Texas Instruments has introduced a new software development kit (SDK) for its Sitara AM335x and AM37x ARM-Cortex-A8 processors allowing Android 4.0 ("Ice Cream Sandwich") operating system to be used on low-cost and low-power devices.

The new SDK will enable users to fully evaluate Android 4.0 on embedded applications running on TI’s Sitara processors.

Sitara ARM developers can take advantage of Android 4.0 for low-cost, low-power applications, including wearable gadgets, TI said.

TI’s new software development kit comes with pre-integrated connectivity and 3D graphics capabilities and provides a stable software foundation that can be utilised on Sitara processor products.

To help developers quickly and easily integrate and evaluate Android-based applications, the SDK is tested for functionality using the Android compatibility test suite on the AM335x evaluation module (EVM), Beagleboard-xM, BeagleBone, AM37x EVM and Flash Board platforms.

The new SDK includes: a Linux kernel, Boot loaders (uboot/x-loader), Android 4.0.3 "Ice Cream Sandwich" operating system (OS) and RowboPERF, a performance measurement and benchmarking application.

It also includes TI’s WiLink 6.0 combo connectivity drivers for Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth v2.1 technologies and host tools for Android debugging with TI’s Code Composer Studio integrated development environment.

TI Sitara ARM processors marketing director Adrian Valenzuela said, "Bringing Android 4.0 to the Sitara platform enables developers to use the stunning features that this latest Android flavor delivers to embedded applications, such as innovative video, imaging and graphics effects, robust user interfaces and more."