What is amBX?

amBX extends the entertainment experience beyond traditional media out into the room around you. It is a middleware platform that abstracts display and feedback hardware like LED lights, fans and force-feedback products to render a consistent "experience" that adapts to the mix of licensed amBX peripherals available in an environment.

What is the amBX SDK?

The amBX SDK (Software Development Kit) provides the amBX API and development tools. It enables developers to quickly add amBX support to their software without worrying about drivers and configuration.

Can I use the amBX SDK for personal use?

Yes - you can develop software provided you agree to the terms of the SDK Licence for Personal Use in the installer. This does not entitle you to publish software.

Can I use the amBX SDK commercially?

Yes - you can develop and publish software provided you agree to the terms of the SDK Licence for Distribution and the Trademark Licence. Your software must comply with the Self-Certification Requirements and follow the guidelines.

Can I use the amBX logo and name in my product or advertising?

Yes - you must agree to the terms of the Trademark Licence and follow the guidelines.

Do I need to have amBX software installed on my PC to start using the SDK?

Yes - you should install the latest official amBX system and drivers located on the main amBX downloads page. Do not use Beta system software.

Do you need an amBX kit to use the amBX SDK?

The amBX SDK has a Virtual amBX test tool that allows you to test effects on your PC without having to have amBX hardware.

Can I buy amBX hardware?

The first generation amBX products are the Philips PC gaming amBX peripherals available for purchase in major retailers. Premium Developers will enjoy preferential rates.

Is amBX all about ambient lighting?

Ambient lighting is only a part of what amBX provides. The technology allows peripheral manufactures to create all manner of experiences including air movement, temperature change, rumble effects, animatronic characters and information displays. Lighting is hugely powerful, in a similar way to sound it can be used to increase the richness of many aspects of dramatic content. So for example as well as reproducing the direct ambience of a space or rendering an explosion it can be used to convey mood, give an impression of temperature change or create menacing shadows. In the same way that surround sound brought a new set of creative tools to the entertainment industry, amBX will provide a further palette of effects which we have now put in the hands of game designers - we are as excited as anyone to see what they can do with it.

What types of effects are available?

Within the standard frameworks:

• For lights, you can control the colour in RGB space and fade smoothly between colours.
• For fans, you can control the intensity.
• For force-feedback, you can choose from a variety of rumbles (road, explosion etc) and play them at different intensities and speeds.

 

All of the effects are positioned within a virtual space around the user that is rendered on devices according to their position configuration settings.

What is the amBX API?

The amBX API is a pure C API.

What platforms are supported?

The current amBX SDK supports Microsoft Windows platforms. SDK for Sony PLAYSTATION ®3 will be available to licensed Sony PS3 developers soon.

Are you part of Philips?

No - amBX UK Ltd is now an independent company that spun out of Philips Corporate Technologies in October 2008 with VC funding. Philips Peripherals & Accessories division remain a licensee through sales of amBX gaming kits.