Intel Pushes Atom Chip Beyond PCs.

Intel has introduced Atom processors that take the low-power chips into new markets, including in-car infotainment systems, Internet-based telephones, and other non-PC devices.

The Z500 series makes the Atom useful for applications other than mini-laptops, also called netbooks. The ultraportable systems with screen sizes of 10 inches or less have accounted for most Atom sales to date.

The latest models include industrial temperature options, as well as different package size choices better suited for embedded industries. In addition, the new products have integrated 2-D and 3-D graphics, video-acceleration technology, and support for multiple operating systems, including Linux and several versions of Windows.

Intel's major competitor in these new markets will be ARM, which designs power-efficient RISC processors. ARM products are often found in smartphones, such as the popular Apple iPhone.

Intel's Atom isn't yet ready to meet the low-power and design needs of smart phone makers, but the latest announcement is an indication that Intel continues to move in that direction.

Along with in-car applications, the Z500 series is aimed at what Intel calls "media phones," which provide voice communications over the Internet, as well as access to applications such as e-mail and text messaging, as well as Web content.

Along with the latest Atom chips, introduced Monday, Intel unveiled a reference design for media phones. The hardware development platform includes schematics and validated software stacks.

The Atom Z500 series is scheduled to be available in the second quarter. Intel has launched a Web site for more information on potential uses for the new products.

Intel introduced the latest series the same day the company announced collaboration with semiconductor manufacturer TSMC to develop the Atom for smartphones and mobile Internet devices. The latter are larger than a mobile phone but smaller than a netbook.

Intel plans 32nm Westmere chips for 2009.

Intel is to invest $7bn (£4.7bn) over the next two years to bring 32nm chips to market, the company has revealed. The first such processors are now expected to go into production later this year, with additional products following in 2010.

The first 32nm processors are codenamed Westmere and will be a die-shrink of the current Nehalem architecture, but with graphics capabilities integrated with the processor. The initial chips will target mainstream mobile and desktop systems, and were demonstrated by Intel at an event in San Francisco today.

Stephen Smith, vice president of Intel's Digital Enterprise Group, detailed the firm's roadmap to 32nm processors, saying that it will first deliver new 45nm quad-core Nehalem chips codenamed Lynnfield and Clarksfield that target mainstream desktop and thin-and-light laptops respectively.

These will be followed by 32nm processors called Clarkdale and Arrandale, similarly aimed at desktops and laptops, but these initial Westmere chips will have two cores and integrated graphics functions.

"The smaller production process will enable us to reduce the core size while still delivering two threads per core, and with graphics integrated into the processor," said Smith.

Westmere will eventually scale to a six-core/12-thread client processor called Gulftown, he added, as well as platforms for servers.

Intel also said that its 32nm process will be split into two versions, one optimised for mainstream chips and one for system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors aimed at netbooks and other mobile devices.

Mark Bohr, Intel senior fellow for logic development, explained that this is because mainstream chips call for fast-switching transistors, while SoCs require low leakage current to optimise power efficiency.

The graphics inside the Westmere processors will be based on the current graphics functions integrated into Intel's current 4-series motherboard chipsets, but provide "a significant boost in performance", according to Smith.