MIPS driving Android to digital home @ Computex 2011!

MIPS Technologies Inc. is having a good run at the ongoing Computex 2011. First, with Taiwan’s Silicon Integrated Systems Corp. (SiS), it announced the latest milestone in driving the Android platform into the digital home. It launched the MIPS Application Development (MAD) Program designed to promote rapid development of applications on the MIPS architecture.

MIPS, along with Ingenic Semiconductor, a leading China-based CPU provider for mobile multimedia applications, have brought the Android 3.0, also known as ‘Honeycomb’, to Ingenic’s new JZ4770 mobile applications processor, which leverages a MIPS-Based XBurst CPU running at 1GHz. Honeycomb is the newest version of the Android operating system designed specifically for tablets and other large format products. MIPS and Ingenic will work together on porting Honeycomb to the Ingenic chip for tablets.  Lastly, MIPS and Actions Semiconductor Co. Ltd, one of China’s leading fabless semiconductor companies that provides solutions for portable consumer electronics, are collaborating to bring Android 3.0, also known as “Honeycomb,” to a new 1.3GHz MIPS-Based chipset from Actions.

Jennifer Bernier-Santarini, senior PR manager, MIPS.

So, how is MIPS aligning with SiS to drive the Android into the home? Jennifer Bernier-Santarini, senior PR manager for MIPS, said that SiS is a long-time MIPS licensee, and like many of the licensees, is innovating with Android on the MIPS architecture for the digital home and for mobile/portable products.

Over the years, as MIPS has introduced new high performance cores, SiS has progressively and quickly licensed these cores for its products. Its newest chip for Internet TV leverages dual-core MIPS processors along with the latest technologies including support for high-end graphics and enhanced video processing, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, video on demand recording, plus interoperability with mobile devices.

Santarini added: “SiS recently licensed our 1074K core, which combines a superscalar architecture with coherent multiprocessing, for its next generation product. SiS works with other leading IP companies including MIPS’ partner Imagination Technologies to build the most advanced technologies into its products. Earlier this year, SiS announced support for MIPS’ new Android based SmartCE platform for connected entertainment on DTVs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes and other home products. We are continuing to work with SiS through our Android on MIPS community on further development and optimizations around its Android on MIPS products.”

MIPS has also launched the MAD Program designed to promote rapid development of applications on the MIPS architecture.

Santarini added: The MIPS Application Development (MAD) Program is the latest offering from MIPS designed to promote rapid development of applications on the MIPS architecture. Initially we will focus on Android applications for MIPS-Based mobile devices. We are providing performance and compatibility testing so that applications developers can ensure their applications run smoothly on the MIPS architecture and provide an ideal user experience. Through the program, we are also offering technical support and a MAD Kit of tools for MIPS application development.

“Ultimately, applications developers will want to ensure that their apps run across all of the major architectures, so we are making it easy for them to do this. We will soon be announcing some other initiatives to further build the applications ecosystem for Android on MIPS-Based mobile devices with a focus on the China market, where there is not currently an official Android market. Stay tuned for that news.”

Is this a war of tablets, or Apple OS vs. Google Android?

The iPad; Courtesy: Apple

So, the Apple iPad has some serious competitors, or so, it seems! From Korea and Japan, especially, in form of first, Samsung and now, Toshiba. Well, it has a competitor from India too!

Samsung's Galaxy Tab

First, Samsung announced its Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet at the ongoing IFA 2010 in Berlin. Very soon, Toshiba followed with its Folio 100 Android tablet, also at the IFA.

There’s a news on the Web about yet another Samsung tabllet, titled Honeycomb, which should be coming soon.

Viewsonic, reports Gizmodo, is showing two tablets at the IFA — the ViewPad 100, a 10-inch model that dual boots Windows Home Premium 7 and Android 1.6, and the ViewPad 7 running on Android 2.2.

The OlivePad - VT100, India’s first 3.5G Pad.

Now, those in India would be quite familiar with Olive Telecom’s OlivePad – VT100, India’s first 3.5G Pad. It supports 3.5G, Wi-Fi, HSUPA and Bluetooth, and features an inbuilt 3-megapixel camera and a front camera. The Olive Pad can be used as a touch notebook.

Hey, what’s happening? We literally have an ongoing war of the tablets (tablet PCs) on our hands. Not that anyone’s complaining!

The other interesting point is the emergence of Google Android as a leading operating system (OS) in this domain, trying to take on the Apple iOS 3.2!

Maybe, more tablets are on their way.

I’ll compare some specs of the few tablets mentioned here, along with the iPad, a bit later, time permitting.

As of now, it seems the game’s on between the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab! There, I’ve joined this debate!!

Google vs. Cuil? Really?

Cuil, the new search engine apparently launched by some very brilliant and highly accomplished ex Googlers is now making the headlines!

However, I don’t think it is a case of Google vs. Cuil, as the title of this blog says. First, for me, as a user, it gives me an additional choice as far as search engines are concerned. Two, Cuil has recently started. Therefore, it would be incorrect to rank it alongside either Google or even Yahoo, as far as search results are concerned. I am sure Cuil will grow and evolve over time, so let’s keep it that way.

What I like about Google is the plain looking home page with the search box! Cuil is along similar lines. The search page is a plain (black page) with a nice box in the center! The letters are grey, with the i of cuil in blue, apparently indicating Internet search… maybe! This is just my guess!

Nevertheless, the search results are not so detailed as yet, as in Google, or maybe, the safe search does not throw up so many results. Or, maybe, my choice of search words are not that interesting. Having said that, I do like the look of Cuil!

What I did find out a little while back is that if I searched for my name within quotes, Cuil shows some results. However, when I remove the quotes, during the same search session, I kept getting a message that no results were available. Strange!

Then, I went back to the Cuil home page, and retyped. This time it throws up lot of results! Maybe, Cuil can take note of this point and enhance the search better.

I also typed semicon blogs as a search. Hey, Cuil threw up more results! I will try some more searches later. What’s key for every search engine is the relevance of the results that they throw up.

Another thing with Cuil is that it gives you options like getting search results in two or three columns. This one, personally, I didn’t quite like. Maybe, it will take some time for me to get used to it. I am especially so used to Yahoo and Google, and the long lists of results they display on one page. So, maybe, I am biased.

Besides, I am waiting for Cuil to offer similar services like Google, or even Yahoo, including email. Till then, I don’t think it is wise to say this is now going to be Google vs. Cuil! Cuil has just started and needs time to grow!

As a user, I am particularly thrilled with an additional search option. Hope to get better results from Cuil (pronounced COOL, i think), and I am looking forward to an email service, or a page like My Yahoo or iGoogle on Cuil as well.

Also, both Yahoo and Google have so many other options and sites like Yahoo 360, Orkut, etc. Or even Blogger, a platform used by so many folks like me for putting down their thoughts — like this post! Maybe, Cuil will have some or more of these things too, in future, including a chat agent like Google Talk or Yahoo Messenger.

Till then, enjoy Cuil! Cuil needs time to settle down and start functioning on similar or better lines before there are such talks of Google vs. Cuil or Cuil vs. Yahoo and the likes.

Google phone beckons as industry leaders announce open platform for mobile devices

Is the Google Phone finally going to see the light of the day? Well, the following release (below) has all the makings of a mega telecom happening. Read on!

A broad alliance of leading technology and wireless companies today joined forces to announce the development of Android, the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others have collaborated on the development of Android through the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders.

According to Engadget Mobile, Google will be holding a conference call at noon eastern (November 5) to unveil the details of its long-rumored Android mobile operating system. Joining CEO Eric Schmidt will be other members of the 34-member Open Handset Alliance, including the chief executives of Deutche Telekom, HTC, Qualcomm, and Motorola. So keep watching this space!

According to the release, this alliance shares a common goal of fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today’s mobile platforms. By providing developers a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively, Android will accelerate the pace at which new and compelling mobile services are made available to consumers.

With nearly 3 billion users worldwide, the mobile phone has become the most personal and ubiquitous communications device. However, the lack of a collaborative effort has made it a challenge for developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers to respond as quickly as possible to the ever-changing needs of savvy mobile consumers. Through Android, developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. The end result will be an unprecedented mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal and more flexible mobile experiences.

Fully integrated Android platform
Thirty-four companies have formed the Open Handset Alliance, which aims to develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and distributing mobile devices and services. The Android platform is the first step in this direction — a fully integrated mobile “software stack” that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.

The Android platform will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products. Next week the Alliance will release an early access software development kit to provide developers with the tools necessary to create innovative and compelling applications for the platform.

Android holds the promise of unprecedented benefits for consumers, developers and manufacturers of mobile services and devices. Handset manufacturers and wireless operators will be free to customize Android in order to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. Developers will have complete access to handset capabilities and tools that will enable them to build more compelling and user-friendly services, bringing the Internet developer model to the mobile space. And consumers worldwide will have access to less expensive mobile devices that feature more compelling services, rich Internet applications and easier-to-use interfaces — ultimately creating a superior mobile experience.

Open Software, Open Device, Open Ecosystem
“This partnership will help unleash the potential of mobile technology for billions of users around the world. A fresh approach to fostering innovation in the mobile industry will help shape a new computing environment that will change the way people access and share information in the future,” said Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt. “Today’s announcement is more ambitious than any single ‘Google Phone’ that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks. Our vision is that the powerful platform we’re unveiling will power thousands of different phone models.”

“As a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance, T-Mobile is committed to innovation and fostering an open platform for wireless services to meet the rapidly evolving and emerging needs of wireless customers,” said René Obermann, Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Telekom, parent company of T-Mobile. “Google has been an established partner for T-Mobile’s groundbreaking approach to bring the mobile open Internet to the mass market. We see the Android platform as an exciting opportunity to launch robust wireless Internet and Web 2.0 services for T-Mobile customers in the US and Europe in 2008.”

“HTC’s trademark on the mobile industry has been its ability to drive cutting-edge innovation into a wide variety of mobile devices to create the perfect match for individuals,” said Peter Chou, Chief Executive Officer, HTC Corp. “Our participation in the Open Handset Alliance and integration of the Android platform in the second half of 2008 enables us to expand our device portfolio into a new category of connected mobile phones that will change the complexion of the mobile industry and re-create user expectations of the mobile phone experience.”

“The convergence of the wireless and Internet industries is creating new partnerships, evolving business models and driving innovation,” said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Qualcomm. “We are extremely pleased to be participating in the Open Handset Alliance, whose mission is to help build the leading open-source application platform for 3G networks. The proliferation of open-standards-based handsets will provide an exciting new opportunity to create compelling services and devices. As a result, we are committing research and development resources to enable the Android platform and to create the best always-connected consumer experience on our chipsets.”

“Motorola has long been an advocate of open software for mobile platforms. Today, we’re excited to continue this support by joining Google and others in the announcement of the Open Handset Alliance and Android platform. Motorola plans to leverage the Android platform to enable seamless, connected services and rich consumer experiences in future Motorola products,” said Ed Zander, Chairman and CEO of Motorola, Inc.