Intel's chief technology officer Justin Rattner has opened a new research division called Interaction and Experience Research. The big idea is to come up with new interfaces between computers and make things a little more personal.

Apparently Intel has been wondering how people will interact with a computing device in the future. The division will be led by Intel fellow Genevieve Bell, who said: "Intel now touches more things in people's lives than just the PC. Intel chips and the internet are now in televisions, set-tops, handhelds, cars, signage and more.

IXR will build on 15 years of research into the ways in which people use, re-use and resist new information and communication technologies.