Intel and Nokia to Partner on New Mobile Device Platform

Nokia and Intel this morning announced a new relationship in which both will work together to create new mobile computing devices and chipset architectures. The two companies will collaborate on Linux software projects (like Maemo and Moblin) for device operating systems, and Intel will also purchase a Nokia HSPA/3G modem license for adding broadband connectivity. But what type of product could the partnership yield? Intel says the goal is to create a new mobile platform that’s “beyond” a smart phone, a notebook, or a netbook, and one that will yield “many innovations,” over time. While there likely won’t be a single device, the announcement doesn’t necessarily rule out the idea that this partnership could yield an Intel-powered Nokia netbook. Nokia used ARM processors with Texas Instruments OMAP enhanced cores during its last stab at connected devices, like the N800. And smart phones like the N97 have ARM11 processors on board.  Today’s announcement didn’t say whether Intel would replace ARM in both its hand held and smart phone devices, or if it would replace ARM at all. As Engadget points out, Intel has stated that ARM’s processors offer better battery life for cell phone form factor devices, so we’ll likely see a larger form factor gadget come from this partnership, unless Intel plans to use its next generation Medfield processor. Nokia’s executive vice president of devices, Kai Oistamo, said that Nokia would explore new ideas in designs, materials, and displays that will push the barriers of what’s available today, which means there doesn’t have to be a single device. We’ll have to wait and see to find out exactly what that means. [via Engadget]