Intel and Asus want you to design the next laptop

We've seen Digg, Ideastorm and Innocentive take advantage of "the wisdom of crowds"; now Intel and Asus are taking it to the next level.

The aim of the WePC project is to launch "community designed" PCs.

The two companies say consumers can become product designers at WePC, a Web site launched Wednesday. Participants can collaborate with each other and with Intel and Asus to "design innovative new products," the companies said...

"Intel believes the spark for innovation can come from anywhere," Mike Hoefflinger, general manager of Intel's Partner Marketing Group, said in a statement. "That's why Intel is working with Asus to tap into the creative energy of consumers as they share ideas on designing their ideal PC." ...The community will be divided into three conversation groups, addressing three of the most popular consumer PC categories: Netbooks, notebooks, and gaming notebooks...

Definitely a trend to watch.