When the chips are down, mobile computing is not so much about the device as about the experience that device provides, according to Intel CEO Paul Otellini. Of course Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) wants to power the experience on as many devices as possible, and this week at CES the world’s largest chipmaker said its Atom processors will finally power new smartphones launching this year. “I’m thrilled to announce that the best of Intel’s computing is coming to smartphones,” Otellini said in his keynote address. “It’s coming first to China, with 100 million users, and growing rapidly.” (Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Lenovo senior VP Liu Jun took the stage with Otellini to show off the first Intel architecture-based smartphone, Lenovo’s K800. The Android phone will be available through China Unicom this spring.
Mike Bell, recently put in charge of Intel’s mobile and communications group along with Hermann Eul, demonstrated the K800. “This is why you don’t want to drive with me,” he told the audience as he played a car racing game on the monitor.
Intel also announced that Motorola Mobility will debut Android smartphones featuring Intel processors this year. The two companies said they have several devices in the works.
As tablets and smartphones take market share away from personal computers, Intel has been slow to get its chips into these smaller devices. Lower-powered chips made by ARM (NASDAQ: ARMH) tend to use less battery life, and have therefore been the chips of choice for many manufacturers. But Intel says the Atom-powered K800 will provide 8 hours of 4G talk time and 2 weeks of standby time.
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