Qualcomm upped its stake in the mobile space today with an upgrade to the Snapdragon line of mobile processors. The QSD8650A jumps from the previous 1GHz to a new 1.3GHz but is also Qualcomm's first 45 nanometer processor; it's about 30 percent faster than its predecessor but simultaneously uses 30 percent less average power than earlier parts. Video performance in 3D and elsewhere has also been given a boost, the company says.

The ARM-based chipset remains centered on smartphones and netbooks -- nicknamed smartbooks by Qualcomm -- and has built-in support for 3G over either CDMA or UMTS networks as well as Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi. It can likewise support displays as large as WXGA (usually 1366x768) as well as TV tuning through formats like FLO TV in the US or DVB-H in Europe. In spite of its high clock speed, the new Snapdragon is efficient enough for smartphones and uses less than 10 mW of power at idle.

Qualcomm hasn't said how soon it anticipates the 1.3GHz part will arrive in shipping products. Currently, Toshiba is the most eager of early adopters and is using the earlier 1GHz Snapdragon in its TG01 smartphone.