Intel's Otellini Unveils 'Sandy Bridge' Processor
But what had everyone talking was the new architecture itself, code-named Sandy Bridge, which Intel unveiled at IDF.
"Sandy Bridge will revolutionize PCs again," Otellini said of Intel's second-generation core processor, adding that a single Sandy Bridge-based chip would possess "all the critical capabilities for computing."
These capabilities include controlled performance and power efficiency, as well as an overall improved visual experience, with 3D controller capability, 3D Blu-Ray graphics, and gesture technology making use of body language and facial expression.
Intel's belief is that with an increasingly interactive future of computing, customers will want to interact with computers the way they do with people.
"We're becoming a solutions provider," Otellini told IDF attendees. "We're not just offering the best silicon for servers, but a full customized computing stack for our customers."
NEXT: Seamless And Continuum Emerge
With the steady increase in PCs sold per day, and proliferation of smart devices, the terms "seamless" and "continuum" emerged as key concepts in Otellini's presentation.
The seamless movement between devices -- handhelds, laptops, and now, with the Intel-Google-Logitech partnership, Smart TV -- the overall consistency, interoperability and seamlessness of the user experience has been a problem for the industry, Otellini said.
In addition to energy efficiency and Internet connectivity, Intel is increasingly concerned with security, and the increased threats which improvements in speed and connectivity bring about.
Intel wants to change the way platforms are secured, and Otellini said Intel's McAfee acquisition last month is a big part of this change. Intel wants to move from what Otellini called "known bad" model to a "known good" model, which ensures a trusted machine that only accepts secure information.
"That was the fundamental reason why we acquired McAfee," Otellini said.
Otellini touted Intel's acquisition of Infineon's wireless division as an important asset in delivering Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology, also known as 4G.
After Otellini, Dadi Perlmutter, general manager of Intel's Architecture Group, demonstrated technologies based on important partnerships including Gesturetech, for which Intel's been working on human tracking for two years.
As billions of transistors move to one place -- the microprocessor -- Intel's view is that real-time video analytics with 3D controller capability could provide an entirely new market.
With software that can be embedded into any kind of application, Intel's initial market will certainly be gaming. However, eventually, the chip maker would like to break open the much-anticipated emerging market for 3D television technology.
"Sandy Bridge is a visibly smart computing solution that allows the PC to become the center for everything you do," Perimutter said.