SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 19 /CNW/ --

Breakthrough for Consumers: Marvell's High Performance, Low Power
Application Processors Deliver Immersive Multimedia and Seamless Internet
Connectivity Optimized for Multiple Software Standards

Marvell (Nasdaq: MRVL), a world leader in storage, communications, and consumer silicon solutions, today announced the game-changing ARMADA(TM) family of processors designed specifically for next generation ARM instruction set smartphones, smartbooks, consumer and embedded devices, and displays. In addition to true mobility - from lightweight designs and long battery life - today's connected consumers and enterprise users demand high quality, instantaneous personal entertainment, and content from a multitude of social-networking and other cloud-based services.

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The ARMADA family of application processors sets a new standard by offering CPU cores with PC-class performance, support for Adobe Flash technology and Blu-ray functionality. Additional features include complete broadband connectivity for the next wave of innovative electronics, spanning price points from low cost consumer gadgets all the way to premium performance devices. Customer adoption has been rapid: to date, Marvell ARMADA application processors have won more than 50 design wins.

At the core of the ARMADA family is the company's patented CPU technology. According to the analyst firm, the Linley Group, ARM instruction set CPUs -- which power 98 percent of all mobile phones -- are becoming the standard for other forms of mobile computing. Marvell ships one billion chips per year, two-thirds of which include Marvell CPUs running the ARM instruction set, making Marvell the largest producer of ARM chips in the world.

"Launch of the ARMADA family represents a watershed event in mobile computing," said Ms. Weili Dai, Marvell's Cofounder and Vice President and General Manager of the Company's Consumer and Computing Business Unit. "The ARMADA family delivers to mobile devices what skeptics once doubted could be done: fast, PC-caliber processing, full Internet experience, rich media including HD quality video and 3D graphics -- all in lightweight form factors with long battery life. There will always be a place for PCs, but the future of mobile computing -- for smartbooks, e-readers, smart tablets and more -- will by necessity get its DNA from smartphones, not PCs. Marvell's world-leading technology portfolio allows us to provide a complete platform solution not only for mobile computing, but also smartphones, gaming, printers, personal and home entertainment, and emerging consumer markets."

"The significance of the ARMADA line of processors is its unique scalability. ARMADA can be used to run everything from full-feature netbooks, smartphones to intelligent displays and blu-ray class devices," said Tim Bajarin, Principal Analyst with Creative Strategies.