VIA Embedded Supporting Android

It's no secret that HTC has enjoyed huge success by being one of the first smartphone manufacturer's to back Google's Android operating system. Could it be that HTC's Chariman, who is married to VIA's CEO, influenced the decision for VIA's embedded platforms to support Android also?

When HTC first starting supporting Android it was a watershed decision; could the same hold true for VIA's x86 platforms? Could this be a catalyst for Android to find itself in more than just smartphones and the odd tablet PC?

"VIA says that the ability to run Android on this embedded designed allows more flexibility for use in things like kiosks and in-car entertainment systems. Most of the Android OS development has been centered on ARM (News - Alert) processors, which are used in most smartphones and tablets today. However, VIA has changed that with their new x86 project extending the Android operations to its mainboards." Source: High-Definition-Digitla.com

Build a Dedicated BitTorrent Box with a ZOTAC

VIA Mini-ITX motherboards have long been used as file servers; Linux boxes, home data storage and even as servers in cloud storage data farms. This new guide from LegitReviews explains, in quite a bit of detail, how to build a BitTorrent dedicated machine with a ZOTAC ZBOX Nano.

"We were lucky enough to get our hands on a new ZOTAC ZBOX Nano that is powered by VIA’s Nano X2 CPU. The ZOTAC PC comes in two flavors: One that is a bare-bones PC with only the CPU installed or a model that is fully outfitted with memory and hard drive. The price for the barebones PC is $169.99 plus shipping, while the the Zotac ZBOX Nano with HDD and DRAM included is $249.99 shipped. The VIA Nano X2 contains the VIA VX9 00H chipset that is designed to deliver an low-cost and energy-efficient micro-PC solution."

An introduction to Mini-ITX on eHow

eHow is like the Wikipedia for DYI, with 'contributors' publishing guides on all sorts of topics. On Christmas Eve, and article was published on "Mini-ITX Performance". The article largely provides an introduction to VIA's Mini-ITX platform, with quite a focus on Mini-ITX and its place in the VIA story.

"VIA developed the Mini-ITX for use their ultra low-power Eden and C3 microprocessors; however, other computer parts manufacturers adapted the specification to allow netbook processors like the AMD C- and E-Series and the Intel Atom. Read more: Mini-ITX Performance"

eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_12212968_miniitx-performance.html#ixzz1hmSV9Uy8

Android on a VIA x86 Board in Action

VIA have released this video showing Android running on an EITX-3002 Em-ITX board. Great resolution for video playback!

VIA's x86 embedded boards support Android

The embedded market just got a new option, with VIA announcing support for Google's Android operating system, starting with the EITX-3002 Em-ITX board. The Android operating system has become the most-used smartphone operating system and it also features on various tablet PCs, most of which run ARM processors. This new support for VIA's x86 platform opens the door for Android to be found on embedded computing devices like entertainment systems in vehicles and information kiosks.



"Key advantages for Android on x86 include leverage of Android development resources and existing apps, rich I/O flexibility, greater CPU performance as well as higher display resolutions of up to 1920 x 1080. In addition VIA has released SMART ETK, an Embedded Tool Kit which allows monitoring and control of peripheral devices through the Android OS, allowing for greater environmental control of kiosk and other installed environments."

Find more information here.

Computing on a silver platter

Here's an image of the VIA ARTiGO I hadn't seen before ...

Just add RAM, storage and power

At USD$89 the new VIA VE-900 Mini-ITX board is an alluringly inexpensive way to build a PC that is well set up for multimedia use. BIOSLEVEL.com have reviewed the new board with pleasing results.

"I'm not sure I've ever seen a Via chip outperform a competitor from Intel, but the VE-900's 1.4GHz Nano X2 processor accomplishes this without breaking a sweat or needing overclocked. Paired with 8GB of RAM, I found the performance from the VE-900 to rival that of desktop systems from only a few years ago, all while using a fraction of the power."

With the right packaging and marketing an astute start-up could revitalise the desktop market with and affordable small form factor PC based on the VE-900.