Intel Corp., which has touted the need for microprocessor speed, says that gigahertz isn't everything in PCs and that it plans to roll out a new model numbering system for its Pentium chips this summer that focuses on other features.
By wire services
Published March 29, 2004
The new model numbers - 300, 500 and 700 series - will focus on chip features, such as improved security, less power consumption and how fast data can move in and out of the microprocessor, the company said.
"The sum of all those features is greater than just gigahertz alone," Intel spokesman Bill Calder said.
Other companies, including Advanced Micro Devices, IBM and Apple Computer, also have moved away from rating chips based solely on their frequency, measured in cycles per second.
Apple, which sells Macintosh computers that use Motorola and IBM chips, has long complained that a chip's megahertz or gigahertz number is not representative of overall performance. In fact, chips with lower frequencies can be designed to do more work per clock cycle.
In October 2001, AMD also started blasting what it called the megahertz myth, instead listing its processors with numbers that are representative of performance. At the time, AMD was beginning to fall behind in the clock speed race, but the much smaller company maintained its chips were more efficient and could stand toe to toe with Intel's microprocessors in running software applications.
Nathan Brookwood, an analyst at industry research company Insight 64, said Intel's move is a major shift in its marketing.
"Consumers go to Best Buy, and they've been trained to think that more megahertz is better," he said. "When you ask people what computer they have, people would say, "I've got a 3-GHz Pentium computer.' "
The new strategy is also an indication that the PC industry is perhaps maturing and consumers may be looking for features other than pure speed, similar to what has happened with the automobile industry, he said.
"People used to sell cars based on horsepower. . . . Nowadays, people might ask six cylinder or eight cylinder, but it's more about leather, number of CDs you can put in the stereo, and how many cup holders you have," Brookwood said. "Intel is taking a page out of the automotive book."
Groups asking for new Internet domains
Ten organizations want to sponsor new Internet domains, including ".mobi" for mobile services and ".xxx" for adult content, the group that oversees key aspects of the global network says.
Each organization paid $45,000 to apply for suffixes that are to be set aside for specific industries and interest groups.
The new domains could be approved as early as this year and would be the first major additions since 2000. Public comments on the applications will be accepted from April 1-30, according to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (www.icann.org)
In May, the applications will be reviewed by an independent panel. If approved, ICANN will negotiate specific terms and conditions with each domain registry operator.
Unlike today's most common domains, such as ".com," Internet addresses based on the new suffixes would be available to people, organizations or businesses that comply with rules set by the sponsoring groups.
For instance, Internet addresses ending in ".mobi" would allow sites built for the small screens of mobile phones. Microsoft, Nokia, Vodafone, Samsung, Sun Microsystems and Hewlett-Packard made up the group that submitted the application.
The ".xxx" domain is sponsored by the International Foundation for Online Responsibility. According to the group's Web site, it would encourage the adoption of the suffix among the "responsible online adult-entertainment community."
The other applications are: ".asia," ".cat," ".jobs," ".mail," ".post," ".tel" and ".travel." The ".tel" name was sought by two groups.
In 2000, seven new top-level domains were added, including ".biz," ".info," ".name" and ".pro," which were unsponsored, and ".aero," ".coop" and ".museum," which were sponsored.
Microsoft takes simple approach to boost Xbox sales
Microsoft Corp. will simplify the software for its money-losing Xbox video game device to encourage gamemakers to create more titles and help the company take market share from leader Sony Corp.
Xbox programming software will be the same as that for Windows personal computers, making it easier for gamemakers to build games more quickly, Microsoft, the world's largest softwaremaker, said.
Sony's PlayStation 2 outsells the Xbox 5-to-1 in the $8-billion market for gaming hardware. The Xbox unit lost almost $2-billion in its two years. Microsoft also is trying to make the next version of Xbox with cheaper parts to cut its costs.
Microsoft will need to boost Xbox sales to lure game developers, said Michael Pachter, who follows video game companies for Wedbush Morgan Securities in Los Angeles.
"Game developers aren't in business to make games easily; they are in business to make games that sell," said Pachter.
Microsoft commands $7 or more in royalties for every copy of a game that its software partners ship, said Tony Gikas, who follows gamemakers for Piper Jaffray & Co. in Minneapolis. Gamemakers spend about $4-million to $8-million making each game.
AT&T Wireless links U.S., U.K. for text messaging
AT&T Wireless Services Inc., the cell phone carrier that's being bought by Cingular Wireless LLC, said its subscribers now can exchange text messages with cell phone users in the United Kingdom.
AT&T Wireless charges 25 cents for each text message its subscribers send to users in the United Kingdom and more than 50 countries, the Redmond, Wash., company said. AT&T Wireless clients can receive text messages at no cost.
AT&T Wireless, the third-biggest U.S. cell phone operator ranked by customers, is trying to entice clients to use their wireless phones more to bolster sales.
