Intel and TI tussle over mobile silicon

Intel and Texas Instruments will go head-to-head in the mobile application processor market

Just as Texas Instruments (TI) launched its latest line of application processors, Intel stressed its commitment to developing its own mobile processor business.

TI's new Omap 3 application processor range is up to three times faster than Omap 2 and is optimised for media handling and office applications.

The first model, the Omap 3430 processor, is touted as the industry's highest performing application processor and the first wireless processor to be built using 65-nanometre fabrication technology.

"Cool consumer electronics products are migrating to the cellular platform, enabling consumers and business travellers to experience mobile entertainment and workplace productivity on the road," said Gilles Delfassy, senior vice president of TI's wireless terminals business unit.

"New Omap 3 processors will enable a radical change in how the mobile phone will be used, making it an indispensable work/life tool."

The new processor is also capable of handling all standards of mobile television, about which handset manufacturers are very keen.

"These new Omap processors will enable the design of a new breed of mobile multimedia device combining state-of-the-art entertainment capabilities and laptop-like experience in a low-power handset class of products," said Petri Haavisto, vice president of Symbian product platforms at Nokia.

But Intel, which started in the mobile application processor market much later than TI, has made it clear that it is seeking to expand market share at the expense of its longer-established rival.

Intel sold 33 million application processor chips last year and has plans for rapid expansion.

"Application processors for phones is where we've been strongest [in the mobile market]," said Jim Johnson, vice president at Intel's Mobility Group.

"We started after others in this space and we see it as a strong area of future growth. We have strong competition but we're sure we can win."