Qualcomm launches dual-core CPUs for smartphones
Processor for the battle for the tablet market will follow in autumn
The wireless technology group Qualcomm announced today, Tuesday, on the occasion of Computex Taipei, that it is delivering the first product samples of its dual-core processors for smartphones. The chips of the third generation of the ARM-based Snapdragon family are clocked at up to 1,2 gigahertz (GHz) and, according to the company, are especially intended for high-end smartphones.
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"A dual-core chipset will follow in September, which is clocked at up to 1,5 GHz and is also intended for tablets and mini-notebooks," said Georg Schweighofer, Director Marketing at Qualcomm Germany, in an interview with pressetext. In all segments, the processors in ARM architecture are competing more and more clearly with Intel, which is pushing towards smartphones with "Moorestown".
High performance for smartphones
The two Snapdragon chips MSM8260 and MSM8660 support HSPA + for fast data transfer. So that web apps and multimedia content really come into their own on corresponding smartphones, the processors not only rely on two CPU cores. The platform also offers 3D / 2D acceleration engines for OpenGL ES 2.0, 1080p video support and the option of using displays with a resolution of up to 1.280 by 800 pixels and 24-bit color depth.
With the chips Qualcomm is strengthening its position in the field of high-end smartphones. In principle, the processors are also suitable for devices such as tablets, but the QSD8672 coming in September will be better tailored to such mobile computers with additional interfaces, says Schweighofer. This is intended to be followed by a more direct attack on the market segment in which Intel has established a strong position, not least with the Atom.
The iPad as a tablet opportunity
In principle, mini notebooks also remain an issue for Qualcomm. "Conventional netbooks and notebooks require Windows," emphasizes Schweighofer. Even slimmer and more mobile devices are particularly interesting for the company. Last but not least, one relies on the fact that Snapdragon's integrated 3G functionality is an advantage over Intel's chips. In addition, the atom is still being beaten in terms of energy efficiency.
When it comes to mobile computers with ARM-based CPUs, Apple is currently a pioneer. "The market could change with the iPad because customers see that Windows and Office are not absolutely necessary for many daily applications," says Schweighofer. He sees this as an opportunity for products from other manufacturers that rely on Qualcomm's chips. "With tablets in particular, the design possibilities of the highly integrated Snapdragon chipsets come into their own," emphasizes the Qualcomm marketer.(ck)
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