XScale ARM CPU in iPhone?
An IlSole24ore.com interview with Intel executive Dario Bucci reveals that the processor in the Apple iPhone will be based on the XScale architechture. Translation from DaringFireball.net:
The chips in the new Apple iPhone are made by Intel?
No, theyre Marvells. We sold our Xscale architecture to this company. However Apple is one of our best customers for flash memories and our NANDs are featured in the new handheld.
XScale is an implementation of the ARM architecture originally designed by Intel. Intel's PXA family of XScale processors, aimed at mobile phone applications, was sold to Marvell in June 2006. When the iPhone was first released, there had been speculative claims that Samsung's ARM chip would be used but this had never been verified. If Bucci's comments are accurate, then it appears that Marvell will be supplying the CPUs for the iPhone.
Marvell currently lists 3 families of mobile application processors on their website: PXA3xx, PXA 27x, and PXA255.
Marvell applications processors deliver advanced integration, leading multimedia performance, and superior power savings for cellular phone, PDA, handheld consumer, and embedded markets. Based on the Intel XScale technology and featuring integrated memory, Marvells applications processors are ideal solutions for low-power, space-sensitive devices. Marvell silicon provides the headroom for advanced applications within a range of power specifications, so manufacturers can differentiate their offerings now and into the future. From streaming video to mixing MP3s, the Marvell suite of applications processors delivers advanced multimedia performance with enhanced battery life to feature-hungry technology consumers on the go.
The 2006 sale of the technology to Marvell would explain an early denial by Intel that it is producing the processor for the iPhone.
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