TI plans to enter e-reader market

BANGALORE, INDIA: Chip giant Texas Instruments would today announce its plans to enter the e-reader market with new processors and software for manufacturers of the popular devices.

According The Wall Street Journal, the Dallas company's new e-book technology would let manufacturers produce more energy-efficient e-readers at lower costs. TI is the latest hardware company to make a bet on e-books, it added.

TI executive Gregg Burke said the new technology would help speed up the development time of new e-reading devices.

According to research firm iSuppli, global sales of e-readers are expected to surge to 12 million units in 2010 from five million in 2009.

Meanwhile, Texas Instruments announced the launch of two new Class-D audio amplifiers, TAS5630 and TAS5631. Capable of driving 600 watts, the audio amplifiers feature the highest stereo output power in the industry, more than twice that of the closest comparable devices, said a press release.

Based on TI’s advanced closed-loop architecture, the amplifiers integrate PurePath HD technology to achieve high-definition media playback and ultra-low distortion in next-generation AV and DVD receivers, Blu-ray home theater systems, home theater-in-a-box, mini/micro component systems and professional audio systems, the release added.