SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 12, 2003Intel Corporation today introduced Intel Centrino mobile technology, integrating wireless capability into a new generation of mobile PCs that will bring business users and consumers greater freedom to connect in new places and in new ways.

Interesting. Centrino is branding a mobile technology consisting of a new mobile processor, related chipsets, and wireless network technology. It is being touted as the hottest thing since the introduction of the Pentium. Could it be we have reached a sort of plateau in processor speeds? Sure, we can create faster (and more energy-hungry) processors, but do we really need them? Intel and AMD have been involved in a battle of the processor titans for some time now with no real winner as head-to-head competition has forced real processor prices lower (and costs higher). Microsoft always has kept a wary eye on its competition. Perhaps Intel is taking a lesson from Messrs. Gates and Ballmer and is attempting to corner a market through smart business practice rather than best-of-breed technology. It is reportedly spending $300 million on the Centrino marketing campaign.

Create a Need, Then Fill It
In December 2002, Intel, AT&T, IBM, Apax, and 3i formed a company called Cometa Networks. Guess what Cometa (www.cometanetworks.com) does? It works with telecommunications companies, ISPs, cable operators, and wireless carriers so they can offer their customers wireless Internet access using 802.11 technologies. It also is working with major national and regional retail chains, hotels, universities, and real-estate firms to deploy broadband wireless access service in hot spots throughout the top 50 U.S. metropolitan areas. Cometa is the mover behind McDonalds move to offer free Wi-Fi access. This was rolled out in certain Mickey Ds in the Big Apple in March. The service is an open network, allowing access to any customer with an 802.11b-enabled lap-top computer. During the first three months, customers who purchase an Extra Value Meal will get a scratch-off card containing information they need to log on for a single session of up to 60 free minutes of high-speed, wireless Internet access. So, here we have Intel creating and selling 802.11 access points across the country. It then offers up a slick new technology for using wireless technology. You have got to hand it to Intelgood marketing. The McDonalds Wi-Fi press release was dated March 11, 2003. The introduction of Centrino was on March 12.