Intel Corporation executive Sean Maloney today said more powerful microprocessors and high-speed WiMAX wireless networks will usher in a new era of the full Internet on mobile devices. During the opening keynote speech at the trade show, Maloney also unveiled new chipsets that make high-definition (HD) images on a desktop computer’s screen look more realistic. He also announced the availability of new versions of Intel Atom processors for an emerging class of compact, easy-to-use devices. Intel believes that this will be the first year that more mobile computing devices will be sold than desktop computers.

“The convergence of mobile computers, WiMAX wireless broadband, and powerful, HD-rich computer technologies point to a tremendous growth opportunity,” said Maloney, Intel Corporation executive vice president and general manager, Sales and Marketing Group. “Individuals – not households – will drive the next era of growth with people each owning one or more computing devices. People have an innate desire to be ‘connected’ all the time and see personalized, mobile technology as the way to meet that need.”

“Mobile WiMAX is the right solution and it’s happening now,” Maloney added. “Wireless networks will be how the majority of people get connected and they have to be Web 2.0 capable. That means they’ve got to have a lot of bandwidth to send data either to or from devices at a rapid-fire pace.”

Intel has developed an integrated WiMAX/Wi-Fi solution, codenamed Echo Peak that will be available as an option for certain Intel Centrino 2 processor technology-based notebook PCs. The company aims to enable initial availability of certain WiMAX-enabled notebook PCs in the United States later in the second half of the year depending on individual computer maker plans and WiMAX network availability, with system and network availability expected to increase in 2009.