Intel Offers Developers Software Tools, Outlines PC Evolution Across New Form Factors
At the Intel Developer Forum, the company's executives introduced tools that make creating software easier and more rewarding for developers. Intel also explained how sees the future of the PC running on new processors and a wide assortment of operating systems. Intel Senior Vice President Kirk Skaugen showed one of the first public demonstrations of Intel’s next - generation 14nm product line for client mobile and desktop PCs, which is on track for production next year. A client PCs was demonstrated running the popular 3D game Torchlight II.
He also reiterated the benefits of the recently announced Intel Core M processor, which enables high-performance fanless 2 in 1 system designs thinner than 9 mm, and the new Intel Core i7-5960X processor Extreme Edition, Intel’s first eight-core desktop processor for enthusiast-level performance.
Disclosures around wireless technologies were also announced including a new low-cost small form factor Intel Wireless Display adapter from Actiontec targeting this year’s holiday season and an LG 4K television available next year with built-in Intel Wireless Display capability that can stream ultra high definition (3840x2160) videos from a PC without wires.
Intel Wireless Gigabit Docking, which that includes wireless docking, wireless display and wireless charging–was demonstrated via an Intel reference design based on a 14nm next-generation Intel processor.
In an update on the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), Skaugen announced that Acer, DuPont, Emirates Airlines, HP and others are joining the consortium.
In addition, ChromeOS momentum was shown with recently or soon-to-be released systems from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Toshiba demonstrated.
Finally, Skaugen showcased Intel RealSense technology, which aims to make computing more natural and immersive. Broad availability of Intel RealSense applications and systems is expected early next year. Skaugen said there are more than 60 ISVs actively developing Intel RealSense applications spanning collaboration tools, entertainment and learning, as well as applications for capturing and sharing in 3D. IDF, Intel demonstrated how the Intel RealSense 3D Camera can enhance online shopping by enabling the capture and share of 3D images that make perfect fits possible.
In a n effort to help scale the availability of Intel-based Android tablets around the world, Intel also announced the Intel Reference Design for Android (Intel RDA) program. The program aims to ease the engineering burden on tablet manufacturers and software developers, helping them reduce costs and decrease the time it takes them to bring a device to market.
Doug Fisher, Intel’s corporate vice president and general manager of the Software and Services Group, provided details of the program addressing developers.
Tablet manufacturers in this program will use a pre-qualified bill of materials (BOM) and a reference design software build. Intel will manage the core engineering work and will also ensure OS updates, including bug fixes and security patches, will be made available to the user within two weeks of a new Android release for a duration of 24 months following device launch. Intel will also streamline the access to Google Mobile Services by pre- certifying the OS image via CTS. The first devices are expected in market by end of this year.
Fisher also highlighted the work done within Android Open Source Platform (AOSP), optimizing the Android Runtime and the 100+ tablet design wins that will be in market on Android by the end of 2014.
Fisher also disclosed the Intel XDK, a cross-platform tool for HTML5 development on Windows and 8, OS X and Ubuntu Linux. It offers Android and iOS live on-device testing, allowing developers to instantly preview changes while editing. New ad and monetization samples simplify app design, a new Dolby Audio API delivers surround sound, and a cross -platform security API enables device security to safeguard data.
Intel also announced the Intel Context Sensing SDK 2014 for Android, which allows mobile app developers to create cross-platform context-aware experiences. It also helps incorporate services and context aware capabilities in mobile applications. Powered by Intel Cloud Services with Intel Mashery API Management, the Android SDK is available today and Windows SDK in 2015.
The new Intel RealSense SDK 2014 for Windows allows developers to harness the power of Intel RealSense 3D cameras. It provides flexibility, making it easy for developers to add simple interface elements like hand tracking or entirely new classes of applications using depth data The developer tools will be available for Windows-based Ultrabooks, notebooks, 2 in 1s and AIOs in the coming weeks and early next year for Windows and Android tablets.
The new Intel Unified Binary Management Suite (Intel UBMS) expedites platform development by automating firmware generation. It offers a drag - and- drop interface to create system firmware for derivative designs based on Intel reference platform.
Last but not least, Intal has striked an agreement with Wayne to
collaborate on a cloud-based secure payments service that will
offers fuel retailers increased security, EMV compliance and big data insights about customer activity in a quicker, more efficient manner. Wayne’s Electronic Payment System (EPS) in the Cloud solution uses the
Intel Services Platform for retail software to help deploy payment
solutions and updates across multiple sites virtually instantaneously.