The new rumor is that code in iOS 5.1 points to Apple testing both the rumored quad-core A6 and dual-core A5X processors. But does this new “evidence” really bring us any closer to confirming what Apple’s new chip — or chips — will be?
In 2011, the dual-release iPhone 4S/iPhone 5 rumors persisted throughout the Summer, with some of the most well-read tech publications predicting that Apple would offer the iPhone 4S as a low-cost alternative to a premium-priced iPhone 5. Now that 20/20 hindsight has proved that notion to be preposterous (to wit, the iPhone 4 works beautifully as a value-priced altertive to the $s, anyway), it appears that there is now a new dual-release rumor has surfaced, this time concerning Apple’s new, rumored processors.
9to5Mac is leading the way on this new rumor, claiming that the new iOS 5.1 code indicates both a quad-core A6 chip and dual-core A5X chip as well. The folks at 9to5Mac explain it thusly: “. . . the next major iOS device processor revamp (A6, not A5X) would be called the “S5L8950X.” Now, we discovered evidence to support Apple is working on that specific chip. Deep in the iOS 5.1 betas (as shown below) sits references to two next-generation iOS device chips: the previously discussed S5L8945X and this new S5L8950X. While nobody found the 50X (A6) chip in the code until now, we can report that both next-generation processors entered the iOS code simultaneously. This would seem to indicate Apple is working on two next-generation chips.”
Even if it is true that iOS 5.1 will accommodate both the A6 and A5X chips, 9to5Mac admits that there is no way to tell what the appearance of this code will really add up to for consumers. While on one hand it may be fun to speculate that the quad-core A6 chip will debut on the iPad 3, and the A5X chip will be used to power a lesser-priced “mini iPad” or perhaps an update to Apple TV, which Tim Cook recently hinted at. In the end, however, it is also quite possible that the iOS 5.1 code allows for testing of two processor prototypes, only one of which will actually be used in this year’s new mobile devices.
While it is not impossible to imagine apple utilizing multiple processors in multiple devices — both the A4 and A5 chip are currently used, after all — the appearance of the A5X rumor once again brings us to a complex “three’s a crowd” set of chip that is hard to account for: just as it seemed unlikely to imagine an iPhone 4, 4S, and 5 in 2011, it is equally odd to imagine Apple juggling the A4, A5, A5x, and A6 processors in 2012 (though it is less complex to balance multiple chips than multiple devices, I’m sure).
My sense, however, is that what we’re beginning to see here in rumor creep. First, the quad-core A6 rumors dominated. Then, the quad-core A6 rumors were put into question, and the appearance of the rumored A5X chip surfaced. Now, the next iteration of this rumor is that Apple will have both of them in production. In spite of the quasi-compelling iOS 5.1 code evidence, the rumor is still dubious at best.
Very useful tip.
ReplyDeleteBut I disagree with your point of view about Apple software.
In my experience, Apple's usability is crippled with 'awkwardisms' such as this one.
It is not just that they do things differently than Windows. They stubbornly cultivate these differences as if it was a shame to adopt a good idea from the non-Apple world.
They have a history of trying to ignore or counteract foreign technologies and habits, to the great despair of the user.
As the time goes, they eventually adopt good foreign things, with years of delay. Be it PCI, USB, IDE/SATA, you name it.
The right mouse button (and its associated context menu) is another example of Apple's stupid protectionism and childish resistance.
Today I bought a Magic Mouse for my Mac and guess what, the right mouse button behaviour is disabled by default ! This is on the latest OS (Snow Leopard, fully updated).