A6

mobile
March 8, 2012
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Apple’s new A5X chip may not come to the next iPhone, analysts say

By on March 8, 2012 at 10:30 PM.

Apple’s new A5X chip may not come to the next iPhone, analysts say

Apple on Wednesday announced the new iPad at a press event in San Francisco. Along with a Retina Display and improved camera, the slate is equipped with Apple’s A5X processor. The chip has two CPU cores, just like the A5, and four graphics cores for superior gaming and smooth operation of the high-resolution display. Apple has previously used the same chip in the company’s iPad and iPhone, however the A5X may not be ideal for smartphone use and the Cupertino-based company may instead look for a more power-efficient chip for the iPhone 5, MacWorld reported on Thursday. Read on for more. More →

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Exclusive
February 1, 2012
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Photos show quad-core iPad 3 processor, Wi-Fi and global LTE options

By on February 1, 2012 at 10:55 AM.

Photos show quad-core iPad 3 processor, Wi-Fi and global LTE options

A source claiming to be in possession of an iPad 3 prototype provided BGR with images containing details about Apple’s highly anticipated third-generation tablet. From the data in the photos, which contain the output from an iPad 3 using a development and debug tool called iBoot, we can infer plenty of information about the upcoming iPad 3. For starters, the model numbers are J1 and J2 (iPad3,1 and iPad3,2), and while DigiTimes reported this a few weeks ago, these two models are not different devices, just a single iPad available in two versions — one with Wi-Fi only and one with Wi-Fi and embedded GSM/CDMA/LTE for all carriers. Also included in the photos is, for the first time, confirmation of which processor Apple will be using in the iPad 3: an A6 processor with model number S5L8945X. For reference, the Apple A4 model was S5L8930X and the A5 is S5L8940X. The new processor will also apparently be a quad-core model, making the upcoming iPad 3 the fastest iOS device ever, we have been told. More screenshots are included in our gallery below.

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Tablets
January 17, 2012
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iPad 3 unveiling reportedly scheduled for early February

By on January 17, 2012 at 12:31 PM.

iPad 3 unveiling reportedly scheduled for early February

Apple is reportedly planning an event in early February to unveil its next-generation iPad tablet. Citing unnamed sources from within Apple’s supply chain, Japanese blog Macotakara claims Apple will take the wraps off its iPad 3 early next month alongside the next major release of its mobile operating system, iOS 5.1. Apple released the third version of its iOS 5.1 beta software to developers last week, though the timeline for a public release is unknown at this point. The Cupertino, California-based company is expected to release its third-generation iPad tablet in March, which is rumored to feature a slightly thicker case, a 2,048 by 1,536-pixel HD display and twice the battery life as the current iPad 2. Apple is also expected to continue selling an iPad 2 model at a discounted price following the release of its new iPad 3. More →

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mobile
January 6, 2012
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Apple’s iOS 5.1 beta reveals quad-core chips for next-gen iPhone, iPad

By on January 6, 2012 at 9:30 AM.

Apple’s iOS 5.1 beta reveals quad-core chips for next-gen iPhone, iPad

Apple’s next-generation iPhone and iPad devices will likely include new quad-core processors in place of Apple’s current dual-core A5 chipset. 9to5Mac on Friday uncovered references to the new quad-core chip within the latest beta release of Apple’s iOS software. Among the code for Apple’s updated processing-core management software, a reference to “/cores/core.3″ has been identified. Apple’s dual-core A5 chipset is referred to as “/cores/core.1″ within the iOS code, and single-core chips are “/cores/core.0″ according to the naming conventions within Apple’s processing-core management software. Apple may include new quad-core A6 chips in its third-generation iPad and sixth-generation iPhone, both due to launch later this year. An image of the references to Apple’s quad-core chipset within the iOS 5.1 beta code follows below. More →

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Tablets
November 3, 2011
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Next iPad to launch in March, ‘real’ iPad 3 coming in Q3 2012

By on November 3, 2011 at 10:40 PM.

Next iPad to launch in March, ‘real’ iPad 3 coming in Q3 2012

Apple is preparing to launch a slightly upgraded iPad 2 in March of 2012, DigiTimes reported on Thursday. The new iPad is rumored to be thinner and is said to offer better battery life than the current model. It is unclear what Apple will call the device launching in March, but the company reportedly has plans to launch a “real” iPad 3 during the third quarter of 2012. Samsung, Sharp and LG are said to be working on a new Retina Display for the next-generation iPad, which may also pack a faster A6 processor, but rumors of manufacturing issues have suggested it may take Apple longer than originally planned to introduce a model with that equipment. A report last month from Ticonderoga Securities suggested that Apple is planning a cheaper iPad model that will debut early next year ahead of an iPad 3, which won’t launch until the second quarter. More →

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mobile
October 17, 2011
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Samsung to provide Apple with quad-core A6 chip for next iPhone

By on October 17, 2011 at 7:52 PM.

Samsung to provide Apple with quad-core A6 chip for next iPhone

Samsung providing Apple with A6 CPU

Samsung will provide Apple with quad-core A6 chips to power the next iPhone, The Korea Times reported on Monday. “Apple has been in talks with Samsung over shipment of its A6 quad-core mobile processor chips to be used in the next iPhone,” an anonymous parts supplier executive told The Korea Times. “It appears that Apple clearly has concluded that Samsung remains a critical business partner.” The two have been locked in legal battles around the globe, and both firms have accused the other of patent infringement. Samsung’s vice chairman and CEO Gee-Sung Choi said his company’s legal battles will be handled separately from its business partnership with the iPhone maker. Reportedly, the next iPhone may also be equipped with a 4-inch 960 x 640-pixel OLED display. More →

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mobile
September 23, 2011
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Source code snooping points to upcoming quad-core Apple processor

By on September 23, 2011 at 12:30 PM.

Source code snooping points to upcoming quad-core Apple processor

Apple may already be working on a quad-core Apple-branded mobile processor for inclusion in upcoming iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models. Apple’s eventual move to a quad-core chipset in its iOS devices seems certain, but it looks like we now have evidence that preliminary quad-core testing may already be under way. While inspecting the source code for the Clang compiler bundled with Apple’s Xcode developer tools, an unnamed developer alerted Ars Technica to new references within the code that add support for a quad-core processor. Read on for more. More →

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mobile
September 16, 2011
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Apple snubs Samsung, looks to TSMC for next-gen iPhone and iPad chips

By on September 16, 2011 at 5:45 PM.

Apple snubs Samsung, looks to TSMC for next-gen iPhone and iPad chips

Apple will favor Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company over Samsung to power its next-generation iOS devices, DigiTimes said on Friday. The report aligns with an earlier Reuters report that suggested TSMC would build the next-generation A6 processor for future iPhone and iPad devices. TSMC will use its 20nm and 28nm technologies to create the new chips but may not begin supplying Apple with parts until next year. The Taiwan-based chip builder may have inked a deal to supply the successor to the A6 chip, too. Earlier reports suggested TSMC already started to test its first batch of A6 chipsets, which may offer dual or quad-core ARM-based architectures. Prior to its agreement with TSMC, Apple typically gave Samsung exclusive orders for its silicon. The move could be tied to multiple ongoing patent lawsuits with the South Korea-based electronics giant. More →

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mobile
August 12, 2011
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Production of Apple's next-gen A6 processor begins at TSMC; A6 devices to launch Q2 2012

By on August 12, 2011 at 9:01 AM.

Production of Apple's next-gen A6 processor begins at TSMC; A6 devices to launch Q2 2012

Trial production of Apple’s next-generation A6 mobile processor has begun, Taiwan Economic News reports. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has kicked off a test run of A6 chipsets — which could be 28-nanometer SoCs that feature dual or quad-cores and ARM-based architecture according to earlier reports — and Apple devices carrying the new chips are expected to be released in the second quarter next year at the earliest, according to multiple anonymous industry sources. Reports dating back to June suggested that Apple dumped Samsung following multiple patent disputes, and the company would instead utilize TSMC for production of its next-generation A6 processor. This new Taiwan Economic News report contradicts earlier rumors, however, which claimed that TSMC had begun its trial run of A6 chips last month. This could be a new test run, or earlier reports could have been misguided, of course. Taiwan-based TSMC is the world’s largest contract microchip manufacturer. More →

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mobile
August 3, 2011
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Apple to combine OS X and iOS in 2012, analyst says

By on August 3, 2011 at 11:20 AM.

Apple to combine OS X and iOS in 2012, analyst says

Apple will begin to merge its OS X and iOS operating systems in 2012 according to predictions made by Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Misek.”We believe Apple is looking to merge iOS (iPhones/iPads) with OS X (Macs) into a single platform for apps and cloud services starting in 2012-13,” Misek said. He believes that the A6 processor is “capable of PC-like strength,” and that Apple will implement it into its iPad 3 during the first quarter of 2012, into the iPhone 5 next summer, and into the MacBook Air in 2012 or 2013. “Users want to be able to pick up any iPhone, iPad, or Mac (or turn on their iTV) and have content move seamlessly between them and be optimized for the user and the device currently being used,” Misek said. “We believe this will be difficult to implement if iOS and OS X are kept separate.” There have been rumors that Apple has considered building its own TV, which Misek refers to as the “iTV,” although that has been pure speculation. More →

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Business
July 15, 2011
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Apple dumps Samsung; next-gen A6 chip to be manufactured by TSMC, report claims

By on July 15, 2011 at 11:03 AM.

Apple dumps Samsung; next-gen A6 chip to be manufactured by TSMC, report claims

Apple may have just hit Samsung where it hurts as the two companies continue their ongoing legal battles over patents. Apple, said to be the largest buyer of Samsung components, will not use Samsung to build its next-generation A6 processor, Reuters reports. Instead, Taiwan-based TSMC has reportedly been contracted to build the chip, which is expected to power Apple’s future iPhone and iPad devices. TSMC, the world’s largest contract microchip manufacturer, is said to have already begun test production of Apple’s A6 processor. Samsung currently builds the A5 processor used in Apple’s popular iPad 2 tablet and it owns numerous patents surrounding the chip’s design, including a patent that covers the processor’s the system design and memory packaging. The A5 chip is also expected to be included in Apple’s iPhone 5, which is expected to launch later this year. Should TSMC in fact be manufacturing Apple’s next-generation mobile CPU, it will likely feature a significant redesign in order to avoid potential patent complaints from Samsung. More →

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mobile
July 14, 2011
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iPhone 5 may have been delayed due to faulty Apple processors

By on July 14, 2011 at 6:50 PM.

iPhone 5 may have been delayed due to faulty Apple processors

Apple may have delayed the iPhone 5 launch until next year due to an overheating dual-core A5 chip, a new report from Sohu.com suggests. Rumor has it (and it’s purely a rumor right now) that Apple will instead launch the iPhone 5 later this year or early next when the A6 chip is available — or after it figures out the A5 overheating problems. Sohu.com also said Apple will instead introduce a slightly upgraded “iPhone 4S” device, with the same form factor as the iPhone 4, in September or October. The device is expected to feature an 8-megapixel camera, and it will also sport a faster dual-core processor, two specs that are on a par with earlier reports. With all the recent chatter surrounding a more significant iPhone update due later this year, it’s likely that Sohu.com is working with old intel in this instance. More →

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