Tag: ARM

  • Arm Creates In-House Chip, Meta May Be First Customer

    Arm Creates In-House Chip, Meta May Be First Customer

    Key Takeaways

    1. Arm is reportedly developing its own customizable CPU for data centers, potentially launching it this summer.
    2. The company will collaborate with TSMC for the production of these new chips as a fabless chipmaker.
    3. Softbank, which owns Arm, recently partnered with OpenAI to create extensive AI infrastructure, with Arm as a key player.
    4. Arm’s chip designs are widely used in smartphones, mobile devices, and the latest Apple Macs, known for their power efficiency.
    5. The new processors may support AI applications, increasing Arm’s relevance in the evolving tech landscape.

    Arm could be set to reveal its own processor this year, according to new rumors. The well-known chipmaker might be developing in-house chips, potentially making Meta their first client. Here’s what we’ve learned so far.

    Arm’s New Chip Venture

    A report from The Financial Times suggests that Arm is creating a CPU aimed at data centers, which will be customizable to meet the needs of various clients. As a fabless chipmaker, Arm plans to collaborate with TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), the largest contract chip manufacturer globally, to produce these new chips. Industry insiders believe these in-house processors might be launched as soon as this summer.

    Partnership with OpenAI

    This development comes just a month after Softbank, which owns Arm, partnered with OpenAI to create up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure. This large-scale initiative will include Arm along with Microsoft and Nvidia as key tech partners. Arm could play a significant role in this project, possibly connecting with AI-driven personal devices being developed by John Ive (a former Apple designer) and Sam Altman from OpenAI.

    Arm’s Ubiquity in Technology

    For those who might not know, Arm’s designs power almost every smartphone available today. They’re also found in most mobile devices and even run the latest Apple Macs and Qualcomm-powered Windows PCs. CPUs that utilize the ARM architecture offer impressive power efficiency without sacrificing performance, rivaling Intel and AMD chipsets. This is a key factor in their growing popularity in data centers that support AI applications.

    Tags: , ,
  • Arm Enters Chip Making with Meta as a Confirmed Customer

    Arm Enters Chip Making with Meta as a Confirmed Customer

    Key Takeaways

    1. MediaTek and Nvidia are entering the “AI PC” sector, increasing competition for Intel, AMD, and Apple.
    2. Arm is planning to launch a new chip aimed at data centers and servers, supported by the acquisition of Ampere.
    3. Arm has secured Meta as a significant client for its upcoming chip, indicating potential use in consumer devices.
    4. There could be conflicts of interest as many companies rely on Arm’s intellectual property while competing in the market.
    5. Production may involve TSMC and potentially Intel, with a likelihood of using older TSMC nodes for the initial chip version.

    With MediaTek and Nvidia set to enter the “AI PC” sector later this year, Intel, AMD, and Apple are about to face new competition. However, a fifth player is also looking to join the competition: Arm. CEO Rene Haas may reveal the new chip “as early as this summer.”

    Arm’s Ambitions

    This upcoming Arm chip is intended for use in data centers and server markets. The efforts of Arm will be supported by Ampere, a company that Softbank (Arm’s parent) is planning to acquire soon. Ampere has struggled to gain significant market share against Intel and AMD in the server sector, but things could shift once Arm steps in.

    A New Major Client

    Moreover, Arm has secured a significant client for the aforementioned chip: Meta. This chip could also be utilized in Sir Jony Ive’s secretive device. This indicates that Arm might be developing a low-power chip aimed at consumer gadgets as well. However, this scenario could lead to serious conflicts of interest, given that many companies, such as Qualcomm, Apple, and recently Intel, rely on Arm’s intellectual property.

    The report indicates that production might be outsourced to TSMC, although there’s a strong possibility that Intel will play a role as well since Arm mentioned it would utilize Intel’s 18A node for a mobile chip. If this chip actually debuts this year, it’s likely that the design has already been finalized. It’s probable that the first version will be produced on an older TSMC node like N3 or N4.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , ,
  • Microsoft to Challenge M3 MacBooks with ARM-Based Surface Devices – Event Date Confirmed

    Microsoft to Challenge M3 MacBooks with ARM-Based Surface Devices – Event Date Confirmed

    Although Microsoft is commonly associated with its Windows operating system, the tech giant has a diverse product portfolio that extends beyond software into hardware. One notable success for Microsoft has been its Surface laptop and 2-in-1 product lines. The company is gearing up for an upcoming event where it will unveil new products and advancements, including the highly anticipated Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6, updates to Windows 11 AI, and enhancements to Copilot. Here's a closer look at what to expect from Microsoft's exclusive showcase event scheduled for March 21.

    Microsoft's Showcase Event: Unveiling Surface and Windows Innovations

    Microsoft, renowned for its software prowess, has made significant strides in the hardware sector with its impressive lineup of Surface devices. The upcoming event promises to showcase the latest innovations from Microsoft, offering a glimpse into the future of computing technology.

    Exciting Product Reveals and Technological Advancements

    Attendees can look forward to the unveiling of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, which are expected to set new benchmarks in performance and design. Additionally, Microsoft will introduce updates to its AI capabilities within Windows 11, enhancing user experiences and productivity. The event will also highlight advancements in Copilot technology, demonstrating Microsoft's commitment to cutting-edge solutions.

    Mark Your Calendars for March 21

    Mark your calendars for March 21 as Microsoft takes center stage to unveil a host of groundbreaking products and advancements that are set to redefine the tech landscape. Stay tuned for more details as Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity.

    Tags: , ,
  • Report: Xiaomi Collaborates with ARM to Develop In-House Chip

    Report: Xiaomi Collaborates with ARM to Develop In-House Chip

    A processor is the heart of any smartphone, and currently, big companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek pretty much run the show. But Xiaomi might be looking to change things up a bit. They’re apparently working with ARM to make their own processors.

    Xiaomi Collaborating with ARM for Chip Development

    MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai directly confirmed that ARM is collaborating with Xiaomi on chip development. While the source of this statement comes from a Counterpoint Research report, the original report has been hard to find.

    Report: Xiaomi Collaborates with ARM to Develop In-House Chip

    ARM’s Previous Collaboration with Oppo

    The news initially surfaced through popular tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo. According to the report, ARM was previously collaborating with Oppo, but the project faced challenges and was eventually abandoned.

    To give you more background on this, there were reports in 2022 about Oppo venturing into manufacturing its own smartphone chips with ARM.

    Basically, Oppo was most likely to use ARM’s Cortex CPUs and Mali GPUs in their processors. However, Oppo ceased its chip design efforts in 2023 due to a downturn in the global smartphone market.

    ARM Finds a New Partner in Xiaomi

    Now that Oppo is out of the picture, it seems like ARM has found a new partner in Xiaomi for their own smartphone chipset.

    It’ll be interesting to see who Xiaomi picks for chip design and manufacturing. For instance, Apple relies on TSMC for manufacturing A-series Bionic chips, while Google is currently relying on Samsung for Tensor SoCs.

    So Xiaomi will also have to choose its partner for this endeavor. ARM will basically provide the base for processors, developing a chip from scratch involves a different set of challenges.

    The Complexity of Chip Development

    Parv Sharma, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research, also emphasized the complexity of chip development and the trend of companies outsourcing this task. MediaTek, in particular, stands to benefit from this shift as they actively collaborate with smartphone manufacturers to refine chips for their devices.

    Only time will tell if Xiaomi can successfully develop its chips from scratch.

    Tags: , , ,
  • Breaking Boundaries: NVIDIA and AMD Set to Unveil ARM-Based Processors for PCs

    Breaking Boundaries: NVIDIA and AMD Set to Unveil ARM-Based Processors for PCs

    In a groundbreaking move, tech giants NVIDIA and AMD are gearing up to launch ARM-based chips for PCs, marking a significant stride in the ongoing rivalry with Intel. This bold venture promises a new horizon of performance and efficiency in the computing realm.

    Embracing the ARM Architecture

    Traditionally, the PC market has been dominated by x86 architecture, primarily from Intel. However, the winds of change are blowing, as NVIDIA and AMD step into the realm of ARM-based chips. ARM’s architecture is renowned for its efficiency and low power consumption, making it a preferred choice for mobile devices. Transitioning this technology to the PC sector signifies a monumental shift, potentially offering consumers more efficient, cooler, and quieter computing solutions.

    NVIDIA’s foray into ARM-based PC chips poses a major new challenge to Intel, which has long held a stronghold on the PC market. As per a recent report from Reuters, NVIDIA’s commitment to developing ARM-based chips is now official, and the tech behemoth aims to diversify its chip offerings, reducing the reliance on the x86 architecture.

    The Competitive Landscape

    The move by NVIDIA and AMD comes at a critical juncture where the battle for market share in the chip industry is intensifying. Intel, once the unrivaled champion in the chip-making realm, now faces fierce competition. The incoming ARM-based chips from NVIDIA and AMD are rumored to hit the market by 2025, according to insights from The Verge. This timeline sets the stage for an exhilarating race in innovation and market positioning among the chip-making titans.

    Moreover, the collaborative effort between NVIDIA and AMD as reported by VideoCardz, highlights a remarkable coalition aimed at disrupting the status quo in the chip industry. The united front presents a formidable challenge to Intel and heralds a new era of processor technology, marked by enhanced efficiency and potentially lower costs for consumers.

    Future Implications

    The shift to ARM-based chips signifies more than just a technical evolution; it’s a pivotal movement in the chip industry’s landscape. The success of these ventures could potentially redraw the competitive boundaries, offering a fresh narrative in the ongoing saga of processor technology evolution.

    Intel, with its rich legacy in the chip industry, is bound to respond to this new challenge, and as such, the next couple of years will be brimming with innovation and strategic moves that could reshape the PC processor market in profound ways.

    The anticipation surrounding the ARM-based chips from NVIDIA and AMD is palpable, and the tech community is keenly watching the developments as they unfold.

    Sources: Reuters, VideoCardz, The Verge

    Tags: , ,