Intel and IBM Team to Deliver Platforms for Next-Generation Wireless Devices and Other Internet Appliances
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2001--Intel Corporation and IBM today announced that Intel has selected IBM as the premier provider of embedded software for its Intel® Personal Internet Client Architecture (Intel PCA) for wireless devices and other Internet appliances. The two companies will work together to deliver standards-based hardware and software solutions for next-generation, Internet-ready devices, targeting device manufacturers, application developers and carriers.
IBM will support Intel PCA by porting IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Suite Embedded Edition, which is cross-platform embedded middleware, and tools for devices to the Intel StrongARM(1) processor and future processors based on Intel XScale(TM) microarchitecture. Intel will feature and distribute IBM's device middleware with its Intel PCA software developer kit and hardware reference design guide that will be issued to the industry later this year. Embedded middleware manages communications, enables content and service creation and provides secure, reliable transactions between a device and a backend server. Application developers are then free to create compelling applications across multiple devices more rapidly, with fewer bugs and a lower total cost of development.
Today, there is no common interface for applications across various wireless devices and other Internet appliances. This standards-based software developer kit will make it easier to develop applications for next-generation Internet-ready devices, thereby speeding time to market for application developers, device manufacturers and carriers.
``Intel and IBM are working to enable wireless solutions that feature both open hardware and standards-based software for consumers and businesses,'' said Ron Smith, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Wireless Communications and Computing Group. ``Intel is working with leading software, platform and solution providers, such as IBM, to offer developers and device manufacturers a model to rapidly develop applications for next-generation wireless devices.''
``In the PC era, there was one predominant platform. Today, there are many different devices, and as everyday items from phones to cars to appliances are becoming more intelligent, open standards are crucial to ensure common interfaces, applications and services across them,'' said Michel Mayer, general manager of IBM's Pervasive Computing Group. ``IBM will continue working with leading vendors, like Intel, so that our products support different platforms, including IBM's own PowerPC microprocessor.''
Last October, Intel and IBM teamed to deliver an in-car client reference platform featuring IBM VisualAge Micro Edition Toolkit support for the Intel XScale microarchitecture. Today's announcement expands this effort to include personal digital assistants, web tablets, cell phones and other Internet-ready devices.
About Intel and IBM Offerings
Intel PCA is an open architecture that allows easy integration and expansion of wireless systems using a combination of the world's leading operating systems and global wireless standards. The architecture consists of interchangeable hardware and software building blocks and enables wireless hardware and software solutions providers to offer a wide range of enhanced wireless offerings across standards, generations and geographies, much more quickly than today's phones.
Intel's Wireless Communications & Computing Group is focused on opportunities in the growing cellular and wireless communications and computing areas. Intel's wireless expertise and set of technologies includes flash memory, chipsets, digital signal processing capabilities, systems engineering and software, and high-performance, low-power processors.
IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Suite Embedded Edition is cross-platform, embedded middleware for devices that includes device/content management, connection management, communication, user interfaces, encryption, authentication, message queuing; it is integrated with standards-compliant real-time operating systems, such as QNX Neutrino. Customization services are offered to tailor the embedded platform to the requirements of particular devices. In addition, IBM offers server software (WebSphere Everyplace Suite) needed to streamline delivery of Web-based information and applications to devices. The IBM WebSphere Everyplace Suite Embedded Edition is based on the Java programming language and uses open standards to create a highly flexible offering. It incorporates the necessary communication, application and user interfaces required for device operation.
About Intel
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
About IBM
IBM is the world's leading e-business company offering a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that help businesses take full advantage of emerging innovation. IBM's pervasive computing and mobile Internet strategy is to extend e-business applications to the new class of connected client devices. This involves building, deploying and developing mobile applications by partnering with key players like Intel, Motorola, Cisco, Nokia and Palm; developing groundbreaking initiatives to set open industry standards; and deploying a Business Innovation Services team with hundreds of wireless Consultants. IBM also makes chips for a wide range of devices from the world's most powerful computers to the smallest cell phones. IBM can be found on the Web at www.ibm.com.
(1) Third party marks and brands are property of their respective holders. |
