MIPS aims to put Android in HD consumer gear.(ENABLING TECHNOLOGY)

Google's Linux-based Android operating system, which was designed for mobile handsets, may soon start appearing in consumer gear.


MIPS Technologies is developing open-source technology that will allow Android to be the operating system in high-def CE gear such as TV sets, Blu-ray players and pay-TV set-top boxes.


It plans a demonstration of Android with its technology in a device that supports HD video on August 27.


MIPS' VP of marketing Art Swift said it's a lot of work to adapt Android for use in HD devices that'll be used in the home because it was developed for mobile devices. The CE version needs more powerful processors to handle the HD video, according to Swift.


He said there's no doubt Android will be deployed in mobile Internet devices, picture frames, multimedia and set-top boxes, VoIP devices and GPS gear.


MIPS did not get diverted by Google's recently announced Chrome operating system for netbooks/notebooks. MIPS said it was aware the announcement was coming and has focused its energies on enhancing Android, not Chrome.


MIPS officials met with prospective customers at the recent meeting of the Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF), which is developing standards for Android running on set-top boxes and other consumer devices.


MIPS said about 20 CE makers are interested and promised more announcements before the summer ends.


Swift said MIPS is seeing a lot of interest in using Android on the MIPS architecture in CE gear. "Android presents a compelling value proposition in bringing Internet connectivity and a broad range of applications to MIPS-based digital home devices," he said.
He said the company is working with CE makers and other technology partners "to ensure that critical technologies are available for developers to take advantage of Android for consumer electronics."


Separately Google has said that by year-end there'll be at least 18 phones on the market that use Android.