INTEL, the world's biggest computer chipmaker, yesterday said its next-generation chips will enable computers sold in China to feature a thinner design, longer battery life and new functions such as voice and gesture recognition within one or two years.

Intel will also launch a new enhanced chip for tablet computers and mobile phones by the end of this year in the country, the company said during the Intel Developer Forum held in Beijing.

The chipmaker's latest moves represent its ambitions to expand in both the PC and mobile Internet sectors at a time when the popularity of mobile devices influences PC chip sales, Intel's traditionally major business, industry insiders said.

Intel's forthcoming fourth-generation Haswell chips, with longer battery life and improved computing ability, will start shipping later this quarter. Lenovo Group and Panasonic will debut new models with Haswell soon, according to Kirk Skaugen, Intel's senior vice president.

The trend of PCs will move toward being convertible and detachable to meet various requirements and needs of consumers.

Meanwhile, Intel is cooperating with Nuance to provide voice recognition technology on PCs in China, the world's biggest PC market, similar to the Siri technology found on the iPhone.

Intel will also launch the next-generation Bay Trail chip for mobile devices by the end of this year. The chips, featuring less power consumption and enhanced computing, will be used in tablet computers and phones running Windows Phone 8 and Android systems.