Eric Zeman / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google is reportedly working by itself processors for Chrome OS laptops and tablets.
- Merchandise with the brand new silicon are tipped to launch in 2023.
- It’s additionally claimed that Google is “ramping up” its smartphone processor efforts.
Google confirmed earlier this yr that the Pixel 6 series can be powered by the corporate’s first in-house chipset. The customized Tensor processor hosts some machine studying smarts and can also be tipped to supply a Samsung modem.
Now, Nikkei Asia experiences that Google is constructing its personal processors for Chrome OS-powered laptops and tablets, citing three sources acquainted with the plans. It’s claimed {that a} launch is deliberate for 2023.
Two sources informed the outlet that Google was “notably impressed” by Apple’s success in creating customized chipsets or smartphones and computer systems. Apple has been producing in-house iPhone chipsets since 2010’s iPhone 4, whereas it additionally delivered its first custom processor for Mac computer systems final yr.
Extra studying: The best Chromebooks you can buy in 2021
It’s believed Google’s customized Chrome OS processors and its smartphone chipsets will likely be based mostly on Arm designs, suggesting that we’ll see Arm Cortex CPUs and doubtlessly Mali GPUs. We’d additionally count on these new Chrome OS chipsets to include machine studying silicon as we’ve seen with the Pixel 6’s chipset. Devoted ML silicon permits for enhancements like quicker picture processing, improved safety, and higher voice recognition.
Nikkei‘s sources add that Google can also be “ramping up efforts” to construct processors for its Pixel telephones and different units. This presumably implies that the agency has follow-ups to the Pixel 6’s Tensor processor within the works, however we additionally ponder whether the agency is engaged on mid-range silicon for its Pixel A spread.
Lastly, the outlet claims that Google has requested suppliers to arrange for 50% extra manufacturing capability for the Pixel 6 sequence in comparison with 2019’s units (pre-Covid).
It’s far too early to say whether or not Google will be capable of take the battle to Apple on the desktop computing entrance with customized Chrome OS processors. Nevertheless it’s price noting that Apple develops its personal CPU and GPU as nicely, versus counting on a chip designer like Arm. This implies Apple is in principle (and infrequently in observe) because it’s in a position to exert extra granular management over the efficiency of its chipsets.
