Product Review
Microchip rolls Accessory Development Kits for Android
Toni McConnel5/10/2011 7:39 PM EDT
Comment
Luis Sanchez
Microchip Technology Inc.'s Accessory Development Starter Kits for Android enable accessory development for Google’s Android platform. Android versions 2.3.4 and 3.1 and later include a new framework that allows apps to communicate via USB directly with an accessory connected to a smartphone or tablet.
The kits consist of a development board and a software library, available as a free download from www.microchip.com/get/522D, which enable the fast and easy development of Android smartphone and tablet accessories based on Microchip’s large portfolio of 16-bit and 32-bit PIC microcontrollers. These microcontrollers feature industry-leading performance, integrated connectivity and eXtreme Low Power technology for the industry’s lowest power consumption in both sleep and active modes.
Microchip’s starter kits make it easy for designers to quickly design, develop and debug electronics accessories for the growing market for Android smartphones. In addition to providing the schematics and gerber files for the development boards, the free software library includes a sample application protocol and an abstraction layer, which enables designers to focus on creating the application. The development boards feature a USB connector, an on-board debugger, a programming user interface and standard Arduino connectors, for use with a host of third-party “Shield” expansion daughter cards.
Example accessory applications include: automotive car kits, audio, GPS, audio docks, remote controls, data backup, glucose meters, fitness equipment, credit-card terminals, and projectors.
Pricing & Availability
Microchip’s PIC24F Accessory Development Starter Kit for Android (part # DM240415) is available today for $79.99 at www.microchip.com/get/2Q3F. The PIC32 Accessory Development Starter Kit for Android (part # DM320412) is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2011 for $79.99. The software library, which works with both kits, is also available today, via a free download from www.microchip.com/get/522D.
For more information visit http://www.microchip.com/get/PK4V.
Toni McConnel can be reached at Toni@TechRite-Associates.com.
The kits consist of a development board and a software library, available as a free download from www.microchip.com/get/522D, which enable the fast and easy development of Android smartphone and tablet accessories based on Microchip’s large portfolio of 16-bit and 32-bit PIC microcontrollers. These microcontrollers feature industry-leading performance, integrated connectivity and eXtreme Low Power technology for the industry’s lowest power consumption in both sleep and active modes.
Microchip’s starter kits make it easy for designers to quickly design, develop and debug electronics accessories for the growing market for Android smartphones. In addition to providing the schematics and gerber files for the development boards, the free software library includes a sample application protocol and an abstraction layer, which enables designers to focus on creating the application. The development boards feature a USB connector, an on-board debugger, a programming user interface and standard Arduino connectors, for use with a host of third-party “Shield” expansion daughter cards.Example accessory applications include: automotive car kits, audio, GPS, audio docks, remote controls, data backup, glucose meters, fitness equipment, credit-card terminals, and projectors.
Pricing & Availability
Microchip’s PIC24F Accessory Development Starter Kit for Android (part # DM240415) is available today for $79.99 at www.microchip.com/get/2Q3F. The PIC32 Accessory Development Starter Kit for Android (part # DM320412) is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2011 for $79.99. The software library, which works with both kits, is also available today, via a free download from www.microchip.com/get/522D.
For more information visit http://www.microchip.com/get/PK4V.
Toni McConnel can be reached at Toni@TechRite-Associates.com.
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Luis Sanchez
5/11/2011 4:35 PM EDT
This is great news!
A lot can be made for an Android phone with this development kits. From only charging the accesory with the phone's battery to being able to use the phone or tablet to configure the accesory. Also audio transmision can be routed through the phone's/tablet USB port.
This is a great idea from Microchip and I guess Google too. It enables creation for a whole new set of products that we'll be hearing from soon.
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