Silicon slingers prep 64-bit, quad-core processors

Smartphone chip manufacturers like Qualcom, Broadcom and Nvidia are believed to be working on 64 bit quad-core processors that could be rolled out as soon as the CES show in Las Vegas this January. A published report cites "industry observers" as saying that the chipmakers aren't so much worried about the octa-core chips produced by MediaTek as they are concerned about the 64 bit Apple A7 processor used on the Apple iPhone 5s, the Apple iPad Air and the Apple iPad mini with Retina display.

The report notes that MediaTek has already received orders for its octa-core chip from top and middle tier Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Despite this, the big name chip producers remain focused on trying to catch up with Apple. In order to get their 64 bit quad-core chips out during the first half of the year, Qualcomm, Broadcomm and NVIDIA have each reworked their roadmaps. Ironically, as the big names all work on matching Apple, MediaTek's own 64 bit silicon has to be delayed because of the company's focus on its octa-core product.

source: DigiTimes