Broadcom announced that it had added its wireless combo chip to the standard Android platform, which may allow handset vendors producing phones based off Google's Android platform to make cheaper Android phones.
The technology allows WiFi, Bluetooth and FM radios to be put onto a silicon die. Broadcom also said it would allow open access to parts of the company's combo chip drivers, which will give Android developers "a head-start in designing mobile devices and applications that utilize the best in wireless connectivity solutions."
The ability to place all three radio functions on a single chip could mean smaller, cheaper Android phones. It will also mean phones that have greater multimedia and data capabilities.
The move comes just as handset vendors are promising to ramp up production of Android-based phones. HTC, Motorola, Samsung and others have said they will release more Android phones this year.
For more:
- see this article [1]
- see this release [2]
- see this post [3]
Related Articles:
Broadcom [4], Freescale post large losses
Broadcom [5] wins round over Qualcomm in patent litigation
Huawei [6] to launch Android phone at Mobile World Congress
Qualcomm [7] puts Android on Snapdragon devices
Links:
[1] http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/smartphones/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=213201946&subSection=All+Stories
[2] http://www.fiercewireless.com/press-releases/broadcom-becomes-first-enable-android-mobile-platform-support-wireless-connectivity-0
[3] http://gigaom.com/2009/02/05/broadcom-enables-cheaper-android-phones/
[4] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/broadcom-freescale-post-large-losses/2009-01-30?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss&cmp-id=OTC-RSS-FW0
[5] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/broadcom-wins-round-qualcomm-patent-litigation/2008-11-19
[6] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/huawei-launch-android-phone-mobile-world-congress/2009-01-22
[7] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/qualcomm-puts-android-snapdragon-devices/2009-01-09