Intel is open for business with the Intel AppUp Center, which went live to beta during company president and CEO Paul Otellini’s Thursday evening keynote.  The initial focus will be netbooks and PCs that run Windows or Linux, but the plan is to expand to all Intel-powered devices. Manufacturers including Acer, Dell, Samsung and Asus are onboard to offer custom AppUp sites.

During an hour-plus program that included a 3D demo with DreamWorks Animation’s spring theatrical release “How to Tame Your Dragon,” Otellini waxed enthusiastic about the fledgling format, which he predicted will “explode” in the home.  “The good thing for us is that the hardware side requires a ton of computing power,” he explained.

Otellini also lauded the advent of USB 3, capable of transfer rates of 10GB per second, “which means it can download a Blu-ray HD movie in less than 30 seconds.”  Setting Intel’s sights on the phone market, which has heretofore looked to Asia for chips, Otellini announced a chip for 4G smart phones, code named Moorestown.  Nokia and LG are the first partners.