
Just like any new upcoming Apple product, the rumors and news begins early. On top of this, the respective "information detectives" ravage for any piece of new information all the way up until the second the device or product releases. In the case of the iPad 3, speculated to be released in September (or holiday season), the media keeps unfolding new tidbits about the features and capabilities of this mysterious upcoming iPad 3 device. One recent break gives a little insight on the possibility of Apple's new A6 processor.
Linley Gwenapp, senior editor for Microprocessor Report, speculates that the iPad 3 will contain the A6 quad core chip sometime next year. Gwenapp states his position with two credible reasons for his thinking:
- Revenue - due to the many units of iDevices sold (sold 90 million iDevices this year and is expected to sell 146 million units the next year), Apple is in a strong position to invest money in expanding chip technology without hurting its initial capital. The initial difference in cost between chip technologies is minimal so Apple can regain its footing despite increased costs.
- Competition - with companies such as Samsung and Nvidia looking to push innovation to the next level, it would be a wise move for Apple to take the plunge and pull ahead of the competition early in the game.
One key note to point out is that the A6 chip, if truly developed and placed in the iPad 3, will be solely for iPad (tablet) devices as the first initial A6 chip will be too large for the iPhone/iPod Touch Gwenapp states. According to media information, the A6 chip will be quad core. The computing power will increase dramatically between the A4 and A5 chip designs. The question now is when will the A6 chip be implemented?
Source(s): Barrons Blog - Wall Street Journal







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