ARM launches Solution Center for Android-powered devices

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND: As part of its continued work to foster innovation and openness in connected devices, ARM announced the Solution Center for Android, a resource for designers and developers of ARM technology-based products running on Android, the open source platform from the Open Handset Alliance.

More than 35 members of the ARM Connected Community have joined this initiative, once again demonstrating the strength of the ARM ecosystem.

As the user experience in the home and on mobile devices evolves, consumers expect products from picture frames to smartphones and netbooks to fit their connected lifestyle with always-on connectivity and easy access to the newest relevant applications.

To meet these always-shifting market demands, developers require assurance that the components they are using are up to the task. Android was written for the ARM architecture and Android 2.0 was launched on high-performance Cortex-A processor designs and has been tested extensively on major handset solutions.

“As we have seen through the recent launches of handsets such as Motorola’s Droid and Acer’s Liquid, the Android platform represents a fundamental change in the open source ecosystem,” said Kevin Smith, VP Segment Marketing, ARM.

“ARM is the leading processor architecture for Internet everywhere applications from mobile to the connected home and with that leadership, ARM is in a position to foster an innovative ecosystem to ensure that device manufacturers have the best development solutions at their disposal. The Solution Center for Android serves as a one-stop guide to provide developers with the tools and information they need to create innovative devices with applications that satisfy consumers’ needs.”

“Consumer adoption of smartbooks, smartphones and other ‘always on’ connected devices is forecast to increase significantly in the next few years,” said Jeff Orr, senior analyst at ABI Research. “Manufacturers of these devices need a support structure that enables them to develop cutting-edge devices quickly and affordably.”

In addition to the support of major OEMs, Silicon Partners and solution providers, the Solution Center for Android comprises more than 35 members of the ARM Connected Community that provide development tools, solutions and services optimized specifically for Android on the ARM platform.

Participating partners include Acrodea, America Megatrends, Archos, Atelier, Beijing Farsight, CoWare, Datalight, Discretix Technologies, Embedded Artists AB, Enea, Haansoft, Incube Solutions, Ingenient Technologies, Intrinsyc Software, iWave Systems, Lauterbach, LSF Design, Mapusoft, Mentor Graphics, Mistrial Solution, Montavista, Movial, NECEL, Open Kernel Labs, Pathpartnertech, QSound, Symsource, SQLStar, Tata Elxis, Texas Instruments, Thundersoft, Vayavya Labs, Viosoft, VirtualLogix, VisualOn, Wipro and Zii Labs.