Intel and Nokia partner up for new product range

Posted by David Walker on Wed 24 Jun 2009

Promise to 'shape the next era of mobile computing'

Well, we were all primed for an all-new device, but instead, we simply got word that Intel and Nokia were partnering up to create a 'new exciting industry', although the new double act is promising something special in the months ahead.

During a phone conference announcing the coming together of the two tech giants, there was talk of new mobile computing products, going beyond existing smartphones, netbooks and notebooks. While that might be hard to imagine, we expect the products to at least offer something different, Intel has so far stayed away from the mobile phone market and its entry into it comes with huge expectations. Throw Nokia's handset know-how into the mix and we could be talking an all-new smartphone-like device or a small-form PC that kicks today's netbook into touch. But not for some time yet. In fact, there's not even a hint of what's to come from the folk at Intel and Nokia.

'This collaboration will drive exciting new revenue opportunities for both companies and shape the next era of mobile computing, was all we got from Anand Chandrasekher, Intel's senior vice president of its ultra-mobility group, adding that 'we will talk about products when we are ready to talk about products.'

A similar line was taken by Nokia's executive vice president for devices, Kai Oistamo: 'We will explore new ideas in designs, materials and displays that will go far beyond devices and services on the market today. The future is truly exciting and there is a lot of room here to redefine what mobile is and what it can do as we create this brave new world.'

Saying that, it is only 6 months or so from CES 2010, so don't be surprised to see the first fruits of the Intel/Nokia partnership then. If the end product lives up to the hype, you just might be waving goodbye to your iPhone early next year.

Link: Nokia (via BBC)