“Rumours abound, but the gist of them is that the Transmeta
CPU will be faster than current technology and be able to run any
operating software that runs on existing processors by a very fast
emulation technique. Transmeta’s patents suggest that its
chips are x86 compatible, so it clearly has Intel in its sights.
Additionally, when the Federal Trade Commission was investigating
Intel for antitrust behaviour, Intel cited Transmeta as a company
that provided it with serious competition.
The situation should become clearer when Transmeta formally
announces its Crusoe processor which is scheduled, according to the
Transmeta web site for January 19th 2000. Linus Torvalds gave a
hint at Comdex this week that the Transmeta Crusoe processor will
be aimed at mobile usage.”