Samsung’s smartphone platform Bada that launched in 2010 was used on a wide range of devices. It was rumored that Samsung was going to make Bada open-source in 2012, but it turns out that they will be merging the platform with Intel’s Tizen project. Bada apps will be compatible with Tizen once the integration is complete. Developers will get a new integrated SDK and API. After the two Linux-based systems are merged, most likely Bada will be phased out. [Forbes]

Arm Holdings plc CEO Warren East was interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas about competition with Intel. Intel has started getting into the low-power processor market to provide chips for smartphones and tablets. East said that ARM is not worried about the competition.

Apple has filed three new patent applications that hint that the company is planning to add Thunderbolt connectivity in future iOS devices.  Thunderbolt was developed by Intel and brought to market with the help of Apple.  When Thunderbolt is integrated into Apple iOS devices, the iPod, iPhones, and iPads will allow faster data transfers and recharging. [Patently Apple]

Intel has notified to their partners that the Thunderbolt technology is ready to be fully released in April 2012. Intel is preparing to launch Thunderbolt-supported motherboards, notebooks, and desktops at the same time. Thunderbolt is currently standardized across the Apple MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and iMac. The cost of producing Thunderbolt will be dropped in the second half of 2012. [MacRumors]

In a world where Apple, BlackBerry, Samsung, HTC, and Motorola have been reigning supreme in the smartphone market, Intel is the latest challenger. In the past, Intel has sat on the sidelines only to provide the internal parts to these smartphone manufacturers. Above is a photo of a smartphone prototype that has been developed by Intel and runs on the Android operating system. This concept phone currently has the code-name “Medfield” and we may even see it at CES.

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) has decided to stop the development of the MeeGO operating system due to a lack of enthusiasm from tablet and handset companies. Intel will focus strictly on hardware products to be paired with Android and Windows Phone in 2012 according to sources with DigiTimes.

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) has announced that they have acquired Fulcrum Microsystems, a semiconductor company. Fulcrum designs Ethernet switch silicon for data center network providers. Intel said that as the demand of data increases, there is a greater need for low-latency and high-performance network switches for supporting cloud architectures. [BusinessWeek]

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) has reported their Q2 revenues and earnings. Revenue for the three months that ended in June increased 22% year over year. Revenue was $13.1 billion. For the third quarter, Intel predicts that their revenue will be between $13.5-$14.5 billion.