Intel To Produce Cheap Android Tablets with Rockchip
Intel has stuck a deal with Rockchip, a Chinese chipmaker, to start making up chips that will power up cheap Android tablets. The deal teams Intel up with a chipmaker specializing in low-end mobile devices that often cost less than $100 and are popular in China and other fast-growing markets. This represents a major move for the Santa Clara, California Company that has struggled to gain traction in smartphones and tablets hence leading to decline of its collective revenues for processors.
With this agreement Intel will gain access to Rockchip's ability to quickly launch inexpensive mobile chips as well as access to the company’s strong relationships with local Chinese manufacturers focused on the country’s fast-growing consumer market. Under the agreement, Rockchip and Intel will make a quad-core mobile chip using Intel’s architecture and branding, Intel said.
Those chips typically include ARM processor technology that competes against Intel’s technology. Intel CEO Krzanich said the agreement with Rockchip does not include an investment between the two companies. Intel said the chip will include 3G connectivity and will be available in the first half of 2015.
