The BBC is reporting that according to Intel's CEO, mobile devices will deliver a more personal internet within five years, using chips with the power of today's desktop PCs.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show, Paul Otellini predicted mobile devices could soon "augment reality" by pulling data from the net in real time.

"We need a ubiquitous, wireless broadband infrastructure," he said. "Eventually we will blanket the globe in wireless broadband connectivity." Of course, that will mean that cell phones need faster and faster microprocessors, which Intel will be more than happy to provide.

Currently Intel has a tremendous presence in laptop computers, as well as the newer one-poundish Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs), but not so much in cell phones and PDAs yet.

Intel predicts the personal net [BBC News]