Japanese CE group extend Android into new markets
Published: 12 August, 2009
Most of the Android headlines, and Google's attention, are focused on the handset, but other industry sectors have seen the chance to extend the Linux-based platform into other products. Japan has taken the lead in turning Android into a consumer electronics OS, and a Tokyo-based CE group, the Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF), has published a roadmap for set-top boxes and other devices.
This will build on various recent developments that are taking place quite independently of the Google-run program, including processor maker Mips' initiative to adapt Android for high definition displays. This will be part of the OESF developments for HD televisions and set-tops. Other Android extensions will cover IP phones, media players and embedded systems for automotive and medical markets.
According to EETimes, specific extensions that will be integrated with the core Android OS, to enable these changes to its remit, will include digital TV, multimedia, DLNA, Bluetooth, remote controls, pointing devices and network managers. There will also be creation of new user interface extensions suited to the new range of target products. For each extension, a set of APIs will be published - for instance, the digital TV interfaces will allow Android products to receive digital broadcasts, program recordings and display electronic programming guides.
The Bluetooth extension is needed since one of the glaring gaps in 'classic Android' has been the failure to support Bluetooth profiles.
OESF members will receive the first release of the APIs, based on the current Android 1.5, in November, with public release scheduled for February under the open source Apache License 2.0 (codenamed Blueberry Cupcake). The release of Android 2.0 will be an important step forward for the OESF project, as it will improve multimedia and large screen support, though Google can also expect to draw on some of the Japanese work to enhance its cellphone platform in 2010, as handsets take on an increasing number of the features of media players and HD devices.
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