Intel

Intel buys Linux developer Opened Hand

Paul Mah — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:38:50 -0400

In yet another sign of the growing interest in operating systems tailored for mobile devices, Intel has acquired startup Linux developer Opened Hand. Opened Hand is a London-based firm that has created fundamental software for companies such as Nokia and the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC). The Opened Hand team will be tasked with helping Intel develop its Moblin Software Platform. Moblin is an open-source software stack designed specifically to integrate Intel's own Atom processors with Mobile Internet Devices (MID), netbooks and embedded systems. Existing projects such as Clutter and Matchbox will continue to be led by Opened Hand employees.

For more about Intel's acquisition:
- check out this PCWorld article

Netbook prices set to fall

Paul Mah — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:03:20 -0400

Acer has slashed the prices of its Aspire netbook from $399 to $349. In addition, its Linpus Linux Lite will also see its price drop from $379 to $329. Netbooks, a new category of affordable, low-powered computing platforms, was a major topic at the recent Intel Developer's Conference (IDF), where Intel reaffirmed its commitment to netbooks. Post-IDF, industry speculation is that netbooks are headed over a price cliff because of the sudden realization by manufacturers of the number of competitors they faced. Richard Doherty, research director for Envisioneering--an electronics market research firm--remarked about the recent IDF conference, "Dozens and dozens of netbooks were shown." Certainly, netbook makers would have come to the conclusion that they will need to be more aggressive in terms of pricing. Good news for consumers, I suppose.

To read more about netbooks:
- check out this blog from the New York Times

Microsoft to extend Windows XP for nettops as well

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:48:10 -0400

Microsoft will extend the availability of its die-hard Windows XP operating system to manufacturers of ultra low-cost PCs, aka nettops. Not surprisingly, Microsoft's corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer Division, Steven Guggenheimer noted that "Customers and partners have made it clear to us that they want Windows on their netbooks and nettops." With Intel projecting sales of more than 100 million netbooks and nettops annually by the year 2011, it is easy to see how Microsoft could ill-afford to miss the bandwagon. Still, this move to protect their market share is ironic in that it is likely to be at the expense of Windows Vista.

For more on Windows XP for nettops:
- check out this Guardian article

Canonical showcases UBuntu Netbook Remix distribution

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:46:27 -0400

Canonical, the commercial sponsor of well-known Linux distribution Ubuntu, will be demonstrating a reworked version of Ubuntu specially catered to netbooks at Computex this week. Based on the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition, the Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimized for Intel's range of Atom processors. It also features a launcher that allows users to get on-line and access their favorite applications more quickly.

A number of OEMs already are expected to deliver devices running on the operating system by the later part of 2008. Remix will not be available as a free download though, according to marketing manager Gerry Carr. Instead, it will only be offered direct to prospective netbook vendors.

For more about Ubuntu Netbook Remix:
- check out the Canonical press release

Intel shows off new Atom processors

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:42:54 -0400

Intel has announced the availability of two Atom processors at the Computex 2008 conference in Taiwan this week. The Atom N270 processor is targeted at low-cost notebooks, while the Atom 230 is aimed at small desktops. Both processors feature 1.6GHz clock speeds and a 533MHz front side bus. Built on Intel's 45-nanometer manufacturing process, they are capable of supporting both Linux and Windows XP operating system.

Intel expects growth of the netbook and nettop market to exceed that of traditional desktops and even laptops. This will come about as households in emerging markets snap-up the cheaper offering, and households in mature markets acquire additional netbooks so that there potentially will be one device per person.

For more on Intel's Atom processors:
- check out this Computerworld article

Intel's Atom faces strong demand

Mehan Jayasuriya — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:41:51 -0400

How do you know that your product is a hit? I'd say, if you're looking at a supply shortage before you've even launched, that's probably a pretty good sign. Apparently, demand from manufacturers for Intel's forthcoming Atom mobile chipset is so high, supplies are expected to be low until Q3 this year. Get ready for a deluge of UMPCs and MIDs, folks. Article

First Atom devices coming in June

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Remember that Sharp-Willcom D4 WS016SH UMPC, the first production device to pack Intel's Atom inside? Well, looks like it will be landing in the States on June 20th, with a hefty $1,526 pricetag attached. If you do choose to pay the early-adopter tax, you'll get a 1.33Ghz Atom Z520 CPU, 40GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g, a 5" WSVGA touchscreen and Windows Vista. While the Sharp-Willcom D4 isn't exactly the most exciting piece of kit on the block, it does make you wonder what other Atom devices we'll be seeing come June.

For more on the Sharp-Willcom D4:
- see this Boy Genius Report article

Apple snatches up P.A. Semi

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Given Apple's close relationship with Intel in recent years and the company's increased focus on mobile devices like the iPhone and iPod Touch, the folks in Cupertino seemed likely candidates to showcase the capabilities of Intel's forthcoming Atom. True though that may be, don't count on Apple sticking with Intel's mobile wares for too long. Apple announced today that it has acquired boutique CPU manufacturer P.A. Semi for a whopping $278 million in cash. The 150 person company recently revealed a 2.0Ghz, 64-bit, dual-core mobile CPU that's said to be 300 percent more efficient than similar chips on the market. It's probably a pretty safe bet that P.A. Semi CPUs will show up in future iPhones/iPods, and they could even make their way into ultraportable laptops like the MacBook Air, which, as you'll recall, uses a custom low-power Intel CPU. "The decision to center the iPhone design around a chip that Apple could own marks a significant strategic choice by Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs, and is aimed at ensuring Apple can continue to differentiate its flagship phone as a raft of competitors flood the market," Forbes notes.

For more on the acquisition:
- see this Forbes article

VIA Isaiah faster than Intel Atom?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

As you might have already figured out, we're pretty pumped for Intel's forthcoming Atom chipset 'round these parts. If preliminary benchmarks are to be believed, however, the Atom could have a little competition on its hands later this year. It looks like VIA--the manufacturer of low-power chips that are currently used in devices like the Eee PC and HP Mini Note--is looking to strike back with its forthcoming Isaiah CPU. You see, Intel's Atom is pretty widely recognized as an attempt to unseat VIA as the current king of power-sipping mobile CPUs, but the Taiwanese company isn't going down without a fight: preliminary benchmarks (based on published estimates, not real world tests) show the Isaiah outperforming the Atom by a wide margin.

For more on the benchmarks:
- see this Engadget article

Sharp-Willcom D4 first to sport Atom

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Eagerly awaiting Intel's forthcoming Atom platform for UMPCs and MIDs? Well, in that case, you'll be glad to hear that the first device based on the spec has finally shown its face: the Sharp-Willcom D4 WS016SH UMPC. In addition to a catchy name, the D4 sports a 1.3Ghz Atom Z520 CPU, an LED-backlit, 1024x600 touchscreen, a full QWERTY keypad, 1GB of RAM, 40GB of storage, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and Windows Vista Home Premium. It also can make phone calls using Japan's PHS system, and even includes an external Bluetooth device for voice calling. Don't expect to see this one outside of the Land of the Rising Sun, though it does offer a tantalizing taste of things to come.

For more on the first Atom device:
- see this Gizmodo article