SST and Insyde Software Annouce FlashMate Technology Collaboration with Analog Devices
ADI's Blackfin Portable Media Player Reference Design and FlashMate Enable Digital Video Recorder Functionality in Notebook PCs While the CPU is Off
SUNNYVALE, Calif., AND TAIPEI, TAIWAN, OCTOBER 15, 2007 - SST (Silicon Storage Technology, Inc., NASDAQ: SSTI), a leader in flash memory technology, and Insyde Software Corp., (GTSM: 6231), a leading provider of UEFI-based firmware, BIOS and engineering services, today announced a collaboration effort with Analog Devices (ADI) to showcase FlashMate technology, which was unveiled by SST and Insyde Software in a technology announcement on October 8, 2007. Working in conjunction with ADI's Blackfin-powered portable media player (PMP) reference design, FlashMate technology can enable digital video recorder (DVR) functions in a notebook PC while the notebook's CPU and system components are shut down. The ability for notebook users to record and playback their favorite mobile TV programming without having to turn on the notebook illustrates how FlashMate technology brings new usage models to notebook consumers.
Pairing the Blackfin PMP from ADI with FlashMate technology creates a compelling example of the types of benefits the technology can bring to notebook users. The Blackfin PMP is a highly integrated, multi-functional reference design that includes support for mobile TV, high-end audio, wireless connectivity and more. The DVR application can be made possible when the Blackfin PMP with an integrated mobile TV tuner is connected to a notebook PC via FlashMate technology as a USB peripheral. As the mobile TV content is viewed on the Blackfin PMP's LCD display, FlashMate manages the notebook's hard disk drive to enable recording of the content while the notebook is shut down. The unique ability to access the hard disk drive without engaging the CPU is due to the built-in hardware and software intelligence of FlashMate technology.
"The portable media player market is one of the fastest growing segments of consumer electronics, and the convergence of mobile TV on the PMP platform is creating some exciting new applications for end users," said Mike Haidar, product line director, General Purpose DSP Group, Analog Devices, Inc. "We are impressed with FlashMate technology from SST and Insyde, in particular its ability to extend the functionality of our Blackfin PMP reference design to enable DVR functions on notebook PCs."
"FlashMate technology can revolutionize the way consumers use their notebooks by giving them the freedom to access digital content without having to boot up their systems," said Frank Lin, vice president, NAND and Smartcard Module Business, SST. "We are excited to be working with an industry leader like Analog Devices to showcase how FlashMate technology enhances the functionality of third-party applications and brings exceptional benefits to notebook consumers. Our intention with FlashMate technology is to work closely with third-party applications, such as the Blackfin PMP from Analog Devices, to provide complete solutions to notebook manufacturers."
"Our technology collaboration with Analog Devices is a prime example of the types of novel applications that FlashMate technology can bring to the notebook computing experience," said Barry Doong, vice president of sales, Insyde Software. "A key value-add that FlashMate provides to notebook OEMs is the ability to expand its functionality through software updates. Through continued proliferation with third-party applications, the features we can enable in notebooks are almost limitless in scope."
About FlashMate Technology
FlashMate technology combines SST's expertise in NAND flash controllers and memory subsystem design with Insyde Software's expertise in PC BIOS, system software and power management to create a complete application subsystem. FlashMate technology provides access to content on a PC's hard disk drive while the main system is either in pre-boot, standby, hibernate or completely shut down. When the CPU is on, FlashMate technology serves as nonvolatile cache for the hard disk drive, thus transforming a standard hard disk drive to perform hybrid-drive like functions. FlashMate is intended to enhance the functionality of Microsoft Windows Vista SideShow and the other third-party applications by giving notebook users access to hard-disk data and various applications via the notebook¡¦s USB interface without having to engage the CPU.
About Insyde Software
Insyde Software (www.insydesw.com) is a leading global provider of BIOS, UEFI-based firmware and engineering services for companies in the desktop, mobile, server and embedded computing industries. Founded in 1998, the company is publicly held (GTSM: 6231) and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan with U.S. offices in Boston, MA and Hillsboro, OR. The company's customers include Acer, Compal, Fujitsu, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo, MiTAC, NEC, Quanta, Toshiba, Unisys, Wistron and Wyse.
About Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, SST designs, manufactures and markets a diversified range of memory and non-memory products for high volume applications in the digital consumer, networking, wireless communications and Internet computing markets. Leveraging its proprietary, patented SuperFlash technology, SST is a leading provider of nonvolatile memory solutions with product families that include various densities of high functionality flash memory components and flash mass storage products. The Company also offers its SuperFlash technology for embedded applications through its broad network of world-class manufacturing partners and technology licensees, including TSMC, which offers it under its trademark Emb-FLASH. SST's non-memory products include NAND controller-based products, smart card ICs, flash microcontroller and radio frequency ICs and modules. Further information on SST can be found on the company's Web site at (www.sst.com)
Forward -- Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements regarding flash memory and non-memory market conditions, SST's future financial performance, the performance of new products and SST's ability to bring new products to market that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks may include timely development, acceptance and pricing of new products, the terms and conditions associated with licensees' royalty payments, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and general economic conditions as they affect SST's customers, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the SST's SEC reports, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2006.
For more information about SST and the company's comprehensive list of product offerings, please call 1-888/SST-CHIP. Information can also be requested via email to literature@sst.com or through SST's Web site at www.sst.com SST's head office is located at 1171 Sonora Court, Sunnyvale, Calif.; telephone: 408/735-9110; fax: 408/735-9036.
The SST logo and SuperFlash are registered trademarks, and FlashMate is a trademark of Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. Insyde is a trademark of Insyde Software. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.