Mizi Research has updated its graphical user interface framework for consumer
electronic devices like mobile phones. Prizm 3.0 has switched to Python
as its main application programming language, and has gained modern visual
effects such as "dragging, sliding, fading and accelerated smart scrolling,"
the company said.
Prizm is supplied as an SDK (software development kit) based on an Eclipse
3.0 GUI framework. It supports both Linux and Windows development hosts,
and includes:
IDE (integrated development environment) supporting Python and C/C++
application development, and cross-compilation
Target application builder Eclipse plugin for "configuration, dependency
checking, conflict resolution, project management, deployment support
and cross compiling of WMMX, gcc"
Remote debugger provides breakpoint or tracepoint debugging
Compared to the previous release, Prizm 3.0 offers more multimedia and
messaging features. On the multimedia side, it supports MPEG, H.263/4,
RealMedia, and WMA/V, along with OEM-added plugins, Mizi said. New messaging
features include push-email and an interactive window said to provide
a more IM-like text messaging experience.
Another touted characteristic of Prizm 3.0 is faster development. According
to Mizi, one top-tier device manufacturer recently completed development
in six months with Prizm 3.0, less whereas 13 months had been required
to build a phone based on Prizm 2.5.
Mizi's biggest customer is Samsung, which used Prizm 2.5 in its SCH-i819
and SGH-i858
handset models. Samsung has not yet announced a Prizm 3.0-based device,
as far as we know.
Finally, Prizm 3.0 adds "fun and dynamic" GUI features that have traditionally
been hard to find on mobile phones, Mizi said. These include dragging,
sliding, fading and accelerated smart scrolling. The company supplied
the screenshots below to illustrate these new features.
Dragging
Sliding
Fading
Scaling
Smart Scrolling accelerates list scrolling based on key presses,
touchscreen tap and drag actions
Enhanced phone messaging, including push email and "interactive
box" for IM-like SMS
messaging
CEO Y. Seo stated that "Prizm
will bring dramatic development efficiency and productivity improvements
to device manufacturers, whilst providing powerful features and a
sophisticated, fun and dynamic GUI to end-users. Additionally, MIZI
is cooperating with various industry members such as telecom operators,
OEMs, chip vendors and ISVs to form a Linux terminal software ecosystem
and we expect to release the first commercial product as a result
of this collaboration effort in Q4 of 2007."
