's speed, combination of control features, and its price play a big part in making the EB Reader a viable alternative to traditional publisher distribution channels." Final design of the Everybook Reader is being handled by JFK Associates (Malvern, Pa.), an engineering firm specializing in the design of custom motherboards based on AMD processors. The Everybook reader allows subscribers to browse an extensive collection of books and periodicals in a virtual bookstore setting. Purchases are downloaded in read-only format via a high-speed modem and debited from the customers checking account. Publishers benefit through reduced book production and shipping costs along with improved copyright and royalty management -- savings that can be passed to the consumer. A large-scale consumer shift to electronic books offers the attractive environmental bonus of dramatic cuts in the publishing industries consumption of paper products and output of industrial waste. The ElanSC400 microcontroller is based on AMD's proven low- voltage Am486 An earlier 486-compatible CPU chip from AMD introduced in 1993. Two years later, AMD came out with the Am5x86, which was a higher-speed 486-compatible chip used in new PCs and sold as an upgrade to 486 systems. The Am5x86 had a built-in "clock quadrupling" feature, which let it run at 133MHz and match a 75MHz Pentium in performance. The Am5x86 was also overclocked up to 160MHz and beyond by many enthusiasts. See AMD.(R) microprocessor core, and integrates virtually all of the peripheral logic required for a PC/AT compatible system onto a single chip. The processor supports DOS, Windows and x86 compatible real time operating systems. About AMD AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets. AMD produces processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices, and products for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, Calif., AMD had revenues of $2 billion in 1996. (NYSE:AMD). -0- WORLD WIDE WEB: Press announcements and other information about AMD are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web. Type http://www.amd.com at the URL prompt. JFK Associates may be reached via the web at http://www.jfkinc.com . Note to Editors: Readers may obtain additional information by calling 1-800-222-9323 or 408/749-5703. The EB Dedicated Reader, trademarks, and Everybook concept are the patent pending inventions of Daniel Munyan. Elan, is a trademark and Am486 is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, the AMD logo and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies. CONTACT: AMD John Wilkinson, 512/602-2292 (Product PR) john.wilkinson@amd.com or Toni Beckham, 408/749-3127 (Investor Relations) or Everybook Daniel Munyan, 717/846-8448 EBpres@aol.com |
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