X-bit labs

VIA Technologies to Go Handheld Consoles?

Category: Mobile

by Anton Shilov

[ 05/03/2004 | 06:59 AM ]

VIA Technologies, a developer of integrated circuits and variety of reference designs for multitude of devices based on chips developed by the company, may unleash a prototype of its handheld device for gaming as early as later this month. The move comes after the company unveiled its reference design for a gaming console earlier this year.

In January 2004 the world’s second largest developer of chipsets for desktop PC mainboards uncovered some plans to address the market of game consoles with its technologies. The first implementation of the intentions was the VIA Glory Console Platform. The console’s central “brain” is 1.40GHz VIA C3 processor, the input/output functions are to be carried out by VIA CN400 North Bridge coupled with VT8237 I/O controller. A DeltaChrome graphics chip from S3 Graphics is meant to be the graphics base for the console, while VIA’s Vinyl technology provides 6-channel audio support.

Even though initially VIA secured a contract with Apex Digital to make consoles based on the VIA Glory Console Platform, later the latter decided to switch to some other components not developed by VIA Technologies for its ApeXtreme device.

The next step for VIA on the market of gaming machines is likely to be a handheld device, TechBits.ca web-site reports. VIA Technologies is set to introduce a new handheld reference design at the E3 show later this month. The specifications for the device have not been finalized, but the processor is anticipated to be an x86 NanoBGA processor. Such chips are available in 533, 800, and 1000MHz speed-bins. The handheld should have advanced network capabilities, the source notes.

VIA Technologies has pretty broad product portfolio that may be used in loads of various devices, including, but not limited to personal computers. While VIA’s initiative on the gaming market seems to be pretty fresh, the prospects of letting PC games to be played on other devices are not clear in the market that is developing on a very rapid pace.

With PC gamers demanding additional realism that is achievable by only high-end class graphics cards that cost from $350 to $500, and console gamers passionate for exclusive titles available only on their devices, VIA is likely to find itself on a pretty rippled surface offering something that has not been available historically for pretty conservative market.