Intel Corporation president and CEO Paul Otellini said Internet will continue disrupting the consumer electronics and entertainment industries in new ways and described how the Internet's evolution will create business opportunities for 'those who embrace it.'

'We're now in the midst of the largest opportunity to redefine consumer electronics and entertainment since the introduction of the television,' Otellini said during a keynote speech at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

'Increasingly, computing and communications are coming together, bringing a new level of capabilities and intelligence to the Internet experience. The personal Internet of tomorrow will serve you – delivering the information you want, when you want it, how you want, wherever you are,' he added.

As phones, televisions and other CE devices connect to the Internet and take on more computing characteristics, microprocessors and the benefits of Moore's Law matter more than ever before, according to Otellini.

'When computing became personal, the industry changed – innovation, collaboration and standards drove growth beyond what anyone could imagine,' Otellini said, drawing parallels between the early days of personal computing and the future of Internet computing. 'I believe that the Internet is following the same path.'

Otellini highlighted a future where an American visiting Beijing could use a pocket-sized mobile Internet device to audibly and visually translate building signs, restaurant menus and conversations in real-time. The applications also showcased how the traveller could also prevent getting lost with step-by-step visual cues of landmarks to watch for appearing on the device's screen.

Otellini was also joined onstage by Steve Harwell, lead singer of the band Smash Mouth, to demonstrate how the Internet will enable more natural social interactions and better shared experiences.

They showcased a social networking Web site where musicians can play together to test new songs or hold virtual concerts, even when musicians are in different locations. They also showed what a future 3-D virtual world might look like using photo-realistic avatars controlled in real time by each person's physical movements versus using computer mice and keyboards.

Otellini described four obstacles that need to be overcome to make these applications possible on mainstream computing devices in the next three to five years.

Microprocessors have to be even more powerful and consume less power to be the brains of smaller, multi-functional devices. Wireless broadband infrastructure needs to be more broadly deployed to make high-speed Internet available everywhere.

The Internet must be more intelligent and proactive so finding information is no longer a hit or miss proposition. Lastly, more natural user interfaces need to be developed so people can use their voices and gestures to engage with the Internet.

Intel is working on microprocessors, wireless connectivity and other enabling technologies – such as visualization and gesture-based computing – to address these challenges.

'The opportunity lies in creating these next generation products, services and business models – but first we all need to overcome the obstacles I just listed,' Otellini said, calling on the smartest minds across the CE, computing and communications industries to contribute to this transition.

Otellini also touted the advantages of WiMAX compared to other wireless broadband technologies in delivering a global Internet network. While other wireless technologies are still in development, WiMAX is ready to be deployed today. He predicted that nearly 150 million people will be connected via WiMAX by the end of this year. – TradeArabai News Service