Intel hiring software experts for new tablet team

Intel is hiring software experts for a new tablet-centric software team, as per a new job listing posted on LinkedIn. The listing details openings for several senior positions on the team, which will be responsible for technology architecture as well as marketing and dealing with suppliers and customers, Reuters reported. The company states that it is looking for people with experience in development and architecture of Windows, wireless and cameras.

The job listing reads, “The Intel tablet SW team is in the early forming stages and presents an opportunity to play a key role in building the IA tablet platform SW foundation and creation of SW technologies to deliver exciting new experiences to consumers. Responsibilities include partnering with key Intel customers, independent technology suppliers, marketing, engineering management and senior architects from multiple Intel disciplines to negotiate, design, and lead implementation of a wide range of high complexity features and systems.”

Intel keen on developing its own software for tablets

Reuters quoted an Intel spokesperson as saying, “Intel is constantly hiring and the jobs advertised this week would expand Intel's existing bench of tablet software experts.”

It seems Intel is giving greater importance to focusing in-house on software as optimised software makes sure its chips work efficiently. The company has been preparing for months for the launch of tablets running Microsoft's new Windows 8 platform. Due for launch in late October, Windows 8 offers touch-screen features and is central to Intel's tablet strategy.

Device manufacturers are working on more than 20 potential Windows 8 tablets powered by Intel's Clover Trail mobile chip as well as others using recently launched PC processors, Chief Executive Paul Otellini told analysts on a conference call in July.

The news of this job listing comes in the wake of Intel cutting its third-quarter revenue estimate more than expected due to a decline in demand for its chips as customers reduce inventories and businesses buy fewer personal computers. Intel might be looking to tap the growing smartphone and tablet markets where companies like ARM Holdings, Qualcomm and Samsung Electronics have the lead in supplying chips. Intel processors are used in 80 percent of the world's PCs, but the company has been slow to adapt its chips for smartphones and tablets.

Intel also said it was scaling back capital spending as a result of the business slowdown. Intel's stock fell 3.6 percent, and shares of ASML and other companies that make chip-manufacturing equipment also lost ground.
 
A revision of Intel targets had been anticipated by some analysts after PC makers Hewlett Packard and Dell Inc warned of slow demand last month, a development that has been compounded by a shaky global economy and consumers shifting toward tablets and smartphones.