Software bundle from Fluffy Spider Technologies and Open Kernel

Wednesday, 25 July 2007 07:24

The bundle benefits innovative OEMs and end-users of consumer, mobile, commercial and industrial devices, such as smart phones, TV set-top boxes, point-of-service terminals, in-car systems and building automation devices that meet and pre-empt current market demands. The alliance also offers OEMs the option of outsourcing the complete software development lifecycle of next generation products.

FST and OK’s technology also provides a quick and easy way for OEMs to transition to other operating systems, such as Linux, with minimal, if any, modifications to their existing applications.

The bundle consists of:

- FancyPantsTM, FST's award-winning platform for the development of embedded applications with advanced GUIs and high-performance multimedia capabilities; offering an unparalleled user experience by enabling OEMs to quickly and easily create embedded applications with a breathtaking look and feel, while reducing development and hardware costs.

- OKL4, Open Kernel Labs’ microkernel operating system and virtualisation technology, providing the world's best-performance and enabling development of reliable, trustworthy and affordable embedded systems.

This is one outcome of their joint research, development and marketing alliance announced April 17, 2007 and builds upon an initial Memorandum Of Understanding, dated May 30, 2006, between FST and NICTA – Australia’s ICT Research Centre of Excellence and the incubator for OK. NICTA began the joint research that generated the technology leading to current business opportunities for FST and OK.

As demonstrated in the following diagrams :-

- The upcoming release of FancyPants Version 2.0 provides further support for multiple operating systems and applications, within the one device, and with a seamless user interface. The look-and-feel of the interface can also be personalized by the end-user or remotely updated (e.g. for re-branding purposes), including skins and screen layouts. Diagram 1 provides an example where two Real Time Operating Systems and one General Purpose Operating System are present.

- The OKL4 implementation of FancyPants provides an integrated solution for both high-end and low-cost mass-market devices, with a very small footprint that reduces hardware resource requirements and costs. Diagram 2A shows a high-end device. Diagram 2B shows a low-cost mass-market device.

"We look forward to the ongoing collaborative delivery of products that enable OEMs to further differentiate themselves and offer better end-user service through highly innovative and secure devices. We provide options with a common approach for both high-end and low-cost mass markets,” said Robi Karp, CEO, Fluffy Spider Technologies.

“From our initial engagement with FST to date, our collaboration has created many commercial opportunities,” said Steve Subar, CEO and co-founder of Open Kernel Labs. “We are actively involved with world-leading OEMs and chip-set manufacturers who have expressed high interest in the joint technology offerings. We expect to announce these relationships within the year.”

About Fluffy Spider Technologies P/L
FST specializes in providing advanced GUI and high-performance multimedia products for embedded application development, backed by comprehensive custom development services. Since 1995, clients include Toshiba, VeriFone, Ericsson, HP, Optus, Vodafone and GEC.  FST also has a Memorandum of Understanding with NICTA - Australia's ICT Research Centre of Excellence.  For more information on FST and its products visit www.fluffyspider.com or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

About Open Kernel Labs
Open Kernel Labs’ (OK) technology leadership in embedded operating systems and virtualisation technology enables the development of reliable, trustworthy and affordable devices.  Supported by NICTA, Australia’s prestigious Center of Excellence in ICT research, OK’s open source microkernel operating system, OKL4, offers the highest proven performance combined with strong protection and security features in order to provide developers with a robust, open-source platform for building secure, differentiated embedded applications. For more information, visit www.ok-labs.com


About NICTA
National ICT Australia (NICTA) is a national research institute with a charter to build Australia’s pre-eminent Centre of Excellence for information and communications technology (ICT). NICTA is building capabilities in ICT research, research training and commercialisation in the ICT sector for the generation of national benefit.

National ICT Australia is funded by the Australian Government as represented by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Australian Research Council through Backing Australia’s Abilityand the ICT Centre of Excellence program

NICTA was established and is supported by its members: The Australian Capital Territory Government; The Australian National University; NSW Department of State and Regional Development; and The University of New South Wales. NICTA is also supported by its partners: The University of Sydney; University of Melbourne; the Victorian Government; the Queensland Government; Griffith Uni.; Queensland University of Technology; and The University of Queensland.