Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 first Android Things-enabled chip to support LTE

By Christian de Looper February 21, 2017

Internet of Things — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Android Things launched last year as a new operating system for the growing internet of things segment — and when it launched Google mentioned a few hardware partners, including Qualcomm. At the time, however, we didn’t really know what Qualcomm would bring to the table.

Well, the company has now shed some light on exactly what it can offer — in the form of a recycling of the Snapdragon 210. But, what would now be considered a pretty lackluster chip in a smartphone could be huge for IoT. Qualcomm has announced that the Snapdragon 210 will now support Android Things — making it the first company to offer an LTE-capable chip that supports Android Things.

So why do IoT devices need LTE? Well, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled devices are limited to a certain range, and for some devices that can pose a problem. Now, however, that range issue won’t be such an issue, as devices will be able to connect as long as they’re in range of LTE — devices like electronics signs, video cameras, and so on.

“We are very pleased to add support for Android Things OS on Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon 210 processor and bring these exciting new development options to our IoT customers,” said Jeffery Torrance, vice president of business development for Qualcomm Technologies.

While for now this will mostly be helpful for companies and organizations, Qualcomm is looking to consumer-friendly solutions as well. For example, Android Things supports Google Cast, as well as connected home products. Of course, for now, those connected home devices are better off connecting to Wi-Fi.

Qualcomm is also be demonstrating its LTE chip at Mobile World Congress later next week. However, the Snapdragon 210 with Android Things support won’t officially launch until “later this year.” No specific date was given by Qualcomm.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…

Mobile

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 and 4 Gen 1 chips are big deals for cheap phones

qualcomm snapdragon 6 gen 1 4 news new chips

Following in the footsteps of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Qualcomm has today introduced two low-end mobile processors that add the “Gen” naming mantra to the Snapdragon 400 and 600 series. Alongside a few notable upgrades in the camera and connectivity departments, Qualcomm's latest chips have a lot going for them.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
First in line is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, which takes over the mid-tier reins from the Snapdragon 695. Interestingly, this chip is based on the 4nm fabrication process, making it one of the first non-flagship mobile processors to rely on the 4nm die that offers better performance and higher energy efficiency. In comparison, Apple’s A15 Bionic inside the iPhone 13 series is based on TSMC’s 5nm process.

Qualcomm claims that the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is the first chip in the series to bring computational HDR video capture chops to the table. It’s also the first in the family to get the new 7th Gen AI engine that brings a 3x performance uptake for AI and ML-based tasks. Motorola is among the first brands to embrace the new Qualcomm chip, while phones powered by it will hit the shelves early next year.

Mobile

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship chip is coming this November

1290537 autosave v1 2 qualcomm snapdragon 845

Qualcomm has announced the dates for the Snapdragon Summit 2022. As rumored, the event will take place earlier than its usual timeline in November. It will run from November 15 to November 17. At the Summit, Qualcomm will showcase its latest and greatest innovations for the year ahead, along with its flagship chipset. Last year, it was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset that made headlines with the new naming scheme. As such, it's likely that Qualcomm will follow the line to name the next processor as Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

The tech giant revealed the information on its official website with a brief clip. The video proclaims that its viewers should get ready for the next wave of tech at Qualcomm’s biggest showcase of the year. COVID-19 didn’t allow for in-person events in 2020, but just like last year, the Snapdragon Summit is returning to Hawaii for 2022. While we don’t have the lineup of the products expected at the event, it’s certain that we will see the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Mobile

Mobvoi to use Qualcomm’s new chip to make its most powerful smartwatch yet

mobvoi ticwatch 3 pro review white face

Mobvoi will use the new Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 processor in a forthcoming smartwatch. It’s one of just a few brands to officially announce it will adopt Qualcomm’s new chip, which was itself only announced on July 19, but Movoi has stopped short of providing masses of details on the device it will be housed within.

What do we know? Only what Mobvoi has told us at this stage, which is the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip will be used in a new TicWatch model, and that it will make it the most powerful smartwatch Mobvoi has released yet. The teaser image above shows a circular smartwatch with a ridged bezel, but gives nothing about the hardware away. The company’s Vice President of Engineering, Robert Zhang, had this to say: