Apple A4 SOC unveiled - It's an ARM CPU and the GPU!

BRIGHT SIDE OF NEWS ^ | Daniela Kustre

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Apple today didn't introduce just a new product, but rather an entrance into the world of fabless semiconductors with their A4 CPU, which is not a CPU at all. Meet the A4.

During the GlobalFoundries event in Las Vegas, we spoke with Warren East, CEO of ARM. We discussed many trends in the industry and also learned about the new member of the family, which we can now reveal as the Apple Inc. This wasn't as surprising, given the previous history between PA Semi and ARM [PA Semi founder Dan Dobberpuhl was a lead designer at Digital Equipment Corporation on Alpha and StrongARM processors].

Getting back to Apple A4, Steve Jobs incorrectly addressed Apple A4 as a CPU. We're not sure was this to keep the mainstream press enthused, but A4 is not a CPU. Or we should say, it's not just a CPU. Nor did PA Semi/Apple had anything to do with the creation of the CPU component.

A4 is a System-on-a-Chip, or SOC, that integrates the main processor [ARM Cortex-A9, identical to ones used in nVidia Tegra and Qualcomm Snapdragon] with graphics silicon [ARM Mali GPU], and other functions like the memory controller on one piece of silicon - not unlike what Intel is trying to achieve with its future "Moorestown" Atom processor that debuted inside LG's Smartphone. http://scoop.intel.com/2010/01/intel-moorestown-smartphones-at-ces.php

The A stands obviously for Apple, .....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Info on the Apple iPad processor....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Adding this:

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Update #1, January 28, 2010 22:22 GMT/UTC - Following the request for comments, we were incline to update the story. First of all, we do not have concrete information about the number of cores inside the Apple A4 "CPU that it isn't" i.e. A4 SOC. We were told that the ARM licensed its CPU and GPU technology to Apple. That's it. Out of that technology, Cortex-A9 is intended for manufacturing in advanced manufacturing process such as 45nm, 40nm, 28nm and so on, while Cortex-A8 doesn't have advanced video processing capabilities that Cortex-A9 has. As the time progresses, we'll know more about what LEGO brick components did Apple use to create the A4. One thing is certain - it uses ARM IP throughout the silicon.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Related article:

ARM announces Atom killer, goes for Intel's jugular

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9/17/2009 by: John Oram

ARM recently announced the development of two Cortex-A9 hard macro for the TSMC 40nm-G [general purpose, as opposed to the conventional low power - 40nm-L] process. This is almost the identical process used by nVidia and AMD for several of their 40nm parts [majority of GPUs uses 40nm-P, high performance node]. They claim the clock speed can be in excess of 2GHz.

ARM is aiming their dual-core Cortex-A9 design directly at Intel's Atom which currently owns the netbook marketplace. ARM is still facing the hurdle of not having Microsoft's Windows XP or Windows 7 as operating system choices. Their CPUs can run Windows CE, Windows Mobile, Linux, Android, Symbian, and other proprietary real time operating systems for embedded products. What makes the situation potentially worse for Microsoft is the fact that Qualcomm and nVidia are pushing their smartbook designs to telecom operators and that might potentially limit the success of Windows 7-based netbooks.

ARM Cortex-A9 Microarchitecture - this is how a single A9 core looks like.

When Google introduced Chrome they said it would run on both x86 as well as ARM chips and they were working with multiple OEMs to bring a number of netbooks to market next year.

Nandan Nayampally, director of CPU marketing at ARM said that the latest processor is an attempt by ARM to show that it can raise clock speeds if needed. The dual-core ARM processor while running at 2GHz consumes mere 1.9 Watts of power and that is nowhere near the highest clock achievable by the architecture. The processor delivered better performance than Intel's Atom N270 netbook chip operating at 1.6GHz, according to benchmarks provided by ARM.

[HangnJudge]

Good discussion on subject

http://www.macworld.com/article/145998/2010/01/apple_a4.html?lsrc=rss_main

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks...also found this:

Adobe: We want Flash developers on the iPad

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Adobe Systems reached out to Flash developers in the wake of Apple’s iPad announcement, saying it plans to add support for the iPad’s higher screen resolution to its upcoming Packager for iPhone development tool.

While the iPad offers a significantly larger screen and packs more powerful hardware than the iPhone and iPod Touch, it won’t support Flash when released in the coming months.

Flash developers can use Adobe’s upcoming Packager for iPhone tool to convert Flash content into applications that can run on the iPad. But they won’t immediately be able to take advantage of the iPad screen’s resolution of 1,024 pixels by 768 pixels, the company said in a blog post. That will come later.

[r9etb]

Apple A4 SOC unveiled - It's an ARM CPU and the GPU!

OMG! WTF! BFD!

[09Patriot]

it is actually, hell I think I might buy this apple product. SOC’s and ARM’s are the awesome

[Marine_Uncle]

Interesting post E. Thanks.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Swordmaker and Ernest_at_the_Beach.

...not unlike what Intel is trying to achieve with its future "Moorestown" Atom processor that debuted inside LG's Smartphone.

I recall reading how, when Jobs got done agreeing to buy what was then the next-gen 68K family chip, he told Motorola's people, "I'll sure be glad to be rid of you." :') The iPad was only made possible by a chip with the capabilities (including low power consumption) that could satisfy this guy. :') I was looking around for deals (last ones, display models, in Macs of course) at the Big Box store tonight, found nothin', and cruised the netbooks. That was a busy aisle, had to come at it from the back end. Anyway, there's an Atom-based desktop unit (I forget which manufacturer, but I think it was Acer) that stands on end, is about an inch wide and six square, $199.

Earlier I went to the Apple store, and it was PACKED. No floor model of the iPad though, which is really what I wanted to check out.

[SunkenCiv]

a small selection, thanks Swordmaker:

• Apple Orders 10 Million Tablets? Sound Fishy
• The world doesn't need an Apple tablet, or any other
• The Apple tablet and its potential
• Apple competitors betting tablets will take off
• Check Expectations for Apple's Tablet at the Door
• Apple Said to Plan Tablet PC Introduction This Month (Update1)
• Apple's iTunes Cloud is real, coming in 2010
• ARM wrestling: Apple iPad chip to overpower rivals? ( What chip for the new Apple Tablet?)
• Confirmed! Picture of Apple Tablet!
• Earthquake Survivor Calls iPhone a Life Saver
• Apple Files Request to Take iPad Trademark From Fujitsu
• Apple's rumored tablet may write next chapter in publishing
• Apple's Mysterious Slate: Betting the Company One More Time
• The Tale of Steve Jobs and the Five Dragons
• It's the i-Pad. Via Twitter
• It's called the iPad...
• iPad: The Greatest Disappointment in Human History
• iPad's Identity Crisis and Apple's A4 CPU Showstopper ( What is this A4???)