Intel makes play for mobile multimedia through Wind River

Intels purchase of real time operating system company Wind River Systems for $884m appears to have a significant aim in portable multimedia. Wind River has been pushing its Linux and Android solutions into the portable market, where Intel has gone many times and failed. Now with new generations of the Atom processor it has the right software to go on top. This also implies that Intel is preparing even lower power versions of the chip for the smartphone market as today's power consumption of Atom is still too high.
This is a key part of Intel's strategy to grow its processor and software presence outside the traditional PC and server market segments into embedded systems and mobile handheld devices and was confirmed by Sean Maloney, Intel's chief of sales and marketing.

"This acquisition will bring us complementary, market-leading software assets and an incredibly talented group of people to help us continue to grow our embedded systems and mobile device capabilities," said Renee James, Intel vice president and general manager of the company's Software and Services Group. "Wind River has thousands of customers in a wide range of markets, and now both companies will be better positioned to meet growth opportunities in these areas."

Winf River will be a wholly owned subsidiary with a focus on mobile devices including smart phones, mobile Internet devices and other consumer electronics (CE) devices, as well as other areas.