Intel to enter the low-end Android tablet market challenges ARM

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona (hereinafter referred to as "MWC"), Asus released a Android Tablet PC with x86 architecture processors, which marks Intel began to enter the low end Android tablet market to challenge the dominance of ARM.

To enter the low-end market

Asus released a 7-inch tablet powered by Intel's single-core Atom Z2420 (code-named "Lexington") processor. "Lexington" processor will target low-end smartphones and tablet PC market. ASUS new Tablet PC is priced at $ 249 with 3G voice and data capabilities, known as the battery life up to 9 hours. In addition, it is equipped with multiple cameras, as well as a resolution of 1280X800 pixel display.

The price and performance of the tablet, fairly low-end 7-inch Android tablet powered by ARM processors. HP recently released dual-core ARM processor Slate 7 Tablet PC, starting at $ 169, the battery life of 6 hours, but does not support the 3G network. Google's own Tablet PC Nexus 7 4-core ARM processor, starting at $ 199, due to the support of mobile broadband features, the price is slightly higher than the competitors.

Intel has just entered the low-end Android tablet market. So far, the world's largest chip maker, is only for Windows 8 tablet launched, codenamed "Clover Trail" Atom Z2760 processor. Intel Atom chip Intel hopes "Clover Trail" processor to meet the needs of the Windows platform, so last year decided to develop "Lexington" processor it is codenamed "Medfield" variant.

Introduce more products

"Lexington" processor has been used in low-end smart phone, such as mobile phone manufacturers in Kenya Safaricom released Yolo phone, priced at about $ 125. The widely expected Lava International and Acer mobile phone manufacturers, will be launched in developing countries "Lexington" processor-based smartphones.

Herman Earl (Hermann Eul), vice president and general manager of Intel Mobile Communications in the MWC conference said in an interview, low-end Android device market is very important for the company, there will be more in the future based on the Lexington processing Tablet PC's and smart phones released. He said, "The Tablet PC market is very important to us, and we will see a variety of sizes of flat products using Intel processors."

In order to gain a competitive advantage, Intel still make full use of communication technology obtained through the acquisition of Infineon's wireless chip business, Asus FonePad Tablet PC is a typical example. Earl said that because of the huge market demand for such devices, Intel equipment vendors will provide the chips they need to expand influence in this market.

"Lexington" is tailored for Android smartphones and tablet PCs, but the situation will change at the end of this year, when Intel released the latest generation Atom chip, chip, code-named "Bay Trail" is only support the Windows platform, "Clover Trail" processor replacement.

Industry vagaries

Earl said, Android and Windows Tablet PC Configuration "Bay Trail" processor will be synchronized release. Earl said: "Last year, we give priority to develop chip product applies to the Windows platform, in order to keep up with the Windows 8 set off the trend now, we will be the resources into the Android tablet chip development."

According to Intel, "Bay Trail" processor will adopt a new micro-architecture design, this product is faster than previous generations of processor speed, more energy-efficient. "Bay Trail" processor uses 22-nanometer manufacturing process, and integrate 3D transistors will also to a certain extent, help to improve the performance and energy efficiency. Intel is currently using a 22-nanometer process technology, production, codenamed "Ivy Bridge" desktop and notebook chips.

Earl did not disclose the Bay Trail Tablet PC pricing decision in the hands of the equipment manufacturers. Tablet PC market is growing rapidly, and the industry as a whole may be changed dramatically within a year, he said. Earl said: "In this industry, who would dare to boldly say, within the next two years will be a winner? Important, as long as you take proper initiatives, no matter what happens in the future, we will not become a game outsider.
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