Why ARM CPUs look set to end the x86 computing era

ARM's new 64-bit cores are coming next year

Is the era of x86 over? Not yet, but maybe soon if the weight of ARM-related processor developments is anything to go by, including AMD's recent ARM chip announcement.

Adding flesh to the bones of the increasingly scary looking ARM beast are a pair of new processor cores. The first is just becoming available now, the second looks set to raise the bar even higher in late 2013 or early 2014.

First up we have the ARM Cortex A15 core. It's the processor architecture you can increasingly expect to find powering high end phones and tablets over the next six months.

Out of order!

It's a triple issue, properly out-of-order CPU core. If that's just so much digital double speak, the take-home notion is that A15 does much more work per operating cycle than previous ARM cores, including ARM Cortex A9, a current favourite in phones and tablets.

The interesting comparison here is with Intel's ultramobile Atom core. Given Intel's track record for producing chips with epic instructions-per-clock capability, it's ironic to note that Atom remains a simple in-order design at a time when ARM is delivering more complex out-of-order designs.

Anywho, early benchmarks indicate ARM Cortex A15 has Atom soundly beaten. Of course, Intel is planning to finally update the Atom core next year. To date, all Atoms have been built around essentially the same processor core.

Next year's updated Atom is expected to make the move to out-of-order execution and thus bring a big boost in performance. Problem is, by then ARM has something even beastlier planned.

Say hello to 64-bit

I speak of the ARM Cortex A50 series. Two versions have been announced, the A53 and A57. In simple terms, you could say they're just 64-bit versions of existing ARM 32-bit cores. So the A53 is a 64-bit Cortex A7, the A57 a 64-bit A15.

The former is claimed to deliver the same performance as existing ARM chips, but with a fairly epic 4x improvement in power efficiency. Superphones that last a lot longer between charges is the implication.

But it's the top ranking A57 that's really interesting. Tweaks to the existing A15 pipeline, along with wider floating point execution, are said to boost performance by 30 to 40 per cent over A15.

And remember, A15 is probably over twice as fast as existing ARM cores and perhaps 50 per cent or more faster than existing Atom cores. So A15 with a 40 per cent boost is going to be one hell of an ultramobile CPU core.

Setting sights on servers

Actually, it's going to be more than that. With A57, ARM also has server computers in its sights. That's very much Intel's heartland of course.

Another interesting twist is big.LITTLE, ARM's strategy of mixing core types in a single processor. So you could have a smartphone with two A53 cores which provide excellent efficiency for simple tasks, and a pair of A57s for when you need maximum performance.

Put it altogether and you have a package that easily outstrips anything Intel's existing Atom chips can offer. Given that Intel is trying to break into the smartphone and tablet market, currently, that's hardly ideal.

Then again, maybe next year's new Atom will blow the ARMs off everything that came before. One thing's for sure. The desktop CPU war is over. Intel Core versus AMD FX? Fuggedabowdit. It's all about ultramobile.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-phones/phone-and-communications/tablets/mobile-computing/laptops/computing-components/processors/pc/computing/why-arm-cpus-look-set-to-end-the-x86-computing-era-1109622

Read More

Amazon kills the Kindle DX, but may revive Texas Instrument’s abandoned chip division

Amazon looks to have discontinued its long-ignored Kindle DX e-reader, and is also rumored to be bidding for Texas Instruments’ processor division, which could give it leverage over competitors Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

Amazon is making headlines today for announcing the death of a product that never quite caught on, the Kindle DX, and for potentially breathing new life into Texas Instruments’ recently abandoned processor division.

Kindle DX dies

First, the Kindle DX. Released in 2009, the combination of an E Ink screen, 9.7-inch screen, free 3G, long battery life, and access to Amazon’s extensive library certainly sounded like a recipe for success. But apart from the big screen, the DX offered little over the smaller, cheaper, and considerably more portable standard Kindle. Couple that with the release of the Apple iPad a year later, and the Kindle DX became another casualty of the tablet revolution. 

Any popularity the DX did have has clearly waned enough for Amazon to admit defeat, as the Kindle DX is no longer directly available on its website, with only third-party companies continuing to gamely advertise the man-sized e-reader. Will it be missed? Like all niche devices, it will always have a hardcore fan base, but it’s difficult to imagine anyone choosing a DX over a Kindle Fire and a standard Kindle e-reader these days.

This is particularly applicable internationally, as Amazon never released the DX outside the United States, preferring to offer an import service instead. Have a guess at how much you’d have to shell out for a DX in the UK back in 2010? A mere $600 or £375. Bargain.

Amazon ponders TI processor purchase

But, the circle of life continues at Amazon, and a rumor has linked the company with the potential purchase Texas Instruments’ processor division, at least according to a reporter for calcalist.com. TheNextWeb.com shows the author of the piece has form too, having scooped Apple’s $500 million acquisition of flash memory company Anobit in 2011.

Texas Instruments announced it would cease investing in mobile processor development during an investor meeting in September, preferring to concentrate on the “embedded chip” market instead. Amazon uses Texas Instruments OMAP processors in its Kindle Fire tablets, so bringing the whole show in-house could be quite the money-saver.

It could also pave the way for the often rumored Amazon smartphone, as it would be one less component to outsource, plus TI chips are used by other companies — including arch rivals Barnes & Noble and Kobo; potentially opening up another revenue stream for Amazon. 

The article says the deal could be worth “billions of dollars,” and that Amazon is currently holding “advanced negotiations.” If it’s all true, its shows just how serious Amazon is about becoming a hardware company with which to be reckoned.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/amazon-kills-kindle-dx-may-buy-texas-instruments-chip-division/

Read More

New Sony Odin specs emerge, sounds suitably god-like

Is Sony finally joining the quad-core party?

New superphone specs for the mooted Sony Xperia Odin handset have emerged, promising a quad-core processor and 5-inch Full HD screen.

Supposedly on track for an early 2013 reveal, the Odin is said to be coming with a Qualcomm's quad-core S4 processor backed up by 2GB of RAM - Sony previously said quad-core wouldn't be featuring on its phones until 2013 when "performance matches the battery efficiency".

The 5-inch screen would put it in competition with the 5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 2, while the 1080p resolution should keep things nice and sharp when coupled with the Sony Mobile Bravia Engine.

Previous information gleaned from a leaked User-Agent Profile for the handset suggested 4G connectivity and Android Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.1).

Father of Thor

Not much else to report on the Sony Odin aside from noting that these specs come from a forum thread so are best taken with the customary pinch of salt.

The same thread also threw up talk of a bigger 6-inch device with the same spec sheet; sounds as though it could be an interesting CES 2013 for Sony Mobile.

Presumably that 6-inch device will be code-named Borr. You know, because Norse mythology.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/new-sony-odin-specs-emerge-sounds-suitably-god-like-1104536

Read More

Amazon to buy Texas Instruments, make Kindle Fire HD processors in-house?

Kindle Fire HD - a chip off the old block

Amazon is reportedly in the last stages of snapping up Texas Instruments' mobile processor business.

Israeli newspaper Calcalist cites a source who reckons that Amazon is in "advanced negotiations" with the chip-maker.

TI's hardware is currently found in the Amazon Kindle Fire HD and it sounds as though Amazon wants to bring the processors in-house in order to save a bit of cash.

Process that

It emerged last week that the online mega-retailer-turned-tablet-maker doesn't make any money on its hardware, including the Fire tablet range, instead bringing in cash from sales of apps, ebooks, films, music and more from its store.

For its part, TI has been looking to offload the mobile processor side of its business for a while now.

It could mean a healthy cash injection for TI as the deal is predicted to be worth "billions of dollars" – the company can put all that lovely cash towards its new focus of embedded chips for cars and that, where it sees dollar-signs in its future.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/amazon-to-buy-texas-instruments-make-kindle-fire-hd-processors-in-house-1104441

Read More

Hands on: LG Optimus L9 review

Exclusively for T-Mobile, LG has introduced the LG Optimus L9. A 4G capable phone with a dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM, the Optimus 9 will be the most powerful handset in the L family of smartphones.

No pricing information is available for this new Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich device. Given the increasingly competitive 4G smartphone landscape, cost will surely make or break this new handset when it releases later this fall. We spent some quality time with LG's new smartphone at MobileCon 2012.

The LG Optimus L9's dual-core processor runs at 1GHz, and is backed by 1GB of RAM and a 2150mAh battery. On board storage is 4GB. The screen is qHD, measuring 4.5 inches with a resolution of 960×540.

The phone itself is 5.19 by 2.69 inches, and only 0.36 inches thick. It features a compact design with a matte plastic back that's smooth, but not slick. We had no trouble keeping a grip on it as we zoomed across its seven ICS home screens, though at 4.41 ounces, the phone is extremely light.

Physically, it resembles the LG Optimus L7. It also features a removable backing for easy battery swapping.

The interface was breezy and responsive, we flipped across multiple apps and widgets without any noticeable slowdown. The LG Optimus L9 isn't just running pure ICS, LG has put its own Optimus 3.0 UX (UX for user experience) over the stock Android OS.

Optimus 3.0 UX gives the interface a unique flavor, letting users choose from seven different screen swipe effects. The results are an entertaining flourish on basic home screen navigation.

Also included is LG's QuickMemo app, which lets users jot down notes right over the home screen. These can be saved, exported and viewed gallery style.

Of course, writing with your finger is rather messy. The QuickMemo app is not for anything but the most desperate scribbling of an address or phone number, but will certainly save you from digging in your bag for a pen and paper, if people even carry such things anymore.

On its back, the LG Optimus L9 sports a 5 megapixel camera that also captures 1080p video. The front facing camera is VGA resolution. The phone features Voice Shutter, a picture taking gimmick you'll try at least once. Literally say "cheese" and the shutter will snap a picture.

Early Verdict

At just 1GHz, the LG Optimus L9 ran ICS very well. While we were disappointed that there seemed to be no plans to bring Android 4.1: Jelly Bean to the device, LG's Optimus 3.0 UX helped breathe new life into the aging Android OS.

Physically, the phone felt a tad unsubstantial. We like a device with a little bit of weight to it, and the LG Optimus L9 felt as though it could blow away in a breeze. That plastic backing didn't give it a premium feel, either. However, we know some users like a phone that's barely there, and matte finish did feel nice to the touch.

T-Mobile customers and those looking to convert should keep an eye on the LG Optimus L9. When it comes out later in the fall it'll be the fastest L series smartphone money can buy, and possibly one of the peppiest handsets on the T-Mobile network. We'll be the judge of that when we give the phone a full review.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/lg-optimus-l9-1093900/review

Read More

Hands on: HTC One X+ review

Bored of your One X? Fed up of the small storage and slow processor? Well, HTC has got a treat for you.

The One X+ is a step change from the original, but like the Sensation to XE transition, this is more incremental than complete overhaul.

The main change visually is the new matte finish, which, well, seems to make the black a little bit darker.

On top of that are new red accents adorning the softkeys on the front and around the camera - once again, very reminiscent of the HTC Sensation XE with its Beats Audio branding.

Speaking of that music boosting system, HTC has lumped a separate amplification chip under the speaker to boost sound, making bass sound bassier and separating out the vocal and mid-range sounds to produce a more pure sound.

It does actually work; while we wouldn't condone it for playing any music out loud on a bus, if you're watching a movie (privately and not within reach of others' ears) then it's certainly a step up.

You may notice a similar situation on the new HTC Windows Phone 8X, but that device has two amplifiers, for the speaker and the headphone jack, whereas we've just got the one of the One X+.

What else is new? Well, it's running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, comes with an updated overlay (cleverly dubbed HTC Sense 4+) and new features that allow easier access to photography and video apps.

The latter is based on HTC Watch 2.0, a more homogenous system that aggregates all your video-playing apps in one place. This is something HTC told TechRadar last year it would be bringing to the service, although it's odd that it's taken this long to appear.

HTC has been hard at work under the hood too, upgrading the inner components to ensure a longer-lasting, more hard-working One X is available to consumers. The battery has been updated to 2100mAh, the Nvidia Tegra 3 processor sped up to 1.7GHz and the internal storage increased to 64GB.

It's the first and last stats that really got us intrigued there, as the battery was the real problem with the original One X, and the larger internal storage makes up for the lack of microSD slot.

We're a bit perplexed over the need to speed up the CPU, as realistically there's no need for an extra 0.2GHz on each core, given it could have an impact on battery life.

Consumers won't notice much in terms of use (the original One X was hardly a slouch when it came to whizzing around under the finger) so it's a curious decision beyond just giving the Taiwanese firm something to shout about in terms of headline specs.

Android 4.1 is on board, giving access to Google Now and bringing with it Project Butter to make the OS that little bit smoother again. That's on top of Sense 4+, which brings slight tweaks like the Hub updates we mentioned earlier, slight camera UI alterations (you can now see how many pics you've got left, for instance) as well as keeping the camera running when you press the power button for easy access.

The front facing camera now raises its game to include a 1.6MP sensor, but more importantly it runs using the same imaging chip that's improved the camera quality of HTC's One series pretty effectively.

Things like autocorrecting pictures and smoothing out skin tone for portrait photos, as well as giving a little countdown before taking, show HTC has thought about the core audience for front facing pictures… it's a shame it doesn't automatically add duck lips and a fake tan for the ultimate teenage Facebook profile pic.

Another key feature of the HTC One X+ is the phone is PlayStation Certified, so will be able to make good use of the store when it goes on line later this year for improved gaming and such. Here's hoping that the Tegra 3 chip is less of a drain on power with the HTC One X+, as it was this area that let the first phone down so much.

The Media Link HD connection is once again strong on this HTC device, meaning that a simple three finger swipe will allow easy connection with your streaming device. HTC promises us that this has been updated as an app on the phone as well as on the device itself, as our previous tests were hugely disappointing.

However, combined with the reasonably-priced Watch service, we can see this being a bigger hit in the months to come.

The rest of the phone functions exactly the same as the HTC One X did in terms of performance, meaning we noticed no obvious slowdown in the use neither of the phone nor on the internet.

The web browser was phenomenally fast, even on a slower Wi-Fi connection, and even though the HTC One X+ won't be coming with a 4G flavour in Europe. This is again curious, as territories such as the US will get a quad core LTE version of the phone, but presumably the bands used aren't compatible with UK 4G.

Early verdict

Overall, the HTC One X+ is a good, good phone. It builds well on the power of the HTC One X and looks to iron out the bugs with the improved battery life and Android 4.1 on board too.

It's still got the same decent design and upgraded storage to 64GB is more than most will ever need, even with a strong HD video library and too many music tracks.

The display is clear and crisp, and the 4.7-inch Super LCD 2 screen is excellent under the touch as well. We're fans of the red accents, and the camera software is still top notch.

However, the only problem we can see is the fact it's going to be a little confusing to consumers how this phone is obviously different from the One X. It would be unfair to call it a whole new name, as it's too close to the original in terms of specs, but adding a + will annoy those that have forked out for the current One X and thought it was HTC's favourite.

We remember when the Sensation XE emerged to ruin the image of the original Sensation, and unless the One X gets a real price drop it's going to struggle to sell anything.

But on the plus side, the HTC One X+ release date has been set for early October, and the price – likely to be under £500 SIM free – looks very palatable indeed, especially when compared to the ridiculous cost of the iPhone 5.

We'll see how this one fares in the market, but there's a very good chance it could be our number one smartphone of 2012. For all the criticism above, that's only because it's so similar to the One X already, and that's a very, very good phone to be building on.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/htc-one-x-1101086/review

Read More

HTC One X+ leaks, will come with Android 4.1 and a 1.7GHz chip

A new set of leaks show the HTC One X+ coming soon, equipped with a 1.7GHz processor and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

An updated version of the HTC One X has been leaked, named the HTC One X+, and it will bring with it several important changes to the company’s flagship Android smartphone.

GSMArena.com has published a picture of the One X+, complete with a list of specifications, apparently taken from a brochure for UK network O2. The phone has a bubble with the words “coming soon” written above it, but no fixed release date.

There are two key changes listed. The first is the processor, which in the European version of the One X is a 1.5GHz, quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3, but in the One X+ it will be clocked at 1.7GHz.

It’s not stated whether this will still be a Tegra 3, but a previous leak in August showed a benchmark figure for an HTC phone believed to be the One X+ being set with a 1.7GHz Tegra 3, so it seems likely the chip will remain the same.

The second big change is with the operating system, as the One X+ will come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean already installed, rather than 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich seen on current One X devices. Jelly Bean is still a rarity outside of the Nexus 7 tablet, and the One X+ could be among the very first smartphones to come with the OS pre-installed, joining the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

An increase to 64GB of internal storage is also listed, along with Beats Audio, 25GB of free Dropbox space and an 8-megapixel camera.

Pocket-Lint.com has been sent an image of the front and rear of the One X+ too, which shows that the design hasn’t been changed, and the 4.7-inch, HD display will almost certainly be the same too.

O2’s advert provides a Pay As You Go price of £479, or around $780. HTC has yet to make the One X+ official, but if UK networks are busily adding the phone to their catalogs, we can’t have long to wait.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/htc-one-x-leaked-1-7ghz-android-jelly-bean/

Read More

HTC announces the Snapdragon S4-powered One XC

At Chinese Telecommunications Fair today, HTC unveiled its latest dual-core monster dubbed the One XC.

It's powered by a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor clocked at 1.5Ghz coupled with 1GB of RAM. It's built around a 4.7-inch display of HD resolution and has an 8MP camera at the back, which is identical to the one found in the One X.

The HTC One XC runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and sports a new, two-tone black and golden design. Check it out in the photos below.

Unfortunately, everything indicates to a China-only availability for the HTC One XC. Pricing info is still unknown.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_announces_the_one_xc_in_china_has_a_snapdragon_s4_inside-news-4865.php

Read More

iPhone 5 processor faster in US than UK?

iPhone 5 - faster than you think

The A6 processor in the iPhone 5 apparently clocks at 1.3GHz, not 1GHz as was originally thought.

If you've been lucky enough to get your hands on an iPhone 5 you'll know that it's a smooth operator, no doubt thanks in part to Apple's own dual-core processor housed inside.

Primate Labs reckon the A6 chip actually runs a 1.3GHz, with its updated GeekBench app revealing the increased power packed inside the sixth generation iPhone.

US only?

Apparently GeekBench previously had trouble determining the clock speed of the iPhone 5 processor, reporting it as 1GHz, but the latest update to the app has put that issue to bed.

However when TechRadar installed and ran GeekBench on its UK iPhone 5, we were left with a sour taste in our mouth as apparently our handset, model ID iPhone5,2 only sports a 1.1GHz dual-core processor.

The model ID of the American handset is iPhone5,1, so there's definitely something afoot here, although the difference could just be support for different 3G and 4G frequencies.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-5-processor-faster-in-us-than-uk-1100176

Read More

Goodbye OMAP? Texas Instruments to stop investing in mobile processor business

Texas Instruments has announced it will stop investing in mobile chips, and turn its attention to the "embedded processor" market instead.

The saying goes “when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” however it appears Texas Instruments took it in a slightly different way to the rest of us, as it has announced it’s taking a step back from the incredibly competitive mobile processor market.

It was TI’s Senior VP of Embedded Processing Greg Delagi who announced the news at an investor meeting on September 25, saying “the [smartphone] opportunity is less attractive as we go forward,” and talked about the market being “dominated by a couple of players.”

While Texas Instruments may not be as well-known as Qualcomm or Nvidia, it is America’s second largest chip manufacturer and its OMAP processors can be found in devices such as the Amazon Kindle tablet, B&N’s new Nook tablets, a wide variety of Huawei smartphones, the Panasonic Eluga, several Motorola Droids and Kobo’s new range of Android tablets too.

Texas Instruments may be taking a step back, but it’s not a total retreat, as Delagi promised that it would continue to support smartphones and tablets that use OMAP chips, but wouldn’t be dedicating the same level of investment as it had done in the past.

What this will mean for the forthcoming OMAP 5 isn’t clear. This exciting chip is expected to start appearing in devices towards the end of this year or early next, and uses ARM’s dual-core Cortex A15 architecture, much like Samsung’s Exynos 5 Dual. A video showing an early test indicated the OMAP 5 was set to be quite a beast, so let’s hope it’s still on its way.

So what will Texas Instruments be doing instead? It’s going to concentrate on something called “embedded processing,” where chips are used in appliances, big industrial machinery and most importantly, cars. Delagi showed the embedded processing market to be worth $18 billion, and that the automotive slice of that pie was worth $6.5 billion alone.

The news has seen Texas Instruments’ stock take a fall, and analysts voice their concern over the decision. That said, others predict that if embedded processing takes off, the move could be very profitable.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/texas-instruments-stops-mobile-processor-investment/

Read More

LG announces the Optimus Vu 2

LG has announced the Optimus Vu 2, which boasts an upgraded processor, more RAM and the addition of VoLTE too.

The LG Optimus Vu was officially announced back in February, but has only recently reached the US as the LG Intuition, released on Verizon at the beginning of the month. Still, that’s more than many other countries can say, as LG decided not to launch it at all this year in the UK.

Despite the device’s relative newness, the Optimus Vu 2 has been unveiled in Korea, which boasts various performance tweaks, some welcome new features, plus a very odd — but potentially useful — new feature too.

LG has chosen to stick with the unusual 4:3 ratio, 5-inch screen for the Vu 2, and once again it has a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. The first major change comes with the processor, which may have the same 1.5Ghz clock speed as the Vu, but is now a latest generation MSM8960 dual-core Snapdragon. The RAM has been doubled to 2GB, and the battery expanded to become a 2150mAh cell.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is still the operating system of choice though, with no mention of an upgrade to 4.1 Jelly Bean to be found, plus it comes with LG apps such as the Q Translator and Q Memo, which makes use of the included stylus — or the Rubberdium Pen 2.0 as LG insist on calling it.

VoLTE support

The Optimus Vu 2 supports VoLTE, the accepted industry standard for sending voice calls over a 4G data connection — much like VoIP — instead of using a 2G or 3G connection solely for voice calls and 4G LTE for data as it works now. It’s supposed to be the next big thing, but to use VoLTE requires both your device and network to support it, and due to the changes it will bring, there is reluctance inside the industry to adopt it quickly.

Other features of the Optimus Vu 2 include wireless charging (although the pad is sold separately), Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and a choice of colors such as black, white and pink. An IR transmitter has been fitted so you can use the Vu 2 as a remote control for other electronic devices around your home. The dimensions of the device have slightly altered too, with the Optimus Vu 2 now measuring 132 x 85 x 9.4mm and weighing 159 grams. For reference, the original Optimus Vu weighed 168 grams and measured 139 x 90 x 8.5mm.

Finally, the Vu 2 has a feature called One Key, which requires you to purchase a special keyring, with a button that when pressed, makes the phone beep to help you locate it. Bizarre, very 80s and probably quite useful.

LG’s press release doesn’t provide a release date for Korea, where the Optimus Vu 2 will make its debut, and if the first Vu is anything to go by, we shouldn’t expect an international rollout just yet either.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/lg-announces-the-optimus-vu-ii/

Read More

A look inside the new proprietary Apple A6 chipset

Ever since the iPhone 5 announcement, it's been a mystery what exactly makes the new A6 processor tick. We've already seen its impressive performance benchmarked, but now we get to take a closer look at the architecture itself.

A new microscopic examination of the chip not only shows the custom dual ARM cores side-by-side, but also lets us see the unique triple-GPU layout.

What does this mean? Simply put, Apple have invested in customizing their own chipset, which results in an optimized architecture capable of producing better results without having to rely on higher clock speeds.

This extra customization process in the face of off-the-shelf solutions like the Cortex-A15 shows some great innovation from the Cupertino-based tech giant.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/a_look_inside_the_new_proprietary_apple_a6_chipset-news-4859.php

Read More

Intel smartphone processors currently don't support 4G

Intel is working hard to keep up

Intel has confirmed that its current Medfield processor found in the likes of the Orange San Diego and Motorola Razr i (Droid Razr M in the US) does not offer support for LTE.

However Intel is working on a solution, and Sumeet Syal, Intel's director of product marketing told Tech Crunch that it was planning on "shipping some LTE products later this year and ramping into 2013".

As 4G becomes more and more popular around the world, Intel needs to get a move on with its LTE-enabled handsets, otherwise it risks being left behind by the already well-established Nvidia, ARM and Texas Instruments.

Dual-core to rival quad-core

Alongside 4G-enabled processors, Intel is also reportedly working on a dual-core version of the Medfield chip – which could rival the quad-core chips found in the likes of the international versions of the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Syal said: "Our next gen product will be a dual-core but again that product will also have hyper threading so essentially… you will also have dual-core with four threads.

"So again just like we demoed that a single core hyper-threaded can outperform dual-core/quad-core I think we'll do it again when we introduce the dual-core product with four threads."

Currently there's no information regarding the 4G or dual-core handsets Intel has up its sleeve, but we'll keep our eyes and ears open for any more information.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/intel-smartphone-processors-currently-dont-support-4g-1099255

Read More

China-bound dual-SIM HTC One ST leaks ahead of announcement

HTC One ST is a dual-SIM smartphone intended for the China Mobile network. It packs a 4.3-inch WVGA display and runs on a 1GHz dual-core processor.

The rest of the known specs include a 9.25mm thin profile and 115g of weight. Beats Audio enhancement is also on board.

HTC One ST

The One ST is supposed to run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich skinned with HTC Sense 4.0 UI.

There is an NY HTC event coming up on September 19, but we guess this fella will be a topic of another announcement. But looking at all these official pictures, it shouldn't take long for it to break cover.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/chinabound_dualsim_htc_one_st_leaks_ahead_of_announcement-news-4772.php

Read More