Nvidia Bringing Tegra to the Android Platform
Nvidia has allied with the Open Handset Alliance and Google to support the increasingly popular open-source Android software platform. Advanced graphics and better battery life on the way.
The Tegra chips combine an ARM-based processor core and a GeForce graphics core coupled with features such as OpenGL ES 2.0, programmable pixel shader, vertex and lighting and most of all Direct3D Mobile support. Other features such as 1080p and 720p H.264 decoding are just icing on the cake. Power requirements of Tegra chips is also relatively low offering up amazing performance without much worry for carrying around pockets full of spare batteries.
The current lineup of Tegra chips includes the Tegra 600 running at 700 MHz, Tegra 650 running at 800 MHz and the APX 2500 and 2600 running anywhere between 600 MHz to 800 MHz as of the time of this writing.
Nvidia’s decision to support the Android platform is an attempt to drive Tegra adoption among major smartphone makers. Nvidia displayed an Android-based phone or device with a Tegra chip this week at the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC). Nvidia also wants to help bring about affordable Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) to the general public based on the Android&Tegra convergence. A $99 Tegra-based MID is also expected to be announced by Nvidia at the MWC this week.
This new Tegra based MID includes full high-definition 1080p video playback and full Wi-FI and 3G mobile broadband connectivity capabilities. The “always-on” device can go for days between battery charges according to Nvidia. No other details are available at this time.
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doormatderek This is what i've been waiting for. I am still using a 5 year old Nokia phone, still with the factory battery even. Just curious as to the carrier and 'contract' i'll have to sign up for...Reply -
Flameout i'm also using a 5 y.o. nokia phone :S was gonna get a Kogan Agora Pro that runs on android but some bs happened and i'm still using this p.o.s. phone.Reply
this phone by nvidia looks like a cross between a brick and a handheld gaming system -
enforcer22 I just got a storm love it great phone. But i would buy a graphics accelerated phone anyday. Imagine the apps and games. By by hand held gaming devices my phone does it all. Coruse if they dont offer a good phone on verizon i will pass. ill cry but ill still pass.Reply -
I hope Nvidia could stomp out some low price devices!Reply
Only a pitty they don't come with AMD graphics cards, my all time favorites!
I hope Nvidia catches up to intel, and delivers similar to Atom processors to fit into mininotebooks.
Nvidia and via could be a good team to pair up against the intel giant!
I'm slowly losing my favor for intel! -
Tindytim Right when I hit the height of excitement about ION, Nvidia hits me with something even more portable, and powerful.Reply
ProDigit80I'm slowly losing my favor for intel!I am as well. I wish they would stop pretending like they can do everything, and except complimentary technology. -
pocketdrummer It's really hard to take people seriously when they support lesser technology due to brand favoritism. Intel currently has the fastest technology in the desktop CPU market. Via has historically sucked, and AMD has been limping along since the Athlon X2 series. I once was a AMD fan, but think about it. Do these corporations pay your bills? No... they're simply trying to sell you a product. Buy the best you can afford, no matter the maker. There's no reason to be a fanboy.Reply
That said, it looks like nVidia has a winner with this one. Hopefully they release it soon.