Intel Corp, betting wireless networking will revive demand for personal computers, is working with McDonald's Corp and Borders Group Inc to ensure high-speed Internet services they offer work well with its new Centrino chip system.
Intel will jointly market wireless services planned by McDonald's, the world's biggest restaurant chain, and Borders, the No.2 US bookseller, Intel spokeswoman Christine Vermes said.
The chipmaker is trying to make sure Centrino, set for release Wednesday, is compatible with the companies' systems.
Intel, whose sales have fallen in six of the past seven quarters, earmarked US$150 million for investment in companies that are increasing the number of wireless networks. Intel, the world's largest computer chipmaker, is working with companies that also include Boeing Co and Marriot International Inc to help wireless users to move easily from one service to another.
McDonald's plans to offer high-speed Internet access in "several hundred" stores in New York, Chicago and one as-yet unidentified California city, spokeswoman Lisa Howard said. The company is using Cometa Networks, whose owners include Intel and AT&T Corp, to deliver service in New York. The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company hasn't announced providers in the other cities. Customers will pay US$3 an hour to use the service.
Borders of Ann Arbor, Michigan, said in October it would offer high-speed Internet access in 400 stores in the first quarter of this year through Deutsche Telekom AG's T-Mobile USA Inc.
Spokeswoman Ann Binkley declined to say how much the bookseller plans to charge.
Centrino includes a processor designed from scratch to allow mobile PCs to run six or more hours on a single battery charge.
They system also has a chipset that connects it to other parts of the computer and a radio for connecting to wireless networks.
Intel Shares fell US$0.11 to US$15.90 yesterday. They've lost 52 percent of their value in the last year. McDonald's declined US$0.32 to US$12.50 and Borders lost US$0.04 to US$13.65.
In related news, McDonald's Corp said Monday it had signed up movie star Paul Newman to supply the dressings for a new line of salads the fast-food giant plans to launch later this month.
The veteran actor has been producing and marketing a line of salad dressings through his company, Newman's Own Inc, since 1982, and will now become the exclusive supplier for a new line of "premium" McDonald's salads.
The chain plans to add the salads and Newman's "all-natural" dressings to its menu later this month, and follow with a national advertising campaign beginning in April.
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