Intel launches a blitzkrieg of new technologies on Day 2 of CES


Intel makes big announcements at CES 2015

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DNA

Updated: Jan 7, 2015, 03:43 PM IST

Silicon crafter Intel did not fail to impress at day 2 of the technology bonanza underway at Las Vegas. The chip maker’s CEO Brian Krzanich did a surprisingly rollicking job of showcasing the work their bunny-suit clad scientists have been secretly working on over the past year. Spanning everything from their close-to-the-heart processors to the fringe areas of connected smart devices, they had on show a particularly stunning display of drones (that are smart enough to fly to predefined destinations while dynamically avoiding obstacles along the way)  and ultra-tiny wearable computing devices (that are basically buttons).

Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing and potentially game-changing products that took to the stage:

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The wearable computer now has a platform: On display for the first time was Intel’s Curie module, a jaw-droppingly tiny, button-sized nodule of a device that has been proposed as a standard for wearable devices. Jammed into this unbelievably small form factor is Intel’s new 32-bit Quark SE System on a Chip (SoC) that includes Bluetooth radio, a 6-axis combo motion sensor with accelerometer and gyroscope, a low-power integrated digital signal processor and circuitry that enables charging itself or being powered off a coin-sized battery. The entire system runs off a real-time operating system (RTOS) that Intel is enabling development for via a specialized software kit called Intel IQ. With it, developers will be able to write smartphone apps for these ultra-wearable modules, while also being able to access cloud features. Imagine--buttons that can talk to each other: hard to say if we should be intrigued or afraid. More>>

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Reaching out to a new dimension in computing: Also showcased was Intel’s RealSense technology, which uses new-generation cameras that facilitate immersive applications which will bring a new layer of interactivity between users and screens. Somewhat like what Kinect facilitates, this new technology recognizes hand gestures and understands facial expressions, and is also able to create a 3D scan of real-life objects using its embedded camera. This new understanding of the depth dimension also introduces abilities in photography such as being able to select a focus point in a photo even after it is taken, or measuring dimensions in a shot directly on the image preview screen. More>>

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Intel-powered tablets get a speed boost: The newly-launched Intel Atom Z8000 series of processors brings 64-bit performance (purportedly up to 36 percent speedier than their 32-bit parts), better battery life (up to 16+ hours in some cases), onboard security features with hardware-based AES encryption for better data security (up to 8x faster encryption than before). More>>

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Is that a computer on your keychain? There’s a new reference design for an ultra-tiny computer--literally the size of a dongle. Intel’s new Compute Stick plugs into a regular HDMI port in your TV or display while packing the functionality of a computer running Windows 8.1 or Linux. Coming in at under 4-inches long, it runs a quad-core Intel Atom processor, has onboard wireless connectivity, memory, as well as a microSD card slot. Given this super-portable form factor, it could take on any role from a portable media center to embedded applications. Stay tuned--it’s expected to hit the store shelves later this year. More>>