4 ms·

Quick question -- what's so good about ARM specifically? Aren't there other minimal architectures, maybe even one with lower/no licensing costs?

by oDot 10y ago

deafcalculus 10y ago
developer tools, operating system and software ecosystem, probably other IPs (like GPUs) integrate well with ARM but that might not be the case for a brand new processor, and a history of success (selling processor IP is enterprise sales).
r00fus 10y ago
In short: it's not Intel. Longer: Intel has continually sucked at mobile (likely due to innovator's dilemma and it's love-hate relationship with Microsoft which also sucks at mobile), and this may mean a stronger shift by Apple to integration with it's priorities (security, iOS/WatchOS friendliness, better battery life).
mianos 10y ago
They already have a lot of in house expertise in ARM. It could even just run their existing watch OS, enabling everything that already has such as display drivers, tools, firmware updates and boot system.
oct29_goat 10y ago
I believe MIPS is cheaper for the average Joe to license, but Apple is already an ARM licensee with high volume so they probably get a hot deal. Also they already have ARM IP and >20 years experience integrating it. Besides, ARM is a fine architecture and it's popular these days, so why not?
drawkbox 10y ago
ARM processors are the best at low power and this allows longer battery life [1]. [1] http://www.androidauthority.com/arms-secret-recipe-for-power-efficient-processing-409850/ http://www.androidauthority.com/arms-secret-recipe-for-power...
djrogers 10y ago
The most likely answer is that Apple has one of the best engineering groups at designing and implementing ARM processors in the industry. The A series chips for example have been absolute power/performance leaders for many generations, and the things hey can do with the tiny S-series chips in the watch are really remarkable. It would be shocking if they were to consider anything other than AMR?

Quick question -- what's so good about ARM specifically? Aren't there other minimal architectures, maybe even one with lower/no licensing costs?

by oDot 10y ago

Quick question -- what's so good about ARM specifically? Aren't there other minimal architectures, maybe even one with lower/no licensing costs?

deafcalculus 10y ago

developer tools, operating system and software ecosystem, probably other IPs (like GPUs) integrate well with ARM but that might not be the case for a brand new processor, and a history of success (selling processor IP is enterprise sales).

r00fus 10y ago

In short: it's not Intel. Longer: Intel has continually sucked at mobile (likely due to innovator's dilemma and it's love-hate relationship with Microsoft which also sucks at mobile), and this may mean a stronger shift by Apple to integration with it's priorities (security, iOS/WatchOS friendliness, better battery life).

mianos 10y ago

They already have a lot of in house expertise in ARM. It could even just run their existing watch OS, enabling everything that already has such as display drivers, tools, firmware updates and boot system.

oct29_goat 10y ago

I believe MIPS is cheaper for the average Joe to license, but Apple is already an ARM licensee with high volume so they probably get a hot deal. Also they already have ARM IP and >20 years experience integrating it. Besides, ARM is a fine architecture and it's popular these days, so why not?

drawkbox 10y ago

ARM processors are the best at low power and this allows longer battery life [1]. [1] http://www.androidauthority.com/arms-secret-recipe-for-power-efficient-processing-409850/ http://www.androidauthority.com/arms-secret-recipe-for-power...

djrogers 10y ago

The most likely answer is that Apple has one of the best engineering groups at designing and implementing ARM processors in the industry. The A series chips for example have been absolute power/performance leaders for many generations, and the things hey can do with the tiny S-series chips in the watch are really remarkable. It would be shocking if they were to consider anything other than AMR?