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By Jim Forbes
Since the release of Windows 95, Microsoft has refocused itself as an Internet company. The changes under way at Intel are less noisy, but they could turn out to be just as significant.
The microprocessor giant recently unveiled a series of strategies, initiatives and technologies designed to capture even greater market share in the interconnected age. Most importantly, in mid-1997 Intel will refresh its Pentium Pro line, which at the time of its launch had trouble running some Win95 apps.
But for this new generation of microprocessors-led by the release called Klamath-the company also needs to design and popularize a new generation of motherboards. And that's the project now gathering steam at Intel.
CEO Andrew Grove said the company's new motherboard technol-ogy will be used in "advanced, connected PCs"- connected to the Internet, of course. But the machines, which should emerge as early as next year, will feature not only new microprocessors but also graphics controllers and on-the-motherboard 3-D sound. These will work with other technologies capable of enhancement with digital signal processors.
Moreover, they will be as likely to crop up in living rooms as in corporate suites. In fact, a prime goal of the new motherboard is to better support "hybrid" apps, which meld data from hard disks or CD-ROMs with information from online sources.
At a briefing on Intel's long-term strategy, the company demonstrated several potential hybrid applications with a PC connected to the Internet, manipulating 3-D "avatars," holding an online discussion with one of them, and listening to a high-quality, live streaming audio feed.
Sources close to the company's Architecture Labs in Aloha, Ore., say Intel is also considering supporting onboard TV tuners capable of downloading Web pages transmitted along with TV signals. They may also feature better support of 64-bit graphics adapters.
Of course, none of this will come cheap: Analysts predict that PCs with these enhancements will cost close to $5,000.
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