Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) recently displayed its third-generation dual-core processors developed by its state-of-the-art Snapdragon platform technology. While the 1.5 GHz processor will be used in smartbook or netbook, the 1.2 GHz processor will be used in smartphones. The 1.5 GHz processor will be commercially available at the end of 2011 but the 1.2 GHz processor will be launched in the first quarter of 2011.
Qualcomm is the largest developer of digital mobile chipsets based on the CDMA wireless technology. This diversification into the computer market will be a logical step forward for the company. The chipset market for computers is primarily dominated by Intel Inc. (INTC), and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD). Smartbook is a personal digital assistant (PDA) that functions like a mobile phone but resembles a small notebook with a full keyboard.
A path-breaking initiative of Qualcomm is the convergence of mobile computing with the next-generation Snapdragon platform. These chipsets have been designed for PDAs. Using Snapdragon chipsets, the consumers will no longer be required to carry battery chargers together with their laptops. These powerful chipsets will run the computer for 24 hours with just one battery charge while receiving data throughout the day.
Furthermore, management has also announced that it will introduce its LTE chipset by the end 2011. This chipset will have multi-mode facilities supporting LTE, HSPA, HSDPA, and GSM standards. Meanwhile, both Samsung Corp. and LG Electronics Inc. of South Korea have decided to launch the 1 GHz dual-core smartphone processor by the end 2010. No doubt, the market for dual-core processors is getting more competitive. Samsung is working with Verizon Wireless (VZ) to introduce a dual-core LTE chipset by mid-2011 for Verizon’s upcoming LTE network in the U.S.
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