When Google kick-started Android™ as an open-source platform in 2007, it was designed to provide rich applications and functionality for mobile handsets. Now, thanks to Android’s welldefined software stack that allows easy application development and portability across embedded devices, Android is penetrating other consumer markets. Android can bring an incredibly rich internet experience to devices such as DTVs, set-top boxes (STBs), Blu-ray players and more, with functionality and business models not previously possible.

Until now, these digital home devices were primarily closed systems with limited applications such as program guides, DVR, and service messages. But convergence of devices and constant demand for connectivity are leading to a paradigm shift in user consumption of multimedia content.

The consumer home entertainment experience in the 80s/90s was defined by “Time Shifting” where proprietary content could be viewed “anytime” on VCRs, PVRs and later DVRs/On- Demand. Over the last five years, “Place Shifting” emerged, where content can be viewed “anywhere” on devices like the SlingBox, iPod and smartphones.

Next-generation DTVs, STBs and digital media adaptors will now enable “Source Shifting” where users can access content on any device from diverse sources—local devices, networks and the internet. This is similar to the evolution of web browsing. Users traditionally access web content on PCs via content portals or search engines. Now, via an HDTV, consumers will access content that resides on an STB, Blu-ray player, YouTube, Netflix and other providers in the “cloud.”

As embedded home devices such as security systems, energy usage monitors, lighting controls, and even refrigerators become more intelligent, the DTV will become the central device to view, monitor, and manage the smart home.

Android can enhance the ability to search for and access videos, music, and other internet content like news, weather, calendar and traffic – all from one device. In the next few years, we’ll see an explosion of Android-based devices for the digital living room. Consumer demand for smooth delivery of rich internet content will dictate market evolution.

To enable this, Android must be capable of handling highdefinition transport streams for digital broadcast and IPTV; integrating with existing middleware and offering client/server support for video-on-demand; providing conditional access and security for protected content access; conforming with DLNA standards for network access and content sharing; and providing a viable “living room” user interface for remote control support, large screen UI and menu system.

Other necessary enhancements include:

• True multitasking: current Android software will turn off background applications when resources are needed for the current application. This is unacceptable in digital home applications where several high priority applications run in parallel.
• Hardware-accelerated HD video and multi-channel audio support: current Android supports only mobile video and basic audio features—MIPS has already demonstrated true HD running at 1080p.
• Support for 2D/3D accelerated graphics hardware: presently there is no standard way to support graphics acceleration.

Working groups of the Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF), a consortium taking Android beyond mobile devices, is working to standardize frameworks and define interactions with existing middleware stacks.

The results are astonishing. Android running on the MIPS® architecture has been demonstrated on a networked home media player from NetLogic Corp. and Blu-ray and IP STB designs from Sigma Designs. KDDI R&D Labs recently demonstrated the world’s first Android STB based on a MIPS-Based Sigma Designs platform. D2 Technologies demonstrated its mCUE converged communications client for Android-based devices. Demonstrations at 2010 International CES take Android’s progress even further.

There is no question that the Android development and embedded OEM design communities have their work cut out for them. But Android is here to stay. Community interest in leveraging Android for applications beyond mobile devices is growing exponentially. Best of all, Android is capturing the imaginations of device makers worldwide. As the OESF and its more than 50 member companies continue to enhance Android for devices beyond the mobile handset, we are sure to see the first production-ready devices in our living rooms in 2010.

Kevin Kitagawa is the director of strategic marketing for MIPS Technologies. He has more than 15 years of mobile and consumer electronics experience. Kitagawa holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Architecture, from the University of California, Davis, and a Masters of Business Administration in Marketing from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. He can be reached at Kevin@mips.com.