XScale devices to debut in early 2002

Cell phones and handhelds sporting Intel's XScale chip will emerge early next year, according to Ron Smith, general manager of the company's wireless communications and computing group. XScale is an enhanced version of the company's StrongARM chip. StrongARM, which is used in Compaq Computer's iPaq handheld and other devices, has been on the market nearly two years. It runs at 206MHz. XScale is expected to debut at 400MHz.

"There are many design wins, internationally and in the U.S.," Smith said. "There are all sorts of interesting form factors."