Intel wants chips in iPhone, iPad

Intel has revealed plans to to build processors “Apple can’t ignore”, at its annual investor day last week.

The chip maker currently provides processors for Apple’s notebook and desktop computers, but will push to force rival ARM’s chips out of Apple’s popular mobile devices in favour of its own.

“Our job is to ensure our silicon is so compelling, in terms of running the Mac better or being a better iPad device, that as they make those decisions they can’t ignore us,” Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini said, reported by Forbes.

“A year ago there was no one who was not an Intel employee who thought Intel stood a chance in this business,” Otellini said. “And now you’re asking what our market share goals are.”

Intel’s traditional stronghold is in the notebook and PC market. It recently released its new range of Ivy Bridge processors, debuting in the new wave of ultrabooks and desktops released by PC makers including Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo and Samsung.

Intel plans to utilise the manufacturing process seen with its x86 processor architecture in its smartphone chip push.

“What the process technology does is gives us better performance, at better power at better size,” Intel’s Bell said. “We think this is a fundamental advantage that we have.”

Forbes reports Intel will release its Atom Z2850 smartphone chip later this year, with its 22 nanometer-wide XMM 7260 ‘Merrifield’ chip to follow in 2013. Intel said chips built on its 14 nanometer manufacturing process will debut in 2014.