New Multi-Core iPhone with Firmware 3.0?

[QuantumLo0p]

Wow, very cool news.

This is much more interesting than the non-event that just happened and also the GALH. (the Gaping Apple Lineup Hole)


Tangent....
Perhaps this will help Apple stock climb up from its recent dip that resulted from that waste-O-time-non-event. Maybe Apple will learn to keep moving forward and not rely on it laurels.

 

[lazyrighteye]

What if iPhone software 3.0 was really intended to power the new MacTablet that's going to come out? Maybe that's the device that could really benefit from that type of optimization.

*walks away whistling as the eager kids jump on the remarks*

jW

This implementation seem more plausible to me that in a phone.

 

[gnasher729]

An iPhone has not got the juice to support a quad processor.

Of course it has. Four cores running at half speed each use the same power as a single core at full speed at twice the total performance.

i have seen a ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore whith 4 cores benchmark and and it performs is similar to 70-80 % of intel core 2 it may out perform mobile parts by intel than for them for just part of the power needed to run a similar intel part

Last time I wrote some serious ARM code, I measured that a 200 MHz ARM had performance equivalent to an 800 MHz Pentium IV. Now Intel has improved a lot, but I think ARM has as well.

 

[ChuckG]

Well, this certainly comes as a relief having seen the new Palm Pre unearthed. With a much more powerful chip, I'm sure the iPhone UI is about to get its biggest graphics and hardware update.

More HUD-like transparencies, 3d interfaces and animations, copy+paste, background processes, and notifications should be in iPhone 3.0. Not to mention a real turn-by-turn GPS app.

From what I've seen, the new Palm device has some UI candy that is making me (an iPhone user) jealous. Their induction-based charger completely beat Apple to the punch.

 

[Indy21]

Well, this certainly comes as a relief having seen the new Palm Pre unearthed. With a much more powerful chip, I'm sure the iPhone UI is about to get its biggest graphics and hardware update.

More HUD-like transparencies, 3d interfaces and animations, copy+paste, background processes, and notifications should be in iPhone 3.0. Not to mention a real turn-by-turn GPS app.

From what I've seen, the new Palm device has some UI candy that is making me (an iPhone user) jealous. Their induction-based charger completely beat Apple to the punch.

I was juuust about to mention the palm pre before I read your post.

Wasn't the 'pre' announced today? Or am I wrong?

I guess this is why were getting this juicy piece of a rumor this afternoon wouldn't you think?

 

[chrmjenkins]

I personally don't see a reason for anything more than a dual-core iphone. Assuming it is still a single-task device, one core handles the current process and the other handles anything going on in the background.

Similarly, as someone mentioned, the Cortex line is not made for devices as small as the iphone. It is made for things like MIDs, and they want to put them in netbooks. I think the prudent thing to do is take advantage of process shrinks and custom designed SoCs.

 

[Indy21]

Well, this certainly comes as a relief having seen the new Palm Pre unearthed. With a much more powerful chip, I'm sure the iPhone UI is about to get its biggest graphics and hardware update.

More HUD-like transparencies, 3d interfaces and animations, copy+paste, background processes, and notifications should be in iPhone 3.0. Not to mention a real turn-by-turn GPS app.

From what I've seen, the new Palm device has some UI candy that is making me (an iPhone user) jealous. Their induction-based charger completely beat Apple to the punch.

Tell me more please.

Any good links with info on processor and this charger you speak of?

k, thanks.

 

[areyouwishing]

Wow, surprised I didn't see anyone comment about the Pre by Palm.

Calendar in iPhone still can't use multiple calendar sources (exchange, gmail, facebook) and it certainly can't show the concurrently.

I cannot go from 3rd party app directly to 3rd party app without making a pitstop at the home screen.

I still don't have spotlight/inquisitor for the entire phone (gotta go to safari to search the web, gotta go to contacts to search for them, and forget searching email)

I still don't have turn by turn directions.

Still no flash on the camera

still no option of a physical keyboard

I still can't read a consolidated inbox that shows ALL my inbound email (from multiple accounts)

Still can't have 2 drafts open at the same time

still don't have native unified messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) in a single thread

BUT I am getting 4 cores...AWESOME DUDE!

 

[ivladster]

logic?

Think about it? Does apple really wants such power to a phone. I mean they have so many other plans for iPhone. I think this power is for something else. Remember iPhone was in such secrecy that people couldn't believe that Apple was researching portable chips etc.
I think something else Touchy is coming.

 

[Masquerade]

i couldnt preview quad-core chips in iphone soon because there are phones like omnia that have chips from imagination more advanced (with open gl es 2) than the current iphone 3g and those were disponible long time before the iphone 3g production.

 

[ieko]

Wow, surprised I didn't see anyone comment about the Pre by Palm.

Calendar in iPhone still can't use multiple calendar sources (exchange, gmail, facebook) and it certainly can't show the concurrently.

I cannot go from 3rd party app directly to 3rd party app without making a pitstop at the home screen.

I still don't have spotlight/inquisitor for the entire phone (gotta go to safari to search the web, gotta go to contacts to search for them, and forget searching email)

I still don't have turn by turn directions.

Still no flash on the camera

still no option of a physical keyboard

I still can't read a consolidated inbox that shows ALL my inbound email (from multiple accounts)

Still can't have 2 drafts open at the same time

still don't have native unified messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) in a single thread

BUT I am getting 4 cores...AWESOME DUDE!

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing -- I'm surprised there isn't a news thread about the pre here.

Basically, I love my iPhone, hate AT&T (200 or 1500 txt messages, come on?) and from what I can tell the Pre has everything I want and more that the iPhone doesn't offer. I want a Palm Pre on Verizon, now.

 

[wonderkid]

Dude, note I mention 'slide out keyboard'...

Power? My iPod touch 2G runs a flight sim called X-Plane that allows me to throw an Airbus 380 around at 30FPS with full texture mapping. And if you're referring to power consumption, my iPod runs all day.

Tripple the performance, size and price, and you have your iBook Touch.

Wonderkid out

Um, first off. Power.

Second, size. As much as I like my iPhone, I simply much prefer using my MacBook Pro for everyday things. I can type at 90+ words per minute (I can do something like 30 on the iPhone), and big screen size, can multitask, do anything.

 

[eedna]

i just want flash support damnit

 

[basesloaded190]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing -- I'm surprised there isn't a news thread about the pre here.

Basically, I love my iPhone, hate AT&T (200 or 1500 txt messages, come on?) and from what I can tell the Pre has everything I want and more that the iPhone doesn't offer. I want a Palm Pre on Verizon, now.

There is a thread on the Pre.
Not going to happen on Verizon, They seem set on a Sprint only release

 

[dentaldoc]

The "Source–erors"

So soon after this disastrous Macworld, you "source-erors" are already out with more predictions; I don't see how you so-called reporters have the chutzpa to be making any references to "reliable sources". Is this a (bad) joke?

The Mini "source-erors" were supposedly so reliable that they could recite dozens of details about the machine, such as SATA drives, Superdrive-to-SATA HD swaps, amount of maximum RAM, material for the case including the color, exact chipset, how many USB connections, what version of Firewire, etc, etc! Even the design of the lip around the box so as to disguise and unify the look of a SuperDrive vs a dual HD configuration.

It seems like these days anybody can hallucinate anything, provide zero corroborating evidence, and you guys just suck it up, and refer to your "reliable sources". Who are these reliable sources? Do they live on snow-covered mountaintops in Nepal receiving their knowledge through "Mini" meditations?

In rational places this is known as "wishful thinking" and sometimes as lying. And that's all it was. In retrospect, you had nothing but your desire for these things to come true. And apparently believed the premise that if you repeat something enough times it will come true.

So here goes; Here is what I heard from my "resource–eror": the new Mini is indeed coming, next month. It had been delayed because Apple needed a little extra time to perfect their new genetically engineered green frogs whose brains have been configured to function as the CPU's, and furthermore, as the frogs procreate inside each machine (the heat inside the machine stimulates the activity of these ectotherms) the number of processors increases, giving you continuously increasing power when you need it. The only drawback is that you have to have a continuous supply of dead flies to keep the frogs working (this is a documented bug). But, as even Apple has admitted, no computer is truly "bug–free".

Another fact from my "resource–erors": This will certainly be the greenest machine Apple, or anyone else for that matter, has ever put forth.

Please don't trip over each other to be the first to get the story from this "source–eror" on to your rumor site. It a big one.

 

[Nikos]

lol @ the iPhone possibly getting quad core processors before MacBooks. Also, as a gamer, I don't see it taking over the gaming market in the slightest bit unless it has regular buttons.

 

[basesloaded190]

So soon after this disastrous Macworld, you "source-erors" are already out with more predictions; I don't see how you so-called reporters have the chutzpa to be making any references to "reliable sources". Is this a (bad) joke?

The Mini "source-erors" were supposedly so reliable that they could recite dozens of details about the machine, such as SATA drives, Superdrive-to-SATA HD swaps, amount of maximum RAM, material for the case including the color, exact chipset, how many USB connections, what version of Firewire, etc, etc! Even the design of the lip around the box so as to disguise and unify the look of a SuperDrive vs a dual HD configuration.

It seems like these days anybody can hallucinate anything, provide zero corroborating evidence, and you guys just suck it up, and refer to your "reliable sources". Who are these reliable sources? Do they live on snow-covered mountaintops in Nepal receiving their knowledge through "Mini" meditations?

In rational places this is known as "wishful thinking" and sometimes as lying. And that's all it was. In retrospect, you had nothing but your desire for these things to come true. And apparently believed the premise that if you repeat something enough times it will come true.

So here goes; Here is what I heard from my "resource–eror": the new Mini is indeed coming, next month. It had been delayed because Apple needed a little extra time to perfect their new genetically engineered green frogs whose brains have been configured to function as the CPU's, and furthermore, as the frogs procreate inside each machine (the heat inside the machine stimulates the activity of these ectotherms) the number of processors increases, giving you continuously increasing power when you need it. The only drawback is that you have to have a continuous supply of dead flies to keep the frogs working (this is a documented bug) But, as even Apple has admitted, no computer is truly "bug–free".

Another fact from my "resource–erors": This will certainly be the greenest machine Apple, or anyone else for that matter, has ever put forth.

Please don't trip over each other to be the first to get the story from this "source–eror" on to your rumor site. It a big one.

They Call this site MacRumors for a reason.
If you don't have anything to contribute to this thread please don't bother

 

[oticon6]

I'm pretty sure this rumour would be false. The biggest issue with programming for the iPhone is not the processor speed but the memory speed. Things that occur really quickly on a desktop take an incredibly long time on portable devices, and it's always been this way. Unless Apple has developed new RAM technology (doubt it), we won't be seeing much more performance from the iPhone.

I'm guessing Apple is planning on an ARM-based netbook... which is an interesting approach. If they want it to run full OSX, we'll need an Intel-to-ARM compatibility layer and incentive for developers to start on yet another platform. They did a good job with Rosetta though, and Cocoa is pretty versatile... it'd be out there, but not ridiculous.

 

[actionbastard]

It's very troubling...

That the lack of product introduction at this year's Macworld has made the entire Macintosh community delusional. NO ARM A10 multi-cores until 2010 -at the earliest- 2011 is more likely. Take a break. Relax. Go play Tetris.

 

[ChuckG]

Tell me more please.

Any good links with info on processor and this charger you speak of?

k, thanks.

I am referring to the overall innovations presented by Palm. Today's announcements were the most innovative in the industry since MW07.

More info on the charger here

Engadget on the chip:"TI's new OMAP CPU under the hood -- which Palm claims provides laptop-style power"

More info on the chip here here

"With more than four times the processing capability of today's 300 MHz ARM9 processor-based devices, the superscalar Cortex-A8 processor runs up to 600 MHz and is integrated into four new OMAP35x applications processors for a wide range of possible applications, including portable infotainment and industrial devices, points of sale, digital signage and low-power medical devices."

 

[DMann]

I do see dual-core ARM coming to the iPhone since it'll definitely put the iPhone ahead of the competition. I don't think quad-core is likely though. As others have said, the performance requirement just isn't there to make it worthwhile. And besides, I thought the quad-core ARM designs were primarily aimed at set-top boxes, in dash computers, MIDs, and other larger devices rather than a smartphone.

Think Snow Leopard...

 

[vansouza]

ZDNet reports that the iPhone 3.0 firmware will support quad-core processors in an upcoming iPhone hardware revision. While Apple has not yet detailed iPhone 3.0 firmware, MacRumors has independently heard of this same multi-core support in the 3.0 firmware which should accompany the next iPhone.

Meanwhile, Imagination Technologies is announcing a multi-core GPU that could be suitable for iPhone use. Apple, an investor in Imagination Technologies, presently uses a less powerful version of their PowerVR GPU in the iPhone and iPod touch.

The likely candidate for the new iPhone's CPU, however, is a derivative of the ARM Cortex A9 multi-core processor. The ARM Cortex has excellent power efficiency, well ahead of Intel's Atom offerings. Apple appears to be an ARM architectural licensee and their acquisition of P.A. Semi has brought low-power chip design expertise into the company.

Article Link: New Multi-Core iPhone with Firmware 3.0?

I take it these are the same sources that said the Mac mini was getting upgraded at MWorld... along with the other rumors... from strong sources.

 

[ChuckG]

I was juuust about to mention the palm pre before I read your post.

Wasn't the 'pre' announced today? Or am I wrong?

I guess this is why were getting this juicy piece of a rumor this afternoon wouldn't you think?

Exactly Indy. It was announced just today.

The timing of these types of new Apple stories are all too convenient to deflect what was the most exciting device announcement of the year, so far.

In the long run, I'm sure Apple's newly found chip expertise will squash Palm's Pre in performance. The fact that Palm's efforts are being led by an ex-Apple exec makes me wary and hopeful its innovation will keep the iPhone division on their toes after half-baked offerings from RIM, LG, and HTC.

I reckon only Palm and Msft can build iPhone-worthy competitors due to their competence on both soft/hard ware.

 

[Indy21]

I am referring to the overall innovations presented by Palm. Today's announcements were the most innovative in the industry since MW07.

More info on the charger here

Engadget on the chip:"TI's new OMAP CPU under the hood -- which Palm claims provides laptop-style power"

More info on the chip here here

"With more than four times the processing capability of today's 300 MHz ARM9 processor-based devices, the superscalar Cortex-A8 processor runs up to 600 MHz and is integrated into four new OMAP35x applications processors for a wide range of possible applications, including portable infotainment and industrial devices, points of sale, digital signage and low-power medical devices."

Thank You.

It seems like these days anybody can hallucinate anything, provide zero corroborating evidence, and you guys just suck it up, and refer to your "reliable sources". Who are these reliable sources? Do they live on snow-covered mountaintops in Nepal receiving their knowledge through "Mini" meditations?

LMFAO!!! Hahaha. Good Stuff right there.

 

[joemama]

Quad Core???!!? Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Let's work on being able to send a photo from your iPhone first.....(and don't reply with "you can via emai...")

Let's work on running Flash