For the past couple of years, Intel Corp. has pushed to diversify its offerings and reduce its revenue reliance on what it is best known for: the microprocessor.
Thats been reflected in the products rolled out at the companys previous Developers Forums, where everything from consumer gadgets to peer-to-peer technologies were put on display with an unbridled optimism for all things Internet-related.
But at its semiannual Developers Forum here last week, the chip maker put the spotlight back onto its core competency: manufacturing silicon solutions. In the spotlights glare were products such as the long-awaited 64-bit Itanium and McKinley processors and the mobile Pentium III chip.
Intel executives demonstrated their 64-bit Itanium processor, designed for high-end workstations and servers. The product, haunted by delays since last year, is now set for release next quarter.
The Santa Clara, Calif., company also demonstrated its second-generation 64-bit product, code-named McKinley. The chip, widely seen as Intels first truly competitive 64-bit product, is set to be released in pilot systems late this year and be officially launched early next year.
Also introduced at the Developers Forum was a new low-power 700MHz mobile Pentium III. The chip consumes less than 1 watt of power on average when running at 500MHz in SpeedStep mode.
Intel officials also said the company is creating a high-density server similar to one proposed a few weeks ago by startup RLX Technologies Inc. The “blade” model server will be offered to OEMs in two months.