Intel has used its spring developer conference in Shanghai to showcase its forthcoming range of processors for mobile devices. The spotlight fell on processors for mobile Internet devices (MIDs), alongside a Nehalem-based laptop platform and an anti-theft technology for laptops.

Intel officially launched its Centrino Atom platform for MIDs at the show, and said the first products using it will ship by the end of May from vendors such as Toshiba, Sharp and NEC. This type of device will offer the Internet experience of a PC, but in a pocket-sized format, according to Intel senior vice president Anand Chandrasekher.

The Atom processor at the heart of the device is "the fastest CPU below 3W power consumption," said Chandrasekher, and has been designed to be compatible with Intel's Core 2 Duo chips. It is available in clock speeds up to 1.86GHz.

Intel also disclosed early details of its 2009 notebook platform, codenamed Calpella that will feature mobile chips based on the forthcoming Nehalem architecture. This will offer leading edge performance and enhanced power efficiency.

Chandrasekher also disclosed an anti-theft technology Intel plans to build into future laptops. This will be based on asset recovery technology, which uses an internet connection to track down missing devices. "Think of it as vPro extended," he said.