Multi-core iPhones in 2009? No

Thu, 01/08/2009 - 4:29pm — Seth Weintraub

There are some rumors around the net that can be traced back to the Apple Core about version 3.0 of the iPhone. The idea put forward was that a quad core processor would grace the next revision of the iPhone.

It won't. Let's just stop those rumors right here.

The ARM architecture for multi-core chips doesn't even start picking up steam until 2010. In 2009, the Cortex A8 will continue to gain momentum. Toward the end of the year, devices based on the A9 single core architecture could start appearing.

Today, Palm's Pre announcement included mention that it would have the TI OMAP3430, which is the fastest Processor available for mobile phones right now and it would hit the streets in mid 2009. It is based on the ARM Cortex A8. The A9 multi-core is two generations ahead of that.

To be fair to the Apple Core, they weren't really giving time-lines or specifically anything about the ARM chips that go into the iPhone. Would the graphics chips be quad core? Maaaybe. But probably not.

From TG Daily (RE: Imagination Chips)

I have said it before and I said it again: GPGPU acceleration may turn into the most significant hardware and software advances in decades and to see that technology emerge on the cellphone as well is exciting. However, Imagination has just begun to license the 543 design, which means that it will take about 18 months for phones that are equipped with the chip to become available for sale. The next iPhone may not get this chip, but rely on the current SGX version (which is a significant step up from the MBX chip.) But two generations out, the 543 could be a stunning platform and the iPhone may run applications you can only run on your PC today.

Will there be a quad-core iPhone? Probably, in 2010. Will you see it in 2009? Not very likely. Start thinking about Cortex A8 (no slouch) around, say July or earlier if we are lucky, depending on how long it takes PA Semi to crank out their version.

Don't believe me? Do a Google search. If anyone can find any roadmaps with multi-core Cortex A9's in 2009, we'll put it up.

( Filed Under:

iPhone - iPod

)

Comments

Multi-Core meet Snow Leopard

Thu, 01/08/2009 - 4:55pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Remeber, Apple is an investor in Imagination Technologies. They are releaseing a multi-core GPU that is much more powerful than the current iPhone GPU, as well as more energy efficient. Snow Leopard is said to be due mid year (or sooner). iPhone SDK updates have been really scarce lately. It is very possible that iPhone 3.0 will be based on Snow Leopard, leveraging OpenCL and thus turning a multi-core GPU into general processing power.

From TG Daily (RE: Imagine

Thu, 01/08/2009 - 5:01pm — admin

From TG Daily (RE: Imagine Chips)

Actually the A9 IP was

Thu, 01/08/2009 - 9:28pm — Pat (not verified)

Actually the A9 IP was released in Oct of 07 so first release could occur 2nd half of 09 or early 10, the PA Semi team has only been with Apple since April. So a July release would be an aggressive schedule, but you got to think SJ has a plan for a multi-core Iphone with Snow Leopard technologies Grand Central and Open CL. I would bet Apple is targeting an 09 release and will skip the A8 to deliver an A9 based system which no one can match and it will be available in time for the Christmas selling season.

The A9 and A9 multi core are

Thu, 01/08/2009 - 10:21pm — admin

The A9 and A9 multi core are 2 different generations of processors. the A9 we should start to see in some machines at the end of the year. The Multi core version is a genration behind that.

Bummer, I really wanted to

Thu, 01/08/2009 - 10:21pm — synthetic (not verified)

Bummer, I really wanted to compile scientific data on my phone.

HOW ABOUT MAC PROS? When is the update coming?

Tech predictions...

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 12:15am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Yeah... Also I read from this site 6 months ago that WiMAX was an important technology and way of the future. However now we can learn from tech news that operators and device manufactorers are generally abandoning WiMAX in favor of LTE. When it comes to technology predictions everyone has an opinion...

I would like to know when

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 2:24am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

I would like to know when Apple finaly releases there service for mutitask workaround. I thought they promised it by end of last year. Does anyone any news about that?

Thanks niels

If Apple have an ARM

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 2:29am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

If Apple have an ARM Architecture license (a fair guess) then they are free to develop any CPU implementation they like as long as it conforms to the ARMv7 architecture.

And remember, the first ARM architecture licensee was DEC with the StrongARM....the designers of which now work at Apple via PA Semi.

And PA Semi were developing multi-core PowerPC before they were snapped up.