Intel demos working Moorestown, adds 3G

Intel today at the start of its fall Developer Forum showed off a working example of a Moorestown-based device, putting the chipset on track for its 2009-2010 launch window. The chipmaker has yet to describe the device but reiterates that the technology should be much more effective for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and ultra-mobile PCs. Through a 45 nanometer process as well as a redesign of the processor itself, the idle power alone will represent just a tenth that of an Atom system today, Intel claims.

New with the demonstration is word that both Ericsson and Option are developing HSPA-based 3G add-ons with Moorestown in mind. The chips will be small enough to fit MIDs at roughly one inch square and also consume relatively little power at the same time.

Moorestown is being designed primarily to reduce the size of the technology and is intended to be used both for MIDs as well as smartphones, which already have their own smaller-still discrete 3G modules. The core processor, known as Lincroft, will include not just the main processor but also integrated video, a memory controller and a video encoding engine, eliminating the need for a separate northbridge controller chip. The architecture's only secondary chip is Langwell, a controller for networking, storage and video output.

The market for MIDs has been relatively limited to date and so far has resulted in MIDs from BenQ, GigaByte and Lenovo. All of these have screens between 4.8 and 7 inches and often focus on basic web browsing, e-mail and media playback.

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