>Intel today announced products and solutions that will deliver new user experiences and support the computing ecosystem's expansion into new areas. Intel today announced products and solutions that will deliver new user experiences and support the computing ecosystem's expansion into new areas.

During the opening keynote address at Computex 2015, Kirk Skaugen, Intel senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s Client Computing Group encouraged the Taiwan ecosystem to work together and capture the opportunity to shape the future of computing.

"The power of Moore’s Law has enabled incredible computing innovation over the past 50 years and because of it, nearly everything in the future will have the ability to compute and connect," said Skaugen. "Our 30-year history of collaboration with Taiwan has delivered historic innovation to the world, from personal computing to the cloud and data centers. The next 30 years will see even greater innovation as we deliver new computing experiences and bring intelligence and connectivity to the Internet of Things together."

Skaugen officially announced the 5th generation Intel Core family, which also now includes the first LGA socketed desktop processor with integrated Iris Pro graphics. The company unveiled 10 desktop and mobile processors that boast new levels of performance.

The flagship desktop processor, Intel Core i7-5775-C, delivers up to 35 percent better media performance and over 2x better graphics performance than the previous 4th gen 65-watt Intel Core i7-4790S with Intel HD graphics 4600 desktop processor. The increase in graphics performance is due to Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200: Intel’s most powerful client processor graphics and media engine.

A lower-power, 65-watt thermal design point (TDP) enables full PC performance in a broad range of desktop form factors, including smaller and thinner Mini PCs and desktop all-in-ones (AIOs). Five new desktop SKUs were announced.

In addition, five new 47-watt mobile 5th gen Intel Core processors deliver performance for gamers and creators on the go. The Intel Core i7-5950HQ processor offers up to 95 percent better media performance and up to 2x 3-D graphics performance compared to the current generation 15-watt TDP 5th gen Intel Core i7 5600U mobile processor.

These new processors round out the performance segment of the 5th gen Intel Core processor family, code-named Broadwell. System availability is expected in the next couple of months.

For the data center, Intel introduced the Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 v4 product family, the first time the Xeon processor line has included integrated Intel Iris Pro graphics P6300. Built on 14nm process technology and designed for visually intensive, cloud-based workloads such as high-definition (HD) video transcoding and remote workstation delivery, the product family delivers up to 1.4x the performance for video transcoding and up to 1.8x the 3-D graphics performance compared to the prior generation.

The Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 v4 family also features integrated Intel Quick Sync Video for hardware-accelerated transcoding performance – delivering up to 4,300 simultaneous HD video streams per server rack to provide high-quality content on demand to more users.

Wireless charging

Intel also said that it will work with several partners, including a subsidiary of Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., to bring its wireless charging solutions to market later this year.

Intel will collaborate with Foxconn Interconnect Technology Ltd. and other members of Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), such as China's Basecom Trading Co., Japan-based Kokuyo Co. and original design manufacturers BYD Co. and Primax Electronics Ltd.

The goal is to create "a future of a completely wireless computing experience," by working with accessory maker Targus Inc. to deliver Rezence standard-based wireless charging solutions.

A4WP develops the "Rezence" magnetic resonance technology turns surfaces like tables into wireless charging stations and can charge multiple devices at once. A4WP merged with its rival wireless charging group Power Matters Alliance (PMA) in January to create a new entity that will be named later this year.

Intel also introduced the expansion of the Intel IoT Gateway product family. The latest gateway reference design offers expanded choice in silicon and software with the addition of Intel Core processor-based gateways and Wind River Intelligent Device Platform XT 3 with flexible packaging options for applications that require a low cost of entry.

Intel also expanded the choice of operating systems for Intel IoT Gateway reference designs with the availability of Ubuntu Snappy Core from Canonical. This builds upon the current OS availability from Microsoft and Wind River. Specifically for IoT solutions, especially retail and medical environments, Intel announced the new Intel Pentium, Intel Celeron and Intel Atom processors. With high graphics performance in a low thermal envelope, the processors are customized for IoT and offer seven year availability.

Intel Unite was introduced as a new cost-effective business solution designed for easy collaboration and improved meeting productivity. With a select Intel Core vPro processor-based mini PC in the conference room and the Intel Unite application running on devices, existing conference rooms are transformed into smart and connected meeting spaces with enhanced security.

The foundation for Intel Unite is a conference room with select Intel Core vPro processor-based mini PCs. The latest Intel Core vPro processor delivers security and performance together with wireless capabilities. With Intel Unite software running on client devices, attendees can connect and interact with meeting content in real time, from any location.

The Unite technology connects attendees to new or existing displays, projectors, and interactive whiteboards. There’s no need to waste time searching for the right adapter or dongle.

Attendees from any location can view, annotate, and share documents—in real time. When the meeting ends, they can distribute content using the built-in file transfer feature. In addition, with one Intel Core vPro processor-based device running the Intel Unite application, workers can share screens wirelessly with peer-to-peer sharing.

To improve security, attendees must enter the appropriate rotating PIN code to join the meeting. Enterprise-grade security ensures that data is 256-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypted and stays within your corporate network. Data always stays within the virtual walls of your business and isn’t dependent on any additional vendor solutions.

Last but not least, with the remote management tools of Intel vPro technology, you can manage all conference room PCs from any location to complete basic tasks, apply patching, or make repairs.

Intel also unveiled Thunderbolt 3, which delivers one computer port that connects to Thunderbolt devices, every display and billions of USB devices.

"Thunderbolt 3 is computer port nirvana - delivering two 4K displays, fast data, and quick notebook charging", said Navin Shenoy, vice president in Client Computing Group and general manager of Mobility Client Platforms at Intel. "It fulfills the promise of USB-C for single-cable docking and so much more. OEMs and device developers are going to love it."

Intel said Thunderbolt 3 doubles the previous bandwidth, offers 100 watts of charging-and will run over a USB-C connector. It will offer four times the data and and twice the video bandwidth of any other cable.

The original Thunderbolt hit 10Gbps, while the second iteration reached 20Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 will hit 40Gbps. That's enough to carry two 4K signals at 60Hz or drive a 5K monitor by itself.

Intel said the codename for its Thunderbolt 3 chip is Alpine Ridge and will be among the first host controllers to support USB 3.1 at 10Gbps.

Because Thunderbolt carries multiple protocols including USB, PCIe, DisplayPort and even Ethernet, Intel said it will essentially be 10Gb ethernet "for free" in small peer-to-peer networks.

The new protocol will work over passive copper cables at up to Thunderbolt 2 speeds of 20Gbps and up to 2 meters. With active copper cables the speed increases to 40Gbps but is still limited to 2-meter cables. Longer distances, up to 60 meters, Intel said, will require active optical cables, but that's not expected until next year at the earliest.

Initial products are expected to start shipping before the end of this year, with more expected in 2016.

Intel also announced it is working with Targus to deliver Rezence standard-based wireless charging solutions. Intel also recently announced an agreement with China-based Haier to bring wireless charging solutions to restaurants, hotels, cafés, and airports in China later this year. Additionally, Intel will work with A4WP members, Foxconn Interconnect, Basecom and original design manufacturers BYD and Primax to bring wireless charging solutions to market later this year.

First Skylake Tablet

Intel did noit say anything about its upcoming chips code-named Skylake, but it showed the first tablet based on the architecture during a keynote at the Computex show in Taipei.

The tablet had a 4K display that could display images at a resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels, and was 7.8 millimeters thick. Future devices based on Skylake could support wireless charging and Thunderbolt 3.0 ports.

Tablets based on Skylake will be computing powerhouses that will manage high-resolution displays, said Kirk Skaugen.

Skylake will go into tablets, laptops and desktops, including some that are on track to reach the market in the second half this year.