Amiga Announces Partnership with QNX for Next Generation Amiga
Architecture
Amiga Inc. has announced a partnership 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 partnership 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.
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