Intel working on community PC

As part of its strategy to reach emerging computer markets, chip giant Intel is developing a low-cost, low-energy 8216;8216;community PC...

As part of its strategy to reach emerging computer markets, chip giant Intel is developing a low-cost, low-energy 8216;8216;community PC8217;8217; aimed exclusively at India8217;s rural communities.

8216;8216;Currently being piloted in 10 locations across India, the community PC is designed to provide Internet access to entire communities and villages in rural and remote areas,8217;8217; Intel vice-president Digital Enterprise Patrick Gelsinger said here at the 8216;Intel Developers Forum8217;.

The Intel-based community PC will function with a car battery as its power back-up and will meet the rigours of rural conditions with special screens and filters that reduce dust, insect infiltration, Gelsinger said.

The community PC is also being designed to handle heat conditions in excess of 38 degrees Celsius.

Intel officials were however silent on the cost of the product. 8216;8216;The community PC is still at a very conceptual stage. While the product is being tested at 10-12 locations, a product launch announcement will come by the end of the quarter,8217;8217; Intel South Asia Director Marketing Amar Babu stated.

As part of its strategy for emerging markets, Intel has established platform definition centres in Bangalore, Cairo, Sao Paulo and Shanghai which are working on local technology needs.

Intel is simultaneously involved in trials of the WiMax wireless connectivity technology around the world to drive community access, Gelsinger said.

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In India, the Uttaranchal and Karnataka governments have evinced the greatest interest in WiMax trials, Intel officials said. 8216;8216;We are building the wireless infrastructure so as to be ready when the community PC hits the market,8217;8217; Amar Babu said.

Intel is also working on providing internet access through a variety of media like Wi-Fi, GPS telephone, GPRS and Wimax.

Earlier, Gelsinger in his keynote address at the forum, stated that Intel8217;s next generation, power-optimised micro architecture will enable a new category of converged consumer devices for emerging markets, mobile platforms, digital homes and enterprise.