Qualcomm develops alternative to Windows-based PCs

Mobile chipmaker Qualcomm announced development of a low-cost computing platform, called Kayak, to serve as an alternative to Windows-based PCs in those parts of the world which do not have access to traditional broadband connections.

The Qualcomm’s new platform design is based on its dual-core MSM7 series chipsets which could also include Snapdragon chipsets that offer CDMA-based 3G and GSM-based technologies.

Qualcomm is confident of filling a niche between smartphones and Windows-based PCs through Kayak platform for providing internet-enabled devices to the markets in developing countries where laptops or PCs are too expensive. In this region people are unable to access internet due to unavailability of traditional broadband connections.

However, 3G networks, widely deployed in most regions of the world, are enabling people to access internet through 3G-enabled smartphones. But people experience inconvenience due to small sized screens and keypads and inadequate computing power supply for engaging the internet fully. This is where Kayak could prove to be a better alternative.

Devices that make use of the Kayak platform could be plugged into a computer monitor or TVs. Users will be able to play 3D games or music files and use keyboard and mouse.

According to Luis Pineda, vice president at Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, the Kayak PC alternative demonstrated how Qualcomm was leveraging, for the first time, cloud computing over broadband networks, thereby unifying new regions into the global online community.

Qualcomm will be making a reference design, instead of producing Kayak computing devices itself. The recommended software specifications would be furnished to the device manufacturers for designing their own devices using Kayak specifications.

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