Biz Briefs: A New Brain For Intel

The real trouble is that it is nearly impossible to find new businesses that offer that kind of enviable profitability. So where will Intel's future growth come from? Some Wall Street analysts argue that Intel should be spurring growth by acquisition, perhaps buying a major communications company. But Otellini remains committed (at least publicly) to growth from within, continuing to see opportunity in consumer-focused chip development. He is particularly bullish on WiMax, a new long-distance, wireless Internet technology that could fuel the next generation of Centrino laptops--and a lot more besides. For example, Intel demonstrated WiMax at the latest Sundance Film Festival by streaming an entire movie wirelessly, bit by digital bit, from a distance of more than six miles. One director said it was the best-looking film screening he had ever attended. That, like the iPod, is music to Otellini's ears.