Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
Summary: The first question at a Q&A session during Intel's investor day today was predictably about ARM. CEO Paul Otellini quickly dismissed the idea that Intel would develop a processor using ARM cores, the technology behind the processors in the vast majority of tablets and smartphones.
The first question at a Q&A session during Intel's investor day today was predictably about ARM. CEO Paul Otellini quickly dismissed the idea that Intel would develop a processor using ARM cores, the technology behind the processors in the vast majority of tablets and smartphones.
Otellini noted that Intel already has an architectural license, which allows it to design processors from the ground up using ARM's architecture and instruction set. But Intel executives said that its own 32nm Atom processor, known as Medfield, already meets the stringent power requirements of smartphones. Furthermore, Otellini argued, building a good platform for mobile isn't really about the core but "all the other stuff around it" that makes a good SOC, or system-on-chip. Finally, joining the many companies designing ARM-based chips wouldn't guarantee Intel a spot in smartphones and it may not profitable either.
"So the short answer is, ‘No, we have no intention of using our own license to build ARM processors,'" Otellini said.
Instead Intel is making a bet that in the long run its silicon process technology and manufacturing capabilities will give it an edge over the many fabless chip companies that design ARM SOCs and rely on foundries to manufacture them. Intel's Atom processors have been stuck on 45nm process technology for years, but now the company seems serious about speeding up development. As I mentioned in my previous post, Intel confirmed that within the next three years it will ship new Atom SOCs on 32nm (Saltwell), 22nm (Silvermont) and 14nm (Airmont).
In addition, Otellini said Atom would scale in terms of power consumption both down into cell phones and up into other devices such as specialized servers. This combined with lower-power Core microprocessors for PCs, starting with Ivy Bridge in late 2011, will create a continuum of processors, in terms of power, to compete with ARM and others such as MIPS in all types of devices.
Recently, ARM executives have been trying to convince AMD to develop an ARM-based processor as a way to expand into tablets and smartphones. But it now looks like AMD has put the decision on ARM "on hold" until the company finds a new CEO.
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Talkback
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
They're still the biggest
so pretty darn good it seems.
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
Esp. as Microsoft announced Windows 8 will be native on ARM next year, as well as Intel's architecture.
I still think
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
When was the last time average developers used assembly?
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
Oracle are to stop new development for the architecture, which will be the start of it's death march.
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
x86Atom has the possibility of inheriting an awful lot of Windows code.
ARM makes great sense for TI and Nvidia, etc. who have other hardware that benefits integration with a CPU core. Intel's "prowess" in DSP or graphics along with ARM would be a disaster IMHO.
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
What they bring to the table, that their competitors can't match, is their process technology and fab capabilities. They are at least two generations ahead of TSMC. Ceding the mobile device market to TI and Nvidia may not be a good long term move. But as you stated they lack the capabilities for not only graphics and DSP, but for power management and all analog as well. That's something you can't just run out and buy a company and get.
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
Intel came late to the low power x86 game and quickly destroyed upstart low power x86 providers like Transmeta.
If they want to play in the mobile device arena then they will have to move to ARM. If not, there is still plenty of money to be made in servers, desktops, and laptops. Every time Intel has strayed from X86 they have struggled.
OTOH, completely writing off the mobile device market, as they appear to be doing, may not be the best strategy for the long term.
RE: Intel: We have ARM license, no plans to use it
Microsoft don;t help with their directionless mobile/tab strategy with What will Windows 8 bring, how will if be different to WP7, and WTF value really do Nokia bring to the game ? Nothing Nokia do with mapping, GPS, mobile, hardware isn;t done better/cheaper elsewhere by the likes of Google, Tom Tom, Microsoft, Samsung or HTC.
What Nokia brings to the table is Nokia itself.