News

Intel: "We'll go for mobile and embedded" - buys Wind River

Wind River "will become part of Intel's strategy to grow its processor and software presence outside the traditional PC and server markets, into embedded systems and mobile handheld devices," said Intel, after buying the software company for $11.50 per share in cash, or approximately $884 million total.

"This acquisition will bring us complementary, market-leading software assets and an incredibly talented group of people to help us continue to grow our embedded systems and mobile device capabilities," said Renee James, Intel vice president and general manager of the company's Software and Services Group. "Wind River has thousands of customers in a wide range of markets, and now both companies will be better positioned to meet growth opportunities in these areas."

Here's an interesting angle: "The acquisition will boost Wind River's Intel-architecture focused sales as it gains access to the company's technology investments, brand, employees and global sales force," says the official announcement. What's interesting, is clarity on what "intel-architecture focused" actually means; X-86 (PC architecture)? or X-Scale (ARM architecture)?

"Its main products include VxWorks, the market-leading proprietary and multicore-ready real-time operating system, and commercial-grade Linux software platforms," the announcement says.

Intel faces a serious challenge to its ARM-based processor interests, and doesn't want to be left behind by Texas Instruments or Qualcomm, both of whom are announcing new, more advanced platforms.

Full official story is online at Intel's web site