Intel backtracks on Atom iPhone claims

By Ed Oswald | Published May 15, 2008, 1:12 PM

After a German exec seemed to suggest that Apple would use the Atom chip in an upcoming iPhone or tablet-like device, Intel has been doing its best to stop the surrounding rumors.

The comments came from Intel Germany's Hannes Schwaderer as part of an interview with ZDNet.de. He said the device would be slightly larger than its previous version, with a larger display -- implying a tablet of some sort, possibly.

It also seemed from Schwaderer's comments that the old model of the iPhone is going to continue to exist. Thus, it sounded like whatever product he may have been talking about could have been a different one altogether.

But not so fast. Intel quickly moved to quash the resulting buzz surrounding the executive's comments, saying his remarks were only meant to be taken in general terms and not as the disclosure of any particular new product.

"Intel knows nothing about future products of other manufacturers," a spokesman told ZDNet.de.

Either way, whether it was a slip of the tongue or just a random example Schwaderer had used as Intel claims, talk of Apple using Intel chips in the iPhone is certainly nothing new.

Insiders suggest that Intel has been pushing hard to have its Atom chips included in future products. Additionally, talk last year indicated that Apple maybe ready to reenter the PDA market, using Intel's Silverthorne chips.