March 31, 2005

Qualcomm just formed a new business division to help focus on display technology for small-sized screens.

The new division, Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Inc. or QMT, is based on technology Qualcomm scored through its acquisition of Iridigm Display Corp. in September 2004.

In forming the new division, Qualcomm also signed a new deal with Prime View International to manufacture the displays.

"QMT selected PVI due to their expertise and specialization in small- and medium-format TFT displays. We are extremely pleased to work with PVI to bring iMoD displays to mainstream production," said Greg Heinzinger, senior vice president and general manager of QMT.

iMoD is Qualcomm's new display technology. The company said the technology "promises substantial performance and power consumption benefits over alternative display technologies."

The company said the technology delivers bright, reflective displays that can operate over an extended temperature range, and can be viewed in bright sunlight and a much wider array of environments than displays based on competitive technologies.

In creating the management for the new QMT division, Qualcomm gathered internal executives as well as those from Iridigm.

"We are very pleased to have such a talented group of individuals form QMT's management team," said Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm's chief executive officer-elect. "This management team has the depth and experience to stay ahead of the changing mobile display market."

Display technologies have recently come to the fore in the wireless industry as a potential area for improvement. Bright mobile-phone displays often take their toll on battery life, and a variety of companies are researching crisp, low-power displays.

In other Qualcomm news, the company announced the availability of Eudora2go, a mobile Eudora email client for BREW handsets.

Source: RCR News