Intel CEO Brian Krzanich Admits To Chipmaker’s Past Mobile Failings

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich has opened up about some of the computing giant’s past shortcomings alongside its hopes for the future during an online discussion

Krzanich, who took over the Intel top job last May following a brief spell as COO, took to popular online forum Reddit to participate in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) discussion, where members of the public can submit questions on any subject. Several HTC executives took part in a similar discussion last week, revealing several interesting details regarding the company’s activities in 2014.

Although many of the top-rated questions went unanswered (as they dealt with various accusations surrounding the security of Intel’s hardware), the responses Krzanich gave to other questions provided some interesting insight into the company’s plans for the future.

‘Close relationship’

When questioned how close Intel’s relationship with Apple was, Krzanich replied that the two companies have always had “a very close relationship and it continues to grow closer”. Apple began using Intel processors in 2005, cementing a bond between the companies which Krzanich hopes to keep building on, quoting his Intel CEO predecessor Paul Otellini to say, “we win when our customers win”.

When asked about Intel’s failure to initially enter the mobile device market, Krzanich said that the company“wanted the world of computing to stop at PC’s”.

“The world, as it never does, didn’t stop innovating. The new CEO of Microsoft said it well the other day (that) our industry does not respect tradition, it respects innovation… I think he was 100 percent right” he concluded.

Intel recently said due to an expected decline in PC sales worldwide, it expected no revenue growth in 2014, and announced it would also be cutting 5,000 jobs worldwide (around 5 percent of its workforce), in order to cut costs.

Krzanich also discussed the future of the semiconductor industry, stating that materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes will become “very important” in the near future, allowing manufacturers to lower leakage and power.

He was also positive on the future of 3D printing, saying that he believes it will change “much of the business and innovation world” over the next few years.

“I don’t even think we’ve scratched the surface on how 3D printing will change the way things get made,” he said. “New materials and capabilities will continue to be developed and be able to be 3D printed, and as that occurs more and more uses will be identified and whole industries will be changed.”

On the lighter side, Krzanich also revealed that he used to build his own PC’s (although he currently uses a Lenovo Helix), has two daughters currently in middle school, and loves peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

Recent moves by Intel appear to indicate that the company’s future now appears to be focused towards integrating various areas of technology into the Internet of Things, with the company taking to the stage at CES to demonstrate a number of new products, including some examples of wearable technology, which it hopes will bring diversity to its offerings.

What do you know about the history of Intel? Take our quiz!