Intel CEO Brian Krzanich spoke at the Maker Faire in San Mateo, California, on Saturday. He spent some time addressing the electronics DIY community about how Intel wants amateur inventors to help create new and inspiring wearable tech. Also, as exclusively revealed by Reuters, he made a promise that Intel Broadwell chips would ship in time for inclusion in PCs to be sold to Christmas shoppers.
Intel asks for creative help
While many tech giants are seemingly jostling to position for the explosion in popularity of wearable tech, nothing has yet emerged to set the market alight. Intel was at the Maker Faire in San Mateo this weekend casting its idea nets around to try and find some direction.
Brian Krzanich said that he thought that successful wearables will come from makers who are focussed upon solving their own needs and thus there won't be a single device which is right for everyone. The smartwatches and fitness bands introduced by rivals in the last few months show that such accessories aren't taking off. So the Intel CEO wants to mine the maker movement for inspiration.
The Intel CEO explained his presence at the Maker Faire, alongside rivals ARM, "These are the future engineers, the future scientists, the guys who will be inventing the next companies that create great products, whether it's the next Google or Apple. We want them to be aware of Intel technology".
Broadwell PCs by Xmas
Krzanich also talked about the schedule for the release of Broadwell processors this weekend. "I can guarantee for holiday, and not at the last second of holiday," Krzanich reassured in a Reuters interview. "Back to school - that's a tight one. Back to school you have to really have it on-shelf in July, August. That's going to be tough." The 14nm Broadwell processor plans have been subject to delays due to "technical setbacks," we learnt last October.
In summary, Broadwell manufacturing is said to be back "on schedule" but it sounds like no one will be able to buy any 'back-to-school' device equipped with these chips this year. If July and August are tough, then perhaps September to October time are realistic goals to get plenty of Broadwell devices available, awareness built about them and a range available on shelves before the Xmas shopping rush.
