Resources for Qualcomm Snapdragon: MSM7x30, MSM8x55, MSM8x60 and QSD8x50

The Snapdragon processors are the latest generation of Qualcomm mobile chips used in smartphones (e.g. Google Nexus One) and tablets (e.g. Dell Streak).

There are currently 3 generations of Snapdragon chipsets:

First-Generation: QSD8x50 chipsets consisting of QSD8250™ and QSD8650™ based on ARM11 core running at 1GHz, a 595 MHz DSP, hardware-accelerated 3D graphics with Adreno 200 GPU, integrated Bluetooth 2.0 and GPS capabilities, a 12-megapixel camera and 720p video encode / decode.

Second-Generation: MSM8x55 chipsets consisting of MSM8255™ and MSM8655™ based on ARM11 core running at 1 GHz as well as MSM7x30 chipsets consisting of MSM7230™ and MSM7630™ running at 800 MHz. All second generation chipsets use Adreno 205 GPU.

Third-Generation: MSM8x60 chipsets platform consisting of MSM8260™ and MSM8660™, dual-core CPU running up to 1.2 GHz with Adreno 220 GPU. The QSD8672 running at 1.5GHz will also be part of the third generation and samples will be shipped by the end of the year (Q4 2010)

Contrary to Qualcomm MSM Devices where basically no info is available, you will find a proper description of the Snapdragon devices in Qualcomm Snapdragon page.

If you plan on developing on Snapdragon platform, you’ll need to visit and possibly register on Qualcomm developer website to get most of the required information.

You can get the full details for QSD8x50 family (QSD8250 and QSD8650) on Qualcomm developer site. Strangely this information is not available for the second and third generation of chipsets.

Snapdragon processors are supported by 3 different operating systems:

Development tools for each platform are available on the developer website.

For Android platform specifically, you can check out http://developer.qualcomm.com/dev/android/tools where you’ll find Adreno SDK and Profiler (Required for OpenGL development), AllJoyn SDK (Social applications development), some development tools, presentations, demos (with source), etc..

Although it does not seem very active, you may also visit Qualcomm Android Forum to ask questions or gather further information.

If you are trying to improve or add some features to your own devices, you may also check out XDA Developper Forums that may show you how to update some Android devices using Qualcomm Snapdragon platform, for example for Google Nexus One.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.