ARM has
released details of its Cortex A9 which is an extension of the Cortex family
of processor cores. According to News.com the chip combines the
multiprocessor support of older ARM cores with the Cortex design, ARM's
highest-performance implementation.
Texas Instruments, Samsung,
STMicroelectronics, Nvidia and NEC has signed up to use the Cortex A9 in
future chips for smart phones and consumer electronics
devices. Warren East, ARM's CEO, told a press conference that smart
phones aren't nearly as prevalent as PCs, but they are growing
fast.
Both Intel and ARM are positioning themselves to be inside future
mobile computers. ARM's new design allows mobile chip makers will be
able to implement up to four processing cores. While four core designs
probably will not end up in phones, embedded devices like in-car processors
and networking gear will be wanting them.
Cortex A9 chips should be
able to deliver up to 8,000 DMIPS using 250 milliwatts of
power.
More here.