Intel has formally announced the death of the PXA26x series of ARM-based XScale chips for PDAs, according to company documents seen by The Register.

PXA26x parts were the de facto standard for Pocket PC devices until the chip giant began shipping the more advanced PXA27x family, aka 'Bulverde', just over a year ago. Since then, almost all of the new Intel-based PDAs and PocketPC-phone combos have shipped with Bulverde processors.

The older parts are not toast yet. Intel will continue accepting orders for the parts until 18 January 2006, and will ship product though to 18 July 2006, the documents reveal.

Intel is offering both Bulverde and the older PXA255 processor as alternatives to the PXA26x series, but it warns that customers who follow this upgrade path will need to redesign their products - the PXA262 et al are not pin-compatible with either the PXA255 or the PXA27x family.

Separately, Intel has also announced the coming demise of the low-voltage Pentium M 758, a victim of the arrival this week of the 778. Out to goes the Pentium M 730. Both chips will vanish in their tray-sold versions on 19 January 2006, and as boxed processors on 17 February 2006. Intel will cease taking orders for either chip on 18 November this year. ®

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