This announcement follows Intel’s acquisition of Wind River, a supplier of operating systems for embedded devices. The Wind River acquisition has given Intel a significant foothold in embedded and mobile devices; it provides it with the expertise to ensure that its chipsets are optimised towards embedded devices and gives the company access to a wide range of existing Wind River customers in this space.Intel understands the strategic advantage of maintaining control of the software stack that sits above its processors; this acquisition is akin toIntel buying Microsoft in the early days of the PC market.
The agreement with Nokia continues Intel’s focus on software and strengthens its position. The two companies have agreed to cooperate on key open source projects and use these common technologies in Moblin (Intel’s Linux-based software platform for Atom) and Maemo (Nokia’s Linux-based software platform for its Internet Tablet products). This is good for Nokia as its platform will become more suited to the growing segment of mobile Internet devices and netbooks; good for Intel as its platform will become more suited to smaller mobile devices; and good for developers as it will, to an extent, reduce fragmentation in Linux-based devices. However, the real opportunity here is forNokia and Intel to combine their efforts and back a single Linux-based platform for mobile devices. This could provide device vendors with a credible open alternative to existing smartphone and netbook platforms.
Increasing complexity for mobile operators
Although the collaboration on Maemo and Moblin will reduce fragmentation and therefore complexity for developers, a new platform for high-end mobile devices will bring additional complexity for mobile operators as it will introduce yet another device platform into their portfolios. However, the use of new platforms is inevitable with the introduction of new device types that mobile operators will need in order to maximise the opportunity for mobile broadband. At least with the backing of bothNokia and Intel there is a good chance of standardisation on these platforms by other manufacturers.
Intel to license Nokia’s 3G modem technology
To date Intel has focused on WiFi and WiMAX radio technologies. This announcement gives Intel the capability to produce 3G-capable chipsets that will make its products more relevant to the wider mobile market. It may also be the first sign thatIntel is prepared to work with alternative 4G technologies in addition to WiMAX.
