NXP and Google Advance IoT Development on New Android Things Platform

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands, Dec. 13, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) in conjunction with the launch of Google’s Android Things platform, announced the availability of two development kits consisting of low cost SOM modules, based on its i.MX 6UltraLite (i.MX 6UL) applications processor and base board.

Powered by the NXP i.MX 6UL processor, the Argon i.MX 6UL board from VVDN Technologies ease development for Android-based IoT devices. Powered by the NXP i.MX 6UL processor, the PICO-iMX 6UL board from TechNexion ease development for Android-based IoT devices.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9abcfff-cfaf-4349-a065-21a3d953c65c

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Bringing the NXP i.MX 6UL processor’s cost effective, feature-rich functionality to a broader group of developers, makers and OEMs can help expedite the rapid development of affordable, connected, Android-based IoT devices.

Analyst forecasts predict that by 2019, 70 percent of the connected smart home will be dominated by connected systems. This combination of NXP hardware and Android software will enable companies to develop connected devices without having to build from kernel to applications, significantly lowering the barriers of entry to the IoT market.

“For the past year, NXP has been an early hardware partner for Google’s IoT platform now called Android Things. We are now the only partner on the market to offer low cost certified, system on modules,” said Robert Thompson, i.MX ecosystem manager at NXP. “We believe that successful implementation of IoT depends on the whole ecosystem working together so we’re excited to be part of this Android Things launch.”

Android Things compatible boards can bring greater benefit to developers in various ways including Google-certified firmware that can run on devices to perform bug fixes, provide automatic updates, ease integration into the Android framework, and allow access for developers to deploy and test their code. 

“Developers can take their products, and embed these Android IoT boards into them,” said Martyn Humphries, VP of consumer and industrial applications processors at NXP. “By building on the Android framework, makers and device manufacturers can focus on the details of their product, and leave the low level implementation details and security updates up to Google.”

i.MX Powered Boards

Powered by the i.MX 6UL processor, the PICO-iMX 6UL board from TechNexion and the Argon i.MX 6UL board from VVDN Technologies ease and advance features for developers. The boards display the ‘Android Things’ approved logo and are available today. In addition, the Murata IoT Development Platform from Murata Electronics will be available soon. The NXP i.MX 6 series processors have a successful track record of being powerful enablement technologies for various IoT deployments and initiatives. The i.MX 6UL is a high-performance, ultra-efficient processor family featuring an advanced implementation of a single ARM^® Cortex^®-A7 core which operates at speeds up to 696 MHz.

For more information, please visit https://developer.android.com/things/index.html and www.nxp.com/AndroidThings.

About NXP Semiconductors 
NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) enables secure connections and infrastructure for a smarter world, advancing solutions that make lives easier, better and safer. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is driving innovation in the secure connected vehicle, end-to-end security and privacy and smart connected solutions markets. Built on more than 60 years of combined experience and expertise, the company has 44,000 employees in more than 35 countries and posted revenue of $6.1 billion in 2015. Find out more at www.nxp.com.

NXP and the NXP logo are trademarks of NXP B.V. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. ARM and Cortex are registered trademarks of ARM Limited (or its subsidiaries) in the EU and/or elsewhere. All rights reserved.  © 2016 NXP B.V.

For more information, please contact:AmericasTate TranTel: +1 408-802-0602Email: tate.tran@nxp.comEuropeMartijn van der LindenTel: +31 6 10914896Email: martijn.van.der.linden@nxp.comGreater China / AsiaEsther ChangTel: +886 2 8170 9990Email: esther.chang@nxp.com