Intel failing to learn from Skynet's mistakes?

When are we ever going to learn from the mistakes of the Skynet corporation? No matter how many times Arny gets sent back from the future, humanity still seems hell-bent on plugging every device on the planet into a network. Intel’s latest SoC (System on Chip) plans took one step closer towards finishing us all, with the announcement of the first eight products based on its EP80579 Integrated Processor design.

In case you’ve been living in your Sarah Connor-sculpted nuclear shelter, here’s a quick summary of what we already know about Intel’s upcoming EP80579 Integrated Processr family. For starters, it’s all about being “web-savvy” and is designed to be used in products that could benefit from network connectivity. According to this week’s press release, these could be in the field of security, storage, communications and – ominously – industrial robotics.

Combining the features of four chips into one package, this single chip takes care of the I/A Instruction set, Memory Controller, I/O controller and Intel’s QuickAssist Technology (which will take care of network security). Compared to having four separate chips doing the job, the EP80579 has a 45% smaller footprint and operates with a Gore-friendly 34% lower power. 

The first chip to utilise this design is due to land later this year, in the form of “Canmore”. Designed for Consumer Electronics use, the second generation of this is already on the drawing boards, with “Sodaville” due next year. Over 50 companies are already at work with various chips from the EP80579 designs, but no solid word yet on where these chips will reside. We wouldn’t bet against the likelihood that one of those companies is working on robots for the military...