Intel Inside iPhone

Digitimes is reporting that Jobs and company may be seriously considering using a new Intel-based processor for future iterations of the iPhone. While the Cupertino company currently uses an ARM-based processor and a custom mainboard, part makers are now suggesting that Intel's new mobile internet device architecture, dubbed Moorestown, may in fact be a perfect fit for the iPhone…and presumably the iPod touch as well.

Intel revealed a Moorestown-based MID product with functions similar to Apple's iPhone at the recent Intel Developer Forum (IDF) [in] San Francisco. The Moorestown platform is expected to launch in 2009 and Apple is considering developing an iPhone based on it, stated the sources.

Because Moorestown will be based on Intel's much-hyped 45nn manufacturing process, that could mean your future iPhone will see an exponential boost in power-efficiency (both in active and idle modes) and performance. Good news considering Moorestown will also likely support 3G (HSDPA), Wi-Fi, and WiMax.

Electronista also notes that the processor change would also bring the iPhone's software closer in step with that of the company's Mac computer range.

While ARM was technically designed by Intel, [it] has never been software compatible with Intel's more widespread x86 core, and was ultimately spun away from the semiconductor firm to be used and modified by third parties like Marvell. A Moorestown-based iPhone would ease development for Apple by allowing mobile editions of Mac OS X to share some new features from the full OS editions without rewriting or recompiling instructions.

I'm sure Intel wouldn't mind getting in on the projected 21.1 million iPhones units iSuppli is predicting Apple will move 2009. For God's sake, just don't ask Steve if he'll be slapping an Intel Inside logo on the phone.