IoT-on-a-Chip Introduced
NXP Semiconductors (formerly Philips Semiconductors, www.nxp.com) will soon be offering its first Io T-on-a-chip device, which “significantly advances the future of
edge computing.” (Edge computing involves performing
some data processing at the outer edge of a network
close to the source, rather than in a central data center.)
The scalable offering shrinks NXP’s ARM®-based i.MX
applications processor, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth into a much
smaller size, bringing a wider range of functionality,
security, and connectivity to Io T (Internet of Things)
devices.
According to NXP Vice President Martyn Humphries,
“Representing a major step in the evolution from onboard
offerings to the future vision of Io T-on-a-chip, our highly
integrated solution completely demystifies the Internet of
Things. NXP’s forward-looking design approach will
provide customers with far greater efficiencies across their
Key features include an Arm Cortex-A7 processor,
The devices — introduced last February at the
Embedded World show in Nuremberg — will be available
in commercial quantities later this year. ▲
■ NXP’s upcoming
IoT-on-a-chip
device.
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Pop a Pic
If you look back fondly to the days when your Polaroid camera could spit out instant prints of drunken friends, Aunt Zelda taking a shower, and other images that amazed and embarrassed your friends and family, you can
stop fretting over yesteryear. Plus, if you’re sick and tired of expensive and messy toner and inkjet cartridges, not to
worry. A full-color printing technology from Zink Holdings ( zink.com) eliminates these outmoded technologies.
The Zink (for “zero ink”) print paper employs heat-sensitive layers of cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes, plus an
overcoat to protect your pix, and an optional pressure-sensitive adhesive backing so you can stick them up for all
to enjoy. The color is produced by varying pulses of heat, which melt crystals of amorphochromic dyes. After
resolidification, the dyes maintain their colors.
The process actually started as a Polaroid project back in the 1990s, but the company spun off Zink as a
separate entity in 2005. Now, it has incorporated a Zink printer
into its POP 20 MP digital camera to produce 3. 5 x 4. 25 in
Polaroid-style prints.
It features a 3. 97 in touch screen display and a microSD slot
for image storage. It would be nice if it also offered water
resistance, a rechargeable battery, focus and zoom adjustments,
image stabilization, and an integrated flash but, alas, you don’t
get any of those. However, you can edit, rotate, and crop
photos, and even draw on them. It also comes with a free
download of the Polaroid Print App for iOS and Android.
The camera itself will set you back about $200 retail, and
the print paper isn’t cheap at around a buck per sheet. Print
packs for the old One Steps were even pricier, and convenience
costs money. ▲
CIRCUITS and DEVICES
■ Polaroid’s Pop, featuring a built-in Zink printer.
12 May/June 2018
