Intel launches tablet processor

11 April 2011 Last updated at 15:25 GMT Intel's Oak Trail uses a 45nm manufacturing process Intel has formally launched its Oak Trail processor, designed for use in tablet computers.

The new microchip is smaller and uses less power than other models in its Atom range.

Despite being the world's largest manufacturer of microprocessors, Intel has been largely pushed out of the growing tablet market.

Until now, most devices have used chips designed by Apple and Cambridge-based Arm Holdings.

Announcing Oak Trail's retail name - the Z670 - Intel conceded that it was currently lagging behind the competition.

"You won't find a lot of Intel based tablets on the shelves at the moment," said Kevin O'Donovan, marketing manager for notebooks and tablets.

However, he insisted that the company now had a competitive product.

"2011 is about becoming relevant," he said.

Multiple platforms

One of Oak Trail's biggest selling points is likely to be its ability to run a number of different tablet operating systems.

Windows 7, Android, MeeGo and Google's upcoming OS will all work on the Intel platform.

Currently, chipsets based on Arm's designs, such as Nvidia's popular Tegra processors, are unable to run Windows.

However, Microsoft recently announced that it would support Arm processors for the next release of its operating system, expected in early 2012.

At least one tablet manufacturer had postponed the launch of their Windows device until Oak Trail became available.

Some observers believe that Intel may struggle to get into the game.

"I think they have got some serious challenges," said Gartner research director Michael Gartenberg.

"They continue to beat the drum of performance, but in reality, I don't think there are a lot of people running around complaining about how slow their tablets are.

"They seem to be quite happy with the Arm architecture."

Tech specs

Oak Trail / Z670 processors use Intel's 45nm production process.

The figure is a measure of circuit track density and broadly relates to processing power and energy consumption.

Current high-end microprocessors use 32nm production, however the technology is largely limited to laptop and desktop computers.

As well as the main processor, the new system includes a second chip, the SM35, to handle various input and output functions such as USB and audio.

The first tablets to use Oak Trail technology are expected to hit the market around May.

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Welsh Labour launches poll pledges

7 April 2011 Last updated at 06:03 GMT Labour has firmly set its sights on winning a majority on 5 May The Welsh Labour party is to officially launch its assembly election campaign with five key pledges.

They cover training for the young, more access to GPs, more schools funding, extra police community support officers and more free child health care.

In simultaneous events in north and south Wales, it will claim voters can chose one of two directions.

Those are forwards "towards fairness with Labour" or backwards "with more Tory cuts".

Labour, which was in coalition with Plaid Cymru in the last assembly government, has firmly set its sights on winning a majority on 5 May.

Continue reading the main story More apprenticeships and training for young people.Access to GP surgeries in the evenings and Saturdays.More funding for schools.An extra 500 police community support officers.More children benefiting from free childcare and health visiting.Source: Welsh Labour PartyOn Monday, Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones told reporters he would go it alone to form a single party government if Labour wins 31 of the assembly's 60 seats.

Opinion polls suggest Labour has recovered ground since a tally of 26 seats at the 2007 election forced it into coalition with Plaid.

Mr Jones said that based on the feedback the party had received on the campaign trail, a "comfortable working majority is in our grasp".

He added there were at least seven seats "in play" at this election.

The Welsh Labour campaign will be launched simultaneously in two target seats that Labour lost to Plaid in 2007

Mr Jones will be in Aberconwy and shadow Welsh secretary Peter Hain will be in Llanelli - both seats currently held by Plaid Cymru.

The party has split its pledges into five for a fairer future, and five to keep.

Labour is the last of the assembly's four main parties to officially launch their campaigns.

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Verizon Wireless launches home phone service (Ben Patterson)

After a brief trial that began late last year, Verizon's new home-phone service—which lets you make unlimited domestic calls on a traditional landline phone for $20 a month, all with the help of a wireless router that taps into the carrier's cellular network—is now open for business.

Word of Verizon's Home Phone Connect service first surfaced back in December, and Boy Genius Report spotted a promo for the plan on the Verizon Wireless website on Thursday.

Initial reports about Home Phone Connect (including my own) had it that the service would only be open to existing Verizon Wireless subscribers, but from looks of the latest promo, it appears that anyone—including new customers—can sign up.

Here's how it works (and keep in mind that I haven't tested the service myself yet): You take any standard landline phone and simply plug it into Verizon's AC-powered Home Phone Connect base station, which looks like a home Wi-Fi router.

Once it's activated (and yes, you can port over your home phone number if you like), the Home Connect service offers up your usual menu of calling services—including call waiting, forwarding, caller ID, three-way calling, voice mail, and 911 service—along with unlimited calling to any U.S. number, for $20 a month.

Another option is add a line to an existing Verizon Wireless family plan for $10 a month, although your new home phone will have to share minutes with everyone else on the plan.

There's also the cost of the base station to consider: $129, with discounts available if you sign a contract (free for a two-year commitment, or $50 with a one year contract).

Verizon Wireless isn't the first cell phone carrier to offer a home-phone service; after all, T-Mobile had its @Home service up and running back in 2008. But T-Mobile shuttered @Home last year.

Besides competing with traditional landlines service, Verizon's Home Connect plan is also up against such bargain (or free) broadband-based alternatives as Skype, Ooma, MagicJack, and Vonage.

MagicJack, for example, lets you make VoIP calls on your home phone (with a little help from your PC and a broadband connection) for as little as $20 a year after a 12-month free trial.

But Verizon argues you don't need a broadband connection to use Home Phone Connect. The wireless base station also boasts a GPS chip that pinpoints your position when making a 911 call (VoIP service usually require you to register your address for 911 service), along with a battery pack in case of a power outage.

So, would you consider trading in your landline (assuming you still have one) for Verizon's new home-phone service? Or would you rather go the VoIP way?

— Ben Patterson is a technology blogger for Yahoo! News.

Follow me on Twitter!

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