Inside Intel's new wearable devices portfolio...

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich has outlined a range of products, initiatives and strategic relationships aimed at accelerating innovation across a range of mobile and wearable devices as well as individual inventors' own connected creations.

Announced during the pre-show keynote for the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, Krzanich's keynote painted a vision of how the landscape of computing is being re-shaped and where security is too important not to have it embedded in all devices.

According to the new man in the Intel hot-seat, the world is entering an era of integrated computing defined not by the device, but by the integration of technology into people's lifestyles in ways that offer individuals new utility and value.

As examples, Krzanich highlighted several immersive and intuitive technologies that Intel will begin offering this year. For example, the company is bringing human senses to Intel-based devices in a new family of hardware and software products called Intel RealSense technology.

Intel Inside Wearable Devices...

Krzanich said Intel is actively pursuing a range of products and initiatives, with the goal of accelerating wearable device innovation. Intel's approach to this next evolution in computing is to imagine and create reference design devices and platforms ready for use by customers in developing wearable products, he said.

The CEO highlighted number of wearable reference devices, including smart earbuds that provide biometric and fitness capabilities, a smart headset that is always ready to engage and can integrate with existing personal assistant technologies to make the consumer experience more intuitive, and a smart wireless charging bowl.

Krzanich also kicked-off the Intel 'Make it Wearable' challenge, a global effort aimed at accelerating creativity and innovation with technology. The effort will call upon the smartest and most creative minds to consider factors impacting the proliferation of wearable devices and ubiquitous computing, such as meaningful usages, aesthetics, battery life, security and privacy.

In addition to developing reference devices for wearable technology, Intel will offer a number of accessible, low-cost entry platforms, aimed at helping lower entry barriers for individuals and small companies to create innovative Internet-connected wearables or other small form factor devices.

Underscoring this point, Krzanich announced Intel Edison, a new Intel Quark technology-based computer housed in an SD card form factor with built-in wireless capabilities and support for multiple operating systems. From prototype to production, Intel Edison will enable rapid innovation and product development by a range of inventors, entrepreneurs and consumer product designers when available this summer.

"Wearables are not everywhere today because they aren't yet solving real problems and they aren't yet integrated with our lifestyles," Krzanich said.

"We're focused on addressing this engineering innovation challenge. Our goal is, if something computes and connects, it does it best with Intel inside."

Increased Data and Device Security

Krzanich also unveiled the Intel Security brand, which will identify Intel products and services in the security segment, and disclosed plans to transition McAfee products to the Intel Security brand while retaining the familiar red shield.

"The complexity of keeping digital identities safe grows as mobile applications and devices become a more important part of our daily lives," Krzanich said.

"Intel's intent is to intensify our efforts dedicated to making the digital world more secure, and staying ahead of threats to private information on mobile and wearable devices."

Krzanich announced that Intel plans to offer elements of McAfee's security solutions for mobile devices for free. These data and device protection solutions help guard today's most popular mobile devices, including Apple iPhone, iPad and Android devices with more details to be announced in the coming months.

As corporate "bring-your-own-device" programs have grown in popularity, many firms have prohibited Android*-based devices that weren't compatible with their companies' security requirements. Intel Security this year will offer Intel Device Protection technology, which will help Intel-based Android* mobile devices meet most security standards for use at home and work.