Intel is developing a 64-bit version of the Android OS to work with Bay Trail chips, said Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel, during an investor meeting in Santa Clara, California, which was webcast.
The 64-bit Android tablets will be released after Bay Trail tablets with a 64-bit version of Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 are released in the first quarter next year, Krzanich said. Intel has said Android tablets with Bay Trail could be available starting at $150. The Bay Trail chips already support 64-bit addressing.
Right now tablets running on ARM and Intel processors are equipped with 32-bit versions of Android. It is not clear what version of Android will be used in the 64-bit Intel-based tablets. Intel is currently developing an image of the Android 4.4 OS code-named KitKat.
But the Intel-based Android tablets will not be the first with support for 64-bit addressing. Apple’s latest iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display already have the A7 processor and iOS operating system that support 64-bit addressing. Apple claims that the 64-bit addressing has improved application and graphics performance in devices.
Apple iPad mini
An Android tablet with
64-bit kernel support will have access to increased system memory and
pave the way for Ultra-HD video in mobile devices, said Doug Fisher,
vice president and general manager of Intel’s software and services
group, during a speech at Intel’s developer conference in September.
Most tablets today run on
ARM processors, but Google and Intel have worked closely to optimize
Android to tablets with Intel processors. Intel has contributing heavily
to the x86 Android software stack. Intel aims to provide OS
flexibility, and says that Android could allow device makers to offer
cheaper tablets.
Intel hopes to quadruple shipments of tablets with its chips to 40 million units this year, Krzanich said.
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