Android's public profile is growing rapidly, and as its previously-overlooked power and flexibility become more apparent to the masses, companies are finding ways to maximize the operating system's potential. Last month, I wrote about the direction Google is taking in terms of social networking in Android and how they are gearing it towards devices other than phones and computers - devices like home security systems.

Today, the New York Times published a piece on a microprocessor design firm called MIPS technologies. And they are tweaking Android for Hi-Def video applications. They expect Android to be found in set-top boxes, digital picture frames, and home media players - a catch-all term for frames that go beyond photos, with audio and video.

NYT interviewed MIPS VP of marketing, and he provided some interesting bites regarding Android's impact and potential:

?In my 25 years in the electronics industry, I have never seen a new technology take off as quickly as this one. It is moving very rapidly out the of mobile handset space.?

?It works on a variety of platforms. It's easy to customize. It's really a beautifully architected system. Once people saw how straightforward it was to move from a handset to a netbook, then it began to be an ?aha? moment: ?What if I migrate this to a DTV or set-top box?? ?

While I'm unlikely to be able to afford any of this stuff soon, I'm excited at the prospect of availability. MIPS passes their technology on to OEMs, who, in turn, create concept gear, test it out, and eventually bring something to market. So it'll be a little while before we see these gadgets. My primary question now is, "When will Google enter the video game console arena?!" Guess I should buy an EVO before complaining.

Via NYT Technology Blog