MediaTek introduces its MT2601 SoC, designed for Android Wear

MediaTek released some very competitive smartphone chips last year and now has its sights set on the growing wearables market. In Las Vegas, MediaTek has announced its MT2601 SoC designed for wearable devices based on Google’s Android Wear platform.

The MT2601 packs in a 1.2GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU accompanied by an ARM Mali-400 MP GPU. The chip can be connected to up to the usual array of external sensors and wireless modems, such as MediaTek’s own MT6630 five-in-one wireless SoC, and supports a qHD display resolution. The package fits in a PCBA footprint of less than 480 square millimeters and is built with 41.5 percent fewer components than some competing chips, helping to keep PCB sizes and costs small.

MediaTek’s latest chip doesn’t quite pack as much power as the quad-core Cortex-A7 powered Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, which has featured in the Samsung Gear Live, LG G Watch R and ASUS ZenWatch smartwatches. However, MediaTek’s solution may be preferable in fitness and location tracking oriented devices.

The MT2601 has an incredibly small die size and is highly optimized for cost and power performance. The platform solution, comprised of MT2601 integrated with Android Wear software, will fuel the maker revolution and empower the application developer community – J.C. Hsu, MediaTek.

The SoC’s low power processor, small die size and limited feature set is well suited for the low cost, low power requirements of wearable technologies, where prolonged battery life is essential. MediaTek states that it will continue to evolve MT2601 to align with the Android Wear road map, so we may see an extended wearable SoC line-up from MediaTek in the future.

The MT2601 has already hit mass production and is ready for deployment in upcoming Android Wear products.

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Wednesday, January 07, 2015

Las Vegas – Jan. 6, 2015 – MediaTek, a leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions, today announced its MT2601 System on Chip (SoC) for wearable devices based on Google’s Android Wear software. By enabling Android Wear on MT2601, MediaTek is offering a comprehensive platform solution for device makers to implement their own hardware and software, and introduces a multitude of possibilities in Android Wear devices for the fast-growing consumer class globally.

The MT2601 packs a robust set of features in its small size with 41.5 percent fewer components and lower current consumption when compared with other chipsets in the market. Its design advantages translate into lower bill of materials (BoM) costs, smaller printed circuit board (PCB) size and longer battery life, which in turn yield fashionable wearable devices with long usage times and affordable prices.

The MT2601 includes 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A7, ARM Mali-400 MP GPU, and supports qHD display resolution. The MT2601 interfaces with a whole host of external sensors and the wireless connectivity SoC MT6630 for Bluetooth – all in a PCBA footprint of less than 480 mm2. This small PCB size meets the design requirements of the widest variety of wearable devices in sports and fitness, location tracking, and various other categories. MediaTek is a strong supporter of Android Wear and will continue to evolve MT2601 to align with the Android Wear road map.

“The MT2601 has an incredibly small die size and is highly optimized for cost and power performance. The platform solution, comprised of MT2601 integrated with Android Wear software, will fuel the maker revolution and empower the application developer community worldwide to create a broad range of innovative applications and services,” said J.C. Hsu, General Manager of New Business Development at MediaTek.

The MT2601 is in mass production now and ready for inclusion in Android Wear devices.

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About MediaTek Inc.

MediaTek is a pioneering fabless semiconductor company, and a market leader in cutting-edge Systems on Chip for wireless communications and connectivity, HDTV, DVD and Blu-Ray. MediaTek created the world’s first True Octa-core™ smartphone platform with LTE and our CorePilot™ technology releasing the full power of multi-core mobile processors. Through MediaTek Labs™, the company is creating a worldwide ecosystem in support of device creation, application development and services based around MediaTek offerings. With an emphasis on enabling technology for the masses and not the chosen, everyone can be an Everyday Genius. MediaTek [TSE:2454] is headquartered in Taiwan and has offices worldwide. Please visit www.mediatek.com for more information.
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