Next-Generation iPad and iPhone to Get Ultrafast Graphics Cores

According to a post on AppleInsider, Apple (News - Alert) is readying next generation iPads and iPhones using a new version of A4 processor. In fact, next iPad 2 and iPhone (News - Alert) 5, both due in the first half of 2011, will pack a new A4 chip that supports dual, faster graphics cores capable of supporting a Retina Display iPad and potentially bringing 1080p HD support to iOS devices, including Apple TV. The AppleInsider report shows that the new A4 chip will implement ultrafast, dual-core SGX543 graphics core.

The AppleInsider report indicates that the second generation iPad will offer double the resolution and four times the pixels. “That type of display upgrade would necessitate a big boost in graphics and video processing power,” says AppleInsider reporter Daniel Eran Dilger. As described in this report, Apple's next custom system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution is expected to migrate from the current SGX535 to the new SGX543 graphics and video core, which is said to offer around twice the processing power at the same clock speed. The new graphics core also supports OpenCL, used to offload general purpose computing tasks on the GPU for faster execution.

In addition, writes AppleInsider, faster video processing will also enable Apple to upgrade the iPad and iPhone 4 from VGA-style video output to the more modern HDMI, which is already employed by the iOS-based new Apple TVs.

As reported, the most likely configuration of Apple's next custom A4 chip is SGX543MP2, which uses two SGX543 cores to deliver four times the capability of the previous A4 in graphics and video processing. In reality, the SGX543 core is configured to parallel as many as 16 cores, in a manner that is transparent to higher level software. Also, media reports indicate that the SGX543 graphics cores will be paired with multi-core ARM (News - Alert) Cortex-A9 CPU to give the next A4 chip the processing power required for iPad 2 and iPhone 5.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO East 2011, taking place Feb 2-4, 2011, in Miami. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.