> In other words: dsPIC has dead before he is born. And it's
> grave diggers are universal 16 bit microcontrollers? I'm
> afraid I can't agree.

I don't think Olin ever meant THAT...or perhaps you don't mean whatever your
writing seems to convey.

> dsPIC - very specialized chip got dead nowadays due to it's
>         excessive specialization;

The dsPIC is not a "very specialized" chip. Again, I would think of it as
Olin said, a general 16-bit micro with some serious math capabilities.

The PIC's main market is small-to-medium embedded system manufacturers ---
you will not find a PIC inside your Sony Discman, or your GE Microwave.
"Mass production" is NOT an alternative for the masses...only the big corps.
Rapid prototyping is another big plus...I think giant multinationals also
might use custom-masked PICs for niche products. This small-medium-hobbyist
market is the PIC's main market, and I see no signs of it going away anytime
soon.

I would agree with Olin; you aren't going to find the dsPIC on your Creative
Audigy 10 (or whatever) sound card, nor in your Bose microsystem. The dsPIC
would definitely compete with the MSP430 in some market segments, and does
sound like a very good general purpose native 16-bit micro.

From a non-money perspective, I think the dsPIC is sensational, in that it
will allow students and hobbyists who prototype with breadboards to use a
"DSP" much earlier in their endeavours (or at all) than they otherwise
would.....almost no student would want to "play" with a TI '6000 devel board
($300, I think?) unless he or she has a specific project in mind.

Cheers,
Ishaan

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