Wind River Delivers Commercial Android Platform

Wind River announces the release of its commercial version of open-source Android optimized on the Open Multimedia Application Platform (OMAP) 3 platform from Texas Instruments.

Wind River has announced the release of its commercial version of open-source Android optimized on the Open Multimedia Application Platform (OMAP) 3 platform from Texas Instruments.

The Wind River Platform for Android is a validated, fully compliant operating system platform based on the latest versions of the Android software development kit (SDK), available with preintegrated software from initial partners, including Adobe, PacketVideo and Red Bend Software. The platform comes with global support by Wind River.

Wind River and Texas Instruments officials said as part of a multiyear partnership, the companies are working together to optimize Android on TI's OMAP34x and OMAP36x platforms. Wind River is providing engineering resources around the world, including at its Korea Design Center, which has extensive Linux mobile phone expertise as part of the company's acquisition of MIZI Research in 2008. Wind River's co-development work includes architecture, design, unit test, and system test and integration support, the company said.

"Wind River's years of experience in Android have resulted in a commercial offering that combines the innovation of Android with the predictability of a commercial platform," said Chris Perret, vice president of the Mobile and Automotive Solutions Group at Wind River, in a statement. "Wind River Platform for Android was developed for operators and handset manufacturers challenged to consistently achieve time and quality performance metrics as Android devices are brought to market. By delivering a commercial Android platform, we are offering a fast way for them to innovate and differentiate without the risks common to open-source software."

Operators and device manufacturers expect market-ready Android solutions that can be rapidly brought to market, said representatives of Wind River and TI. Wind River Platform for Android offers developers a foundation to deliver customized solutions to fit specific market needs without having to reinvest in core platform components.

"Device manufacturers and operators are continuously looking to quickly develop and bring to market new devices that offer consumers and businesses the right mix of capabilities and predictable performance," said Tim Renowden, devices analyst at Ovum. "A commercial version of open-source Android can streamline the process for industry players wanting to build Android-based devices and test them for market readiness. This can improve time-to-market and offer improved end-user experiences." 

"TI and Wind River joined forces to deliver an attractive, complete and easy-to-deploy commercial Android platform that addresses the ever-growing consumer need for customized mobile devices," said Fred Cohen, director of worldwide ecosystem partners at TI, in a statement. "Wind River's Android platform is optimized for TI's OMAP 3 processors, and includes all layers of the software stack, ensuring predictable device quality, and enhancing the overall Android experience. We look forward to the success of Wind River's Android platform, as it helps handset manufacturers, operators and OEMs deliver impressive mobile user experiences on the most compelling Android-based products."

Wind River Platform for Android broadens Wind River's mobile expertise that spans the LiMo and Moblin platforms, in addition to joining the Open Handset Alliance in 2007 as a Linux commercialization partner. Wind River Platform for Android reduces open-source risk by providing predictability to and improving software quality for Android projects because of Wind River's ongoing investment in the platform, company officials said.

Wind River Platform for Android features:

• Open-source Android code validated and tested by Wind River in a rigorous process combining hundreds of manual test cases and tens of thousands of automated test scenarios including compliance with the latest Android Compatibility Test Suite (CTS);

• Enhanced Android user interface and personalization options for such common branding functions as boot-up splash screen, locked idle screen, and termination screens and additional gesture-based choices for core phone functions;

• Extended framework and applications, including master reset function, music player, performance and power management;

• Preintegrated third-party software, including existing Flash technology from Adobe, OpenCORE mobile multimedia software from PacketVideo, firmware over-the-air (FOTA) updating and device management software from Red Bend;

• Dedicated Wind River global customer support and services.

Wind River Platform for Android is now available. For more information, go to here.