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Apple With Specific Plans for P.A. Semi
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A few random theories:
PA Semi might have patents (issued or pending) on low-power design technologies that could cover what Apple wants to do with portable devices in the future (as well as Apple's competitors!).
If those patents cover something Intel needs on its future roadmap, that would put Apple in an even better position when time comes to negotiate pricing the next few rounds.
Portions of PA Semi's team have already designed an ARM processor, and with higher performance than ARM Inc. could at the time. And Safari on the iPod is still a bit sluggish. But the XCode toolpath doesn't seem to care what CPU architecture is under the hood.
PA Semi's current technology includes something like an integrated security processor, the kind that might make jailbreaking an iPad many orders of magnitude more difficult. Might be one reason the defense industry is buying PA Semi's current products, as well as performance/power ratio.
Lastly, buying PA Semi might have been cheaper than the cost of a potential lawsuit for backing away from some sort of letter of intent.
^^
(but all the above are just some random characters due to my cat walking across the keyboard... )
Not a CPU
Chip doesn't mean CPU.
It could be a secondary chip for encoding MP4 or for handling different tasks than the main operating system.
It would be nice for quickly encoding things to MP4.
Currently you can't download and own a HD film to your iMac and have the same film on your iPod/iPhone.
If you had extra little chips for encoding you can download the HD version from apple and let the chip encode whatever version you need for your device.
Chip doesn't mean CPU.
It could be a secondary chip for encoding MP4 or for handling different tasks than the main operating system.
It would be nice for quickly encoding things to MP4.
Currently you can't download and own a HD film to your iMac and have the same film on your iPod/iPhone.
If you had extra little chips for encoding you can download the HD version from apple and let the chip encode whatever version you need for your device.
I certainly hope they have specific plans for something they just spent almost $300 million to buy.
Yes and No is it consistent with earlier statements
Yes they want their talent but no it is indeed for their chip designs that aren't Intel based. They will not use their current chips, but will use their acquired IP to complete Apple's chip goals outside of Intel.
EETimes can't embrace being half correct and half incorrect.
Yes they want their talent but no it is indeed for their chip designs that aren't Intel based. They will not use their current chips, but will use their acquired IP to complete Apple's chip goals outside of Intel.
EETimes can't embrace being half correct and half incorrect.
I agree! My PPC machines are more stable than the Intel machines. They also feel more "solid". The Intel machines may be faster, but they feel fragile rather than a powerhouse.
The other bad news, the good news depends on how said boss feels that particular morning.
Exactly! Try to imagine that - each processor is a pipe.. those PPCs are thinner, but always clear - you can feel you know, when the process will be done.
Intel chips are wider pipes.. but sometimes gets blocked.
Roughly described.. just mention the "megahertz myth", pipelining.. Steve was comparing Pentiums with G4s on one of his keynotes.
That's why I hate to use Intel Macs with Photoshop.. still using my good old G4
Thems gotta be sum really wicked smaht and talented en-ginn-ears to be worth $280 millions dollars.
Must be nice to have that much cash lying around to buy such extraordinary talent and IC. I just wish someone would step up and buy me for $280 mill.
Must be nice to have that much cash lying around to buy such extraordinary talent and IC. I just wish someone would step up and buy me for $280 mill.
Except you'd have to have 10.6 work on current Macs that don't have this chip too, rendering this sort of protection moot.
Not even close. I worked for him at NeXT and Apple. Perhaps I'm just a hard driven, perfectionist who can't stomach mediocrity because I found him to be the most engaging, bluntly honest and compassionate boss I've ever worked under.
If you want angry, lifeless, morons just work in the Seattle Area.
Here's a hint. Apple is not using Intel Atom. I'll leave the rest for speculation.
I couldn't agree more. Still dreaming of a return of the PowerMac G6. Mac Pro just sounds...so generic. Same applies to PowerBool
If this is true then OS 10.6 would not run on any mac that is currently sold. None of the current or older macs have this yet to be designed chip.
I'm sure Apple would not obsolite all of their user current hardware. So, not matter what Apple does, if some one wants to build a "hacktosh" all that have to do is make sure it "looks" like a 2008 vintage iMac, Mini or MP.
Though I have to agree it leaves one question wide open:
Why does Safari 3 work rather solid on my PB (though eating up the memory quite fast) while it generally crashes my iMac.
Just a simple test (I have four Imac Core Duo first iteration with differing Apple RAM): Leave Safari open for more than 24 hours. I can repeatedly generate a totally hung system with that. And with totally hung I mean that I even can't Force Quit, I have to use the Power Button.
My current PB uptime (with Safari open 24/7) is 25 days!
Doesn't Apple already have a handheld gaming device - called the iPhone and/or iPod Touch? The games are not available just yet, but will be soon...
Will be interesting to see what Apple has in mind, and where they intend to apply the P.A. Semi chip stuff... I'm guessing its not going to be in one specific area, but a number of areas.
Right, but remember that Apple isn't buying them for their existing chips but rather for what they know. Could lead to just about anything.
I don't know. I just think it's interesting that Apple is buying a PPC chip maker when two of the three big game consoles use them.
The excellent news: Your work will be used in products that you can be proud of and that people love.
The not-so-excellent news: those products will always have essential features missing for no good reason beyond your new boss thinking them unnecessary or inelegant.
Thanx for the advice! I will upgrade sooner or later and I hear you.
I think I'll wait for the Nehalem MBP in about 9 months from now. But then I'll give it a go!
MBP Nehalem and new case redesign should be available Feb or March.
4-5 G
What if the idea is to make some sort of like new(not yet invented) 5g chip that is faster than 4G and uses much less power. iphone 3?
P.S.: I get that this company really dosent make wireless chips(at least none that anyone else has posted about.
What if the idea is to make some sort of like new(not yet invented) 5g chip that is faster than 4G and uses much less power. iphone 3?
P.S.: I get that this company really dosent make wireless chips(at least none that anyone else has posted about.