Apple inside: the significance of the iPad's A4 chip

[btfc]

Interesting read:

http://www.macworld.com/article/145998/2...c=rss_main

[onthedownlow]

Good read. Thanks.

I posted this below on another site too:

What I think would be nice and possibly what Apple may pull out of the hat, at some point, is to give the iPad (future) functionality like in the DualCor UMPC that had some buzz several years back:

http://www.umpc.se/category/dualcor/

http://www.engadget.com/search/?q=cpc


...essentially giving an iPad the ability to flip between a traditional Mac OS and the iPod/iPhone OS - dual-platform of Desktop and Mobile OSes. How killer of a device would that be? Best of both worlds, especially in terms of apps and battery-life.

I don't see this happening until they at least include a camera in the device, standard I/O ports (doesn't have to be many, but at least a couple+), and possibly additional (larger) storage options when economically feasible. Remember that in some devices functionality has simply been added by a software/firmware update; remember 802.11n additions in Airport Extreme (G) cards? How about Bluetooth in iPod Touch models? The ability was always there until Apple gave the go-ahead to use it.

Until we know more about Apple's A4 processor, what it can do, and any future roadmap that might be revealed...the iPad very well could be more promising than the more lukewarm reception is currently has received.

It seems like the logical, evolutionary thing to do - especially with a device that 'large' and very capable of achieving the feat. Like most, at face-value I was a little underwhelmed at the iPad because everyone was expecting so much (or at least a little) more, but the key lies in the future features that are sleeping under the hood and also any additional, physical features in models-to-come. Apple with wake them all up some day. : )

[RAMd®d]

Interesting indeed.

Thanks for the link.

[Mini 9]

I think the Lenovo U1's ability to switch between Windows and Linux (?) is interesting.

[Jimmypoo]

>>I don't see this happening until they at least include a camera in the device, standard I/O ports



It won't need more than the "super port" they have been working on with Intel (though even USB3 would help).

[cbelt3]

It's been YEARS since a 'computer maker' made the CPU and the computer itself. Interesting...

[Jimmypoo]

Wow - no wonder Apple snatched Mr PowerPC from IBM.

This means a LOT more than just a tablet coming to the shelves.

It's going to mean an entirely new class of phones/iPods come summer, with what is essentially
a 1GHz G5 inside.

[RAMd®d]

How killer of a device would that be? Best of both worlds, especially in terms of apps and battery-life.

I don't think that makes a killer device at all. It actually sounds like a waste of hardware or overwhelmed hardware as that would also be the worst of both worlds.

For any of that to make sense, one has to define the device and it's purpose, rather than make an excuse to put more stuff on a device intended for a different market.

[mattkime]

Jimmypoo wrote:
It's going to mean an entirely new class of phones/iPods come summer, with what is essentially
a 1GHz G5 inside.

not necessarily, this is an arm chip - similar to the existing chips in ipodphones. it sounds to me like the main difference is the integrated GPU which seems unlikely it would show up in smaller devices.

[Jimmypoo]

ARM, LEG, who cares! I want that dual G5 they made in my next phone!