Intel To Introduce New Mobile Chips And TechnologyIntel To Introduce New Mobile Chips And Technology

With little growth expected in the PC market anytime soon, Intel clearly has its sights on the mobile and wireless markets. The chipmaker said Monday that it's developing technology that will allow a single chip to process both digital and analog signals, raising the possibility of creating one processor to power voice, data, and networking functions within mobile devices. Intel execs says the "mixed-signal circuitry" also could make mobile devices considerably less expensive because they would require fewer processors. The technology also will "bring the benefits of Moore's Law to communications silicon," says Intel VP and GM Sean Maloney.

Moore's Law, named after Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, posits that computer processing power doubles every 18 months. The company says it expects to introduce the chips next year.

Meanwhile, Intel also unveiled 11 new mobile processors, including the 2.2-GHz Pentium 4-M and the 1.33-GHz Pentium III-M. Intel says a number of hardware manufacturers are lined up to use the latter in their Tablet PC products. Tablet PC, which features an Etch-a-Sketch-like form factor and can take input from a stylus or keyboard, is expected to be available later this year. It's based on a special version of Microsoft's Windows operating system.