IDF 2013 – here’s what happened

Last week, Intel’s annual developer extravaganza, the Intel Developer Forum took place. From datacentres to ultra-mobile devices like tablets, phones and wearables, computing segments are undergoing exciting and even game-changing transitions at the moment – a theme that was widely discussed at this year’s IDF in San Francisco. If you weren’t able to attend, here’s an overview of what went on.

The overall message from Intel was that no stone will lay unturned in its objective to address each dynamic market segment – such as accelerating progress in ultra-mobile devices – with new products over the next year and beyond, including a new, lower-power processor family.

Intel President Renée James joined CEO Brian Krzanich in the opening keynote and explained how Intel’s vision is to drive a new era, in which every device and every object computes.

This will mean that integrated computing solutions must be smaller, faster, more versatile and produced in higher volume. She explained that semiconductor-based technology will continue to address the world’s most pressing problems and exciting opportunities, changing how we live our lives, run our cities and care for our health. Here’s how:

• Accelerating Progress in Ultra-Mobile Devices: The introduction of the Atom Z3000 series is the first step in defining the expanding ultra-mobile segment as smartphones, tablets, 2-in-1 tablets that take on PC functions with add-on keyboards, and other devices beyond traditional mobile computers.

• Intel Manufacturing Leadership: Delivering higher performance, longer battery life and low platform power points for 2-in-1 and fanless devices, Ultrabooks and various PC designs.

• Re-Architecting the Datacentre: Helping businesses keep pace with the increasing demands for cloud services and for managing data generated from billions of users and connected devices worldwide.

• Computing to Solve the World’s Problems: Smart cities and customised healthcare as examples of potential applications for technology that can turn computing theories into life-changing realities.

Keep an eye on the IDF and IDZ websites for videos, blogs and more follow-ups. Here are two further blogs that give good overviews of how day 1 and day 2 went down, and what attendees took away from each day.

All of this suggests to me that there are some really exciting opportunities for developers coming out of Intel’s corner. Developing cross-platform applications that can be used to help solve real world problem is hugely positive and I cannot wait to start seeing some of the results.

I’d be interested in any feedback from the event, so if you did happen to make the trip across the pond this year, please let me know what you thought in the comment box below.

• This blog post is written by Softtalkblog, and is sponsored by the Intel Developer Zone, which helps you to develop, market and sell software and apps for prominent platforms and emerging technologies powered by Intel Architecture.