Well maybe, Apple could enable Apps or Games to play on the Apple TV in a future OS update, that would need both processors turned on. The problem I see is maybe it would get too hot or these chips have one side turned off cause it failed.
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Apple TV's A5 Chip Includes Surprise Die Shrink to 32nm [Updated: Same Chip Found in iPad 2]
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Well maybe, Apple could enable Apps or Games to play on the Apple TV in a future OS update, that would need both processors turned on. The problem I see is maybe it would get too hot or these chips have one side turned off cause it failed.
The obvious benefit to testing a 32nm process is that they CAN be low-yield. While expensive, it's a lot easier than having a problem ramping up production with low yields for a product as popular as the iPad or iPhone.
With this test run, they can perfect the production process before this 32nm part, or some derivative, is put into the iPhone 5.
With this test run, they can perfect the production process before this 32nm part, or some derivative, is put into the iPhone 5.
Really* new iPod touch, anyone?
* real, as in more than a "paint job".
I would take that in a heart beat. Now if they just put in a camera with decent stills...
not sure if anyone mentioned it, but this could be either an early version of or the actual chip for any "iTV, iPanel," type device they release in the future. I also agree with the person who mentioned the potential availability of an App or Game store in the future. as far as this chips implementation into other iDevices, only time and iFixit will tell.
I think that the fully functional A5 on 32nm process, is for the next iPhone. They never made two sequential major speed bump on iOS devices, 2G to 3G wasn't, 3GS to 4 wasn't too.
If the products were designed separately and the iPad 3 wasn't designed with a 32 in mind, then yeah, it makes sense to build the chip at that fab because you might have to redo the product when it was mostly done with testing. This idea only makes sense if you don't plan the iPad out a year in advance...
Yes, they did. Every successive iphone from 3GS to 4GS had a speed bump of some sort. The 3GS was a 600 MHz Cortex A8 on a 65nm process. The A4 was a 1000 MHz (800 MHz) Cortex A8 on a 45nm process. The A5 was a 1000 MHz (800 MHz) dual core Cortex A9 on a 45nm process. The iPhone to iPhone 3G transition was the only time the iPhone didn't get a CPU bump.
And they are using the fully functional version on the iPad 2 now, and will likely use it for the 4S as well.
It actually makes more sense to make a 32nm Cortex A15 chip for the next iphone, as that CPU will be more efficient at a given clock speed, getting the task done faster and being able to idle more.
Will a smaller chip give us a smaller picture? I have a 65 inch TV. If this shrinks my picture, I will be quite mad!
No - it will just do the same thing as a larger chip but just use less power.
Less power = less heat = smaller devices / less power consuming devices (longer battery life etc).
Hehe, mine's sitting in the box at home waiting to be made useful via an updated Seas0nPass.
More notable is that the new iPad 2 (starting at $399) also has this smaller, more energy-efficient A5 chip.
They prob didnt get high enough yield for the ipad otherwise it would of been perfect
Process
Isn't A6 going to be 32nm? Maybe they're just using ATV to test the process. Which I know very little about the chipmaking process, so, you know try not to bite my head off...
Isn't A6 going to be 32nm? Maybe they're just using ATV to test the process. Which I know very little about the chipmaking process, so, you know try not to bite my head off...
Is there any major advantages of using a 32nm a5 over a cheaper 40nm one in a tv? After all it is plugged into the mains and there will be a huge amount of real estate behind the panel.
Only if you count cost savings (smaller die footprint/higher yield per wafer), lower power requirement, faster speed... They could just be using ATV as a proving ground for a new 32mm process too.
Smaller isn't always just for mobile.
By that same flawed logic Macbook Air owners would be upset that their expensive laptops don't have 1TB of storage like other crap laptops that are out there now.
Hey! I paid for an AppleTV with two fully-functioning cores. If they're only going to allow me the use of one core, then I want half my money back. I think it's time for a class-action suit accusing Apple of cheating innocent consumers by giving them binned components. So what if AppleTV works perfectly. This is a matter of principle. Everyone better check all their Apple devices to see if all processor cores are enabled at all times.
It's an apple product. I don't care about flashing magnets and such. I just want more capacity in the current device. That's all. I don't care they how accomplish it.
Is is too much to ask for the current ipod to have more memory than the top-of-the-line ipod had 7 years ago?