Tech Update: Intel launches Core M family, targets 2-in-1 devices

Credit: Intel

Intel on Friday introduced its first three Core M processors. The commercial availability of Core M is big news for several reasons. Performance and battery life are its key strengths. What's more, this is the processor targeted for razor-thin, fanless designs—especially for powering up the newer two-in-one machines from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Toshiba—all of which will introduce the Core M processor, with some systems becoming available starting next month."The energy-efficient fifth-generation Core chips will enable fanless laptops that can be converted into tablets, and a handful of them are on the way," said CNET's Stephen Shankland on Friday. PCWorld explained that this positioning as regarding convertible two-in-ones that flip the screen back 180 degrees like the Lenovo Yoga; and at detachable two-in-ones, where the tablet portion undocks. The Core M is promoted as the most energy-efficient Core processor in the company's history, "at a power-sipping 4.5 watts," said Intel. The Core M processor package at 4.5 watts has 60 percent lower thermal power than the previous generation.

Digital Trends made note of the size difference. "The size of the hardware has decreased significantly too. The new Core M parts measure 30 x 16.5 x 1.05 millimeters thick. By comparison, fourth-generation Intel Core chips measure 40 x 24 x 1.5 millimeters."

The battery-life story tops previous attempts to stand out in battery improvements "The Intel Core M processor and platform power reductions raise the bar on battery life even higher," said the company. The Intel Core M processor can handle more than eight hours of video play, a 20 percent (1.7 hours) longer battery life compared with the previous-generation Intel Core processor and double the battery life of the average four-year-old PC.

read more http://phys.org/news/2014-09-intel-core-family-in-devices.html

Smartphone wars in India: Google's Android One makes Google a foe..!

Google Inc's partnership with three Indian phone makers is set to rev up
fast-growing demand for lower priced smartphones, and spell more trouble
for Samsung Electronics which is rapidly losing share in emerging markets.

Micromax Infomatics Ltd, Karbonn Mobiles and Spice Group are the first
phone manufacturers to sign up for Google's Android One initiative,
which provides specifications for key hardware parts. Some of the new
phones are due to hit the market this month.

The aim is a vast improvement in quality that would lead to a surge in
demand for low-end Android phones. Currently many cheap emerging market
smartphones run different and somewhat customised versions of the
Android operating system, which along with the many variations in
hardware make apps on those phones prone to glitches.

While Google plans to push Android One globally, India, the world's
third-biggest and fastest growing smartphone market, offers fertile
ground for immediate results. Many Indians are buying a smartphone for
the first time and a strong reception for Android One could promote
common standards and consolidation in a market where more than 80
smartphone companies operate.

But any boom for higher-quality low-cost smartphones in India and other
price conscious markets has the potential to exert intense pricing
pressure on Samsung. The South Korean firm uses a customised version of
the Android operating system but focuses on higher-margin offerings like
its Galaxy S series.

"A major threat for Samsung is that Android One will accelerate the race
to the bottom on smartphone pricing," said Neil Mawston, a UK-based
analyst at Strategy Analytics.

"Android One now makes Google a foe, not just a friend, for Samsung."

A major strategy rethink for low to mid-tier products is now in order
for the world's biggest phone maker and top seller in India, analysts
say, particularly as Samsung is also losing share to Apple Inc at the
higher-end.

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/smartphone-wars-in-india-googles-android-one-adds-to-samsungs-worries/articleshow/41589548.cms