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Intel CEO wants its technology in every device (even golf clubs)
With spider robots and BMX bike stunts taking the stage at the opening keynote for this year's Intel Developer Forum (and hardly any details about actual chips) it's clear Intel wants to be known for more than just computer CPUs. It's a wise move, especially if you consider the dwindling PC market. Indeed, the company has been on this trajectory for a while now, with a push into the Internet of Things (remember the smart mug and connected baby onesie from CES 2014?). More recently, too, the company has made a big investment in wearables with its button-sized Curie module and the purchase of several wearable companies, including Basis and Recon. Intel has also branched out into other arenas, like RealSense, its depth-sensing, 3D-scanning tech. As Brian Krzanich, Intel's CEO, said during an interview at IDF: "We want to be everywhere."
Intel and Google want your phone to see in 3D
Intel's RealSense camera tech can sense and scan three-dimensional objects, while Google's Project Tango sensors are adept at motion tracking and 3D-mapping. It just makes sense for the two to come together, which is exactly what was announced today at Intel's Developer Forum. The two have developed a smartphone and software kit that integrates both RealSense and Project Tango technologies, as can be seen in the hardware prototype seen here. While this handset is strictly for developers at the moment, it offers a pretty good early look at what could potentially be in consumer phones later on.
Intel shows off its wearable 'Curie' chip using BMX tricks
At its annual Developer Forum Tuesday, Intel demonstrated a host of new use cases for its button-sized Curie wearable module. Intel has developed the tiny device as a low-power base for consumer and industrial wearables, debuting it first at CES in January and recently shipping the devices to OEMs. "If you have that kind of power in that kind of form factor, possibilities are endless," said Intel CEO Brian Krzanich.
Fossil unveils Android Wear smartwatch and other wearables
We've been hearing about Fossil's wearable tech aspirations for quite some time, and now we're finally getting a look at what the company has been working on. At IDF today, the fashion brand showed off three "connected accessories," all of which are powered by Intel. Sure, we've known the two companies were teaming up, but until now we hadn't seen any tech. The three wearable devices are a connected bracelet, a connected watch and a smartwatch that runs Android Wear. The two companies weren't very forthcoming with specs and features, but from the looks of the devices we saw today, you can expect plenty of silver (and likely some gold) with leather and metal bands. You'll also notice the unsightly black bar that the Moto 360 sports along the bottom of Fossil's smartwatch face. The quick peek today comes as a bit of a teaser ahead of an official launch in time for the holidays and we're sure to get more info in the months to come.
Razer's 3D-sensing camera brings motion tracking to your games
Razer has been big on immersive gaming as of late, and it's reinforcing that by unveiling a 3D-sensing camera at the Intel Developer Forum. The ominous-looking gadget uses Intel's RealSense to track your movement in games, whether you're sitting at a desktop or sporting a VR helmet (including Razer's own OSVR, naturally). For example, it can follow your head movements when you look to the side in a race car's cockpit. There aren't many more details to speak of just yet, but this hardware should arrive in the first quarter of 2016.
Live from the Intel Developer Forum 2015 keynote!
It's time once again for Intel's turn at the spotlight. Today is the first day of Intel's Developer Forum 2015, and if CEO Brian Krzanich's blog post is any indication, we actually have a pretty good chance to hear about some interesting news beyond the usual microprocessors at the show. He called out the increasing emphasis on immersion in computing, touting the ability for computers to now see (perhaps in reference to its RealSense tech) and hear us better than ever before. He also mentioned the interconnectedness of everyday devices (IoT anyone?) and the rise of wearables, so we'll likely hear more news about those two topics too. Plus apparently there'll be a "live BMX demo" at today's keynote. To find out about what exactly all this is about, come back here at 12 p.m. ET for our liveblog of the opening event!
Intel's success in China hinges on budget phones and tablets
"China is the number one market with connected products." That was how Intel's Senior Vice President Kirk Skaugen kicked off his keynote at IDF in Shenzhen, citing China's staggering 30 percent share of worldwide connected-device purchases in 2014. The country gobbled up 40 percent of the 46 million Intel-powered tablets shipped globally. Not bad, but 46 million is hardly anything compared to the 420.7 million smartphones shipped in China alone in the same year -- only a tiny percentage of which packed an Intel chip. Most others relied on Qualcomm, MediaTek and Samsung. Intel's smartphone market share is so small that it never dared to share the stats; it could be as low as 2.81 percent in the Android space, according to benchmark specialist AnTuTu.
You can't ride on this Harley-Davidson-themed PC case
We don't normally come across whacky desktop towers until Computex (which is less than two months away), so this beast of a PC at IDF was a nice surprise for us. Courtesy of Chinese startup Micle, this case is awkwardly called the "Proud of Blood" but has nothing to do with Diablo; instead, you're better off remembering it as the 90cm-tall desktop tower inspired by Harley-Davidson motorcycles. All the details are there: the V2 engine, the pipes, the tank cover, the spoiler and more. Unlike the plastic prototype we saw, the final version will be mostly aluminum, according to Micle co-founder and famed local modder Wei Zheng.
Play Whac-A-Mole on these weather-predicting smart ceramics
Most consumer IoT devices we've come across are made out of dull plastic, so excuse us for getting a bit excited over these porcelain smart mugs and vases at IDF in Shenzhen. Yes, porcelain, courtesy of Chinese ODM Thread Technology who's integrated Intel's tiny Edison computer module into these white ware pieces. And thanks to the translucent nature of the ceramic material, the company's able to add a simple 12 x 16-dot LED touchscreen underneath the inner wall. Once turned on, you can scroll through features such as weather forecast, music (either from a phone via Bluetooth or from the 4GB of onboard storage; built-in speaker), WeChat notification (voice playback and reply supported), dice and even a simple Whac-A-Mole game. Both devices have a conductive charging mat as well.
Intel CEO controls a swarm of robot spiders with gestures
Forget the Apple Watch. Forget the Pebble Time. What you really need is a wristband that gives you the power to control an army of scary-looking drones. At IDF in Shenzhen, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich put on a simple Curie-powered wristband with motion detection, which then let him commandeer four robot spiders. With some simple gestures, Krzanich was able to make them stand up, change the LED colors on the drones, make them do "fist" pumps and eventually go back to idling. Sounds cute, right? Maybe not so much when you actually see this in action -- we have a video right after the break.
Intel's made a tinier, longer-range depth camera for phones
Intel's been a huge backer of gesture control plus 3D scanning, and so far it's managed to integrate its RealSense technology into select desktops, laptops, tablets and even drones. The missing piece of the puzzle? Smartphones. But that's no longer the case with Intel's latest RealSense camera, as showed off by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich at IDF in Shenzhen today. The new module is significantly smaller and slimmer than the previous version, has a lower thermal output, and claims to have a longer detection range as well. As such, Intel's able to fit it into a 6-inch smartphone prototype, though Krzanich, an exec known for taking risks with live demos, didn't turn on said device on stage.
Intel's latest Atom chips are meant for all of your connected devices
Intel's latest Atom processors aren't just for phones and tablets -- they're going to show up in many of the other devices you own before long. The chip maker has unveiled a new version of its Atom x3 (aka SoFIA) that's designed to run Internet of Things gadgets, such as smart appliances and outdoor sensors. They have built-in 3G or LTE data to stay online, and they're tough enough to survive extreme temperatures that would faze regular silicon. Unsurprisingly, these processors are made with Linux and Android in mind. There's no word from Intel as to which companies are using the new x3, but you'll definitely have to be patient. The developer kits don't start shipping until the second half of the year, so you probably won't see a truly wide range of Atom-powered gear until 2016.
