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Centrino: whenever, wherever technology
COMPUTER technology has come a long way since its inception, and has invariably been on the move, thanks to dynamic hardware and software industry. Over the last few years, we have only witnessed more hertz being thrown at computing tasks and Intel has, undoubtedly, forerun the show. Living up to its innovative ways, the company has embarked on the next evolutionary step to overhaul communication infrastructure and to redefine technology by paving the way for an absolute wireless roadmap.
Are we talking about yet another Pentium processor milestone? Nay, the concept extends beyond just processor’s speed. Intel’s new baby, Centrino Mobile Technology, is not a processor but a set of proprietary three-part technology aimed at providing performance, extended battery life and wireless computing solutions for mobile users.
The integration is between Pentium M processor codenamed “Banias”, Intel 855 chipset family (855GM and the 855PM), and the 802.11b wireless module, to tie our digital mobile world together through wireless web. However, if a system is missing on any one of the three key aspects, it is definitely not branded as a Centrino based.
The brain child of this integrated technology is Pentium M chip, whose architecture, according to Intel, has been designed from scratch to specially cater to the needs of mobile machines, and is available in four clock speeds ranging from 1.3GHz to 1.6GHz. However, it has lower clock frequency as compared to Mobile Intel Pentium 4 chip (the older model). Therefore, using power saving technologies, the new chip offers higher productivity consuming less power. Depending on the tasks, this is achieved partly from chip’s ability to intelligently change gears of clock speed and voltage.
Based on a new mobile-optimized microarchitecture, the M processor’s key features include: Micro-Ops Fusion, which combines two micro-operations into one, enabling it to execute faster and at lower power; Advanced Branch Prediction, a new implementation technique, to help to reduce overall latency in the system contributing to higher performance at lower power; and the Dedicated Stack Manager, which reduces the overall number of micro-operations required to generate higher performance at lower power.
Among several terms that have tagged along side Centrino, one important concept that has emerged is that of convergence, a much talked about mantra which lays strong emphasis on developing communication components, in an effort to make wireless communication faster and reliable. In the enterprise, it is expected that convergence will create new opportunities as wireless users tap into database and other applications on the internet.
According to a survey conducted by research firm IDC, there are approximately 20,000 hotspots worldwide today. The demand for wireless connectivity is accelerated by the fast growing number of hotspots around the world specially in the West and Asian regions such as Japan, Korea and Singapore. Analysts predict dramatic growth in sales of wireless-enabled notebook PCs. This figure is expected to grow sixfold by 2005. Market research firm IDC predicts that wireless-enabled notebooks will represent 43 per cent of all mobile PC sales in 2003 and 95 per cent in 2006. This goes to show how mobile communication is catching on popularity.
Our testing experience with Samsung X10 Centrino-based ultraportable, to find where this new integrated technology stands, shows that mobile users have every reason to be excited. The thin, light weight unit features 855GM chipset, which brings about extended battery life, and wireless connectivity to users thereby making it possible for them to enjoy wireless computing anytime and anywhere with improved productivity and enhanced mobility.
Intel claims its integrated Centrino platform was designed to work as a cohesive system for maximum interoperability in a multiwireless environment such as 802.11b and Bluetooth. For computer users on the move, Centrino -based machines brings ultraportability to system which means one can freely tote around one of the thousands of “hotspots” (areas where computer users can tap into a wireless internet connection with their notebook PCs) — airports, college campus, hotels, restaurants, etc, and accomplish their chores without compromising on tradeoffs, such as performance or battery.
Till recently, one area in which all laptops fell short was battery life of a unit. For someone always on the move, a notebook is only as good as its battery life, however, the thin-and-light batteries with high-capacity available today can provide enough power to machine to make a 7-hour travel across the country an effortless experience. On an average, Centrino-based laptops provide increased system battery life by an hour over similarly configured non-Centrino systems. For instance, our test with Samsung X10 ultraportable provided impressive battery life results in most cases, and lived up to its promise even at maximum performance. On running several applications simultaneously, it delivered more than five hours of runtime for each full battery charge which was hardly observed with any portable device holding dual batteries in the past.
The Pentium M chip doesn’t provide Hyper-Threading support, and it has no compatibility issues with P4-optimized software. On the other hand, a real feature for most applications is the Pentium M’s 1MB of L2 cache. Its chipset, which acts as a bridge between the processor and the rest of the system, also has been optimized to conserve power, particularly in how much energy is used by the system’s display. Overall the system is the simply for better computing.
Although the Centrino technology is at present in its initial phase and has way to go to finally stamp its mark on consumer industry, most top notebook makers, including Toshiba, Dell, IBM, HP, Gateway, Acer and Samsung, have already started preparing laptops based on this technology. Even in Pakistan, the local brands such as Inbox technologies, JBS, and few others have started offering notebooks for Centrino platform. It only remains to be seen how long it takes before we enter the unwired world and experience ultimate mobile computing.
The writer is sub editor, Dawn ScienceDotcom
‘Unwire your life’
IMAGINE having a meeting with a client in a restaurant or at the airport. To clinch the deal, you need some vital information immediately. You get the info within seconds through your laptop using wireless technology, and the deal is finalized. The same technology allows you to run your office online as you fly over the Atlantic Ocean.
In a recent interview, Intel Pakistan Country Manager Kamil F. Hasan told Dawn ScienceDotcom about this futuristic technology that enables you to work, play and communicate without wires. The innovative Centrino mobile technology features integrated wireless LAN capability; breakthrough mobile performance; and extended battery life. Besides, the Centrino technology-enabled laptops are thinner and lighter.
With this technology, you can connect from Wi-Fi-certified wireless Lan networks and hotspots all over the world, without hunting for a phone jack or plugging in a special card. It enables extended battery life — so you can unplug without being disconnected. The technology gives you the freedom to connect to the internet from cafes, hotels, airports, homes, campuses and factories without having to find a telephone socket. All you need is an Intel Centrino-enabled laptop and a wireless “hotspot” having 802.11 wireless technology connectivity.
The country having the largest number of Centrino mobile technology-verified hotspots is, of course, the United States, with 10415 hotspots according to the latest news as this magazine goes to the press. In Asia, Taiwan has ther largest number — 567; Singapore has 65. Pakistan shall have 20 by the end of December this year. Privately installed and managed public hotspots may be many times more. The number of hotspots is growing so fast that, according to an estimate, there will be 100,000 public hotspots all over the world by 2005.
“We have launched a programme to set up hotspots all over Pakistan,” says Kamil Hasan. “Until last week we had completed ten hotspots in the country — four in Karachi, and three each in Lahore and Islamabad. During the next quarter we may have ten more in different cities, adding another ten in the next one.
“In the first phase, we focused on universities; for instance, the Institute of Business Administration at Karachi. The advantage with setting hotspots at campuses is that a lot of the students use laptops so you have many users. Some of the universities already have their own bandwidth allocated, so they can easily provide a hotspot on their premises.
“We are now setting hotspots at on public places such as hotels and restaurants where business executive usually meet. For instance, we have made a hotspot at Crown Plaza Hotel in Islamabad. One can go there, and use this technology.
“We are building hotspots in two phases. In the first phase, we are providing the facility to students. In the next phase, we are helping organizations to set up hotspots. We have taken an ISP and a computer vendor and gave them the technology. In Karachi, for instance, Inbox is dealing with it. We are also encouraging private parties to take initiative to set up hotspots.
“In cities like Singapore, there are many companies besides Intel who have set up Wi-Fi hotspots; they are everywhere. At airports, the facility is free of charge; you just open your machine and you are connected. At commercial outlets such as MacDonald and Starbucks coffee shops, a fee is charged. If you want to use the facility, you buy a scratch-card for an hour or two and go ahead. At hotels, the entire hotel is a hotspot whether you are in your room, in the lobby or the restaurant, you are connected through wireless technology.”
What about availability of the hotspots in India?
“In the field of IT, I would say, India and Pakistan have suddenly taken off together, both doing similar things. What we need in each of these countries is wide availability of the Wi-Fi technology so that you can use it while you are travelling.”
In the presence of internet accessibility through mobile phone, which is already available in Pakistan, where does Centrino-based wireless technology stand?
“Actually both the mobile technologies are complementing each another, not competing. They are here to make the quality of life better for the end user.
“You can use a cell phone to check one or two things on the web but it is very difficult to browse several pages if you have to! You can’t have business transaction on an internet connection via cell phone. But Centrino technology makes that possible with speed, reliability and confidentiality. As I said earlier, the two technologies are complementary. So if you want to have a completely mobile office, you need to have both, a computer with wireless connectivity and a mobile phone.
“So far there was one occasion when you were out of touch with your office, your clients and your family. And that was when you were flying. The entire time you spent on a plane was a total waste. It was only after you got to your destination when you could be aware of what has happened during those six or eight or ten hours flight time. But now with wireless computer connectivity, it has now become possible to keep in touch with your office, family and friends even when you are flying. You can talk to them or chat. In fact, you can use all the travelling time communicating and exchanging information. All the airlines are providing hotspot in the plane. It is already available with Lufthansa, JAL and British Airways. That’s what Centrino technology is all about.” — M. Khalid Rahman
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