2009 is year mobility comes of age

Intel Corporation views 2009 as the year in which the mobility market will become a key influencer across the consumer and enterprise segment. Developments in the mobile Internet space will help fuel this trend through the implementation of mobile workstations, thinner and lighter notebooks and netbooks, in addition to the deployment of mobile Internet devices (MIDs), wireless networking components, and services.

2009 will also see a greater focus on mobile Internet expansion due to the increasingly pervasive nature of the Internet and the trends accelerating its growth, such as social networking, an evolutionary shift in the world of technology.

An increase in online participation has also been predicated by IDC stating the presence of people online is expected to increase to a quarter of the world's population by next year. This, in turn, will result in an increased demand for products such as notebook PCs, Netbooks and MIDs.

Due to the demand of 'Internet on the go', Intel expects the Atom processor to play a pivotal role in the evolution of high performance small portable devices. The Atom processor has been designed to allow consumers to take the real Internet experience with them in their pocket by offering incomparable access to the entire Internet. MID's will continue to show long-term growth, with expected shipments worldwide to reach in excess of 130 million units by 2013. These handheld devices, based on the Intel Atom processor, will provide a quantum leap in capability in comparison to other existing handhelds.

“Business across the African continent took a strain and had to think of different ways to increase their efficiencies in the past year. IT solutions will play a pivotal role in helping them get back in shape by saving costs and gaining efficiencies in the current economic conditions - this is where the IT industry has room to flourish in the coming years,” commented Devan Naidoo, Intel Country Manager for South and Sub-Saharan Africa “We believe emerging [markets] such as Africa will continue to present good business opportunities as they mature and require more advanced technical solutions.”

During 2009, Intel will increasingly give focus to investing in innovative home-grown disruptive technologies. Intel's philosophy is that smart companies should invest their way out of a recession, and help fuel economic growth. By keeping an eye on the future, Intel and the technology industry will, therefore, be able to continue to grow.

“It is imperative for the industry that during difficult market conditions, research and development remain a key component of our core business development as companies will always need better technological solutions,” continues Naidoo.

Continuing the trend of 'investment', Intel strongly believes that in order to create a knowledge-based society, digital technology will remain the gateway to economic and social progress. The adoption of wireless technologies such as WiMax on a global scale is, therefore, viewed as imperative to providing two great opportunities: affordable Internet for more people, thereby bridging the digital divide and enabling the real mobile Internet experience.

“This year the trend of greater implementation of technologies such as WiMax continues to remain a key focus as we begin to see a shift from available technologies affecting development, to research development affecting available technologies. This means that, for example, as notebooks come with WiMax enablement, consumers will begin to demand this broadband enablement, which will in turn push the industry and operators to roll out the service,” adds Naidoo.

Looking back at 2008, Intel celebrated its 40th anniversary, during which it changed the way people live and work with consecutive technology breakthroughs and innovation. In the last 40 years, Intel maintained its leadership position with the remarkable introduction of new products and a myriad chips and technologies for new market segments and hi-tech growth areas across the world and the in the African region.