Nissan To Use Intel Chips for 'Infotainment'

Intel's Atom processor-which is used in the low-end laptops known as netbooks and is starting to appear in some smartphones-will appear in certain Nissan vehicles starting in 2013, the Silicon Valley company said. The chips, which are optimized for the auto market, will power the infotainment system, providing drivers and passengers with features just as traffic information and navigation, as then as movies.

Steenman, citing industry analyst innovation, said the car will be among the top three Internet-connected devices by 2014.

The announcement Thursday follows a recent push

The announcement Thursday follows a recent push by Intel into markets outside the computer industry. During Intel continues to experience strong demand for its PC chips, the strength is largely coming from emerging markets, not mature areas just as the U.S. And increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets is hurting demand for traditional notebook and desktop computers.

Intel's Atom chip recently has been gaining traction in mobile devices, and the company has worked to sell its processors for use in other industries. Cars are becoming a major target as more computing power is added for safety, engine control, navigation and entertainment.

Intel said Thursday its partnership with Nissan as well includes joint innovation into areas just as vehicle-video surveillance via smartphones and vehicle access and control via smartphones. It as well is looking at cloud-based services for vehicles, which would allow users to access information over the Internet.

Movie in the backseat

"You might be playing a movie in the backseat, show navigation on the main screen and vehicle data on the bottom screen, and a phone call might come in," he said. "There are many, many tasks that all happen together that all need to be resolved. You need a much [higher] performing platform to do all that."

I’m a bit leary about all the distractions that are appearing in front of the driver. Aren’t cell phones enough?