Q
Tell us a bit about Cherry.
A
Cherry was established in the 1950s by
Walter Cherry and is still run by his son,
Peter. Our products are fairly diverse –
microswitches, used in various applications
from white goods to fruit machines;
automotive components, used in 80% of
European vehicles; and computer
keyboards and mice for industrial and
consumer applications. Our main factory
is in Germany, but we have established
other manufacturing sites across the world
and our concentration is on quality goods
that will last.
Q
What products do you specialise in?
A
We manufacture a wide range of computer
keyboards and mice, from standard models
through to multimedia and beyond. Our
products are innovative and attractive, as
well as being highly reliable and robust.
Q
The NGP range of keyboards was launched
earlier this year, tell us about them...
A
‘NGP’ stands for New Generation Products
and is otherwise known as the eVolution
series, which includes both keyboards and
mice. The keyboards range from a simple
wired model called the Stream, which
offers six multimedia keys, up to the
flagship model, the Marlin, which is
wireless with ten media keys. This righthanded
ergonomic laser mouse uses
2.4GHz frequency for an extended range of
10m. Mice range from the simple, wired,
optical five-button Touch to the wireless,
seven-button, laser Ergo-Shark models…
Q
What’s next for Cherry?
A
The NGP range will be expanded in 2008
with more products, widening the audience
of Cherry products immensely. We’ve seen
early examples of the new products and it’s
quite an exciting time for us with such an
enhanced range coming through. We will
also continue to provide our Advanced
Performance range and hopefully gain even
more customers who are interested in
smartcard or biometric applications.
Q
This is a whole new field. Could you tell us
something about your biometric apps?
A
Cherry’s new FingerTIP ID Boards range
includes the G83-14600, which
authenticates fingerprints using patented
AuthenTec AES2501B technology.
AuthenTec’s AES2501 is the only solution in
production that reads below the surface of
the skin to the live layer, where the true
fingerprint resides. This unique subsurface
approach enables AuthenTec sensors to
read virtually every fingerprint, anywhere.
The FingerTIP ID Board G83-14600 is
also equipped with an integrated PC/SC
USB chip card reader. The chip card reader
supports all established standards such as
ISO 7816, EMV 2000, Microsoft WHQL, USB
CCID, PC/SC, HBCI and the PC-2001.
Q
And you even offer a biometric mouse...
A
Previously it was only possible to store
biometric data for user authentication on a
PC or server; but this data can now also be
stored directly onto our new FingerTIP ID
M-4200 mouse. Highly flexible, the mouse
can store up to 15 different fingerprints
depending on the template size.
Cherry's Top 5 Products:
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