amiga-news.de - Amiga Announces Alliance with QNX for Next Generation Amiga Architecture

15.Nov.1998
AC

Amiga Announces Alliance with QNX for Next Generation Amiga Architecture
Press release: Amiga Inc. has announced an alliance with QNX Software Systems Ltd. to utilize the QNX realtime operating system (RTOS) as the foundation for the Next Generation Amiga architecture.

"The Amiga shook the industry in the 80's with world leading multimedia architecture." said Jeff Schindler General Manager of Amiga Inc. "QNX's RTOS resembles many of Amiga's unique qualities. It provides the foundation in reaching our vision for the rebirth of Amiga in the new millenium."

"We see this alliance as a powerful combination of superior OS technologies, common corporate cultures and shared business vision." said Dan Dodge, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of QNX Software Systems Ltd.

Building upon the QNX OS foundation, Amiga, Inc. will work with QNX to add features and functions needed to create the Next Generation in Computing, as Amiga did in 1985.

Next Generation Targeted Features

Operating System Core Features

Scalable and modular design
Fully Protected Preemptive Multitasking; with processes and threads
Efficient and compact OS (under 4MBs)
Full 32 bit
True RTOS
Virtual Memory support
ROM-able
Multi Processor support
Distributed processing support
Open standards architecture
Support for industry standard API's

Multimedia

High performance 3D (Open GL)
Full 24-bit true color
Support standard TV, SVGA and resolutions up to HDTV
Multi-Media Gaming centric
Real-time animation (audio/video/graphics)

Internet/Networking

Network centric architecture
High performance Internet solutions
Full Java support
Consumer networking

Convergence

Support new digital interface standards
Amiga convergence API's where no standards exist
Support leading convergence processing hardware

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should Amiga developers start programming for QNX now?

A: No. While QNX is the foundation OS, Amiga in partnership with QNX will add user interface enhancements, more multimedia support and a host of other convergence features. This will be released through Amiga Inc's developers program.

Q: Will I have to re-write my application to run on Next Generation Amiga's?

A: Yes. The new OS has a programming model that is similar to the Classic Amiga's, but also sufficiently different. In particular, the new OS features processes and threads (a "thread" is like an Amiga Process/Task), virtual memory and a very clean microkernel architecture. All access to hardware is through drivers, so if your application "hits the hardware" it will not work. Most well written applications should be able to be ported, but to take full advantage of the new architecture you will want to take advantage of the new APIs. We also intend to offer significantly better development tools than are currently available for the classic, which should ease the transition.

Q: How about my Classic applications? Will they run?

A: For the Development System, we are investigating either an "Amiga Classic PCI card" or an "Amiga Classic Emulator". Therefore well behaved 3.1/3.5 Amiga Classic applications should work.

For more information about QNX Software Systems, visit www.qnx.com. (ps)

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