Nvidia Corp. and Via Technologies have annulated the pact under which the two companies would develop low-power multimedia oriented platforms for various low-cost personal computers and similar systems. The union of Nvidia and Via was not made in heaven and it was generally expected that that it would either be suspended, or put at a very low priority.

Under the agreement between Nvidia and Via, the latter would develop feature-rich core-logic sets compatible with Via C7 and Via Nano central processing units. The platforms would fit into mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and would especially help Via Technologies to penetrate the market of netbooks with low power microprocessors. The companies called the platform as VN and both praised rich multimedia feature-set as well as low power consumption of the forthcoming set of chips from Via and Nvidia.

But recently the companies decided not to proceed further with the development of the platform, according to a news-story at DigiTimes web-site.

Perhaps, the decision to cease the partnership seems to be a surprise, but considering the fact that Via Nano processors are late to market, dual-core version of the chip is in distant future and Via’s future in general looks gloomy, Nvidia might decide not to spend any serious resources on the project.

Although cooperation on the platform is suspended, the two companies are still continuing to cooperate and will showcase co-developed desktop PC products at CES 2009.

Neither Nvidia nor Via commented on the news-story.