Aricent has unveiled new product enhancements and specialised services designed to accelerate the development cycle, improve the performance and enhance the overall consumer experience of Android-based mobile devices and consumer electronics.

The company said that its customised middleware and applications, combined with systems integration, offers service providers, mobile device manufacturers and consumer electronics companies an approach to developing Android-based offerings.

According to Aricent, the new design practice offers a consultative review of user interface (UI) designs to ensure they harness the latest technologies, and align well with customers’ business objectives, which include simplifying content discovery to increase data usage, creating more value through customisation and personalisation and ensuring a consistent and coherent branded experience.

The consultancy services offered on Android include performance evaluation and benchmarking; creation of technology roadmaps; assurance; and optimisation and power management across various Android devices under different use case scenarios. The R&D services include product development, application development, system integration for multimedia middleware and IPRs and multi-layer porting of OpenGL on hardware accelerators, the company said.

The company said that the lifecycle services for Android services includes multimedia product and applications development, device driver integration, integration of multimedia middleware & UI – targeted at CE and handset segments and platform assurance offerings.

Mark Rolston, chief creative officer of frog design at Aricent’s global innovation arm, said: Android itself is not a differentiator, but a key building block for companies trying to ignite user passion comparable to what we saw with the iPhone. We are working with a number of companies who recognize the need for a truly innovative Android experience that will help them to stand out against increasingly stiff competition.