Report: Intel’s smartphone strategy delayed to 2011

A Wired report suggests that Intel’s plans to return to the smartphone space may be delayed slightly. The chip giant initially hoped to have the first devices running its latest Atom processors (codenamed Moorestown) available in the second half of 2010. However, the Wired report notes that smartphones featuring Intel processors are likely to be shown at the Consumer Electronics Show next January or at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in February. “That would clearly be the window of opportunity for us,” said Intel CTO Justin Rattner. The report does add though that Rattner said tablets using Intel chips are on their way and will be available to consumers by the end of the year.

Intel’s processors run about 80 percent of the world’s PCs, a market that accounts for around 90 percent of the company’s sales. However, it is making a major move into the mobile device space and claims its processor is extremely power efficient, while offering enough power for features such as video conferencing and HD video. Intel is also rumoured to be mulling the acquisition of German chipmaker Infineon’s mobile business.