Intel Reveals All-In-Wonder OS Chipset, Due 2010

Amidst the buzz surrounding the Google Android operating system, Intel has announced plans to release a new rendition of their own "Moblin" operating system (OS), a Linux-based system that the company created for small devices like netbooks.  In addition, the company revealed a set of super-efficient chips that make the Atom processor look like a chump.

The official announcement on Intel's Moblin OS was made at the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing, but the real talking point of the gathering was the future direction of the new Moorestown chip platform.

One Compact Chipset

Moorestown is an energy efficient set of Intel chips designed for small, pocket-sized computers that Intel is calling "mobile Internet devices" (MID). The design includes an entire "system" on a single chip, code-named Lincroft, which includes a 45 nanometer processor, graphics, memory controller and video to encode/decode data.

The Moorestown chipset also includes an input/output hub, code-named "Langwell", which supports a wide range of input/output ports to connect with wireless storage and used for memory retention. (Source: yahoo.com)

Uses 10x Less Power than Atom

The Intel Developer Forum also included a demonstration from Intel, in which a device powered by Moorestown chips used 10 times less power while in idle mode over a similar device powered by Atom (a different line of energy efficient chips also produced by Intel).

Another neat feature: Moorestown will be the first chipset with 3G cellular capabilities. This means that people will be able to make phone calls using the small devices powered by these chips. Intel will also offer optional support for both WiMax and HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) cellular networks. (Source: pcworld.com)

Those wanting to purchase the small devices powered by the chips will have to wait just a few more months. The Moorestown chipset was slated to launch at some point in late 2009, though the official release date has since been moved to sometime in early-to-mid 2010.