We were wrong about Transmeta - Intel

THE DECISION BY Intel to create notebook microprocessor Banias came about because the firm realised it stood the danger of falling behind Transmeta, chief technology office Pat Gelsinger has admitted.

Speaking about the design, which is expected to be released next year, Gelsinger said that every transistor in the Banias microprocessor will be optimised at the mobile market.

"We were asleep at the wheel," he admitted. "Transmeta was a bit of a wake up call."

But he refused to be drawn on which core Banias will use nor whether it will use X86 emulation, used by Transmeta in its series of chips.

He said that small form factor mobile products had a place in the marketplace and had to take the technology seriously. Machines based on Banias products will include wireless features, be specifically aimed at the mobile markets, and look to significantly include battery life.

There would be some overlap between notebooks using Banias and other products, but not a significant amount.

He said that Intel had put a significant amount of focus on the notebook market over the last few years and would continue to do so in the future.

As for wireless technology itself, the adoption of a standard ultra wideband protocol was of priority to Intel. Bluetooth wasn't a wire replacement, but would still have a place in the market for many years to come.