The new Google Android Operating System, due to be launched in 2010, could become a major platform for home entertainment systems and set top boxes with several third party developers already working on entertainment extensions for the platform.
The Google OS which is set to be free to vendors and developers is already being developed by MIPS Technologies and one of its partners according to the EE Times.
MIPS are currently working on extensions that support high-definition video displays Blu-ray players, set-top boxes and home automation devices.
The Google open source code was made available to developers last Monday.
MIPS and Sigma Designs, plan to demonstrate a version of Android supporting high def on Aug. 27.
Sigma Designs unveiled a MIPS-based system-on-chip running Android on a prototype Blu-ray drive when MIPS announced its support for Android at Computex in June.
The EE Times reported “It’s quite a lot of work moving from a mobile platform to HD, and it needs more powerful processors,” said Art Swift, vice president of marketing for MIPS. “That’s exactly the challenge the MIPS community has–to optimize Android for this [digital living room] user experience,” he added.
Among the companies already researching the new Google OS is Scientific Atlanta, a Cisco owned set top box company, and Motorola. Also researching the new offering is home automation companies AMX, Control 4 and Crerstron.
