YOU ARE AT:WirelessIntel enters smartphone arena, starting in China

Intel enters smartphone arena, starting in China

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.

Want your news faster? Follow me on Twitter.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Martha DeGrasse
Martha DeGrassehttp://www.nbreports.com
Martha DeGrasse is the publisher of Network Builder Reports (nbreports.com). At RCR, Martha authored more than 20 in-depth feature reports and more than 2,400 news articles. She also created the Mobile Minute and the 5 Things to Know Today series. Prior to joining RCR Wireless News, Martha produced business and technology news for CNN and Dow Jones in New York and managed the online editorial group at Hoover’s Online before taking a number of years off to be at home when her children were young. Martha is the board president of Austin's Trinity Center and is a member of the Women's Wireless Leadership Forum.