Transmeta founder Ditzel to join Intel
As they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Dave Ditzel, co-founder of chip company Transmeta, is joining Intel's Digital Enterprise Group to work with Steve Pawlowski, one of Intel's top architects. An Intel representative confirmed a report put out over the weekend by The Register that Ditzel would be joining forces with his one-time enemy.
(Credit:
Transmeta)
Transmeta was way ahead of its time in pursuing a low-power microprocessor strategy, attempting to break into the notebook PC and blade server markets with its Crusoe chip. The trouble was, Crusoe's low-power design came at the expense of performance, and manufacturing issues--combined with Intel's swift embrace of low-power tactics--killed Transmeta's chances of ever making a dent into Intel or AMD's market share.
The company survives these days on its patent portfolio, licensing some of its low-power techniques and designs and filing lawsuits. Transmeta recently settled claims against Intel for $250 million.
Ditzel left Transmeta about a year ago. Intel declined to elaborate on exactly what he would be working on with its DEG group, but here's a bit of wild speculation to kick off a Monday morning: a server-grade version of the Atom processor?
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
