We've been quite patient in waiting for the first of Intel's smartphones to come to fruition, and it seems all the waiting has finally paid off. Today during its CES 2012 keynote, Intel announced the first Medfield-based smartphone in the form of the Lenovo K800. Featuring the low-power Intel Atom Z2460 with Hyper-Threading Technology and support for HSPA+, the K800 packs a 4.5-inch 720p display and Android 4.0.
On top of Ice Cream Sandwich, the device will also have the Lenovo LeOS user interface for a localized experience in China when it launches in the second quarter. Additional details are thin on the ground, but we're hoping to hear more about the specs for the K800 soon.
Unfortunately, the K800's Q2 2012 launch is only for China's Unicom, and there's no indication as to when (or even if) the phone will make it over to the USA. Luckily, Intel's Paul Otellini also took the opportunity during the keynote to announce a partnership with Motorola that will see the two companies team up for multiple smartphones and tablets.
Described as a multi-year, multi-device strategic relationship, Intel and Motorola said today that the agreement will include smartphones that Motorola will begin to ship in the second half of this year using Intel's Atom CPUs and the Android platform.
"When great silicon and software technology meets great mobile and design innovation, amazing things can happen," said Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini. "Our long-term relationship with Motorola Mobility will help accelerate Intel architecture into new mobile market segments. We expect the combination of our companies to break new ground and bring the very best of computing capabilities to smartphones and tablets, which in turn will help to create powerful new experiences that connect and enrich people's lives wherever they may be."
With any luck, we'll see some Medfield-based Android phones launch in the U.S. before long.
