Intel teams up with Google for next-gen MIDs

By: Pallab Jyotee Hazarika

Intel reportedly is in talks with the Internet search giant for this collaborative project

Intel is reportedly in talks with Google to launch Intel-based mobile Internet devices (MIDs) shortly, according to sources closer to Digitimes.

This should be an MID that will run Google’s Android platform, built on top of Linux kernel, while Intel’s part is to be the hardware platform of choice. It is an “open-source” operating system that’s free and developed by hundreds of engineers worldwide – adopting which should bring down the cost considerably.

Intel and LG Electronics also laid out plans earlier to collaborate on a new range of MIDs with high-end smart phone "functionality" based on the chip maker's Atom-based hardware platform code-named Moorestown. The device, which is expected to be announced at the Mobile World Conference in Bercelona, will be the first MID to be based on Moorestown based design.

Moorestown consists of a System on Chip (Lincroft) integrating a 45nm Atom processor core, graphics, video and memory controller all in one. The platform also includes an input/output (I/O) hub, "Langwell," which Chipzilla says includes a range of I/O blocks and support for wireless. Intel promises a 10-fold reduction in idle power consumption.

Android-based MIDs are unlikely to appear before Intel's next generation MID platform Moorestown shows up – Digitimes reports.