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NEC Electronics released the "AP131" LSI chip for music playback.

The chip enables mobile phones to play music files encoded using Apple's iTunes and Windows Media Player. According to NEC, the chip also offers low powerconsumption and allows 60 hours of continuous playback.

The AP131 supports audio formats including MP4 and ASF. Mobile phones will be able to share and play the same music files (excluding files with DRM copyright protection) designed for portable digital music players and PCs without changing the encoding formats. Like the company's previous model, the latest chip can also supports playback of "SD-Audio" files encoded using "MOOCS Player" music player software.

The chip integrates a range of music playback-specialized capabilities, such as a CPU and a DSP dedicated to music playback and the circuit that realizes surround effect through hardware processing. Furthermore, the company estimates power has been lowered by about 15% compared to the previous model, thanks to a function that analyzes and controls an operation clock.

NEC currently ships samples at ?1,000 per unit. A volume production line has already been prepared for the product. NEC Electronics plans to achieve a monthly output of about 1 million units by the end of FY2007. The company intends to present this chip at the "3GSM World Congress 2007" event to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from February 12 to 15, 2007.