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Published on October 2, 2007

Intel is to release a new platform, code-named Menlow, for mobile Internet devices (MID) and ultra mobile PCs (UMPC) to enhance Internet users' online experience.

The Menlow platform is comprised of a new 45-nanometre processor, code-named Silverthorne. The platform will deliver greater performance, smaller size and low power consumption to both MID and UMPC mobile devices.

Anand Chandrasekher, senior vice president and general manager for ultra mobility at Intel, said that due to the rapid growth of online social networking over the Internet around one billion people have subscribed to social networking websites and around 154 million people access a social networking website every day. This creates huge demand for new types of Internet devices.

"Around 25 per cent of Internet users are involved in social networking. This phenomenon creates huge market opportunities for MID and UMPC devices. If we thought cellphones were a big deal, this is a huge deal. Being able to take all your data and your voice with you whenever, wherever you want it, this is an enormous change," said Anand.

The advantage of theses two new types of Internet devices is that they allow people to be connected and stay online always with just a small device in their pocket.

Consumers will be able to experience rich, new Internet content - movies, music or photo sharing - on the go.

The big different between MID and UMPC is the usage model. MID is a data device which brings Internet on the go to users, while UMPC comes with more features and functions.

"Both MID and UMPC devices will come with basic Wi-Fi wireless communication. Other connections, 3G or WiMAX, depend on which type of wireless communication - as the main or as an option - device manufacturers choose to embed," said Anand.

Six months ago Intel launched the Mobile Internet Device Innovation Alliance with six partners including EB, Asus, HTC, BenQ, Quanta and Compal. In the first half of next year, these manufacturers will release their MID and UMPC product lines.

So far 15 system manufacturers have invested in UMPC and MID and all expect to bring their products to market over time. They include Aigo, Clarion, Fujitsu, Harman-Becher, Hitachi, Lenovo, LE Electronics, NEC, Panasonic, Samsung and Toshiba. Another four service providers - KDDI, Korea Telecom, NTT DoCoMo and Sprint - are also involved.

Intel has also collaborated with Microsoft to ensure UMPC users have many functions on the Microsoft platform, and has worked with Ubuntu and Linux to make UMPC devices compatible with open-source platforms.

Intel will release the first WiMAX-enabled notebook PC to the market next year. Dadi Perlmutter, senior vice president and general manger of Intel's mobility group, said notebook manufacturers including Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Panasonic and Toshiba have already expressed an intention to embed WiMAX in their next-generation Centrino-based notebook PCs in 2008.

"It is expected that around 115 million people around the world will be connected to the Internet by WiMAX within 2008," said Dadi.

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation

San Francisco