IDF 2011

[diogen]

While Windows 8 gets the most attention, Intel has its developer forum keynote at the same time
AnandTech - Ivy Bridge GPU Performance: Up to 60% Faster than SNB & Better QuickSync

22nm Ivy Bridge, 60% onboard video performance boost, Medfield phone (again?!), ultrabooks with 10 days (!) connected standby, etc.
Intel demos Haswell-enabled, solar-powered computing at IDF 2011 -- Engadget
Intel hypes Ivy Bridge, leaves poor old Sandy in its wake -- Engadget
Medfield-based Android phone shown at IDF 2011, future Android builds to be 'optimized' for Atom -- Engadget

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Interesting, Google's Android man - Andy Rubin - shows up on stage with
Intel's Otellini to showcase Atom-based Gingerbread running phone.

That certainly spells trouble for MeeGo but means Intel is serious about Android.
Or maybe they will run both, like these

Would be nice...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Intel does feel the heat from the mobile gang.

Their Atom lineup has been accelerated and handsets are expected in the first quarter of 2012.
It looks like everything is hanging on the success of the 22nm technology: speed, heat, multicore, etc.

The coziness with Google might be not only an answer to Microsoft flirting with ARM,
but also a potential hardware platform (Motorola handsets) for Intel's smartphone-ready CPUs...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Android tablets running on Medfield are also expected in 1Q 2012
x86-based Android tablets due Q1 2012, Red Ridge reference tablet specs detailed | This is my next...

Intel has already a reference platform ready - Red Ridge.
It could be really tempting to manufacturers in terms of cost of development.

In other words, Intel is just trying to use their tried and true PC model in the gadget market...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Although it looks like there is hardly any love left between the 2 gorillas of the Wintel fame, that would probably a wrong conclusion.
Yes, Microsoft does ARM and Intel not only flirts with Linux but also does Android and preps a new smartphone hardware platform.
And Microsoft probably is/will be welcome to that platform. Intel just has to get the 22 nm tech right and a lot might change...

In another sign that Microsoft isn't burning the bridges and not all love is lost, they announced that Win8 ARM devices won't run legacy apps.

Office, for example...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

Here is Intel's competition on the Windows tablet front in all its glory
AnandTech - A look at Windows 8 Tablets running on TI, Qualcomm, Nvidia, AMD and Intel silicon

Dual core ARM A9 with decent accelerated video with at least 1024x768 screen seems to be the entry point to run Win8.
Every manufacturer has one: Qualcomm, TI, NVidia. Time will tell how much of an head start did they get...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

A good write-up on Intel's struggles in the current CPU market facing the ARM proliferation
DailyTech - IDF 2011: Intel Looks to Take a Bite Out of ARM, AMD With 3D FinFET Tech

The real pity here is that Intel thus far refuses to consider -- at least publicly -- producing an ARM CPU. When it comes to mobile devices, which tend to be able to get by on a smaller instruction set, etc. there's certain inherent power efficiencies granted by adopting an ARM architecture. In short Intel is competing based on its process, while ARM is competing based on its architecture.

Diogen.

 

[mike123abc]

I agree, the way Intel intends to compete against ARM is their manufacturing process. Intel claims to be 4 years ahead of all the other fabs in the world, so they will be able to manufacture a chip that is far more complicated, yet can win the power battle. Intel could corner the ARM market if they wanted to, they would be 4-5 years ahead of all the other fabs.

They were showing off some of their upcoming processes. They had a pentium chip system that did not even require a heatsink. http://www.anandtech.com/show/4820/rattner-shows-off-near-threshold-voltage-intel-architecture-cpu