After a several-year hiatus, where we saw ARM-based systems rule, Intel is finally taking steps to get its processors back in smartphones. At the CES this year, we got to take a look at what should be the first commercial product to feature Intel’s new mobile chipset, the Lenovo K800. Beyond that, though, Intel itself had also put a phone together, but one meant for developers only. While we’re still not expecting Intel to put the phone up for general sale, it looks like that prototype hardware has recently received its WiFi certification.

The WiFi Alliance documents tell the tale of an Intel-made smartphone based on the same Medfield chips Intel’s been championing for use in mobile devices. It appears the model in question has the code name “Black Bay”, also identified as model AZ510.

These reference design handsets are supposed to get manufacturers thinking about what benefits switching over to Intel chips could offer. Again, the fact that we’re seeing the WiFi certification for the AZ510 shouldn’t suggest that Intel’s about to start manufacturing smartphones on a large scale, but that it’s getting this hardware out there in the hopes of inspiring the creation of the next K800.

Source: WiFi Alliance (PDF)

Via: Blog of Mobile