Intel and LG Team Up for Smartphone, MIDs

Intel and LG are teaming up in the mobile market.

The worlds number one CPU maker and the number three mobile handset maker are joining forces on multiple fronts. LG announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that it would be using Intel's upcoming Moorestown chip in one of its future handsets. The new processor, which should be released later this year, is intended for the mobile (phones, MIDs, and netbooks) market, and combines the CPU, memory controller and graphics power onto one piece of silicon.

While details are scarce. the deal also includes some software stipulations. Along with the Moorestown processor, LG will also use Intel's Linux-based Moblin 2.0 operating system. Also, the new Intel platform brings with it scalability. While the initial Moorestown chip will be a 45 nanometer design, it will eventually be brought down to 32nm, which brings power and heat reduction with it. "LG and Intel's common goal is to unleash rich Internet experiences across a range of mobile devices while delivering the functionality of today's high-end smartphones," the companies said in a joint statement.

According to Cnet, LG and Intel are also teaming up for a slew of Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs). While the line between MID and smartphone is increasingly blurred, a good guess would be that these MIDs would lack a dedicated phone function, and have a layout more reminiscent of a laptop or tablet. While MIDs can be robust as far as features are concerned, asking consumers to buy an "Internet Device" that cannot make phone calls without using VoIP is asking a lot. Furthermore, while using VoIP is great when on a WiFi connection, using it over mobile broadband will require a subscription. Seeing as most people would have a phone as well as an MID, that's a lot of cash spent on hardware, and even more spent on multiple monthly data and/or phone bills.

On the flipside, some may prefer to use an MID with a larger keyboard for things like email or business applications. Like with anything else, the consumer will ultimately decide if this MID market is worth keeping around, or the lines between mobile devices will become even more confusing than they already are.