Empower Technologies(TM) and Texas Instruments Streamline Consumer Electronic Development

Simplifying the integration of Linux and DSP applications, Empower Technologies (Empower) and Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) today announced the release of Empower's latest LinuxDA Embedded Operating System (LEOs 2.3) running Linux Kernel 2.6.12 along with TI's DSP/BIOS(TM) Link for TI's OMAP5912 dual-core digital signal processor (DSP) and ARM general purpose processor (GPP). For the first time the Linux Kernel 2.6.12 is available with the OMAP5912 and TI's latest software tools, such as DSP/BIOS(TM) Link, Code Composer Studio(TM) Integrated Development Environment and Reference Framework 6 (RF6) so developers can create consumer electronics products at reduced cost, risk and time-to-market.

Available in the LDK5912 Development Kit, LEOs for TI's OMAP5912 dual-core processor with Linux Kernel 2.6.12 is the latest Linux operating software released by Empower. A complete development solution, Empower's LDK5912 comes with a flexible hardware board based on TI's OMAP5912 dual-core processor and solid software platform, making the kit ideal for applications that require high processing performance and long battery life in a feature rich, small package. Developers can use the LDK5912 to compile, download and test applications within minutes of set-up using the latest LEOs Linux kernel and TI's software tools offering.

The LDK5912 runs LEOs with Linux Kernel 2.6.12 and supports TI's latest DSP/BIOS Link version 1.3, DSP/BIOS real-time kernel and Code Composer Studio IDE for the OMAP5912. TI's DSP/BIOS Link 1.3, which is only available with LEOs, offers a unified and seamless interprocessor software interface between the ARM and DSP, improving memory management and enabling developers to easily integrate applications with DSP algorithms and software. This further simplifies development, messaging and pool application program interfaces (APIs) on the ARM to mirror those in DSP/BIOS 5.20 on the DSP. These unified APIs result in extremely efficient programming and interprocessor communication.

"The easy integration enabled by LEOs 2.3 on the LDK5912 will allow developers to efficiently design consumer electronics applications that are feature rich and truly differentiated," said Huy Pham, DSP SoC marketing manager, TI. "Empower continues to be a valuable member of the TI DSP Third Party Network and consistently delivers reliable, flexible solutions to customers."

The LDK5912 also comes with five sample WAV applications that are fully compatible with TI's RF6 version 3.1. WAV, or WAVE, (Waveform audio format) is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing audio on PCs. These applications demonstrate how easily LEOs and DSP/BIOS Link can interact with DSP codecs to leverage the processing performance of TI's OMAP5912 dual-core processor. Additionally, documentation shows developers how to create and download DSP codecs for their own custom device applications using an available JTAG interface and Code Composer Studio IDE. The LDK5912 running LEOs offers the advantage of supporting multiple programs and algorithms that are optimized for TI's TMS320C55x(TM) DSP generation. This robust functionality reduces software development time and empowers designers to create cutting edge products by taking full advantage of the performance of TI's OMAP5912 dual-core processor.

"We are very excited to be able to deliver an out-of-the box embedded Linux solution in LEOs 2.3 for consumer electronics developers and wireless device manufacturers. This latest accomplishment by Empower's engineering team is impressive and solid proof of our software strength," said Paul Leung, President and CEO of Empower Technologies.

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LDK5912 Specifications

LEOs(R)2.3 for OMAP5912 consists of:

- Linux 2.6 Kernel (LDK5912)

- The following support is offered for LDK5912:

- Drivers for the LDK5912 peripheral set

- Hardware power management

- TI DSP/BIOS Link Support

- LEOs Message Queue System with support for the LEOs proprietary GUI.

- Software development tools (including DSP/BIOS Link support)

- Software applications including:

- Productivity software such as Contacts, Calendar and Task Managers,

Soft Keypad, Currency, Notes, Today, Unit and Handwriting

Recognition

- System applications such as Clock, Math, Scientific and Financial

Calculators, Touch Calibrate, Records Find, File Manager, Welcome

Screen and SD Tool

- Multimedia applications such as Wave Player, Paint and Games:

Blocks, Glines, Mine, Puzzle, Snake and Tic Tac Toe

LDK5912 Package Includes :

- LDK5912 Kit (containing the following modules):

- Interface Display Module (IDM) 3.5" TFT LCD display included

- LAN Expansion Module (LEM) Ethernet onboard

- Embedded Processor Module (EPM) OMAP5912 onboard

- Display Stand

- Universal AC/DC Power Adapter

- RJ45e Ethernet Cable

- Mini-A USB Host Cable

- Mini-B USB Client Cable

- Dual Serial DB9 Cable

- USB A to B Adapter

- Stylus (2 pcs.)

- 1800mAh Li-polymer Rechargeable Battery

- Metal Stand-Off and Screw (4 pcs.)

- Quick Start Guide

- End User License Agreement

- Registration Card

- LDK5912 Tools and Documentation CD

(containing the following):

- Documentation:

LDK5912 Quick Start Guide

LDK5912 Hardware Design Manual

LinuxDA Software Development Manual - Volume 1: SDK

LinuxDA Software Development Manual - Volume 2: API

LinuxDA Software Development Manual - Volume 3: DSP

LinuxDA Productivity Suite User Manual

- Tools:

Linux 2.6 Kernel (binary and source) and bootloader

LinuxDA Productivity Suite applications

LinuxDA SDK including LinuxDA and LinuxDA GUI Libraries

Development Toolchain

DSP Wav Player and Recorder demonstration programs

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The LDK5912 is currently available for $1,800 USD at

www.empowertechnologies.com.

About the Texas Instruments DSP Third Party Network

Empower Technologies is a member of the TI DSP Third Party Network, a worldwide organization of independent companies that offer products and services supporting TI DSPs. As solution facilitators, TI third parties provide expertise across a variety of applications including audio, broadband, control, military, networking, optical networking, security, telecom, video and imaging, voice processing and wireless communications. Third party products and services include a broad range of application software, development hardware and software, and consulting services that help customers increase development efforts and accelerate time-to-market. For more information about the TI DSP Third Party Network, please visit http://www.ti.com/3p.

About Empower Technologies(TM)

Founded in 2000, Empower Technologies is an innovative company that brings the power and flexibility of the LEOs(R) (LinuxDA Embedded Operating System) to the dynamic Consumer Electronics Industry and the emerging Intelligent Appliance Market, through their development of Linux-based operating software, embedded system technologies and solutions.

The products and services that form the base of its business activities include an embedded system development platform for LEOs(R), based on Texas Instruments(TM) embedded CPU platform, that fulfill the needs and demands of developers and the Consumer Electronics Industry. Empower is continuing to develop LEOs(R) and newer versions of embedded CPU's in line with Texas Instruments(TM).

By uniting top professionals from within the computer industry and developing quality partnerships and strategic alliances, Empower is committed to being the leading developer of Linux-based operating software and embedded system technologies and solutions for consumer electronics manufacturers and developers.

Empower's brands are "LEOs(R)", "LinuxDA(TM)", Linux-based embedded operating systems and "PowerPlay(TM)", smart consumer electronics.

Paul Leung

Chairman, President and CEO

Empower Technologies Corporation

The statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements. Such statements are based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections using available information. The company cautions that actual financial results could differ materially from the current expectations due to a number of factors.

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the

proposed transactions and has neither approved nor disapproved the

contents of this press release.

LEOs, PowerPlay and LinuxDA are the trademarks of Empower Technologies, Inc. All other brands are trademarks of their respective owners.

For further information: Contact Information: Media Enquiries: Paul Leung, Chairman, President and CEO, pcleung@empowertechnologies.com, or via Tel @ (604) 278-3100; Investor Relations: David Flynn, Principal, dflynn787@rogers.com, or via Tel @ (416) 346-7725; More Information on Empower Technologies: www.empowertechnologies.com; LEOs(R) Sales Enquiries: sales@empowertechnologies.com, or via Tel @ (604) 278-3100

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