Intel releases 64-bit-optimized KitKat, talks new chips for Chromebooks

Chromebook-friendly 'Braswell' chip also revealed at China conference

At its Developer Forum in China today, Intel reportedly confirmed the release of a version of Android 4.4 KitKat optimized for 64-bit Intel Architecture chips, following up on its recent announcements at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. CNET quotes the company as saying "With this release, the company ported, validated and tested the Android Open Source code on IA [Intel Architecture], taking on the work that developers typically would need to do on their own. This release will provide the ecosystem with 64-bit kernel support for development of next-generation devices."

We got our first look at 64-bit Intel chips running Android back at Mobile World Congress in February, where the developer also announced its new Merrifield and Moorefield CPUs aimed at Google's mobile OS.

The chip giant also unveiled new CPUs for Chromebook and other low-power devices at the conference. Its new "Braswell" architecture will reportedly follow up from Bay Trail and take the form of a system-on-a-chip (similar to the approach used in traditional smartphone processors). Braswell will reportedly be based on a new 14nm manufacturing process, allowing for improved performance and power efficiency.

Source: CNET

Alex Dobie
Executive Editor

Alex was with Android Central for over a decade, producing written and video content for the site, and served as global Executive Editor from 2016 to 2022.