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Just imagine, being able to listen to your favorite music while riding on
your bike, or watching a small video of your favorite movie whilst waiting at
the traffic signal. It is not as futuristic as it sounds. This can be possible,
courtesy a tiny mobile device that sits well inside your pocket.
If one goes by statistics, by 2011, notebook shipments across the globe would
increase by 50 percent over desktops shipments. While this shows an increased
tendency towards mobility, it also is indicative of the fact that notebooks-like
cell phones-are getting increasingly personalized. Two barriers that have
cropped up are data protection and anti-theft security.
Intel now is trying to innovate and invest on new architectures-both at
platform and processor level to ensure that these user needs are met. The
company has announced the formation of the MID innovation alliance with
manufacturers like Asus, BenQ, Compal, Elektrobit, HTC, Inventec, and Quanta
last year. It has made significant progress on Intel-based Menlow platforms and
is on track to bring these platforms to the marketplace in early 2008.
In response to growing momentum in the industry, more than 15 companies have
embraced Intel's 'Full Internet in Your Pocket' vision, and are investing in the
ultra mobile personal computers (UMPC) and MIDs, and are expected to bring new
products over time. Also the Asianux consortium along with Intel would extend
its coverage from servers to MIDs with its Asianux Mobile Midinux Edition.
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| A Samsung ultra mobile PC takes
a ride with Intel's Lynn Kuo during Mooley Eden's opening-day keynote |
The Intel future
Intel's focus on mobility per se was evident at the Asia-Pacific Intel
Developer Forum (IDF), Fall 2007 held at the Taipei International Convention
Center in Taiwan. The very theme of the event was 'Multiply Your Innovation',
and all Intel speakers at the conference spoke at length on mobile, ultra-mobile
and wireless technologies.
Participants at the event got to learn about how Intel's technologies would
enable the industry to capture new markets and usage model opportunities. The
developer community also got a glimpse on how to create and innovate mobility
effectively. Of the nearly 2,700 attendees and 65 companies, it was bloggers who
had a hey day, since Intel for the first time provided online blogging at the
event.
Making his keynote presentation, Anand Chandrasekher, Senior VP and
GM-Mobile Platform Group, Intel said that the need of the hour is to get various
technologies from the 'extreme' to the 'mainstream.' This, according to him, is
possible only through collaborations and partnerships. Innovation, he said, is
the key to making technologies pervasive and diffuse them into the market.
Anand also indicated that the focus for his group at Intel is the developing
markets, and India posted a huge opportunity as far as mobility and WiMax is
concerned. He said that together with partners, Intel would maximize on this
growth opportunity. Anand also said that Intel would come out with many new
products and solutions in 2008, which would be in sync with the growth in the
mobility market space.
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| The Taiwan Intel Developer Forum
at the Taipei International Convention Center drew around 3,000 developers,
engineers, media and other technical audiences |
Products In 2008
Describing the latest trends in mobile computing, Mooly Eden, VP and
GM-Mobility Platforms Group, Intel gave a sneak peek into the forthcoming Intel
platforms for notebooks that promise better performance, battery life, have a
small form factor and provide for 'always on' connectivity. He also discussed
the future of wireless networking connectivity, including mobile WiMax.
Mooly added that in January 2008, Intel will launch 'Santa Rosa Refresh', an
update to Intel Centrino processor technology that includes the 45nm high-k
mobile processor (codenamed Penryn) and improved graphics capabilities. Santa
Rosa Refresh notebook PCs would contain the Mobile Intel 965 Express chipset
family, Intel next-gen wireless-N network connection, Intel 82566MM and 82566MC
Gigabit network connection, and optional Intel Turbo memory.
Mooly also demonstrated the Montevina processor technology, which Intel hopes
to deliver in mid-2008. Montevina includes the new 45nm high-k Intel Penryn
mobile processor and comes with DDR3 memory support. This will be Intel's first
Centrino processor technology for notebooks to offer integrated Wi-Fi and WiMax
wireless technologies for better wireless broadband access. It will also feature
integrated HD-DVD/
Blu-ray support for consumers with better data manageability and security
features for the enterprise.
Mooly also demonstrated the Intel Echo Peak, the integrated Wi-Fi/WiMax
module solution that will be offered as an option for notebooks, based on
Montevina in 2008. Echo Peak incorporates advanced MIMO antenna technology for
increased data throughput rates-for users of broadband at home, work and 'on the
go'. A number of OEMs, including Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Panasonic and Toshiba have
apparently expressed intent to embed WiMAX into these next-generation Centrino
processor technology-based notebook PCs in 2008.
Making his presentation, Gadi Singer, VP and AGM-Ultra Mobility Group, Intel
discussed the growing need of mobile users to communicate, entertain, stay
informed and remain productive on the go. He also outlined Intel's strategy to
bring the full Internet to mobile users by using low-power IA platforms, to
reduce CPU and chipset power performance.
Singer also discussed the upcoming Intel Menlow platform, scheduled for
launch in the first half of 2008, which is comprised of a processor, codenamed
'Silverthorne', based on a new 45nm high-k low power micro-architecture and a
new chipset, codenamed 'Poulsbo', based on a ground-up single-chip design. He
said that a Menlow platform would deliver better performance at low power and
could fit in a 74x143mm sized motherboard, enabling a full Internet experience,
even though the form factor is small enough to fit into users' pockets.
Subbalakshmi BM
subbalakshmibm@cybermedia.co.in
(The author was hosted at Taipei by Intel) Page(s) 1
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