Semiconductor solutions maker Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) launched a new smartwatch platform that is designed to facilitate better power efficiency for Android Wear devices.
The platform reduces power consumption of smartwatches and other devices that run on Google's Android Wear operating system for wearable devices by as much as 40%. It also gives original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) more features that can be added to their offerings, like GPS with sensor hub processing and wireless charging support.
The platform uses a smaller form factor, thus improving performance and functioning as smaller processors perform simple tasks with very little energy consumption. OEMs can now have the flexibility to include more features or a larger battery inside their wearables, which will allow users to lengthen the duration between charges.
Wearables constitute a fast growing segment of the larger Internet of things (IoT). The wearables market, which includes products like smartwatches, fitness bands and headsets, is now expected to see shipments of nearly 112 million devices by 2018, up from an estimated 19 million last year, per research firm IDC. Smartwatches reportedly represent the biggest piece of this burgeoning market, and are expected to make up over half of the wearable shipments this year.
The wearable market, expected to be worth $80 billion by 2020, brings lucrative prospects for developers. However, like every portable electronic device developed till date, battery life remains an enduring challenge. Broadcom’s new platform addresses a key issue of battery drain in wearables, which is crucial for the growth of the market.
Another player in the same space, Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) launched its SimpleLink ultra-low-power wireless microcontroller platform that will allow OEMs to manufacture devices that can go battery-free or run for a long time without charging.
Broadcom presently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked semiconductor players include Nitto Denko Corp. (NDEKY) and DSP Group Inc. (DSPG), both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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