Date: 09/10/2009

Sigma's media processor SoCs enhanced with Android operating system support

Sigma has announced that its media processor SoCs enhanced with Android operating system support, and also announced the availability of a ported version of Android onto its Vantage SMP8654 development platform. Sigma and MIPS will be demonstrated in 1080p video on a full-HD flat screen display at CEATEC Japan in Makuhari Messe from October 6 to October 10. The demonstration will be inside the Hotel The Manhattan, Suite 705.

Sigma says, this HD video demonstration is another milestone toward the creation of a reference platform for an Android-based set-top box (STB), a goal that Sigma and MIPS Technologies have been jointly working toward with other members of the STB working group of the Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF). The goal of the OESF consortium is to drive Android into new consumer electronics segments beyond the mobile handset, where Android is already finding success.

"Sigma Designs is seeing a big rise in demand from its customers for the availability of media applications or widgets, as they are popularly referred to, being available on its platforms," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing for Sigma Designs. "These are widely used today on phones with much smaller screens. We believe that this unique partnership with MIPS and our ongoing Android commitment will enable a rich development environment for our customers and partners."

"Sigma Designs is an innovative company, consistently delivering solutions at the leading edge of SoC design. Through our partnership, we are enabling customers to jumpstart development of Android applications for IP-STBs, digital media adaptors, Blu-ray players and IPTV," said Art Swift, vice president of marketing for MIPS Technologies. "As providers of the official STB reference port selected by OESF, MIPS and Sigma are committed to delivering a complete reference platform for Android-based IP-STBs."

The Vantage SMP8654 Android developer kits, targeted for the Web or Internet TV Widget market, and extended to IP-STBs, digital media adapters and Blu-ray players platforms.

Availability: The kits will be available in mid-October

For more details visit www.sigmadesigns.com