Intel pursues ‘Universal Communicator’

Intel, along with partners TeleSym and Digit Wireless, demonstrated a prototype GSM/Wi-Fi handset at the Intel Developers Forum this week, in what the semiconductor giant sees as the first step in commercializing a “Universal Communicator Platform.”

Intel chief technology officer Pat Gelsinger said during a keynote speech at the forum that the platform prototype is part of the company’s Radio Free Intel strategy to develop adaptive radio technologies and integrate radios into future processor developments.

The prototype design combines Intel’s adaptive radio technology and TeleSym’s SymPhone software enabling voice communication over 802.11 wireless LANs. The test handset also used Digit Wireless’ Fastap keypad for single-button entry of numbers, letters and punctuation for more efficient usage of messaging applications.

TeleSym chairman and CEO Raju Gulabani said these types of integrated devices should start appearing on the market in the next year or so.

Intel’s Gelsinger used the universal communicator prototype to demonstrate roaming across Wi-Fi and wide area network mobile coverage, and said the future handsets derived from the prototype would be capable of transparently and automatically connecting with different networks and services.

In his speech, Gelsinger also said Intel is trying to drive ongoing 802.11 standards development, including a next-generation 802.11n standard that will offer greater throughout and more consistent data transmission reliability.