PRESS RELEASE
G2 Microsystems Taps New Consumer Devices with its Ultra Low-Power Wi-Fi ICs
Enables new category of low-latency Wi-Fi devices powered by regular alkaline batteries
CAMPBELL, Ca and LAS VEGAS, Nev. – January 7, 2008 – G2 Microsystems Inc. today announced that it is expanding into new consumer electronics markets with its ultra low-power Wi-Fi solutions. The single-chip G2 solution enables a completely new category of products – “instant-on” Wi-Fi devices powered by regular alkaline batteries.
The first fruit of this new strategy is a Wi-Fi remote control platform developed jointly by Philips and G2 Microsystems. Unveiled at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the device leverages the ubiquitous Wi-Fi standard, offering significant advantages over remote controls using other RF or proprietary standards.
“We are very happy to be able to be the first to bring this technology to market by working with G2,” said Jean-Paul Abrams, Global Commercial Manager Home Control of Philips. “We expect much success in integrating this platform into our line of remote controls that we offer to our B2B customers. We also expect that consumers will find the low cost and energy usage very attractive, especially since it will work with a variety of appliances with minimal set-up.”
Natural Evolution toward Consumer Markets
G2 currently controls over 70% of the market for RTLS and asset tracking systems. This success using low-power, Wi-Fi technology has attracted intense interest from consumer electronics companies, who are constantly seeking to reduce power, increase battery life and accelerate boot times.
“Our experience creating asset tracking tags for RTLS, with ultra low-power Wi-Fi, makes our entry into the consumer electronics market a very natural evolution,” said John Gloekler, president and CEO of G2 Microsystems. “This joint venture with Phillips is just the first of many vertical markets which G2 can support with our system-on-chip technology.”
Breaking the Battery Barrier
Current Wi-Fi-enabled consumer electronics devices are often power-hungry, expensive and inconvenient, because they require rechargeable batteries and wall-connected charging cradles. By contrast, G2’s unique Wi-Fi architecture results in a single chip solution with integrated host processor and networking protocols. This solution enables significant savings in both cost and power consumption, delivering a full 6X improvement in standby power, the ability to leverage alkaline batteries and the fastest boot time in the industry.
These capabilities are ideal for handheld consumer devices including remote controls and other “home controllers” that allow consumers to easily manage all connected appliances in a home, such as climate, lighting, entertainment, and security. With G2’s single-chip Wi-Fi solution, device manufacturers can offer consumers benefits such as:
- Seamless Wi-Fi connectivity
- Fast response to user’s remote control commands
- Convenient operation/maintenance with regular alkaline batteries
- Compact, portable design
The G2C501 SoC is in production now and can be considered for a broad range of consumer devices. For more information, contact sales@g2microsystems.com.
About G2 Microsystems
G2 Microsystems designs and markets a variety of ultra-low power Wi-Fi solutions. G2 Microsystems leverages its low-power expertise to deliver System-on-Chip (SoC) Wi-Fi ICs for a range of battery-powered applications including consumer electronic devices, real-time locating systems, and wireless sensing.
G2 Microsystems is privately-held and has headquarters in the U.S. and research and development teams in Australia. Major investors in the company include Siemens Venture Capital, UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund, Starfish Ventures and Accede Capital. G2 Microsystems can be contacted at their US corporate headquarters in Campbell, Calif. at +1-408-626-4812 or at www.g2microsystems.com.
###
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
