MWC 09 - Android Runs on New NVIDIA Tegra Platform

It seems like social networking is the biggest trend there is these days. Always being available online for work or play is something most mobile users are looking for in a device. To fill this void, NVIDIA Corporation has introduced a new platform, based on the NVIDIA Tegra 600 Series computer-on-a-chip that enables a $99 (Rs. 4,873 approx.), always-on, always-connected HD mobile internet device (MID) that can go days between battery charges.

“Mobile internet devices have evolved to provide consumers with the performance and connectivity required by today’s lifestyle,” said Michael Rayfield, general manager of the mobile business unit at NVIDIA. “Until now, consumers could get just another ‘gadget’ with limited functionality or a PC that’s not ‘always on’. A Tegra-based platform combines the best of both worlds.”

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The Tegra MID delivers:

• 720p and 1080p video playback
• Days of use between charges
• Full Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity
• Optimized hardware support for Web 2.0 applications for a true desktop-class internet experience
• A complete software solution including Microsoft Windows Embedded CE OS, application viewers, full Internet browser, UI framework, board support package (BSP), software development kit (SDK), Web mail client, and more

In addition, NVIDIA partnered with ST-Ericsson to add 3G communication capability into this new platform, allowing for seamless connectivity, worldwide. ICD, a leading consumer ODM, also announced support of the new class of devices enabled by this new platform.

NVIDIA also announced that it has worked closely with Google and the Open Handset Alliance to unleash Android, with the Tegra series of ‘computer-on-a-chip’ processors. By supporting Android, manufacturers and operators can now easily use a Tegra processor to build mobile phones with advanced user experiences that leverage web and Internet content and provide services such as mobile mash-ups and location-based applications.

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“We welcome NVIDIA’s support of Android on Tegra and we look forward to many more Android-based devices that deliver an outstanding consumer experience,” said Andy Rubin, Google’s senior director of mobile platforms.

NVIDIA will be enabling its OEM customers with a highly optimized and accelerated Android port starting in the second quarter of 2009.

“NVIDIA and Google are both working to unlock the visual computing potential of mobile devices and this announcement matches the power of Tegra with the innovation of the Android platform,” stated Michael Rayfield, general manager, mobile business unit at NVIDIA. “NVIDIA will be working within the Open Handset Alliance to continually strengthen the ability of Android to tap into advanced mobile graphics and media acceleration to make interaction with handheld technology more intuitive and instinctive.”

Check out Tegra in action here.