Intel aims x86 at digital TVs

Intel will ship a Pentium M-based system-on-chip (SoC) for consumer devices like networked optical players, set-top boxes, and digital TVs. The 800MHz Media Processor CE3100 ("Canmore") aims to bring YouTube and other PC-based entertainment platforms to home entertainment systems, where today MIPS-based SoCs from Sigma, Broadcom, and others dominate. Intel calls the CE 3100 "the first in a new family" of SoCs aimed at the consumer electronics segment. More specifically, it targets network-enabled optical drives and set-top boxes, where today MIPS is probably the dominant architecture, thanks to popular offerings from Sigma, Broadcom, and others. Intel appears to be hoping that x86's better support for the software needed to run YouTube and other PC-based entertainment platforms will help it compete, as the PC and CE markets... [read full story]