by Joel Hruska, Extreme Tech
Intel often uses the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) as a platform to discuss its long-term vision for computing as well as more practical business initiatives. This year, the company has discussed the shrinking energy cost of computation as well as a point when it believes the energy required for “meaningful compute” will approach zero and become ubiquitous by the year 2020. The company didn’t precisely define “meaningful compute,” but I think in this case we can assign a solid working definition. Adding two integers together is computing, but it isn’t particularly meaningful. Accurately measuring geospatial location via GPS, making a phone call, or playing a game is meaningful.


The idea that we could push the energy cost of computing down to nearly immeasurable levels is exciting. It’s the type of innovation that’s needed to drive products like Google Glass or VR headsets like the Oculus Rift. Unfortunately, Intel’s slide neatly sidesteps the greatest problems facing such innovations — the cost of computing already accounts for less than half the total energy expenditure of a smartphone or other handheld device. Some of the recent trends in smartphones, like the push for high-quality Retina displays and LTE connectivity, have significantly increased device power consumption. Smaller CPUs and more power-efficient components have been offset by higher storage capacities and additional RAM.

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