Intel recently debuted new builds of Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) specifically optimized to run on devices with 64-bit Intel chips.
With 64-bit support, developers can now download and install 4.4.2 for Intel’s NUC, Dell’s XPS 12 ultrabook with a Celeron N2820 CPU, or fourth-gen Intel Core Haswell processor.
According to Liliputing’s Brad Linder, support for Intel’ s MinnowBoard Max dev board will be going live in June.
“Intel says with a bit of work, this flavor of Android should support any device with a recent Intel 64-bit processor. While this build of Android is primarily aimed at developers, it lays the groundwork for 64-bit versions of Android that can run on a range of tablets, notebooks, desktops and other devices,” Linder explained.
“[Nevertheless], we’ll have to wait for an update from Google until the whole operating system can take full advantage of processors like those found in the Intel NUC, Dell XPS 12 and eventually other devices with 64-bit Haswell or Bay Trail chips.”
In the meantime, Intel’s optimizations include improved support for HTML 5, JavaScript, WebKit, V8 and Dalvik, while the Linux kernel has been tweaked to bolster power, memory and performance.
