Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Samsung Confirmed to Produce A9 Chips for Apple's Next-Generation Devices
Samsung will provide Apple with A9 chips for its next-generation iPhone and other devices, reports Bloomberg, confirming a previous report in early February. Over the past couple of months there had been confusion and conflicting reports as to whether Samsung, Apple's longtime supplier and rival, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) would produce the chips.
It appears that Samsung's investment in manufacturing technologies won Apple over, with TSMC Chairman Morris Chang recently telling investors that the company would lose ground to Samsung in producing the most advanced chip technology possible in 2015, though he also noted the company would regain that advantage in 2016.
Samsung is reportedly producing the chips with its advanced 14-nanometer process, which has outpaced TSMC's capabilities and results in smaller chips that consume less energy and provide more processing power. The Korean company is also said to be providing memory chips for Apple's next-generation devices.
Thus far, little is known about what the next-generation iPhones or iPads could include other than new A9 chips, but new reports indicate Apple could be bringing its new Force Touch technology to the devices. Other rumors also suggest the A9 may make its way into the "iPad Pro", which may debut in late 2015. It's likely the 2015 versions of the iPad Air and iPad mini will be outfitted with versions of the A9 as well.
Samsung will start making Apple A9 processor chips at its Giheung plant in South Korea, the people said, asking not to be identified because the contract hasn’t been discussed publicly. Additional orders will go to Samsung’s partner Globalfoundries Inc., according to another person familiar with the arrangement.In 2013, Apple signed a chip production deal with TSMC in hopes of diversifying its supply chain resources and reducing its reliance on Samsung amid the two companies' ongoing legal disputes.
It appears that Samsung's investment in manufacturing technologies won Apple over, with TSMC Chairman Morris Chang recently telling investors that the company would lose ground to Samsung in producing the most advanced chip technology possible in 2015, though he also noted the company would regain that advantage in 2016.
Samsung is reportedly producing the chips with its advanced 14-nanometer process, which has outpaced TSMC's capabilities and results in smaller chips that consume less energy and provide more processing power. The Korean company is also said to be providing memory chips for Apple's next-generation devices.
Thus far, little is known about what the next-generation iPhones or iPads could include other than new A9 chips, but new reports indicate Apple could be bringing its new Force Touch technology to the devices. Other rumors also suggest the A9 may make its way into the "iPad Pro", which may debut in late 2015. It's likely the 2015 versions of the iPad Air and iPad mini will be outfitted with versions of the A9 as well.
[ 158 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
55 months ago
I'm getting confused, I thought we hated anything to do with Samsung.
Only when anything is at odds with Apple. When Apple is endorsing anything- even if it was formerly (or even currently) at odds with anything- we flip it back to love. The primary rule is:
-whatever Apple is against or is against Apple, we're against.
-whatever Apple is for or is for Apple, we're for.
Classic Examples:
-Patent system is broken when a patent is working against Apple. Patents are meant "to protect intellectual capital" when a patent is working for Apple.
-Analyst is stupid when he says something negative about Apple. Analyst is quoted and referenced when he says something positive.
-Big screen phones are abominations, stupid, "99% don't want" when Apple is endorsing small screens. Then Apple goes to big screens and they are the "best iPhones ever".
-NFC is a gimmick, 99% don't need, "my credit cards work fine" when Apple doesn't implement it. Then Apple implements it and we want to boycott stores who won't let us pay with Apple pay.
Personally, I'm with many here who know that Samsung makes great guts for Apple hardware. I'd much rather get any Apple product built upon Samsung guts than hope for "as good" with someone else's. Glad to see this for the next iPhone.
55 months ago
With the funds Apple has, why don't they build a plant for in-house manufacturing of chips?
Cuz Samsung is doing a mighty fine job as it is?
55 months ago
I'm getting confused, I thought we hated anything to do with Samsung.
That's an awful waste of energy to hate things that have no effect on our lives.
55 months ago
With the funds Apple has, why don't they build a plant for in-house manufacturing of chips?
The reason why Apple doesn't have their own phone assembly factories.
55 months ago
With the funds Apple has, why don't they build a plant for in-house manufacturing of chips?
55 months ago
I'm getting confused, I thought we hated anything to do with Samsung.
And I thought you hated anything to do with Apple.
55 months ago
With the funds Apple has, why don't they build a plant for in-house manufacturing of chips?
I have money for a chicken farm.
Should I make one?
No, that would be dumb if it's not my business.
55 months ago
I'm getting confused, I thought we hated anything to do with Samsung.
Their semiconductor foundry business is world class, but everything else is commoditized stuff that everyone else can do cheaper or better.
[ Read All Comments ]
In iOS 13, Apple has extended the system's built-in screenshot feature to include the ability to save a full web page as a multi-page PDF.
Don't expect this option to appear when...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Twelve South to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a prize pack that includes a BookBook vol. 2 for iPad Pro, an AirFly, and a set of...
O2 has became the latest network carrier in the United Kingdom to offer the cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 4. iPhone users can now order the LTE-enabled smartwatch through the O2 website,...
Unsolicited phone calls can become a regular annoyance and even a cause of stress for many smartphone users these days. Thankfully, Apple provides a feature in iOS 13 that can automatically silence...
The Iconfactory today announced it has released a significant update to its popular third-party Twitter client Twitterrific for iPhone and iPad. The latest version of the app contains over 50 new...
Apple yesterday released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced three years ago in March 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to...
Amazon and B&H Photo are discounting the latest versions of Apple's iPad Air this week, with each configuration of the tablet receiving a new all-time-low price tag. Amazon offers the largest...
Spotify today announced a new version of the "Your Library" tab in its mobile apps for iOS and Android, which is "designed to get you to the content you want faster." This update is...
