ACCESS Enhances NetFront™ Series to Support Android™ OS for DTVs and Set-Top Boxes

Thursday, January 6th, 2011
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Implementation Completed on Sigma Designs’ Android Compatible Hardware Platform

LAS VEGAS — 2011 International CES — ACCESS CO. (TOKYO: 4813), a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, today announced that it has enhanced its NetFront™ series to support the Android™ OS for DTVs and set-top boxes (STBs). As part of this initiative, ACCESS has implemented its NetFront Browser and NetFront™ Living Connect applications on Sigma Designs’ (NASDAQ: SIGM) MIPS-based™, Android-compatible SMP8656 Secure Media Processor™ hardware platform. With the support of Sigma Designs, a leading provider of system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for delivering entertainment and control throughout the home, ACCESS will also seek to expand the use of its NetFront series for Android OS DTVs and STBs

NetFront Browser is the most advanced, versatile and powerful Internet browser for mobile and beyond-PC devices. Specifically designed and optimized to deliver high performance in resource-constrained environments, it has been deployed by major operators, handset manufacturers and consumer electronics manufacturers around the world. NetFront Browser already supports Android OS for smartphones and tablets and has been deployed by major manufacturers on a variety of devices. NetFront Browser will enable Internet services, like web video, for STBs based on Sigma Designs’ hardware platform with Android OS.

NetFront Living Connect is a comprehensive DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) certified software solution designed to enable the implementation of next generation multimedia home networks and to support the management and control of the various devices that comprise this new generation of home networks. NetFront Living Connect is highly portable, flexible and customizable. It supports a wide range of devices including mobile phones, DTVs, STBs, digital cameras, HDD recorders and more. With the support announced today, those STBs based on Sigma Designs’ hardware platform with Android OS and which include NetFront Living Connect will be able to interact with other DLNA compatible devices.

“ACCESS’ NetFront series is built on proven technologies that have been successfully deployed in a wide variety of devices including TVs and smartphones that are shipped throughout the world. The addition of ACCESS’ powerful NetFront Browser and NetFront Living Connect DLNA-compatible software adds a new, high-value option to the applications that support our Android compatible platforms,” said David Lynch, vice president and general manager, Media Processor Group at Sigma Designs. “We are confident that our combined technologies will provide a powerful and versatile solution for our customers who manufacture set-top boxes.”

“Today, we are pleased to announce that, with the cooperation of Sigma Designs, we have implemented our NetFront Browser and NetFront Living Connect solutions on Sigma Designs’ Android compatible hardware platform. Sigma Designs is a recognized global provider of SoC solutions for entertainment and control devices for the home. It is an honor to be able to supply our STB manufacturing customers with software solutions that are confirmed compatible with Sigma Designs’ Android compatible hardware platform,” said Dr. Tomihisa Kamada, President and CEO, ACCESS. “In addition to this initiative, we are planning to enhance other applications such as our NetFront™ Magazine Viewer, an eMagazine viewer, as well as NetFront™ Life, an application series for end users, to support Sigma Designs’ Android hardware platform. Going forward, ACCESS will also provide various Internet services such as video on demand (VOD) and electronic magazines to Android TV users globally.”

“Sigma Designs is a leading provider of SoCs, creating innovative solutions around the MIPS® processor architecture. Sigma and MIPS Technologies are together developing and proliferating mainstream connected entertainment platforms for Android on MIPS, including a new platform that we will demonstrate during CES. ACCESS’ NetFront technology is well-established in smartphones, and we are pleased that it is being deployed on Sigma’s MIPS-Based platforms for the digital home. This serves to further expand the Android on MIPS ecosystem for both digital home and mobile products,” said Art Swift, vice president of marketing and business development, MIPS Technologies (Nasdaq:MIPS).