Intel CEO: 'Computing no longer confined to the PC – It’s everywhere'

CES, LAS VEGAS, USA: Intel Corp. President and CEO Paul Otellini today talked about how “personal computing” is expanding beyond the PC to nearly every kind of electronic device, transforming Intel and the industry in the process. He also unveiled several innovative technologies and design wins that spanned Intel’s PC and other growth businesses, including netbooks, smartphones, CE devices and “connected” embedded technology.

“Computing is no longer confined to your computer – it’s everywhere,” Otellini said during his CES keynote speech. “Advances in connectivity, intuitive user interfaces, immersive content and computer chip performance have allowed computing to move into new areas. Computing moving into all manner of devices and experiences all around us improves our personal productivity and enjoyment.”

Otellini described how Intel and the industry are delivering the vision he painted in his keynote 2 years ago at CES. Computing is being integrated into every relevant aspect of people’s lives, he said, whether they are on their computer or smartphone, watching TV, in the car or out shopping.

A seamless personalized experience tailored to individuals’ interests, needs and social networks will deliver the information, entertainment and experiences people want, whenever, however and wherever they want. To illustrate his point, he demonstrated exciting advances in mobile device applications, 3-D content, smarter phones and TVs, and areas traditionally not associated with computing such as home energy management and digital signage.

Otellini described how bringing the world of simple and useful “viral” applets to Intel Atom processor-based devices will further bring this vision of “personal” computing to life, creating new usage models and a unique and powerful distribution channel for software developers.

Intel created the Atom Developer Program in September to address this opportunity. He revealed a beta version of a software app store for netbooks that Intel launched today called the Intel AppUp Center. The first apps, which span education, entertainment, games, health and other categories, are now available for free download or purchase by visiting www.intelappup.com.

Acer, ASUS, Dell and Samsung are the first OEMs to announce support for apps stores based on the Intel AppUp Center. Otellini said Intel and its partners expect to expand the stores over time to include applications for other large categories such as PCs, handheld CE devices, smartphones, CE appliances, TVs and other devices based on future Intel processor families.

As an example of new ways to connect computing devices in the home, Otellini also unveiled a product called the Intel Wireless Display. Using a laptop powered by select all new 2010 Intel Core processors and enabled with this display technology, an individual can quickly stream videos, photos and other content from the PC to the HDTV over a WiFi connection.

On Jan. 17 laptops by Dell, Sony and Toshiba and a TV adapter by NETGEAR – featuring Intel Wireless Display – will be available at Best Buy in the United States and Canada as part of its Blue Label 2.0 program.

“Computing in the home is rapidly expanding beyond the PC,” Otellini said. “The TV will continue to be a focal point of the home while becoming smarter, much in the way phones are evolving into smartphones. New user interfaces and forms of connectivity will change the way we interact with entertainment in the home.”

3-D stereoscopic content
Intel’s CEO touched on one of the most buzzed about topics at CES –- 3-D stereoscopic content -– and said that creating 3-D content requires a “ton of computing power.”

Powerful microprocessors will play a central role in the transition to 3-D content creation. Otellini also said there are select powerful PCs available today that are expanding 3-D content creation from Hollywood studios to living rooms. To prove his point, he demonstrated how an individual could do real-time creation and editing of a 3-D video with the horsepower of an Intel Core i7 processor-based PC.

Yesterday morning, Intel launched several PC platform products including more than 25 all new 2010 Intel Core processors, wireless adapters and related chipsets for laptops, desktop PCs and embedded devices. These new processors deliver Intel’s best media and graphics technologies, including the ability to intelligently adapt, automatically providing an added boost of performance for such demanding applications as HD and 3-D video creation.

Otellini also described how advancements in microprocessor technology will continue to transform how people enjoy 3-D movies and TV in their homes. To prove his point, he showed new ways to visually search for TV shows, Internet access to videos and other applications on a yet-to-be introduced Orange media set-top box powered by one of Intel’s computer-on-a-chip products.

The Intel Atom™ processor CE4100, which is currently available, is optimized for the next generation of set-top boxes, media players and connected TVs.

“Smartphones truly embody personal computing,” Otellini said. “Wireless connectivity is critical and 3G is great, but it’s not fast enough. 4G technologies like WiMAX are needed to deliver on the promise and potential of these new devices.”

All the Internet connectivity for demonstrations in Otellini’s keynote used the CLEAR 4G mobile Internet service that has been available in Las Vegas since July. The WiMAX Forum forecasts more than 700 million people covered by WiMAX at the end of 2010.

“Two years ago, I showed a suite of futuristic, compute-intensive applications for handheld devices,” Otellini said. “The computing was really done on a desktop PC behind the curtain because handhelds didn’t have the processing capability yet. Two years later, the future is here.”

To prove his point, Otellini showed how multi-tasking capabilities combined with new user interfaces are creating exciting new applications for smartphones today. This included the world’s first demonstration of the LG Electronics GW990 smartphone to help demonstrate the performance and software compatibility of “Moorestown,” Intel’s next-generation platform for handhelds and smartphones.

He also showcased a smartphone reference design from Aava Mobile and a tablet reference design from OpenPeak. “Moorestown” is scheduled to launch during the first half of the year with devices coming to market in the second half.

Otellini also described how many machines and applications traditionally not associated with computing are now connecting to the Internet, creating more personal computing experiences at home and out in the world. Examples include infotainment systems for cars, digital interactive signs, shopping kiosks and medical devices.

Intel’s Atom processor is making inroads in these and other intelligent devices. Otellini said customers are in process of developing 2,500 different devices and machines powered by the Intel Atom processor including a concept device for managing energy consumption in the home.

He also unveiled a digital sign based on an embedded Intel Core i5 processor that brings the data-richness of online shopping to the in-store shopping experience.