Nvidia talks up Tegra for Android

Nvidia is now supporting the Android operating system on its Tegra computer-on-a-chip processors, the manufacturer announced at Mobile World Congress.

The idea is to put Tegra into Android-bearing moblie internet devices, or MIDs. Nvidia's competition in the MID market is Qualcomm, whose Snapdragon processor is not vastly dissimilar to Tegra.

Nvidia will give its customers an Android port from the second quarter of the year, it said on Monday.

Here's what Nvidia claims Tegra can provide:

* 720p and 1080p video playback
* Days of use between charges
* Full Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity
* Optimized hardware support for Web 2.0 applications for a true desktop-class internet experience
* A complete software solution including Microsoft Windows Embedded CE OS, application viewers, full Internet browser, UI framework, board support package (BSP), software development kit (SDK), Web mail client, and more

The company also claims that Tegra-toting MIDs could cost as little as $99, although that's the price through a carrier, so probably after-subsidy.