Windows 10: Google extending Android OS updates on Qualcomm Mobile Platforms

Brink · Dec 16, 2020

Extending Android updates on Qualcommâs Mobile Platforms

In the past few years, the latest Android OS has been adopted earlier by OEMs and deployed in larger numbers to our users. The growth in adoption has been driven by OEMs delivering faster OS updates, taking advantage of the architecture introduced by Project Treble.

At the time Android 11 launched there were 667M active users on Android 10, 82% of whom got their Android 10 build via an over the air (OTA) update. Despite the events throughout 2020, there is a continued momentum among our partners to either launch their devices on Android 11 or offer Android 11 OTAs on their devices earlier.

Our efforts till now have been focussed on making OS updates easier and faster to deploy. The other side of this coin is supporting updates for a longer period of time, and today weâd like to provide an overview of the changes we are making to help our partners achieve this.

Project Treble was an ambitious re-architecture of Android that created a split between the OS framework and device-specific low-level software (called the vendor implementation) through a well-defined, stable vendor interface. As a part of this split, the Android OS framework guarantees backward compatibility with the vendor implementation, which is checked through a standardized compliance test suite - VTS. With each Android release, Project Treble publishes Generic System Images (GSIs) that are built from AOSP sources, and are guaranteed to be backwards-compatible with the previous 3 versions of vendor implementations, in addition of course to the current releaseâfor a total span of four years. Devices launching with the new Android release must have vendor implementations compatible with that GSI. This is the primary vehicle for reducing fragmentation within the OS framework. While we allow and encourage our partners to modify the framework itself, the modifications post-Treble must be done in a way that reduces upgrade costs from one version to the next.

Besides the reuse of a vendor implementation across OS updates, the Treble architecture also facilitates the re-use of the same OS framework code across different vendor implementations.

Another important change introduced by Project Treble is that new vendor-impacting requirements for Android devices are never retroactive. They apply only to devices launching on that Android version and not to devices upgrading from an older version. The term vendor-impacting here refers to requirements for new HALs, or for the shipping of a newer Linux kernel, to the device's vendor implementation. A good example might be a new revision of the camera HAL to support multiple rear camera sensors. Since the Android framework guarantees compatibility with the older HALs, we enable older vendor implementations to be reused by OEMs for upgrades without the considerable cost of updating them with new requirements.

This principle, combined with the backwards-compatibility guarantee, gives device manufacturers (OEMs) the flexibility to support upgrades both faster (since they have to upgrade just the framework, which would cover all of their devices, including those with older versions of the vendor implementation), as well as at a lower cost (since they do not have to touch the older vendor implementations).

However, seen from a System-on-Chip manufacturersâ perspective, this design introduces additional complexity. For each SoC model, the SoC manufacturers now needed to create multiple combinations of vendor implementations to support OEMs who would use that chipset to launch new devices and deploy OS upgrades on previously launched devices.

The result is that three years beyond the launch of a chipset, the SoC vendor would have to support up to 6 combinations of OS framework software and vendor implementations. The engineering costs associated with this support limited the duration for which SoC vendors offered Android OS software support on a chipset. For every single chipset, the software support timeline would look like this:

Considering that SoC providers have dozens of SoC models at any point of time, the full picture looks closer to this:

The crux of the problem was that, while device requirements were never retroactive, the requirements for SoCs were. For example on Android Pie, SoCs had to support two versions of the Camera HAL API on a chipset if it was used to support new device launches and upgrades.

From this perspective, the solution was simple: we had to extend the no-retroactivity principle to the SoCs as well as to devices. With this change, the SoC provider would be able to support Android with the same vendor implementations on their SoCs for device launches as well as upgrades.

During the past year, we have been working hard to implement this solution. Building on our deep collaboration with our colleagues at Qualcomm, today weâre announcing the results of this work. Going forward, all new Qualcomm mobile platforms that take advantage of the no-retroactivity principle for SoCs will support 4 Android OS versions and 4 years of security updates. All Qualcomm customers will be able to take advantage of this stability to further lower both the costs of upgrades as well as launches and can now support their devices for longer periods of time.

Going one step further, weâre also reusing the same OS framework software across multiple Qualcomm chipsets. This dramatically lowers the number of OS framework and vendor implementation combinations that Qualcomm has to support across their mobile platforms and results in lowered engineering, development, and deployment costs. The diagram below indicates how significant the simplification is. From a software-support perspective, it's an altogether different situation:

This change is taking effect with all SoCs launching with Android 11 and later. By working closely with Qualcomm to offer an extended period of OS and security updates, we are looking forward to delivering the best of Android to our users faster, and with greater security for an extended period of time.
Click to expand...

Source: https://android-developers.googleblo...uals-four.html

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Brink · Dec 16, 2020

New Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), announced the newest addition to its 2-series, the Qualcomm® 215 Mobile Platform. This platform aims to bring leading mobile experiences to entry-level smartphone buyers who need reliable, lasting performance.

“Featuring a 64-bit CPU and dual-ISPs, the Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform is a significant milestone for the expansion of the entire mobile industry,” said Kedar Kondap, vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We’re raising the bar for mass market devices and enabling experiences that were never before possible in the 2-series.

Performance and Battery Life

Featuring four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, Qualcomm 215 is designed to deliver up to 50% increased CPU performance compared to the previous generation. This introduction of the first 64-bit CPU in the 2-series signifies a big boost in performance and offers better device longevity via support for modern 64-bit applications. In order to deliver lasting performance, Qualcomm 215 features an integrated Qualcomm® Hexagon™ DSP engineered to support up to 5+ days of music playback, as well as Qualcomm® Adreno™ 308 GPU, display and video processing engines supporting up to 10+ hours of video playback. Qualcomm 215 also supports Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ technology, which is engineered to allow users to charge up to 75% faster than traditional implementations, allowing for lower power and thermal dissipation, and reduced charge times, without virtually any performance tradeoffs.

Entertainment

Qualcomm 215 features dual ISPs, a first in the 2-series, which means it can support dual camera. With support from our 3rd party ecosystem, dual cameras can enable optical zoom and depth sensing, resulting in overall improved detail rich photos. It’s capable of capturing images up to 13 megapixels photos. The Qualcomm 215 is the first to support HD+ resolution displays in the 2-series where it boasts wider aspect ratios so users can browse more, watch more and have a better all-around viewing experience. And thanks to the Adreno 308 GPU, Qualcomm 215 boosts up to 28% increased gaming performance compared to the previous generation enabling smooth graphics for casual gaming.

Connectivity

For superior cellular connectivity at home or on the go, the Qualcomm 215 featuring the integrated Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X5 modem supports LTE Cat 4 with Carrier Aggregation for faster data rates and download speeds up to 150Mbps. This is the first platform in the 2-series to support EVS Voice calls (“Ultra HD Voice Calls”) and Dual Sim with Dual Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) allowing for the freedom to use multiple SIMs for concurrent high-quality 4G LTE voice and data, separation of work and personal accounts, and optimize cellular connectivity costs taking advantage of multiple plans.

The Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform debuts the following “firsts” in the 2-series:

64-bit CPU

Dual-ISP

Supports up to 13MP photo capture

Support for Full HD (1080p) video capture

Support for HD+ resolution display

Hexagon DSP for audio and sensor processing

Support for Dual SIM with Dual VoLTE

EVS voice calls

Wi-Fi 802.11ac

Support for NFC Payments on Android

“We are excited to continue to work with Qualcomm Technologies to expand our smartphone product portfolio and raise the bar for mass market devices by leveraging their latest leading technologies in the Qualcomm 215 Mobile platform,” said Ms. Le Thi Thu Thuy, vice president, Vingroup. “We look forward to working together to bring exciting and improved mobile experiences to more consumers around the world.”

Commercial devices based on Qualcomm 215 are expected to be available in second half 2019. For more information and specifications for these mobile platforms, visit link.
Click to expand...

Read more:

New Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform Raises the Bar for Mass Market Devices | Qualcomm

Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform | Qualcomm

Brink · Dec 16, 2020

New Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), announced the newest addition to its 2-series, the Qualcomm® 215 Mobile Platform. This platform aims to bring leading mobile experiences to entry-level smartphone buyers who need reliable, lasting performance.

“Featuring a 64-bit CPU and dual-ISPs, the Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform is a significant milestone for the expansion of the entire mobile industry,” said Kedar Kondap, vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We’re raising the bar for mass market devices and enabling experiences that were never before possible in the 2-series.

Performance and Battery Life

Featuring four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, Qualcomm 215 is designed to deliver up to 50% increased CPU performance compared to the previous generation. This introduction of the first 64-bit CPU in the 2-series signifies a big boost in performance and offers better device longevity via support for modern 64-bit applications. In order to deliver lasting performance, Qualcomm 215 features an integrated Qualcomm® Hexagon™ DSP engineered to support up to 5+ days of music playback, as well as Qualcomm® Adreno™ 308 GPU, display and video processing engines supporting up to 10+ hours of video playback. Qualcomm 215 also supports Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ technology, which is engineered to allow users to charge up to 75% faster than traditional implementations, allowing for lower power and thermal dissipation, and reduced charge times, without virtually any performance tradeoffs.

Entertainment

Qualcomm 215 features dual ISPs, a first in the 2-series, which means it can support dual camera. With support from our 3rd party ecosystem, dual cameras can enable optical zoom and depth sensing, resulting in overall improved detail rich photos. It’s capable of capturing images up to 13 megapixels photos. The Qualcomm 215 is the first to support HD+ resolution displays in the 2-series where it boasts wider aspect ratios so users can browse more, watch more and have a better all-around viewing experience. And thanks to the Adreno 308 GPU, Qualcomm 215 boosts up to 28% increased gaming performance compared to the previous generation enabling smooth graphics for casual gaming.

Connectivity

For superior cellular connectivity at home or on the go, the Qualcomm 215 featuring the integrated Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X5 modem supports LTE Cat 4 with Carrier Aggregation for faster data rates and download speeds up to 150Mbps. This is the first platform in the 2-series to support EVS Voice calls (“Ultra HD Voice Calls”) and Dual Sim with Dual Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) allowing for the freedom to use multiple SIMs for concurrent high-quality 4G LTE voice and data, separation of work and personal accounts, and optimize cellular connectivity costs taking advantage of multiple plans.

The Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform debuts the following “firsts” in the 2-series:

64-bit CPU

Dual-ISP

Supports up to 13MP photo capture

Support for Full HD (1080p) video capture

Support for HD+ resolution display

Hexagon DSP for audio and sensor processing

Support for Dual SIM with Dual VoLTE

EVS voice calls

Wi-Fi 802.11ac

Support for NFC Payments on Android

“We are excited to continue to work with Qualcomm Technologies to expand our smartphone product portfolio and raise the bar for mass market devices by leveraging their latest leading technologies in the Qualcomm 215 Mobile platform,” said Ms. Le Thi Thu Thuy, vice president, Vingroup. “We look forward to working together to bring exciting and improved mobile experiences to more consumers around the world.”

Commercial devices based on Qualcomm 215 are expected to be available in second half 2019. For more information and specifications for these mobile platforms, visit link.
Click to expand...

Read more:

New Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform Raises the Bar for Mass Market Devices | Qualcomm

Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform | Qualcomm

Brink · Dec 16, 2020

Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 855 Plus Mobile Platform Mobile

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), unveiled the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 855 Plus Mobile Platform, a follow on to the flagship Snapdragon 855 launching with leading OEMs globally, built for speed to support enhanced performance and deliver leading experiences in multi-gigabit 5G, gaming, AI and XR. The platform features a boost in performance that will raise gaming to the next level for a truly Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Elite Gaming experience—especially when gaming in the 5G arena. “Snapdragon 855 Plus will raise the bar for elite gamers with the increase in CPU and GPU performance and elevate experiences for 5G, gaming, AI and XR, which is something our OEM customers look to us to deliver,” said Kedar Kondap, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

“Snapdragon 855 Plus is our most advanced mobile platform to date and will build upon the success of the 2019 Android flagship Snapdragon 855 5G mobile platform.”

Snapdragon 855 Plus with an integrated multi-gigabit Snapdragon X24 LTE 4G modem also supports 5G connectivity using the X50 5G modem and Qualcomm Technologies’ RF Front-end solutions to deliver best-in-class cellular performance, superior coverage and all-day battery life in premium 5G devices. The platform also offers the following enhancements over Snapdragon
855:

Qualcomm® Kryo™ 485 CPU Prime core clock speed at up to 2.96GHz

Qualcomm® Adreno™ 640 GPU offers a 15% increase

Snapdragon 855 Plus includes many of the latest technologies and features from Qualcomm Technologies related to gaming, AI and XR, offering consumers outstanding performance for premium user experiences for the things they want to do most:

Gaming: Snapdragon 855 Plus is built for speed to support enhanced performance and deliver leading experiences in gaming. The Snapdragon Elite Gaming Experience gives you a competitive edge with a full suite of hardware and software features that are fully optimized for gaming, including the Vulkan 1.1 Graphics Driver that is 20% more power efficient than Open GL ES. The Snapdragon Elite Gaming Experience also features software enhancements such as Game Jank Reducer, Game Fast Loader, Game AntiCheat Extensions, and more.

AI: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with the 4th generation multi-core Qualcomm®

AI Engine, which offers a total capacity of more than 7 trillion operations per second (7 TOPs), providing a powerful blend of dedicated and programmable AI acceleration

XR: Experience immersive XR (virtual reality/augmented reality) easily with XR viewers that connect to a mobile device fueled by the Snapdragon 855 Plus with the 5G X50 modem, able to access blazing-fast, ultra-smooth 5G experiences.

Commercial devices based on Snapdragon 855 Plus are expected to be commercial 2H 2019. For full specifications on Snapdragon 855 Plus visit: Snapdragon 855+ Mobile Platform | Snapdragon 855 Plus | Qualcomm.
Click to expand...

Source: Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 855 Plus Mobile Platform | Qualcomm

Windows 10: Google extending Android OS updates on Qualcomm Mobile Platforms

Google extending Android OS updates on Qualcomm Mobile Platforms

Google extending Android OS updates on Qualcomm Mobile Platforms

Google extending Android OS updates on Qualcomm Mobile Platforms

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