Processors and displays. Those two hardware bits are going to mark the biggest differences between Android devices. That’s part of the beauty of having a single platform. Google and its partners work on the operating system, while manufacturers can focus on the hardware end. This has created opportunities for plenty of companies. We’ve seen Samsung come around considerably lately, and considering the hype and success of its Galaxy S line they probably won’t be straying from Android any time soon. Given what we learned in the past few days about the company’s plans, that’s a good thing.
On the processor side, Samsung announced Orion. It’s a dual-core 1GHz processor that includes plenty of geek-pleasing features, including video playback and recording at 1080P. You can read the entire press release and all its technical goodness at the linked Engadget article, but suffice it to say that this will be one powerful chip. Which is also to say that it will probably gobble battery power. If Samsung also has a power usage innovation up its sleeve it could complete the trifecta of awesomeness.
On the screen end, Samsung has a tidbit that will benefit not only its own line, but also handsets from manufacturers like HTC that use AMOLED screens. We know that these are in shortage, but Samsung apparently plans to turn that into a surplus in 2011. It will open a factory in June that will help them increase production from 3 million units per month to 30 million. This should help the company keep up with demand. We’ve seen plenty of handsets with AMOLED screens, including the Droid Incredible by HTC and Epic 4G by Samsung, on backorder because of the screen supply issue.
Both of these announcements add up to even greater possibilities for Android in 2011. Samsung clearly benefits from loading the OS on its handsets, and while it has its own Bada platform, chances are that won’t go far. Android is pretty much the key to their future, so Android fans should greet these announcements with the proper excitement. We know we’re good on the software end. Companies like Samsung are making sure we’re taken care of in the hardware department.
