Chip
giant Intel and VoIP firm Jajah on Thursday introduced a technology
that awakens PCs from power-saving sleep mode to receive incoming
Internet phone calls.
Intel
is hoping that Jajah's VoIP application will be the first of many to
use its Remote Wake Technology, which will be available on certain
Intel motherboards starting next month.
Once
a technology it used in custom business PCs, Intel is embedding
Remote Wake Technology into a much broader array of consumer PCs in
the hope that developers will use it for applications such as remote
PC management, unattended downloads, or incoming phone calls.
PCs
are generally set to go into sleep mode to conserve power, generate
less heat, and make less noise when the PC is not in use. While in
sleep mode the PC is entirely unavailable unless someone does
something such as touch the keyboard.
“With
this technology you can make your PC available for service 24/7 but
not have your PC fully powered on all the time, and this is going to
become even more important as the PC becomes more of a home
communications hub,” said Joe Van De Water, director of consumer
product marketing for Intel.
One
of the drawbacks of the PC as a primary or business VoIP phone is the
fact that in sleep mode or in off mode it ceased to be a phone.
“In
off mode it is still unavailable but we have solved the
unavailability problem while the PC is in sleep mode,” said Trevor
Healy, Jajah's CEO.
Intel
and Jajah have pursued a technology-sharing relationship dating back
at least to May 2007 when Intel invested about $10 million in the
Mountain View, California-based VoIP firm.
The
investment gave Jajah access to Intel's VoIP patent portfolio and
preferred status in the chip giant's strategy of converting Internet
services and communications capabilities into silicon.
Over
the years Intel has incorporated popular or emerging communications
technologies such as WiFi and WiMAX onto the PC motherboard in an
effort to drive consumer demand for the PC as a flexible
communications tool and home media hub.