Google Android Gets A Boost Beyond Cell Phones

In a move aimed at accelerating the use of the Android platform beyond mobile phones, MIPS Technologies said it’s making the Android platform available on its MIPS architecture.

Announced Monday, MIPS said it will make its source code publically available within 60 days for the new applications. MIPS, which provides processor architectures and cores for home entertainment communications, networking, and portable multimedia markets, envisions its software being used for DTVs, set-top boxes, digital picture frames, and mobile Internet devices.

In a move aimed at accelerating the use of the Android platform beyond mobile phones, MIPS Technologies said it’s making the Android platform available on its MIPS architecture.

Announced Monday, MIPS said it will make its source code publically available within 60 days for the new applications. MIPS, which provides processor architectures and cores for home entertainment communications, networking, and portable multimedia markets, envisions its software being used for DTVs, set-top boxes, digital picture frames, and mobile Internet devices.

In its Monday announcement, MIPS pointed out that its software stack delivers a device-agnostic application development platform.

“With the MIPS ecosystem around Android,” the MIPS announcement stated, “OEMs will be able to quickly optimize Android for their specific platforms.”

MIPS said it has forged partnerships with Embedded Alley and Viosoft to help with porting, integration, and testing in the Android effort. Both partner companies are providers of Linux software solutions.