Apple's Phil Schiller and Anand Shimpi Provide Insight Into A12X Chip in New iPad Pro Models

[mi7chy]

Isn't Anand just a paid/employed marketing mouthpiece? It's probably nothing more than ARM A76 SoC with larger custom cache and compiler tweaks to skew synthetic benchmarks that don't represent real world performance. Until it runs MacOS any real performance advantage is not fully utilized.

 

[deebinem]

Amazing hardware limited by software.

THIS!

USB-C is great except I can't use it for *poop emoji*!

 

[xyz01]

As soon as it becomes practical to do so, there is no doubt that they will. Availability of chips is the number one thing that holds back a Mac refresh. When Apple is designing its own chip for whatever Mac they want to build, it is going to be a good day.

There are many good reasons why they're not doing it, at least yet. Availability of chips is not one of them - Apple sells an order of magnitude more iPhones + iPads than Mac these days.

 

[joueboy]

Then the hardware wouldn't look so amazing anymore.

My thought exactly, I cant imagine this actually running a full blown mac application it will probably crawling to its knee and gets really hot to the point of you can no longer hold it. There's a reason why Final Cut or Premier Pro is not on iOS yet, the upcoming Photoshop is just a crippled version of the desktop but good enough for basic editing. Apple knows what they're doing and they're not stupid to rush this into a desktop, give it sometime as this technology matures and software improves to handle this chips. Intel is not worried about it yet not in the near future there's a reason why they're in the position on where they are right now. Whatever it is this current iPad is impressive for a tablet device and no doubt it performs exceptionally to all the current iOS application available and the next 3 years to come. Enjoy it while you have and the future is promising.

 

[falainber]

I wonder what he actually does at Apple. He was hired what, a year ago? This is the first time I've heard his name since he was acquired by Apple.

It's been much longer than that. He joined Apple in 2014.

 

[az431]

Shame it’s hindered by iOS. Imagine if this had OSX on it. If Apple came out with this dual booting operating systems....Microsoft would be running for the hills.

It's not hindered by iOS. It is hindered by the lack of apps to take advantage of the processing power.

 

[falainber]

As soon as it becomes practical to do so, there is no doubt that they will. Availability of chips is the number one thing that holds back a Mac refresh. When Apple is designing its own chip for whatever Mac they want to build, it is going to be a good day.

Apple comes up with two SOC designs (which are essentially variations of one design) every year. That's compared with dozens of models from Intel. How exactly switching to their own chips is going to improve "availability" of chips?
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It's not hindered by iOS. It is hindered by the lack of apps to take advantage of the processing power.

The apps that need a lot of power usually run in non-interactive mode or require large screens to display the complex objects that they generate. None of it suits the tablets. Tablets are good for media consumption (especially the lighter tablets, 13" gets it too far) or sketching (very few customers). Apple might be running into a dead end with these performance and price increases for iPads.

 

[joueboy]

I think you missed his point here. What he meant (I believe) is that iOS doesn't take full advantage of the power and its kinda crippled as iOS was designed for iPhone at the start and it hasn't developed that much for the use in iPad Pros.
The reason, why people say these comments is because its kinda true. iOS needs to evolve and needs to evolve fast if they really want iPad Pros to be real computers.
Yes, you can do a lot on an iPad but no, you can't really call it a computer (yet) because of its limitation that is in the iOS.

Technically speaking the iOS development was first intended for a tablet and then saw it's potential for what we called now smartphone. By definition device is a computer and Apple advertise it as a computer and I'm 100% sure this is a computer. If you don't call this a computer then what is it? Would you care to explain...
Edit: Also I've seen professional used this device for their professional work like artists, photographers, film makers, university professors and even in medical fields.

 

[prasand]

iOS needs to evolve and needs to evolve fast if they really want iPad Pros to be real computers. Yes, you can do a lot on an iPad but no, you can't really call it a computer (yet) because of its limitation that is in the iOS.

The iPad is literally a computer. Anything outside the actual definition is bias / preference.

the upcoming Photoshop is just a crippled version of the desktop but good enough for basic editing.

The upcoming Photoshop is a full-fledged version, not crippled. The absence of Final Cut and Premier Pro are not because it lacks the power, but rather because the programs can't be compiled to run as their code exists. Different architectures require different programming. So either they haven't adapted the code as necessary, or they haven't released it yet.

 

[Piggie]

I think this is all amazing work and I love it.
However, I need to remember one very important point, and I think we must all remain aware of this.

These Apple chips are stunning. BUT they are only running iOS.

Let's see how they actually stack up against even current competition once they have the burden? or running a full OS such as MacOS or Windows.

If they can do that amazingly well, if not better THEN they will have my full admiration.

Or let's think of it another way, how well would the best Intel chip run iOS if Intel built it to run iOS ?

 

[redneckitengineer]

Shame this comment is not treated as spam that results in instaban.

iPad is possible because of iOS, not limited by it. The shame is that we have to listen to people repost and repost and repost and repost and repost and repost this same tired nonsense that has not an ounce of truth in it.

Ok. Fine. Let me justify myself before you troll me. Examples too.

iPad Pro with iOS:
- No native support for any external storage besides pics. Can’t plug a flash drive in to move files. Example: need to print document to hotel office copier. Put PDF on flash drive, walk to printer. I currently have to borrow someone’s PC, login to my webmail, download the file to drive, then can print.
- No mouse support. It’s a pain on web forms and large spreadsheets not having a scroll wheel and maneuverability. Try editing a video on iPad vs Mac.
- No true multi tasking. It’s a pain. Try to watch YouTube and do something else, not without paying for YT Red. Try side by side websites, nope.

The above are legitimate concerns that would be resolved with a desktop OS not a phone OS. Akin to Microsoft Surface Go.
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I think you missed his point here. What he meant (I believe) is that iOS doesn't take full advantage of the power and its kinda crippled as iOS was designed for iPhone at the start and it hasn't developed that much for the use in iPad Pros.
The reason, why people say these comments is because its kinda true. iOS needs to evolve and needs to evolve fast if they really want iPad Pros to be real computers.
Yes, you can do a lot on an iPad but no, you can't really call it a computer (yet) because of its limitation that is in the iOS.

Exactly

 

[gsurf123]

My bet is that’s why the Mac Pro is still a year away or more. What better way to start the transition to ARM than a very high end, developer targeted machine with lots of room to show off? The A12x is still very much a mobile chip, but taking AMD’s recent playbook with Threadripper plus Apple’s ARM building blocks, who knows?

No chance would they make the next MacPro with an ARM chip unless the emulation is out of this world.

 

[macfacts]

First three words tell you the most important part, "Apple marketing chief"

 

[Millah]

I think you missed his point here. What he meant (I believe) is that iOS doesn't take full advantage of the power and its kinda crippled as iOS was designed for iPhone at the start and it hasn't developed that much for the use in iPad Pros.
The reason, why people say these comments is because its kinda true. iOS needs to evolve and needs to evolve fast if they really want iPad Pros to be real computers.
Yes, you can do a lot on an iPad but no, you can't really call it a computer (yet) because of its limitation that is in the iOS.

Within the last 14 months, iOS on iPad implemented a substantial redesign and reimagining of the multitasking workflow on iPads which allows 3 applications to run simultaneously. In addition to the beginning blocks of a file system manager.

So yea, that’s not true. iOS is evolving pretty darn fast. In fact, some would say too fast, causing QA issues. It’s not there yet, but software never has a finish line. There are always things to improve. And that’s exactly what Apple is doing at a pretty rapid pace with a high degree of quality (contrary to what MR trolls claim).

 

[prasand]

Try to watch YouTube and do something else, not without paying for YT Red.

Umm, the fact that YouTube Red "can" do it, proves iOS is capable of it. YouTube has opted to make multi-tasking with its app a premium feature. That is not a limitation of iOS.

 

[sledgehammer89]

iPad is possible because of iOS

iPad is limited because of iOS.

Right now I sit in an ergonomic position in front of my 12" MacBook (on a stand) and can easily edit this text with an external Keyboard and external Trackpad. Without getting backaches or being frustrated while marking text for copy/paste.

Even this basic stuff is impossible with a $1800 USB-C iPad. On a gorgeous 12.9" display. What a shame.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Yes, Phil, it’s called the singularity, and it’s going to KILL US ALL! Glad you’re so happy about it.

View attachment 802192

"Can't start WWIII my ass!"

 

[omihek]

I think you missed his point here. What he meant (I believe) is that iOS doesn't take full advantage of the power and its kinda crippled as iOS was designed for iPhone at the start and it hasn't developed that much for the use in iPad Pros.
The reason, why people say these comments is because its kinda true. iOS needs to evolve and needs to evolve fast if they really want iPad Pros to be real computers.
Yes, you can do a lot on an iPad but no, you can't really call it a computer (yet) because of its limitation that is in the iOS.

That's why they don't call it a computer, they call it an iPad.

 

[mi7chy]

iOS is built on top of all the Mac OS technologies. They are almost the same thing...

They might share unix under the surface but they're on different ends of the spectrum like stripped down unix on an IoT device versus Redhat server.

 

[redneckitengineer]

Umm, the fact that YouTube Red "can" do it, proves iOS is capable of it. YouTube has opted to make multi-tasking with its app a premium feature. That is not a limitation of iOS.

I was referring to Safari based streaming, not the native app. Probably not the best example with YouTube. Any other streaming site in Safari, NHL clips of the day an example for me. The moment you move away from page, to new tab, other app, video stops. On a desktop OS, this doesn’t happen. Therefore it “IS” a limitation of IOS vs desktop class OS.

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

Umm, the fact that YouTube Red "can" do it, proves iOS is capable of it. YouTube has opted to make multi-tasking with its app a premium feature. That is not a limitation of iOS.

Even more proof is the fact that on iOS 12 you can actually full screen a video on YouTube.com and it will show you the Picture in Picture button

 

[mi7chy]

iOS doesn't rely on garbage collection like Android doe's and thus, needs much less memory - thumb of rule is 50%.

Wrong. It's a stripped down OS with limited background multitasking and a stripped down UI where you can't even place icons anywhere on the home screen. Pretty much a profit driven OS that's designed to run on minimal hardware to maximize profit.

Anyone who has ever run Linux and try different UI desktop environments will clearly understand.

http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/5-lightweight-linux-desktop-environments

 

[Gaprofitt]

I don't get it, with 6 inch phones who needs an Ipad Ipads are not computers. Still need a laptop for serious work.

 

[omihek]

As soon as it becomes practical to do so, there is no doubt that they will. Availability of chips is the number one thing that holds back a Mac refresh. When Apple is designing its own chip for whatever Mac they want to build, it is going to be a good day.

Lol that was a good laugh. Thanks for that. You actually think availability of chips is the number one thing holding back Mac refreshes? Well, here's the truth for you. Chip availability is not even on the list of reasons why Apple waits so long between Mac refreshes. They do it because of their ego, plain and simple.
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I don't get it, with 6 inch phones who needs a phone. Ipads are not computers. Still need a laptop for serious work.

Serious meaning coding? There are plenty of careers where it's possible to get all your work done just fine with "only" an iPad. Your serious work and someone else's serious work aren't the same thing.

 

[threesixty360]

I think you missed his point here. What he meant (I believe) is that iOS doesn't take full advantage of the power and its kinda crippled as iOS was designed for iPhone at the start and it hasn't developed that much for the use in iPad Pros.
The reason, why people say these comments is because its kinda true. iOS needs to evolve and needs to evolve fast if they really want iPad Pros to be real computers.
Yes, you can do a lot on an iPad but no, you can't really call it a computer (yet) because of its limitation that is in the iOS.

Can’t the iPad Pro’s be “different” computers rather than evolving to include the same baggage as existing computers?

I think that’s the point people are failing to understand. There isn’t just 1 way to do computing.

Just look at the a12 chip. Apple has single handily challenged the conventional wisdom of the chip making by developing custom processors. A concept that was meant to have died with the 80s and 90s computing. Ut the successfully challenged it.

If Apple weren’t making these chips companies like intel would have said it were impossible to do what Apple have done. But they’ve done it because they haven’t just copied the existing way things are now.

We really need to move forward. And I think if Apple listens to the people attacking the iPad they will be stuck in the past.

It’s ironic that the pro’s who are meant to be so technical and forward thinking are always the ones who hold back progress.