"As I see it, the real reason for concern by IBM and Intel back then"

In your framing Intel and IBM together...they only come together for the Voice Times Alliance...

Regarding Voice Times, Intel and IBM were not interested in manufacturing anything....Voice Times was a standards initiative ....and for that reason only. Of which, they invited e.Digital to join in on.

Intel and e.Digital had a separate relationship of which Intel pulled the plug.

I don't think for a minute that Intel did not have the fore thought, or the wherewithal to follow through, IMO, they most definitely did.

That consideration to start the CE division had a lot of consideration put into it, including positioning Intel staff on e.Digitals board.

doni