IBM & a group of partners (Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd., GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Infineon Technologies, Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. & STMicroelectronics) is developing a 28 nanometer processor that could power small devices like netbooks & smartphones.
This announcement represents an extension of existing joint development agreements & further progression in the technology offerings of the alliance partners, building on the success of earlier joint development work in 32nm HKMG technology.
This processor will be designed to use less power & provide better performance than today’s processor. According to IBM this processor will offer a 40% performance boost & 20% power reduction over 45 nanometer processor, like the Intel Atom.
This new processor could be available in the second half of next year. Evaluation kits are sent to early access partners & other companies that could develop small devices around the 28 nanometer CPU.
Because Linux is open source this would be the obvious choice of manufacturers to use as the primary Operating System.