Xirlink Partnerships Paying Off
By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 12/20/1999
PC camera maker Xirlink has teamed up with National Semiconductor, Internet software maker IXLA, and Agilent Technologies to develop digital cameras.
The agreement with National Semiconductor has Xirlink using that firm's upcoming integrated CMOS image sensor in its next-generation digital cameras.
The new sensor will integrate additional functionality onto the CMOS chips, which should enable them to deliver photo-quality images. The changes will allow Xirlink to produce small, low-power, inexpensive digital cameras.
The new CMOS sensors are expected to start shipping in early 2000, but Xirlink did not release information on when products using the sensor would become available.
The partnership with IXLA and Agilent has produced the entry-level SuperPro camera. With an estimated street price of $100, the SuperPro offers a 640 x 480 image resolution, is capable of storing 30 images, and has USB and serial port PC connectivity. The camera uses a CMOS sensor developed by Agilent. Other features include a built-in flash.
The SuperPro is bundled with IXLA's Photo Easy Deluxe and Web Easy Deluxe software, which allows newcomers to create a Web page without using HTML. -- Doug Olenick
