Despite of the fact that Nokia Corp. no longer plans to release phones based on microprocessors from Intel Corp., the world's largest maker of chips remains optimistic about its smartphone strategy. The company claims that it is working with a number of leading handset makers to design and deliver x86-powered cell phones.

"We remain committed to success in the smartphone segment and we are actively working with a large number of handset manufacturers and carriers around the world on Medfield-based designs. [...] Obviously, we lost Nokia, which took a lot of wind out of the sales for phones this year. We have redirected those resources onto a number of other major accounts, focusing on carriers who want their own devices and also on handset manufacturers," said Paul Otellini, chief executive officer of Intel, during a recent conference call with financial analysts.

It was rumoured earlier this year that Nokia planned to release a high-end smartphone powered by Intel code-named Medfield system on a chip with Atom processing core as well as Meego operating system. However, as Nokia plans to transit to Windows Phone 7 operating system, it dropped the plans to launch an x86-based smartphone.

At present Intel is promoting Medfield - the world's first system-on-chip for cell-phones made using 32nm process technology - among makers of high-end smartphones that require maximum amount of compute power  which cannot be delivered by ARM-based SoCs.

"The limit in terms of them getting [Medfield-based smartphones] to market is going to be the interoperability testing of the networks at this point in time. So I think I would be very disappointed if you do not see Intel-based phones for sale 12 months from now," said Mr. Otellini.

Intel also reaffirmed plans to ship 35 tablet designs this year.

Tags: Intel, Medfield, MeeGo, 32nm, Nokia