Agere Systems said it has started sampling an entry-level handset platform capable of delivering CD-quality music with a total bill for materials at $30. Agere's TrueNTRY X125 platform includes system chips, software and a product development kit. The platform is targeted at OEMs and ODMs that are developing low-cost handsets for the Chinese and Indian markets as well as a replacement model for mature markets where music is a selling point. Handset vendors are learning some lessons about the emerging markets. They may want cheaper handsets, but they don't want bare-bones handset capabilities. This may just hit a nice sweet spot.
To read more about Agere's new handset platform:
- check out this article from EE Times