The chip is based on Intel's Xscale microarchitecture, which enables low power consumption and high performance. Cost-Effective Chips Mobile phone manufacturers have always asked Intel why it couldn't integrate the components in a cell phone on a single chip, says Benny Ginman, Intel's director for government, education, and communication in Europe. About five years ago we said it could be done, but not in a cost-effective way. One analyst doubts the cost benefit described by Intel, but says increased transistor density on a chip will make production of a multifunctional chip cheaper. The advantage of having different processes is that you can optimize costs.
Integration is the right way to go, but today it probably costs more than producing separate parts.
In the past decade functionality and battery life has been added to mobile devices, while reducing the cost to users. Intel says it believes that its invention will add to this evolution. Intel expects to see devices such as wearable computers and video watch phones out on the market in five or ten years, says Ron Smith, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Wireless Computing and Communications Group in the statement.