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Intel demos iPhone-like MID of the future
Intel just keeps banging out the hits from IDF. After the handful of McCaslin "next-quarter" and "coming-soon" UMPCs we saw from the chipmaker (and associates), Intel started busting out prototypes from its forthcoming Menlow chipset, using smaller, 45nm Silverthorne CPUs, and the 2009/2010 offering Moorestown... which is the bad-boy you're looking at in these photos is based on. In a rather obvious homage to the iPhone, the chip-kingpin presented this do-anything, go-anywhere MID (provided you can cram this French-bread-sized device into a pocket). The device will feature a 45nm CPU as well, plus all kinds of goodies like integrated WiFi and WiMAX, and apparently 24 hours of battery life on a single charge. Obviously, this product will probably never see the light of day (at least not in this form factor), but then again -- you never really know. Check a few more photos after the break.Read -- Intel shows concept iPhone running on Moorestown platformRead -- Intel's iPhone clone, we're not jokingRead -- Intel Details Next Generation "Menlow" MID, UMPC Platform
HTC's Shift runs Vista (for 2 hours?) not Windows Mobile
HTC's Shift: runs Windows Mobile right, after all, it's an HTC device? Nope, Vista Business Edition. That Windows Mobile looking UI we've seen is HTC's "SnapVUE" shell, an advanced BIOS with support for some of the same applications you would see on a Windows Mobile device. So while you won't get voice capability or Windows Mobile Office, the Sideshow-like display will provide up to 53-hours of use with push email enabled (11 days, without). At least that's what Kaz911 is saying after getting their hands on the claimed, official HTC specs and interviewing Kevin Chen, General Manager HTC EMEA. If the spec list is to be believed, we're looking at an 800MHz Intel A110 Stealey-class CPU; 1GB memory; up to 60GB of disk; 7-inch, 800 x 480 touch-sensitive LCD for all the Aero and 3D flip action you can handle; 802.11b/g WiFi; Bluetooth 2.0; and of course a 400MHz Qualcomm MSM 7200 chipset with tri-band UMTS / HSDPA and quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE radios. The odd (and hopefully inaccurate) spec is the 2700mAh battery rated for "up to 2-hours" of that Vista wow. Sounds a bit fishy to us for a McCaslin-based UMPC which targets 4-5 hours of battery life. We'll see once these official specs are actually released by HTC.[Via jkOnTheRun] Read -- HTC Shift "official" specifications Read -- Kevin Chen interview
Intel CEO compares Silverthorne criticality with original Pentium
Intel's been throwing so many mobile processor codenames around in the past 12 months or so that we've resorted to hiring droids to constantly update pivot tables as chips are named and nixed from its ever-evolving roadmap. But being the weekend and all, it looks like we're stuck telling you about yet another presumably vital processor that's likely destined to hit cellphones, UMPCs, and other handheld computing platforms sometime in the not too distant future. According to an interview by Germany's FAZ, Intel's CEO compared the chip "to the original Pentium" in terms of importance to the company, and while Mr. Otellini didn't go into too much detail beyond that (can't blame him for keeping us curious), he did note that the firm hopes the 45nm CPU can infiltrate "10 to 20-percent of the mobile phone market."[Via TGDaily]
Intel's 2008 vs 2007 Mobile Internet Devices
We've seen 'em before, but seeing Intel's Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) side-by-size definitely brings a strong visual to their Ultra Mobile strategy. As you've probably already guessed, that's their codenamed, "Menlow" reference design on the left which some OEM will surely pickup in the 2008 timeframe. And yeah, it's an honest to goodness functioning device already shown-off during their MID platform's unveiling. On the right, the lowly-by-comparison "McCaslin" class device due later this year. Check the tiny Silverthorn-class processor comparison after the break.
Intel's Ultra Mobile strategy gets official
We already knew of Intel's 2007 "McCaslin" ultra mobile platform strategy after peeping their pre-show slides: professional UMPCs paired with consumer-oriented, Linux-based MIDs. Still, it's always good to get the official word even if it means that Intel must travel all the way to their IDF in Beijing to make it so. As the strategy goes, before 2007 is up we'll see product from Aigo, Asus, Fujitsu, Haier, HTC, and Samsung all based on the Intel A100 and A110 processors -- essentially underclocked Pentium M cores operating at 3W and certainly besting the UMPC underpinnings we saw in 2006. In the first half of 2008 then, Intel tells us to expect their "Menlow" platform of ultra mobile devices. Pumping Intel's 45-nm dual-core "Silverthorn" processor and "Poulsbo" chipset for longer battery life in smaller handheld devices. But if you're chomping at the bit for Intel's vision of the ultra mobile future, well, you'll be waiting around until well after 2008, boy. Intel doesn't expect to break into magical sub-0.5W territory until the naughts are up. Until then, you'll have to deal with mysterious slabs like the new Fujitsu pictured above. Update: UMPC Portal just pointed out something very interesting: Intel says that HTC's Shift UMPC is based on their A100/A110 processors. However, the engineering sample we pawed was running a 1.2GHz VIA proc. Looks like Intel scored themselves a major coup over HTC's Taiwanese neighbors.[Via Impress]
Intel's MID UMPCs: So long XP/Vista, hello Linux
Big news on the UMPC front this morning folks. Looks like Intel is shedding the Origami gorilla (read: Microsoft) as they prep a Linux-based platform to compete with Vista and XP-based UMPCs. Intel will unveil their new MID (Mobile Internet Device) platform at the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing later this week. Unfortunately for their marketing department, they've already posted the slides. Unlike UMPCs which target mobile professionals, MIDs will target "consumers and prosumers" and feature a range of screen sizes from 4.5 to 6-inches with resolutions from 800 x 480 to 1024 x 600. Yup, these are the same devices we spotted under the in-house name of McCaslin sporting Intel's codenamed "Stealey" class of dual-core, battery-friendly processors. Intel's reference designs run a tweaked, 500MB version of China's RedFlag MIDINUX which boots in about 18 seconds (less than 5 seconds from standby) to a mix of open-source and proprietary code including Google Maps and web-based office and enterprise applications. Data access will be provided via HSDPA and WiFi. More GUI shots and reference designs in the gallery below.%Gallery-2587%[Via UMPC Portal] Read -- overview slides [Warning: PDF link] Read -- design slides [Warning: PDF link]
Intel poised to unveil new UMPC platform?
If slides released today by hardware site HKEPC turn out to be accurate, Intel is preparing to launch a new UMPC platform and CPU on the 18th that promises a much smaller footprint than the current architecture while almost doubling the devices' battery life. Known only by its codename "McCaslin," the chipset will reportedly occupy a space of 975 square millimeters (as opposed to the relatively enormous 2915 square millimeters of today's models) and feature power-sipping 600MHz and 800MHz processors known as "Stealey" that are targeting four to five hours of run time. Also sporting additional comm ports for devices such as GPS, 3G, and DTV, McCaslin is said to be Intel's response to Via's small form factor C7M, which has been adopted into models like Samsung's Q1 and continues to provide advantages over offerings from Santa Clara. Hit the Read link for a few more deets and another slide, and obviously stay tuned, as this rumor should be validated or debunked within a matter of days.[Via The Inquirer]
