ARM Ltd. designs the processor cores for virtually every cell phone on the planet, but hasn’t signed on to Google’s Android standard for mobile platform development. That will change next week at the mammoth Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

ARM will demonstrate Android running on an ARM-based handset at the conference, Google and ARM have confirmed.

“ARM will be demonstrating Android on an early prototype device to show how the platform works on their processor,” Google spokesman Barry Schnitt told reporters. And there will additionally be more Android phones being demonstrated at the congress, Schnitt said.

Android Needs Apps

The congress could set up Android’s standing in the industry. Schnitt said Google is “very excited” by the number of companies ready to demonstrate prototypes of Android phones.

considering ARM designs the processor cores for most mobile phones, its support could construct Android more than a specification and a developer’s kit.

“The key for Google will be to

get not only carrier support, but plus application support whether that platform is to succeed,” said Tim Bajarin, principal analyst with Creative Strategies, in an e-mail. “It is true that the ARM chip needs minimal support, but the support issues come in at the OS and apps level, and that always presents a challenge to companies that adopt it.”

Credibility Boost

The Android alliance includes some 30 handset makers, carriers and chipmakers. Android is based on Linux, and ARM supports Linux as well as other operating systems. ARM is said to have taken a wait-and-see attitude toward the standard, so its cooperation with Google in Barcelona is a big step forward for Android.

“Having someone like ARM on board could be a real accelerator; it could be instrumental in boosting Android’s perceived credibility,” said Greg Sterling, principal analyst with Sterling Market Research, in a telephone interview.

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