Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is ready to make a dent in the smartphone market. The chipmaker recently released its Yolo smartphone in Africa.
The Android-based smartphone features Intel-design and a ‘Lexington’ Atom Chip Z2420. It’s currently sold in Kenya by Safaricom, which is a major mobile operator with about 65 percent of the country’s market share. The phone retails for just 10,999 shillings ($125 in USD). It features 500MB of data, 5 megapixel camera, 3.5 touchscreen, HSPA+ support, HD Video, FM Radio, and an expandable slot for extra memory. It also runs on Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
Earlier this month, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) introduced the reference design, which Yolo is based upon at the Consumer Electronics Show. It is expected that Acer Incorporated (TPE:2353) and Lava will create devices that are based on the same design and Atom Chip Z2420.
Although this isn’t the first time Intel ventured into the mobile phone market, the concept of Intel phones is still relatively new. The company introduced an Orange Mobile phone called San Diego in the United Kingdom in 2012. Shortly after that, they introduced the RAZRi.
The Yolo smartphone is aimed at the budget market in Africa. At press time, there was no word on whether the same mobile phone will be released in other countries.
In other Intel-related news, the chip maker recently got the permission to build a $4 billion plant in Ireland. The good news came from the lead planning agency, now all they need is for Intel’s board to authorize the project. It’s expected to take at least two years to complete the building. The plant is expected to be a boon for Ireland’s economy, as it could bring 800 full time positions and 3,500 construction jobs. The new plant would be built in Leixip (County Kildare) at Intel’s campus which currently employees 4,000 people.
