Intel bares plans to power more mobile devices

Intel Corp. is planning further inroads into the lucrative mobile industry with a new Atom processor platform for smartphones and tablets, as well as lower-power Core processors for ultrabooks. The company announced a new smartphone platform for emerging markets, an upcoming 22-nanometer quad-core system on a chip (SoC) for tablets, and more personal and intuitive Ultrabooks. “The best of Intel is coming to a mobile device near you. We are set to deliver the biggest increase in battery efficiency in Intel’s history with fourth-generation Intel Core processors, while adding broad new human interfaces to computing devices through touch, voice, facial recognition, and gesture-based interactions," said Kirk Skaugen, vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group at Intel. He also said they are significantly extending performance and power savings in Atom processors "as we accelerate our mobile offerings in an unprecedented fashion in 2013.” Atom platform The new Atom (formerly Lexington)-based platform targets the value smartphone market with Acer, Lava International and Safaricom. Intel cited industry sources that predicted the value of smartphone market segment, which they said could reach 500 million units by 2015. "The new platform brings Intel’s classic product strengths to this fast-growing smartphone market segment, including impressive performance for quick Web browsing, and a great multimedia and Android applications experience," it said. Mike Bell, vice president and general manager of the Mobile and Communications Group, said the low-power Atom platform lets Intel address new market segments and further rounds out its expanding portfolio of smartphone offerings. “We believe the experience that comes with Intel Inside will be a welcomed choice by first-time buyers in emerging markets, as well as with our customers who can deploy more cost-conscious devices without sacrificing device performance or user experience,” he said. The new value offering includes high-end features including the Intel Atom processor Z2420 with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology that go as fast as 1.2 GHz, 1080p hardware-accelerated encode/decode, and support for up to two cameras delivering advanced imaging capabilities. Camera capabilities include a burst mode that allows people to capture seven pictures in less than a second in 5-megapixel quality. Also, the platform includes the Intel XMM 6265 HSPA+ modem that offers Dual Sim/Dual Standby capability for cost-conscious consumers. Bell also highlighted the forthcoming Intel Atom Z2580 processor platform (formerly "Clover Trail+") targeted at performance and mainstream smartphones. It includes a dual-core Atom processor with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, and also features a dual-core graphics engine. He said the new platform will deliver up to two times the performance benefits over Intel’s current Atom processor Z2460 platform, while offering longer battery life. Quad-core Atom Bell disclosed a wide range of tablet designs based on the Atom Processor Z2760 running Windows 8. These devices are available from OEMs such as Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG and Samsung. Bell also unveiled details about the company’s next-generation 22-nm Atom SoC, codenamed "Bay Trail,” which may be available for holiday 2013. "The first quad-core Atom SoC will be the most powerful Atom processor to date, delivering more than two times the computing performance of Intel’s current generation tablet offering. It will also include new improved integrated security offerings," Intel said. Such improvements will boost business and personal use in devices as thin as 8mm, which can run on a single charge all day or go for weeks on standby. “With Bay Trail we will build on the work done with our current SoC development and accelerate very quickly by leveraging Intel’s core computing strengths,” Bell said. “We will take advantage of the tremendous software assets and expertise at our disposal to deliver the best products with best-in-class user experiences,” he added. Ultrabook innovation Last September, Intel announced it added a new line of processors to its coming fourth-generation Intel Core processor family. Skaugen said the low-power line of processors are coming to its third-generation Intel Core processor family. "Available now, these chips will operate as low as 7 watts, allowing manufacturers greater flexibility in thinner, lighter convertible designs. Currently there are more than a dozen designs in development based on this new low-power offering and they are expected to enable a full PC experience in innovative mobile form factors including tablets and Ultrabook convertibles," Intel said. It cited the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S Ultrabook and a future Ultrabook detachable from Acer as among the first to market this spring. The fourth-generation Intel Core processor family promises true all-day battery life, in what Intel said is the most significant battery life capability improvement in the firm's history. Skaugen said new systems may deliver up to nine hours of continuous battery life. “The fourth-generation Core processors are the first Intel chips built from the ground up with the Ultrabook in mind. We expect the tremendous advancements in lower-power Core processors, and the significant ramp of touch-based systems will lead to a significant new wave of convertible Ultrabooks and tablets that are thinner, lighter and, at the same time, have the performance required for more human-like interaction such as touch, voice and gesture controls,” he said. Skaugen showed a new form factor Ultrabook detachable reference design codenamed "North Cape" that converts into a 10mm tablet and can run on battery for up to 13 hours while docked. Natural, immersive interaction Intel also demonstrated natural and more immersive interaction experiences using a 3-D depth camera. It showed applications running on an Ultrabook where objects can be manipulated naturally with free movements of the hands, fingers, face and voice. All the apps use the Intel Perceptual Computing SDK Beta. For 2013, Intel expects more Ultrabooks and all-in-one (AIO) systems to offer applications for voice control (Dragon Assistant) and facial recognition (Fast Access) for convenience and freedom from passwords. Family night Skaugen also demonstrated new adaptive AIO systems that have a battery built into the screen and can be picked up and easily moved around the home or office. Adaptive AIOs are high-performance computers with large touch-enabled screens that can be used as a multi-user touch gaming system, or as an interactive art creation device. He said these devices will help bring “game night” to families, via shared experiences where people gather around the system to interact, play and have fun. Meanwhile, Intel continues to drive access to content on Intel-based devices by working with video service providers such as Comcast and Bouygues Telecom. They seek to create TV experiences that will allow customers to view live and on-demand pay TV content. Using the Puma 6MG-based XG5 multi-screen video gateway, Intel is collaborating with Comcast to bring the XFINITY TV experience to multiple screens in the home including Ultrabook devices, and Intel-based AIO PCs and tablets. "This new category of devices allows any screen in the home to access live and on-demand entertainment premium content," Intel said. Intel is also working with Bouygues Telecom to bring customers in France the Bbox TV experience to these same Intel-based devices. — LBG, GMA News