Intel and Nokia unveiled plans on Tuesday to work together to create a type of mobile computing device beyond today’s smartphones and netbooks.

The move takes Intel a step further towards a breakthrough into the highly prized mobile phone market. Nokia typically works with potential suppliers on joint research for several years before deciding to adopt a particular technology.

For Intel, a partnership with a leading mobile player is crucial to adoption of its chips although the announcement suggested the groups would focus on niche products initially in categories of devices yet to be developed.

"We believe that this will allow us to create an entire new category of devices," Kai Öistämö, Nokia executive vice-president in charge of the group's devices unit, told a media conference call. "The mobile and computing industries are coming together and we, as leaders in our respective industries, are taking the responsibility to really be the enablers to create this brave new world."

His counterpart, Anand Chandrasekher, senior vice-president of Intel’s ultra mobility group, described the partnership as "this year's most significant collaboration in our respective industries."

Source: FT

Labels: intel, MIDs, netbooks, Nokia, smartphones

Intel's has announced an investment in Japanese WiMax company UQ Communications, which intends to provide coverage to most of Japan by 2012.

"Intel Capital's investment in UQ Communications is one of our most significant commitments in developing the WiMax ecosystem around the globe," Intel Capital president Arvind Sodhani said in a statement. "UQ's WiMax deployment in Japan is a spectacular example of technology innovation being put to work."

UQ's network went live in February, and the company is deploying the mobile variant of WiMax. The fixed version is already offered in some areas of the UK, but deployment of the mobile version - a candidate for the title of 4G - is being held up by a lack of available spectrum.

Labels: intel, WiMax

According to a story in TechCrunch, Intel has presented plans to buy out Wind River Systems this summer, the maker of software for embedded devices such as smart phones, in-car “info-tainment” systems, and networking equipment, for around $884 million. Wind River currently has more than 1,600 employees, operates in over 15 countries, and last reported annual revenues of $359.7 million.

This acquisition move would enable Intel to move its processor and software offerings outside the traditional PC and server market segments and into embedded systems and mobile handheld devices. This is a sensical move as in our opinion, the smart phone segment is going to grow significantly over the next five years, and will be a major source of revenue for the company.

Labels: intel, Wind River