Mediabolic and Equator Technologies Announce Strategic Partnership For Digital Entertainment Solutions

Business Wire, Jan 6, 2005

LAS VEGAS -- Equator Technologies, Inc. ("Equator"), a leading provider of high-performance, programmable and power-efficient system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors for video streaming and processing applications, and Mediabolic, Inc., an industry-leading provider of software infrastructure for connected entertainment devices, announced their strategic partnership today at CES.

Mediabolic joins Equator at CES to showcase a Linux-based digital media adapter reference design based on Equator's Babelfish(TM) Hardware Platform. Mediabolic offers software infrastructure for consumer electronics (CE) devices that connect and extend the digital home. The company embraces standards such as DLNA and NMPR that enable CE companies to provide interoperable solutions, which can be easily adopted by a broad base of consumers. Mediabolic's software is designed to deliver compelling, market-tested graphical user interfaces optimized for a familiar TV-based user experience, with a special focus on meeting each manufacturer's branding requirements.

"The partnership between Equator and Mediabolic has allowed us to create a reference design that will define the future of how consumers enjoy digital media in the home," said Daniel Putterman, president and CEO of Mediabolic. "We are very excited to be at CES with Equator, and will leverage our Equator partnership to enhance our leadership position in the digital entertainment market."

The Equator Babelfish Hardware Platform is designed to be a powerful, highly flexible, cost-optimized, and ready to manufacture reference design for set-top box and consumer electronics OEMs who want to launch video convergence devices for the digital home. As the successor to the Starfish(TM) Hardware Platform and based on the BSP(TM)-15 processor, the Babelfish platform adds a number of new features and options, including support for USB 2.0, wireless networking, and Linux 2.6. This is in addition to the multi-codec, multi-DRM, and advanced UI capabilities already present with BSP-15 software offerings.

"Availability of digital media drives the need for digital media adapters and TVs to be connected to the PC for delivery of content within the home, and to Internet-based content services outside the home. We see our partnership with Mediabolic as key to allowing CE companies to differentiate themselves and bring market leadership to their products," said Rich Christopher, president and CEO of Equator Technologies. "We are thrilled to be working jointly with Mediabolic and its partners to enable a high quality digital home entertainment experience for consumers in 2005."

Contact ces@equator.com to schedule a meeting with Equator at CES2005 at location LVCC S04 #35366.

About Mediabolic, Inc.

Mediabolic is a provider of software infrastructure for consumer electronics products, PCs, and PC peripherals. Mediabolic's proprietary middleware solution leverages patent-pending technology and open industry standards to create and extend consumer entertainment devices. Its modular platform is compatible with a wide variety of operating systems and chipsets and won top honors at CES 2004. Founded in 1999, Mediabolic is located in San Mateo, Calif. For more information, please visit www.mediabolic.com.

About Equator Technologies, Inc.

Equator Technologies is a provider of high-performance, programmable and power-efficient system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors for video streaming and image processing applications. Equator offers its proprietary BSP family of chips, iMMediaTools(R) software development toolkit, media libraries and reference platforms to customers worldwide. Equator's video-centric SoC solutions are available for digital media, digital video communications and video security and surveillance applications. Founded in 1996, Equator is a privately held company headquartered in Campbell, Calif., with additional offices worldwide. More information about Equator is available online at http://www.equator.com.

The following are trademarks of Equator Technologies, Inc., and may be used to identify Equator products only: Equator, the Equator logo, Equator Around, the Equator Around logo, MAP, MAP1000(R), MAP1000A, MAP-CA, MAP Series, BSP, FIRtree, DataStreamer, DS, iMMediaC(R), iMMediaTools(R), iMMediaToolsLite, Media Intrinsics, VersaPort, SofTV, StingRay, Dolphin, Tetra, Starfish and Babelfish. Mediabolic and the Mediabolic logo are trademarks of Mediabolic, Inc. Other product and company names contained herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.