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t.alex
Yes, it seems Intel starts to learn from its its mistakes in the battle against ...
elctrnx_lyf
The convergence of PC, Tablet and Smart phone market is discussed bigger than ...
Intel: Android on x86 phones TK in 2012
Rick Merritt
9/13/2011 1:47 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO -- Multiple handset makers will ship next year Android phones using Intel's x86 chips, vowed Intel chief executive Paul Otellini in a keynote speech at IDF. Intel and Google expanded their collaboration to deliver optimized versions of Android on x86 to enable the handsets.
The pledge marks the latest twist in Intel's long road to finding significant design wins in the booming mobile market. Years ago it worked on an integrated applications processor with flash that failed to gain traction, and more recently it worked with Nokia to design a handset using Atom and MeeGo mobile Linux software.
Under new CEO Stephen Elop, Nokia shifted its plans to using Windows Phone 7 and ARM. "In Q4 2011 [the Atom/Meego handsets] were supposed to ship from Nokia, so we've lost six months, but we found new customers and we are off and running," said Otelli ni in a press Q&A.
"The smartphone business is not established, and the ultimate shakeout is yet to come for who wins and looses so good products can still make a difference and we hope to be one of them," he added.
"Meego is still alive and well in embedded and the automotive industry where it’s a major asset for us," Otellini added.
"We also are working with hardware vendors around the world to optimize [Meego] for tablets and phones," he said. "There remains a continuing interest among handset makers and carriers to have an additional ecosystem that is open and that is the value proposition for Meego," he said.
Google's vice president of mobile, Andy Rubin, briefly joined Otellini on stage here to discuss the company's collaboration. There were few details given except to say the companies will deliver versions of Android optimized for the x86 from the lowest to the highest levels of the software stack.
Otellini also showed working versions of a smartphone reference design based on the Medfield version of Atom and a Medfield tablet running the Honeycomb version of Android. The company had shown the smartphone reference design at an analyst meeting.
Otellini was upbeat but candid about Intel's chances in handsets.
Next: On ARM and ultrabooks
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markhahn
9/13/2011 4:50 PM EDT
Intel wanting into the phone market is fine, but we need to ask: what's the point? what unique value does Intel bring?
Intel fabs are good, but Intel doesn't produce anything that beats existing phone chips in performance/watt. the traditional strength of x86 (ecosystem, network effects) is basically irrelevant as well.
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chipmonk
9/14/2011 3:14 PM EDT
If Intel fabs can leapfrog 2 - 3 fab nodes ahead of TSMC then they could provide SoCs with far more functions and still lot less leakage / power consumption. But to take full advantage of those chips Intel would also have to provide operating systems & apps ( which Google might not support as they have a bigger stake in Droid to run ARM based system ). Perhaps Intel would grow McAfee into a provider of virus proof Op Sys. Even with all that Wintel type market dominance and margins of yore will be pretty difficult in the Smart Phone biz. The sure way out for Intel now is to just buy out ARM at mega - billions and get a control of their IP - don't think the UK has any Sherman anti - monopoly laws.
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goafrit
9/14/2011 5:31 PM EDT
I agree with you but Intel has never won by tech in the last five years. They win by sales. And watch Intel, they will do it thru generous dumping of the chips to the makers.
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hm
9/13/2011 7:47 PM EDT
This may be very difficult market for Intel. And Intel will not make profit from this market segment. Intel should concetrate on their core market and plan for future.
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Luis Sanchez
9/13/2011 11:32 PM EDT
Hey! I´m a little surprised. Intel making anti-virus software? Making chips for mobile and chips for netbooks and ... well, looks they are everywhere! Can they? There´s a saying "If you hold too much you´ll loose a grip". Let´s see how the story goes. However, I think Win 8 for mobile phones is starting to feel like a craving... I think too much talk about it is working. I wan´t to see it already. They better make a pretty good thing if they want to put a battle to iOS and Android. where are your bets?
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Tsantes
9/14/2011 9:19 AM EDT
NEVER rule Intel out. Time will tell.
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any1
9/14/2011 9:42 AM EDT
A Win 8 OS device powered by an Intel 22 nm finfet enabled Atom might gain traction in the market today. But such a device can not appear until at least two to three iphone/ipad generations into the future. It would seem that Intel is doomed to years of chasing the market in mobile computing with no guarantee of success.
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resistion
9/14/2011 8:30 PM EDT
A smartphone/pad is still a commodity. It is only attractive compared to PC or book because of its more compact and "cool" form factor. Improving the inner semiconductor components does not matter as much as it used to.
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unknown multiplier
9/15/2011 1:08 AM EDT
What is 'TK'?
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rick.merritt
9/16/2011 10:30 AM EDT
To come
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chanj
9/15/2011 12:58 PM EDT
Intel has acquired the fabrication technology to save power consumption. Yet, x86 architecture doesn't seem to be the right architecture for mobile/ tablet device for obvious reason. Yet, who knows what Intel would change to make its processor to better counter the technological challenges. The direction of jumping into the market is obviously right. The execution would be the key to the success.
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t.alex
9/24/2011 12:46 AM EDT
Yes, it seems Intel starts to learn from its its mistakes in the battle against ARM.
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rick.merritt
9/16/2011 10:31 AM EDT
I agree. X86 is still a power hog and Windows X is a memory hog. The two make for an underachieving tablet
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abraxalito
9/17/2011 9:22 PM EDT
'Pentium class system' - sounds like typical Intel marketing obfuscation. Pentium originally shipped at 60MHz - ARM has had a 'Pentium class CPU' for several years - its called the M0 and would easily run off a small solar cell.
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elctrnx_lyf
9/19/2011 12:57 PM EDT
The convergence of PC, Tablet and Smart phone market is discussed bigger than any other topics. If Android supported on x86 and they come out with a desktop OS then Google can directly turn out a war on Microsoft.
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