editor's blog
Subscribe Now

Apple Hints at CPU Change

One of the many things to come out of Apple’s recent Worldwide Developers’ Conference (WWDC) last week was an almost offhand discussion of something called Bitcode. It’s an intermediate software format, neither source code nor binary code. And its existence suggests that Apple is getting ready to change its microprocessor architecture. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Bitcode is not the first or only time that software companies have used intermediate formats to make apps hardware-independant. It’s not even the first time Apple has done it. But it does suggest that the Cupertino firm is about to make a change to its CPU architecture, its operating systems, or both. Rumors have floated for years that Apple might switch its Macs from x86 chips to ARM chips, and Bitcode would certainly ease that transition. It could also allow Apple to harmonize the operating systems on Mac and iDevices by allowing both to run the same apps (or at least, to use similar APIs). Apple is one of only a handful of companies to hold an “architectural license” to the ARM microprocessor architecture, meaning it can design its own ARM chps from scratch, not just incorporate ARM’s existing CPU cores. That could allow Apple to create special ARM-based chips with special accelerators, coprocessorss, or other unique features.

Because nearly all Apple software is distributed through the App Store, and not via CD-ROM, third-party downloads, or “side loading,” Apple is in a unique position to modify those apps before they’re installed. An app purchased for an iPad could be modified to suit its characteristics versus, say, a Mac or a Watch. If future iPads use a different processor than current models, the app could  be tweaked again, all at the time of purchase. Let the rumor mill grind on.

 

Leave a Reply

featured blogs
Mar 18, 2024
If you've already seen Vivarium, or if you watch it as a result of reading this blog, I'd love to hear what you think about it....
Mar 18, 2024
Innovation in the AI and supercomputing domains is proceeding at a rapid pace, with each new advancement heralding a future more tightly interwoven with the threads of intelligence and computation. Cadence, with the release of its Millennium Platform, co-optimized with NVIDIA...
Mar 18, 2024
Cloud-based EDA tools are critical to accelerating AI chip design and verification; see how NeuReality leveraged cloud-based chip emulation for their 7NR1 NAPU.The post NeuReality Accelerates 7nm AI Chip Tape-Out with Cloud-Based Emulation appeared first on Chip Design....

featured video

We are Altera. We are for the innovators.

Sponsored by Intel

Today we embark on an exciting journey as we transition to Altera, an Intel Company. In a world of endless opportunities and challenges, we are here to provide the flexibility needed by our ecosystem of customers and partners to pioneer and accelerate innovation. As we leap into the future, we are committed to providing easy-to-design and deploy leadership programmable solutions to innovators to unlock extraordinary possibilities for everyone on the planet.

To learn more about Altera visit: http://intel.com/altera

featured paper

Reduce 3D IC design complexity with early package assembly verification

Sponsored by Siemens Digital Industries Software

Uncover the unique challenges, along with the latest Calibre verification solutions, for 3D IC design in this new technical paper. As 2.5D and 3D ICs redefine the possibilities of semiconductor design, discover how Siemens is leading the way in verifying complex multi-dimensional systems, while shifting verification left to do so earlier in the design process.

Click here to read more

featured chalk talk

ROHM Automotive Intelligent Power Device (IPD)
Modern automotive applications require a variety of circuit protections and functions to safeguard against short circuit conditions. In this episode of Chalk Talk, Amelia Dalton and Nick Ikuta from ROHM Semiconductor investigate the details of ROHM’s Automotive Intelligent Power Device, the role that ??adjustable OCP circuit and adjustable OCP mask time plays in this solution, and the benefits that ROHM’s Automotive Intelligent Power Device can bring to your next design.
Feb 1, 2024
6,550 views