Atom (system on a chip)

This article is about the mobile version of Atom. Not to be confused with the Intel Atom brand that includes netbook, nettop and CE devices.

Atom is a system on a chip (SoC) platform designed for smartphones and tablet computers, launched by Intel in 2012.[1] It is a continuation of the partnership announced by Intel and Google on September 13, 2011 to provide support for the Android operating system on Intel x86 processors.[2] This range competes with existing SoCs developed for the smartphone and tablet market from companies such as Texas Instruments, Nvidia, Qualcomm and Samsung.[3] Unlike these companies, which use ARM-based CPUs designed from the beginning to consume very low power, Intel has adapted the x86-based Intel Atom line of CPU developed for low power usage in netbooks, to even lower power usage.

Since April 2012, several manufacturers have released Intel Atom-based tablets and phones as well as using the SoCs as a basis for other small form factor devices (e.g. mini PCs and stick PCs).

In April 2016, Intel announced a major restructuring, including the cancellation of the SoFIA platform. It was reported by many news outlets that Broxton (the final version in the Atom line) was cancelled.[4][5][6][7]

  1. ^ "Intel Raises Bar on Smartphones, Tablets and Ultrabook Devices | Intel Newsroom". Newsroom.intel.com. January 10, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  2. ^ "Intel, Google announce partnership for Android smartphones". ANTARA News. September 14, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  3. ^ Sadauskas, Andrew (April 30, 2012). "Intel battles ARM with new handset". smartcompany.com.au. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  4. ^ "Intel's Changing Future: Smartphone SoCs Broxton & SoFIA Officially Cancelled". Anandtech.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  5. ^ Edgar Cervantes (May 2016). "Intel exits the smartphone & tablet market after killing Broxton and SoFIA chips". Androidauthority.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  6. ^ "Intel's New Strategy Is The Right One For The Company". Forbes.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  7. ^ "Brian Krzanich: Our Strategy and The Future of Intel | Intel Newsroom". Newsroom.intel.com. April 26, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2017.