Key iOS Chip Architect Gerard Williams III Departs Apple

[MacRumors]

Gerard Williams III, lead designer of Apple's custom iOS chips from A7 to A12X, has departed the company, according to CNET. While no indication of a change has been made on his LinkedIn profile, it does offer a glimpse into his design prowess.

Williams' presence goes back even further into Apple device history, as he served as the technical lead for the Cortex-A8 design, ARM's first superscalar core design and the heart of the iPhone 3GS. His role evidently grew over the years, with CPU architecture responsibilities eventually evolving into ownership of the entire system on chip (SoC), which houses CPU, graphics, image processing, secure enclave, motion, and AI cores.

A look at his patent portfolio shows he was a key force behind Apple's foray into mixed CPU core clusters starting with the A10 Fusion chip, and transitioning into full heterogeneous cores with the A11 Bionic. His body of work also includes an emphasis on cache, memory, and energy efficiency. These have become key differentiating features as seen in performance benchmarking from sites such as AnandTech.

He came to Apple with a splash, as the A7 was Apple's first 64-bit CPU core. This design arrived on the market over a full year before competitors like Qualcomm and Samsung could respond and largely cemented the technical prowess of the SoC team Apple had created.

If confirmed, his departure would follow the more well-known CPU architect Jim Keller, who was part of Apple's acquisition of PA Semi. More recently, Apple's SoC team lost its lead Manu Gulati, whose vacated role was assumed by Williams. Apple has had some success at retaining key technical executives, however, as the recent rumors of SVP of Hardware Technologies Johnny Srouji's candidacy for Intel CEO fizzled out. Apple also managed to keep Bob Mansfield despite having announced his retirement.

As for potential destinations, Intel has become the number one destination for high-profile technical leads, as they have lured many key AMD executives, as well as former Apple lead Jim Keller. Intel has been absorbing members of the press as well as it seeks to reclaim its technical leadership in the industry, taking on long-tenured PC Perspective writers, including editor-in-chief Ryan Shrout.

Article Link: Key iOS Chip Architect Gerard Williams III Departs Apple

 

[newyorksole]

I wonder if these people leaving are going to different companies or just retiring from work.

 

[IRockThat828pScreen]

This really is the worst week for Apple in recent memory

 

[xnu]

He was only staying on so he could get a employee discount on his AirPower, and whelp.... Seriously though, I hope that he is moving on to something great. Thank you for all the great chips!

 

[cmaier]

Architects are a lot less important in CPU design than you’d think. (Not that they aren’t important, but everybody is replaceable, and Apple’s advantage is primarily in design, not architecture).

 

[nathan_reilly]

i loved my iPhone 5S. very impressive body of work!

 

[Costino1]

everyone collecting their vested stocks and going to be an advisor at another company for the same salary but working 10% the same

 

[mhd2100]

Apple's last lead over its competitors with the iPhone is now starting to erode away....

 

[cmaier]

Apple's last lead over its competitors in the iPhone is now starting to erode away....

Not as long as all their competitors are using Synopsys to compile verilog into netlists, they are not.

 

[Aluminum213]

Tim Apple probably had him working on the AirPower the last few years

Don’t blame him

 

[jjhny]

I think Eddy Cue gets all the resources.

We may not get new hardware - but we will have the best hip-hop music ever. And maybe more carpool karaoke. /s

 

[AngerDanger]

If confirmed, his departure would follow the more well-known CPU architect Jim Keller, who was part of Apple's acquisition of PA Semi. More recently, Apple's SoC team lost its lead Manu Gulati, whose vacated role was assumed by Williams.

Man, it's going to be open season for Qualcomm engineers…

Like a buck can be discerned from a doe by its antlers, engineers are given away by their thick glasses, flannel shirts, and lustrous hipster facial hair.

 

[MonkeyOnYourShoulder]

Que Gerard, Gerard... whatever will be, will be.

 

[Gogeta-Blue]

Architects are a lot less important in CPU design than you’d think. (Not that they aren’t important, but everybody is replaceable, and Apple’s advantage is primarily in design, not architecture).

totally agreed "everybody is replaceable"
so why some people think Tim is not replaceable
he should be the first one out the door

people that love services will love apple
people that love computers, devices etc
might not be so happy with apple lately
while many will still defend apple, others like me will simply call it like it is
no innovation and abandonware
that includes the Mac Pro and also let's promise and announce and not deliver air power
I think I said enough but I think I have some more things to say
let me just get it off my chest

can't wait to get rid of Tim, ever since he became apple CEO
the keynotes sucks big time, sorry but he doesn't have any charisma, he doesn't connect
at least not with me, apple is not like it used to be

hope someone comes alone that can turn this around
we need someone cool who also talks and understand technology
Tim just talk about percentage and numbers
sorry but that is the way I feel
nothing personal Tim, just business
[doublepost=1553964230][/doublepost]the reason why that man left is obvious
also the timing might be an indication
apple doesn't care about hardware anymore

 

[nouveau_redneck]

Too bad. People like Williams should stay. Fossils like Ive should go.

 

[Precursor]

I wonder if these people leaving are going to different companies or just retiring from work.

Or death threats from Intel? lol

 

[citysnaps]

I wonder if these people leaving are going to different companies or just retiring from work.

Hard to say... Having worked in the area a long time, I can say people come and go all the time at Silicon Valley companies, for a wide range of reasons. Not a biggie...
[doublepost=1553964807][/doublepost]

This really is the worst week for Apple in recent memory

Why is that? I think it's been an outstanding week for Apple.

 

[cmaier]

Hard to say... People come and go all the time in Silicon Valley companies, for a wide range of reasons. Not a biggie...
[doublepost=1553964807][/doublepost]

Why is that?

Agreed. The longest i stayed at one company while designing CPUs was 9 years, and at the end of that I was considered a weirdo for being in one place that long.

 

[intz2nu]

Expect the same chips now to be used for future iPhones now? LoLoL!

 

[MX20]

Tim Cook lost all of its credibility to lead . It created the most bizarre notch screen on the iPhone which absolutely makes no sense and isn’t a good exemplary.

It’s obvious that Tim Cook is not upholding the gold standard of its company product.

 

[scrapesleon]

Dude probably realized his full potential Apple been holding him back

 

[realtuner]

Apple is clearly doomed.

A senior staff member, who nobody has ever heard of before, who performs a job that nobody really understands, is suddenly a “big problem” for Apple?


BTW, I think it’s safe to say he oversaw the A7 to A13, since the A13 is essentially completed and Apple is likely getting samples made before moving into mass production for the next iPhone. In fact, he probably had plenty to do with the A14 as well.

 

[Dulcimer]

Architects are a lot less important in CPU design than you’d think. (Not that they aren’t important, but everybody is replaceable, and Apple’s advantage is primarily in design, not architecture).

What does it mean to have an advantage in design and not architecture?

 

[citysnaps]

Agreed. The longest i stayed at one company while designing CPUs was 9 years, and at the end of that I was considered a weirdo for being in one place that long.

It's the nature of that very unique geographical area. So much opportunity and choice. Clearly the best experiences of my engineering life. Started at NASA Ames, went into defense at a company in Sunnyvale, then a small defense startup a few blocks away, then a fabless semiconductor company in Palo Alto, and with consulting here and there along the way.

 

[bernuli]

Architects are a lot less important in CPU design than you’d think. (Not that they aren’t important, but everybody is replaceable, and Apple’s advantage is primarily in design, not architecture).

When MagSafe left, Apple replaced it with a Thunderbolt Port. I was not impressed.