AMD CEO Hector Ruiz dropped word Monday of a new project code-named “Emma,” an integrated chip designed for use in an cigarette pack-sized internet appliance that they hope to sell for less than $200. The tiny computer would have ports for keyboard, monitor, and ‘internet connection’ (presumably Ethernet), and would likely utilize some sort of flash memory in lieu of a hard drive (speculation I am basing solely on the size of the unit and AMD’s considerable flash memory manufacturing investments).
Emma is part of AMD’s ’50 by 15′ program, which aims to expand internet access to 50 percent of the world’s population by 2015, up from the current levels of less than 10 percent. I love the last line of the (heart-rending registration-required) American-Statesman piece: “We have to do everything in our power to make the world a better place,” Ruiz said, adding that that goal does not conflict with the CEO’s responsibility to return a “fair profit” to shareholders.
Yes, wouldn’t want to waste company profits on some silly lark like helping the world.
