Skiff, LLC and Marvell (NASDAQ: MRVL) today announced the Skiff™ Reader
Development Kit (RDK), which is designed to enable manufacturers to more
easily create innovative reading devices with various display sizes,
fast performance, and reduced overall component costs. It does this by
leveraging the world’s first eReading System-on-a-Chip (SoC) with an
integrated Electronic Paper Display (EPD) controller.
Hardware manufacturers (OEMs and ODMs) can find more information about
the Skiff RDK and the SoC in the Marvell booth (South Hall 30642) during
the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show this week.
The Skiff RDK represents a leading-edge reference design that
manufacturers can use to rapidly prototype and bring to market
next-generation reading devices. Beyond an efficient system design, the
RDK also includes built-in software support for the upcoming Skiff
eReading service and digital storefront, which will enable consumers to
easily access and wirelessly download a wide range of newspapers,
magazines, books, blogs, and other content from multiple publishers. The
Skiff service will enhance the utility and differentiation that
manufacturers can bring to their devices, while increasing
out-of-the-box consumer value.
"Skiff and Marvell are partnering to help manufacturers reduce how much
time and money it takes to make high-performance reading devices,” said
Gilbert Fuchsberg, president of Skiff, LLC. "In turn, this will make it
easier for publishers to deliver engaging digital reading experiences to
a broad consumer audience.”
The Skiff RDK system design is cost-effective due to the integration of
the Marvell® ARMADA™ SoC, an industry first that includes both an
application processor and a high-performance controller for driving an
e-paper display. Combining these elements into one component reduces
costs and power while improving overall performance. This innovation,
which combines contributions from both Marvell and Skiff, enables
ARMADA-based devices to display layouts, graphics, and content that
people normally associate with periodicals, larger-format books and
documents on e-paper screens of varying resolution and size. Future
Skiff and Marvell reference designs will support a broad range of
hardware devices, including multi-purpose devices such as smartphones,
tablets and netbooks, as well as various display and wireless
technologies.
"Skiff signifies a new era in live content distribution. As we move to
the ‘always-on’ lifestyle, consumers are demanding instant access to a
growing variety of high-quality digital content and information,” said
Weili Dai, Marvell’s co-founder and vice president and general manager
of Marvell’s Consumer and Computing Business Unit. "Marvell is excited
to be a primary silicon platform solution provider for advanced and
highly scalable solutions that will enable this digital content access
anytime, anywhere and on any size screen. Through our collaboration with
Skiff, we will provide consumers with more choice, more horsepower,
seamless connectivity, and engaging experiences in a diverse range of
smart devices.”
The Skiff RDK consists of a PCB based on Marvell’s ARMADA 166E
application processor and includes an Electronic Paper Display based on
E Ink’s technology. Additional information regarding the RDK, including
specs and availability, will be available at www.Skiff.com.
About Skiff
Skiff provides a complete e-reading solution that includes the Skiff
Service platform, Skiff Store and Skiff-enabled devices. Skiff will sell
and distribute newspapers, magazines, books, blogs and other content.
Skiff gives periodical publishers tools to maintain their distinct
visual identities, build and extend relationships with subscribers, and
wirelessly deliver dynamic content and advertising to both dedicated
e-readers and multipurpose devices. Skiff will also make it easier for
consumers to access content from multiple publishers across a range of
devices. Skiff is headquartered in New York City and also has offices in
Palo Alto, Calif. Visit Skiff at www.Skiff.com.
About Marvell
Marvell (NASDAQ: MRVL) is a world leader in the development of storage,
communications, and consumer silicon solutions. Marvell’s diverse
product portfolio includes switching, transceiver, communications
controller, wireless, and storage solutions that power the entire
communications infrastructure including enterprise, metro, home, and
storage networking. As used in this release, the term "Marvell" refers
to Marvell Technology Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries. For more
information, visit http://www.marvell.com.
Marvell and the Marvell logo are registered trademarks of Marvell or
its affiliates. Armada is a trademark of Marvell or its affiliates.
Skiff is a trademark of Skiff, LLC. Other names and brands may be
claimed as the property of others.