Intel unveils next next-gen chip

Intel chief executive Craig Barrett has given delegates at its Developer Forum a first glimpse of its successor to the Centrino mobile processor, which itself has yet to be shipped.

The new mobile processor, code-named Newport, has reduced power consumption and is based on the Centrino processor family.

It allows for so-called 'closed lid computing', where simple tasks like email and calendar functions can be performed via a PDA-style LCD screen set into the laptop's lid.

Wireless networking will also be included, as well as the ability to switch between 802.x and GPRS networks.

A new desktop processor, code-named Marble Falls, will support fast PCI Express cards; USB 2.0, which offers 10 times the speed of standard USB; and dual monitor support for video editing and other applications.

The keynote address by Pat Gelsinger, chief technical officer at Intel, included a demonstration of the world's first optical transmission of data via a CPU.

Currently, optical technology is very expensive to create and, in many cases, the hardware is manufactured by hand.

Merging it with CPU technology could revolutionise the optical industry by allowing cheap devices built by automation.

The demonstrator sent a laser beam down an optical fibre and split it in two, running one side through a phase shifter.

This device slows the speed of the light in that channel so that when the two light sources are analysed the difference in speed makes it is possible to create the optical equivalent of ones and zeros that are understandable by the CPU.

Gelsinger closed with a demonstration of the new Matrix computer game.

Two sequels to the movie have already been filmed, and a new computer game has been designed using Intel technology.

Players will see unreleased film footage and extra plot lines built into the game.