Intel’s Otellini Looks Into the Future

In a rollicking, multimedia keynote at International CES Thursday, Intel CEO Paul Otellini gave a wide-reaching overview of all of the many applications for his company's technology- both now and in the future. He also announced some new partnerships and initiatives. 

Otellini spent the hour-long keynote touting the role Intel's chips play in computers, smartphones, home entertainment and even the cineplex. Throughout he repeatedly touted Moore's Law, the well-known axiom which states that computing power generally doubles every two years.

“Every two years, we schedule a breakthrough,” Otellini said, adding that the breakthroughs generally take six years of work to make happen.

New from the company is a technology called the Intel Wireless Display, a new and easy way for consumers to wirelessly connect their laptop computers with their TVs, whether to watch movies, view photos, or otherwise combine media from the two devices. The technology will be available in a new product from Netgear, which will be available next week for around $100.

“We believe every electronic device will eventually connect to the Internet,” Otellini said.

Additionally, Intel is at work on an app store for netbooks, to be based on an updated version of the company's Atom chip, which played a big role in the category's success in the last two years. The store, known as the AppUp Center, is backed by netbook makers Dell, Asus and Acer, can be viewed in beta here.

The CEO also shared that Intel is working on an initiative called “Lightpeak,” a next-generation wireless technology that could ultimately replace all cables. Sony and Nokia are supporting the venture, he said. In addition, Otellini and an employee introduced a forthcoming LG smartphone that includes a 3D interface- thanks in part to a chip that Intel calls “Moorestown.”

In addition to multiple 3D presentations, Otellini's keynote was punctuated by a series of videotaped comedy sketches in which two Intel “employees,” one of whom was played by Aziz Ansari of “Parks and Recreation,” were sent through the future to sample now-unforeseen technologies of the time. The Magic Mirror character from the “Shrek” movies made an appearance on stage as well.