Freescale extends Android platform support for i.MX applications processors

Android enables innovative end user experiences. The i.MX51 applications processor, based on the powerful ARM CortexTM-A8 core, works together with the Android OS to deliver an ideal solution for the development of high performance, low power and cost effective mobile devices, such as smartphones.



A new Freescale i.MX51 evaluation kit (EVK) incorporating the Android OS is designed to help customers drive innovation and create differentiated products. Based on the latest Android kernel/release, the i.MX51 EVK runs the Android OS with highly accelerated multimedia codecs and graphics. In addition, the common code base across Freescale i.MX Board Support Packages (BSPs) greatly streamlines porting efforts to next generation i.MX processors. Included in the kit are binary images for the Android OS on i.MX51, patches for Freescale source, and documentation such as a reference manual, user’s guide and release notes.



Freescale is proud to be a member of the Open Handset Alliance™ - a group of mobile and technology leaders responsible for the creation and proliferation of the Android OS and an open mobile ecosystem. Freescale contributes kernel code and drivers via the Android Open Source Project.



Key Features of the i.MX51 EVK with Android BSP



* High performance and low power operation

* Optimized multimedia codecs in the Android framework that include:

o ARMv7™ optimizations

o Hardware acceleration using Video Processing Unit (VPU)

* Hardware acceleration for graphics

o 2D graphics for UI rendering

o OpenGL/ES for 3D applications

* Latest stable Android kernel/release