Intel targets IoT with new Quark chips and free cloud OS

The products include new low-power Quark processors and microcontrollers for devices that will connect to the Internet of Things, and cloud services from its Wind River subsidiary to make it easier for companies to network these devices and upload data for analysis.

The promise for organizations is that they can connect devices in their business -- everything from factory equipment to goods in the supply chain -- and upload data to the cloud to make their operations more efficient.

"There’s a need for a suite of connected products and services that are aware of each other and their surroundings," said CEO Brian Krzanich at a press event in San Francisco.

The package of products includes two new Wind River operating systems, called Rocket and Pulsar Linux, and a set of cloud services, both intended to make it easier for developers to add intelligence to end devices and upload IoT data to the cloud for analysis.

Intel says that developers will be able to start building applications within 10 minutes with the new products. Developers will be able to prototype IoT devices and software models, and prepare products for final deployment.

The emergence of IoT has led to the creation of products that help in the development of IOT hardware, software and services. Microsoft has the low-power Windows IoT Core OS for devices, while ARM is offering Mbed, which includes and OS and cloud services.

With the new products, Intel also hopes to sell more chips. The chips include the Quark SE SoC (system on chip) as well as two low-power microcontrollers (MCUs) designed to be durable. The SE SoC will ship in the first half of next year. The Quark D1000 MCU became available on Tuesday and the D2000 MCU will ship by the end of the year.