Intel's software snag slowing down development of tablets

Intel's delayed delivery of software that conserves computer battery life is holding up development of some tablets running the latest version of Microsoft's Windows operating system, a person with knowledge of the matter said. Microsoft hasn't yet approved any tablets featuring an Intel processor code-named Clover Trail because the chipmaker hasn't produced necessary power-management software, said the person, who asked not to be named since the process is private. The delay, following remarks by Intel chief executive Paul Otellini, who told employees in Taiwan that Windows 8 needs improvement, underscores how the Wintel alliance that has dominated the personal computer industry for three decades is struggling to respond to the threat of Apple's iPad. At stake is the chance to make up for lacklustre PC buying by capturing users who are flocking to mobile devices, snappy applications and elegant design. "The PC channel is in chaos right now,- said Alex Gauna, an analyst at JMP Securities in San Francisco. "They don't know what to do. They don't know what to design for, they don't know what the consumers are going to buy. Tablets have stolen their growth trajectory, plus the macro situation, plus Wintel has made a mess of their ecosystem.- Fighting with Apple PC makers, including Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Lenovo are counting on the new version of Windows to help them compete in the $63.2 billion tablet market dominated by Apple. Any software development delay gives manufacturers less time to get their tablets ready for the year-end holiday shopping season, undermining attempts to erode Apple's 70 per cent share of tablets. Tablets featuring Clover Trail are the ones designed by Intel to most closely compete with the iPad. The industry can ill afford a slowdown in getting them into stores with the next iPad due to be released in March or April, said Wes Miller, an analyst at Directions on Microsoft, based in Kirkland, Washington. "It's bad news for Microsoft and Intel because it's not going to present the best light on either one and it will hurt the perception of Windows 8,- Miller said. While Windows is fundamentally sound, the operating system lacks a wide range of robust applications and PC makers haven't had enough time to work out kinks with so-called drivers, which connect software to such hardware as printers, according to Directions on Microsoft. Microsoft has certified some 800 machines with the new software, said Mark Martin, a spokesman for Microsoft. hat includes tablets running low-power chips with technology from ARM Holdings on a version of the software called RT. The recent entrant to the Windows family compounds threats to Intel. "Microsoft has worked closely with Intel and our hardware partners,- Martin said in a statement. "We look forward to the new Atom-based offerings from Intel to complement the already strong Windows 8 and Windows RT ecosystem.- Tablets and laptops convertible into tablets built on Clover Trail will be available on October 26, said Jon Carvill, a spokesman for Santa Clara, California-based Intel."We're excited about the opportunity for Windows 8 tablets with a broad range of- Intel chips, Carvill said. "We've collaborated very closely with Microsoft in extensive testing and validation- for chips, he said. China and Brazil Intel held an event last week showcasing Clover Trail-based tablets from Acer, Asustek Computer, Dell, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo and Samsung. The new devices, many of which featured detachable keyboards, have weeks of standby time and are capable of playing high-definition video for 10 hours. Still, any delays caused by unfinished software or untested hardware in tablets, laptops and desktops would be harmful to an industry already seeing demand faltering in China and Brazil, countries that until recently could be counted on to compensate for weakness in the United States and Europe. The refresh of the software that runs more than 90 per cent of all personal computers typically leads PC makers to stock up on parts in anticipation of a surge in orders. Microprocessor shipments have risen an average 6.7 per cent in the quarter before new Windows PCs go on sale, according to Mercury Research, while PC sales gained by more than 15 per cent in each of the past two release quarters, researcher IDC said. Times of Oman