Intel Says Android 4.0 Has x86 Optimizations

Just two months after announcing an alliance with Google, Intel now claims that Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" will feature support for x86 architecture.

Suzy Greenberg, a spokesperson for Intel, said last week that Ice Cream Sandwich already includes OS optimization for x86, so naturally Intel-based devices will support the upcoming Android release. The confirmation arrives after reports claimed that Android 4.0 aka "Ice Cream Sandwich" is ready to work with tablets and smartphones based on Intel's x86 mobile processors for said devices.

According to Intel, the first smartphone based on an Intel chip -- reportedly the 32-nm "Medfield" Atom chip that will also arrive on tablets -- will hit the market in the first half of 2012. Intel already admitted back at Computex in May that Medfield-powered tablets will sport a form factor thinner than 0.35-inches and weigh less than 1.5 lbs.

Intel officially announced an alliance with Google back in September that promises to churn out future versions of Android sporting compatibility with Intel's family of low-power Atom processors and "other architectures."

"By optimizing the Android platform for Intel architecture, we bring a powerful new capability to market that will accelerate more industry adoption and choice, and bring exciting new products to market that harness the combined potential of Intel technology and the Android platform," said Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini in September. "Together we are accelerating Intel architecture and bringing new levels of innovation to a maturing Android platform."

The two companies recently worked together to enable Intel architecture on Google products, which include Chrome OS and Google TV along with the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) and Native Development Kit (NDK).