Intel invests in flash, smartphone software and IPTV

Intel's investment arm has been ploughing money into companies working on flash memory, smartphone software development and IPTV.

Intel Capital invested some $77m (£48m) last year in new companies and technologies, a sizeable chunk going in the direction of Amobit Technologies, a flash memory software firm.

Eighteen companies have benefited from Intel money, ranging from PC and server software to smartphones and cloud computing businesses.

"Despite the economic environment, these 18 investments help advance next generation computing technologies aligning with Intel's vision that more and more devices will compute and connect to the internet," said Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital and Intel executive vice president.

"The innovative technology developed by these companies supports the 'compute continuum' from advancements in PCs and server trends, such as cloud computing, to building out the ecosystem around smart TVs and smartphones."

The full list of companies is Adaptivity, Althea Systems, Amobit, boo-box, De Novo, IPTEGO, Layar, Lilliputian Systems, Inc, Ortiva Wireless, Rock Flow Dynamics, Select-TV, SilkRoad, Taifatech, Videon Central, Verismo Networks, Winchannel, YuMe and Yummly.com.

Amobit is an Israeli company that has a patent on memory signal processing technology which improves the performance of Nand flash.

According to Intel, the investments will be used to fund its core business and meet the "surging demand" for its products and services. Amobit customers include Hynix and Samsung.

Like many other firms, including Dell and HP, Intel has chosen to invest in a datacentre business, in this case Ukranian firm De Novo. Intel's cash will be used to boost De Novo's software-as-a-service offerings in the Ukraine.

Dutch firm Layar is Intel's punt in the direction of smartphone development. Layar develops an augmented reality platform that the firm said is pre-installed on millions of phones, and is available on Android, iPhone and Bada devices.

As well as some connected television services for hotels, Intel also invested in a company that develops software for other connected devices.

Videon Central, which is based in the US, develops IP and integration services for consumer electronics, and is expected to grow its market share with the cash injection and increase its IPTV business.

Another beneficiary, SilkRoad Technology, develops and sells software-as-a-service talent management and recruitment packages. Intel hopes to turn this firm into a global business, it explained.