Intel has announced details of its next generation of Intel Core processor at the Intel Developer Forum.

The fourth generation Core processor family, based on the ‘Haswell' micro-architecture, is designed for thin and light computing form factors, such as the Ultrabook, tablet and convertible, and include better power performance, inbuilt security and graphics capabilities.

The Haswell micro-architecture is based on 22nm construction, and will use around 10watts of power during operation. When idle, the processor will consume 20 times less power than the second generation of processors.

The fourth generation chips will include HD graphics support, new instructions for faster encryption and performance, new hardware-based security features and low-power processor sub-states to enable longer battery life.

The new processors are due to ship sometime next year.

David Perlmutter, chief product officer for Intel said: "The 4th generation Intel Core processor family and our new line of low-power processors will usher in an era of unprecedented innovation in mobile computing.

"Our focus to deliver even lower power with the great performance that our processors are known for is as fundamentally significant as when we shifted our development focus beyond sheer processor speed in 2001. As a result, you'll see our customers delivering sleek and cool convertible designs, as well as radical breakthrough experiences across a growing spectrum of mobile devices," he added.

Intel also announced the next-generation Atom processor, codenamed ‘Clover Trail', a new 32nm system-on-chip (SoC) architected specifically for Windows 8.

Perlmutter also discussed the upcoming Intel Perceptual Computing Software Development Kit, that will be launched to developers, help develop systems that use ‘natural' interfaces, such as gesture and voice recognition.

The SDK, targeted for release early next quarter, will enable hardware and software developers to bring gesture interaction, facial and voice recognition, and augmented reality to life on existing and future Intel Core processor-based Ultrabook systems and PCs.