Broadcom today announced a new platform for Android Wear smartwatches that promises to deliver major gains in battery life.
The Broadcom wearable system-on-a-chip includes a quad-core Cortex A7 application processor and 2G/3G modem support. It can be paired with Broadcom’s Bluetooth 4.2 and WiFi combo chip, as well as a GPS SoC with integrated sensor hub, NFC with secure element, and wireless charging. It also includes support for cameras.
Broadcom says the platform offers 40% power savings compared to its previous generation platform, and its smaller footprint gives smartwatch makers more flexibility with their designs. The Android Wear smartwatch platform is already sampling.