"This isn't a specific and isolated abandonment of the '51 architecture but rather a clear move on Intel's part to get out of the high-volume, small embedded system industry."

Intel looks like it is moving away from the Low margin parts and sticking to the part where they can keep a larger margin..... They must have a new "MBA" making decisions there :)

I like the Intel buying Philips Semiconductor division theory. I've heard rumblings of Philips doing a semiconductor spin off like Motorola / freescale did.

Eric