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By Scott Ard, 8 January 2008 08:48

NEWS

The ability to connect practically all electronic devices to the internet will unleash a burst of innovation and business opportunities that will rival the impact on personal computers, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show, Otellini presented a vision of an always-on, always-connected experience for consumers, whether in their homes, or in a car.

Otellini said: "We're now in the midst of the largest opportunity to redefine consumer electronics and entertainment since the introduction of the television. Increasingly, computing and communications are coming together, bringing a new level of capabilities and intelligence to the internet experience. The personal internet of tomorrow will serve you - delivering the information you want, when you want it, how you want, wherever you are."

To illustrate this transformation, Otellini's speech was preceded by a video take-off of Video Killed the Radio Star. In Intel's version, the internet was hailed as killing off CDs, film cameras and numerous other technologies.

However, such change will not happen unless four obstacles are overcome, Otellini cautioned. Silicon Valley needs to become more powerful and energy efficient; broadband access needs to be ubiquitous; the internet needs to be infused with a sense of context; and user interfaces need to be more natural.

Addressing the first challenge, Otellini demonstrated a system-on-a-chip for consumer devices. Code-named 'Canmore', the product is intended for use in TVs, set-top boxes and media players to allow the integration of internet applications. Otellini said Canmore will be available in the second half of 2008.

Otellini said: "Packaging several important functions - such as computing, graphics and audio-video processing - into a single chip will help devices do more while taking up less space and energy."

Intel expects to ship its first low-power processor and chipset platform designed for mobile internet devices in the first half of this year. Called 'Menlow', it is a package that includes a chipset with a single-chip design - code-named 'Poulsbo' - and a processor code-named 'Silverthorne'. The entire package is five times smaller and consumes 10 times less power than ultra-low-voltage mobile processors introduced in 2006, Otellini said.

On the broadband question, Otellini touted WiMax, a technology for providing wireless web access over great distances. On the context front, the Nintendo Wii was touted as a good example of improving the user interface for video games.

Among his demonstrations, Otellini showed how an English-speaking traveller in Beijing could use a mobile device to translate building signs, restaurant menus and conversations in real-time.

Scott Ard writes for CNET News.com