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Top Stories for December 18, 1998 (details below)
The Register AMD powered missile hits Intel quarters in Baghdad
The Register Baghdad's Intel HQ hit
Electronic Buyers' News Intel, S3 strike 10-year patent deal
C/Net S3-Intel deal heralds more consolidation
PC Week Online Intel, S3 shake hands rather than duke it out
Today's Related Stories
InfoWorld Electric Intel, S3 sign 10-year licensing pact
Inter@ctive Week S3 gains on pact with Intel
Computer Reseller News Intel, S3 In Cross-licensing Pact

 

x86 Weekly News

Collected By Robert R. Collins

Week of December 14, 1998

Older News

December 18, 1998

AMD powered missile hits Intel quarters in Baghdad

December 18, 1998
The Register

The timer chip in Cruise Tomahawk missiles could have been responsible for one of the missiles going awry and landing in Iran today, The Register can reveal.

This morning, a Tomahawk missile landed by mistake in southern Iran,although President Katamai (it's true!) has not lodged a formal complaint.

After Gulf War I, we put it to a senior executive at AMD that it was the 286 chips in Tomahawks which had caused some of them to not hit their targets.

See Related Stories

Baghdad's Intel HQ hit

Baghdad's Intel HQ hit

December 18, 1998
The Register

Did you know Intel had a Military HQ in Baghdad? No, nor did we. So we were surprised when we opened our copy of UK national the Guardian to see the pictures (below) of the HQ before and after the first US air strike.

The photograph, emanating from the Pentagon, is the first clear proof of the US government's intent to smash the monopoly...

See Related Stories

AMD powered missile hits Intel quarters in Baghdad

Intel, S3 strike 10-year patent deal

By Mark Hachman

December 17, 1998
Electronic Buyers' News

S3 Inc. and Intel Corp. signed a ten-year patent cross-licensing deal that also allows Intel the option of investing in S3.

The broad agreement covers all of the patents owned by S3 and Intel, but specifically excludes S3 from manufacturing an x86-based microprocessor, according to an S3 spokeswoman. In addition, Intel will purchase an undisclosed number of warrants to purchase S3 stock, details of which will be released in a future SEC filing.

See Today's Related Stories

S3-Intel deal heralds more consolidation

By Michael Kanellos

December 18, 1998
C/Net

With S3 teaming up with Intel, life just got tougher for other graphics chip vendors.

The long-predicted consolidation in the crowded graphics field took another big step forward today when S3 said it will make "integrated " chipsets in 1999 that combine 3D capabilities with some of the input-output functions required by Intel's Pentium II processors.

There are more than 40 graphics vendors now, "and I certainly would hope that graphics companies recognize that there are way too many of them," said Peter Glaskowsky, graphics vendor at MicroDesign Resources.

 

Intel, S3 shake hands rather than duke it out

By Lisa DiCarlo and John Spooner

December 18, 1998
PC Week Online

Although Intel Corp. and S3 Inc. have agreed to share their respective architecture and graphics technology, the cross-licensing agreement reached Thursday appears to be more about legal issues than technical innovation.

The companies announced they will share intellectual property for 10 years. As part of the agreement, S3 gets a bus license for Intel's "general purpose" processors -- most likely Celeron and StrongARM, although neither company disclosed specifics. S3 will also build integrated processors that can be used in set-top boxes and devices running Windows CE.

 
Today's Related Stories

Intel, S3 sign 10-year licensing pact

By James Niccolai

December 18, 1998
InfoWorld Electric

Intel has signed a 10-year cross-licensing agreement with graphics chip maker S3 that allows Intel to use S3 technology in future semiconductor products.

The move is the latest by Intel to become more of a player in the graphics chip arena. Earlier this year the company closed a deal to acquire graphics chip maker Chips & Technologies, and took a 20 percent stake in another graphics technology vendor, Lockheed Martin subsidiary Real 3D.

 

S3 gains on pact with Intel

By Eric C. Fleming

December 17, 1998
Inter@ctive Week

Shares of S3 Inc. (Nasdaq:SIII) rose 1 11/16 to 6 23/32 Thursday after the graphics chip maker entered into a 10-year cross-licensing agreement with Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC), which also plans to buy warrants to buy S3 shares for undisclosed terms.

S3 may need Intel's help as its market shrinks. Earlier this week, 3Dfx Inc. agreed to merge with STB Systems Inc.

 

Intel, S3 In Cross-licensing Pact

By Marcia Savage

December 18, 1998
Computer Reseller News

Graphics-chip maker S3 announced a deal with Intel Thursday that includes a broad, 10-year cross-licensing agreement for all S3 and Intel patents for development of certain semiconductor products.

The arrangement also includes a bus license for current and future Intel processors, and the selection of S3 as a validation, or development partner, with Intel on 4xAGP technology. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

 
December 17, 1998

Intel to Buy S3 Stake

December 17, 1998
Semiconductor Business News

S3 Inc. here today announced that Intel Corp. plans to purchase warrants for shares in the graphics chip supplier, and the two companies have entered into a 10-year cross licensing agreement. The terms of the stock acquisition were not disclosed.

S3 said the cross licensing agreement covers all semiconductor-related patents, including current and future general-purpose processors, buses and graphics technology.

See Today's Related Stories

Katmai NI a dead pigeon

By Mike Magee

December 17, 1998
The Register

In a burst of pre-launch publicity, chip giant Intel has renamed its Katmai New Instructions set to the far sexier "Streaming SIMD Extensions".

But the company is at pains to point out that the new name is not a trademark, will not be abbreviated to SSE and will not be used in advertising material.

According to Intel, Katmai was an internal codename for both SSE (oops) and for the desktop CPU which will be introduced late February.

 

AMD, Intel squabble over Katmai

By Mike Magee

December 17, 1998
The Register

A table released by AMD claimed that 3DNow beats KNI (Katmai New Instructions) by supporting functions in existing operating systems, DirectX 6.0 and current titles.

But those claims are disputed by Intel. A representative said: "KNI will run with Windows 98 straight out of the box." He said, however, that Windows 95 will never support the instructions.

He said that Microsoft has already released a Windows NT patch to allow it to support Katmai CPUs and that DirectX 6.1, which is currently in gold code, also supports the instructions.

 
Today's Related Stories

Intel in graphics pact with S3 for chips

By Reuters

December 17, 1998
C/Net

Graphics computer chipmaker S3 said today that it had agreed to a ten-year cross-licensing pact with Intel that will allow Intel to use S3 technology in future Intel chips.

The deal marks the latest advance in Intel's march to incorporate advanced graphics technology into its microprocessors, the chips that form the brains of the vast majority of the world's personal computers.

Under terms of the deal, S3 said Intel would purchase warrants to buy S3 shares. It did not disclose the terms of the warrant purchase, or other financial terms of the deal.

 
December 16, 1998

SIS says near Intel chipset deal

By Reuters

December 16, 1998
C/Net

Taiwan's Silicon Integrated Systems said today that it was close to signing a licensing deal with giant Intel to make chipsets using Intel's Pentium II processors.

"We have been in talks with Intel about the Pentium II patent for a long time and now are finally close to a deal," an SIS spokeswoman said by telephone.

"There are a few details yet to be finalized. But we are very, very close," said the spokeswoman, who asked not to be named. "We could strike a deal any time."

 

K6 faces uncertain future

December 16, 1998
The Register

The end of AMD’s K6 chip now looks even more likely than ever.

The rival to Intel’s throne claims that it sold 11 million members of the K6 chip family in 1998 and says an additional 10 million K6-2 chips will be sold by the middle of the first quarter of 1999.

 
December 15, 1998

Shortage of 350MHz PIIs spreads to 450MHz parts

By Mike Magee

December 15, 1998
The Register

The shortage of 350MHz Pentium IIs now appears to have had a knock on effect on higher end processors, with reports that there is now some difficulty in sourcing 400MHz and 450MHz parts.

But Intel is sticking by its official statement it made three weeks ago, when it stated there were some constraints on 350MHz Pentium IIs. That has caused some distributors and dealers to persuade customers to buy 450MHz PIIs instead.

 

Intel staff start book on proper name of the Katmai

By Socket Tuomey
(Sock-it-to-me?)

December 15, 1998
The Register

Now what is Intel going to call the Katmai when it's released February end?

Sources tell The Register that the former contender, Pentium III, is now out of the picture. Too many characters for the special department at Intel that regulates these things.

Someone reckons the family is going to be called the Pentium 2000. Hmm...too close to Microsoft.

 

AMD, Intel locked in bus marketing war

By Mike Magee

December 15, 1998
The Register

Intel is likely to introduce a Celeron processor with a 100MHz bus next year but will wait until Katmai is released to differentiate these processors from its low end chips, it has emerged.

But the possibility of a 100MHz Celeron is likely to confuse end users, already bewildered by a plethora of clock speeds, different chip flavours and branding campaigns.

Yesterday, AMD claimed it had an edge on Intel's technology because it would have a frontside bus of 200MHz on its forthcoming K7.

 

Intel to Accelerate Celerons
Low-end CPU series aims to take back ground from AMD and Cyrix, reports say.

By Terho Uimonen

December 14, 1998
PC World

Intel is taking new aim atrecapturing lost market share at the low end of the desktop PC market, industry sources here said, by accelerating release dates of its Celeron processor series. And by mid-1999, Celeron speeds could jump to 433 MHz from today's 333 MHz.

Intel early next month will debut the first Celeron chips in a new 370-pin socket packaging at speeds as high as 366 MHz. A 400-MHz version will follow by March, and an even faster 433 MHz iteration is scheduled for introduction late in the second quarter, sources at Taiwan chip set and motherboard makers said.

 

Intel's Security Plans Worry PC Builders

By Rick Boyd-Merritt and Mark Carroll

December 14, 1998
EE Times

Intel will add new security and software functions to future chip sets in a move that will boost the profile of its upcoming Katmai processors as key silicon for multimedia and e-commerce. But the plan is raising concerns among software, semiconductor and systems companies that fear the processor giant could wind up encroaching on their markets, extending its own reach deeper into the PC architecture.

Intel's plans center around a so-called firmware hub, essentially a flash memory with key BIOS functions, which will be part of its Camino, Carmel, and Whitney chip sets. Those products will accompany next year's Katmai processors and are expected to be used in the Merced line, too.

See Today's Related Stories

Intel Pushes Specs For Server Appliances

Intel Pushes Specs For Server Appliances

By Marcia Savage

December 14, 1998
Computer Reseller News

Intel is looking to ensure product reliability and broad application support for server "appliances" by teaming up with other industry leaders to develop a set of platform specifications.

The goal is to produce a design guide that defines common hardware platform basics for the emerging network-based server-appliance market, said executives at the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chip maker.

Server appliances are custom-built to perform a single function or a limited set of functions, said Lauri Minas, general manager of Intel's server-industry marketing operation. They don't require any configuration by the end user. Businesses now use them mainly as Web servers, caching servers, e-mail servers, or for a firewall.

See Today's Related Stories

Intel's Security Plans Worry PC Builders

December 14, 1998

Sub-$1000 Systems Take Toll on Intel

By Tom Spring

December 11, 1998
PC World

Study says Intel is lagging in competitive low-cost PC market.

The chips are down for Intel in the booming low-cost computer market.

Intel is losing its lock-tight grip of the microprocessor market, according to recent market data. Competition is particularly tough in the robust sub-$1000 PC niche.

 

Intel could have same timing problem as AMD

By Mike Magee

December 14, 1998
The Register

A problem with a software timing loop in Windows 95 has re-emerged but this time it is Intel, rather than AMD, which appears to have difficulties.

Motherboard manufacturer Gigabyte, one of the most successful third party manufacturers for Intel, is stressing the fact that it is providing what it calls the Intel PIIX4 Patch Utility for Windows 95 with 370-pin Celeron motherboards it is supplying.

 

K7 architecture to stay slottish because of technical issues

By Mike Magee

December 14, 1998
The Register

A senior executive from AMD Europe has expressed surprise that Intel is moving from slot architecture to socket architecture again, given that bus speeds will mount swiftly over the next two years.

Rana Mainee, head of European market research at AMD, said that the K7 will have a slot architecture for technical and not for marketing reasons.

He said: "The slot architecture is significant for 200MHz buses, which the K7 will support. Bus timings between 133MHz and 150MHz start to get very difficult to guarantee using socket architecture."

 

Intel seeds move to dedicated servers

By Andrew Orlowski

December 12, 1998
ZD Net UK

Several major vendors emerged last week as backers for Intel's new, dedicated, easy-to-configure network servers. The concept of appliance servers is being backed by Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lucent, Novell, Oracle and SCO, and Compaq is expected to join them.

The hardware and software suppliers will forgo their traditional profits margins to seed a volume business in low-cost server appliances. New motherboard designs have been discussed, and will form a major part of Intel's plans.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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