centrino
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Intel patches Centrino WiFi vulnerability
Is it just us, or is it strangely coincidental to that the day after a pair of hackers announce their ability to compromise certain computers with certain wireless cards and drivers, Intel busts out a driver update for their Centrino WiFi chips. Maybe we're just reading too much into this. In any case, Intel has fessed up to security vulnerabilities in their Centrino systems "which could potentially lead to remote code execution and system control." They've got some new drivers on their website, but advise users to check with their laptop manufacturer for any device-specific updates. No word yet from Apple on the MacBook hackability.[Via The Inquirer]
Intel announces Rosedale II mobile WiMax chip
With its Rosedale I fixed WiMax chip already out the door, Intel is now focusing on the real holy grail of this technology -- mobile WiMax -- with the just-announced Rosedale II long-range wireless solution. According to company exec Chris Beardsmore, Intel already has ten confirmed customers for the new chip, who will begin producing compatible products later in the year. As you might expect, the first implementations of Rosedale II will involve external laptop cards, while integration into the Centrino platform should happen late next year or in early 2008. Intel is pushing mobile WiMax as a better alternative to the 3G networks offered by cellular providers, and as long as it helps force companies like Verizon to lower the fees on their pricey broadband data packages, we're all for a swift and widespread deployment.[Via WiMax Networking News]
Clearwire gets $900 million boost from Intel and Motorola
Intel and Motorola have decided to put their money where Craig O. McCaw's mouth is by investing $900 million dollars in his company, Clearwire, the WiMax provider that lost $140 million last year. Intel, having already made a smaller investment in the company back in 2004, is coughing up another $600 million cash, which sounds like a good indicator to us that their Centrino chips with WiMax are on the right development track. Motorola's smaller, but still substantial, $300 million dollar investment includes the purchase of NextNet, a Clearwire hardware subsidiary. All three companies are hoping that this deal brings us all one step closer to keeping us wired -- wirelessly of course -- no matter where we go, and that sounds good to us. As long as they can do it without making us all incredibly sick.
Is Viiv living up to the hype?
Viiv. Do you even know what it is. For starters it is somewhat like Centrino was to laptops a few years ago. Viiv is a combination of hardware that allows consumers to easily view and stream digital media. Intel introduced this last year at CES with a cool box that would look great in any equipment rack. But go into any major electronic store and seek out their Viiv systems. (if you can find one) HP has a desktop that is just a desktop filled with a few web clips and digital media files. Nothing special to us. So where are all the cool Viiv products? Well, for one, remember that Onkyo media center. That's one. We are sure more is to come but this is a home entertainment product that someone like Onkyo or TIVO would be great at making. There is more to come and hopefully penetrate into homes. [via digg]
