ARM, the company behind the processors used in the majority of smartphones, will reportedly soon be showing off a reference design of a device running Google's Android operating system.
This would not be a product ARM itself will release. Instead, it is intended to help other companies make Android smartphones that are based on ARM processors.
Citing an unnamed source, Reuters is reporting this design will be unveiled at the Mobile World Conference, a tradeshow that kicks off next week in Barcelona, but neither ARM nor Google have confirmed this report.
The news agency's source did not reveal any details on the the reference design ARM will be showing off.
Plenty of Big Name Competition
ARM's design will likely draw plenty of attention, and no Android models have been officially announced yet. Still, quite a few well-known smartphone makers are part of the group responsible for this operating system, including LG, Motorola, and Samsung. Dell is even rumored to be interested.
HTC has claimed it will be the first to get an Android-powered smartphone on the market, but that's not expected to happen until the second half of this year.
More About Android
Android is being put together by the Open Handset Alliance, a collection of 30+ companies, including Intel, TI, Sprint, T-Mobile, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and Wind River, but being led by Google.
This group is putting the finishing touches on this platform, which will consist of a Linux-based operating system, middleware, and key mobile applications. Many of these are likely to tie into Google's services, like Gmail and Google Maps.
Because this platform will be open source, the Alliance hopes it will be quickly extended to incorporate new technologies as they emerge.
In addition, it will be open to third-parties to create applications using Java.