> All the iPods prior to that were using ARM processors. Most of the original device was outsourced and contracted out (for reasons of time constraint and lack

> All the iPods prior to that were using ARM processors. Most of the original device was outsourced and contracted out (for reasons of time constraint and lack of internal expertise). PortalPlayer built the SoC and OS, not Apple. Later SoC were sourced from SigmaTel and Samsung, until the 3rd gen Touch. > The Apple Newton was using ARM processors. The Apple Newton was a completely different Apple, and there were several years' gap between Jobs killing the Newton and the birth of iPod, not to mention the completely different purpose and capabilities. There would be no newton-type project until the iPhone. Which is also when Apple started working with silicon themselves: they acquired PA in 2008, Intrinsity in 2010, and Passif in 2013, released their first partially in-house SoC in 2010 (A4), and their first in-house core in 2013 (Cyclone, in the A7).