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Samsung backs Apple's 64-bit chip smartphone chip switch | Samsung backs Apple's 64-bit chip smartphone chip switch |
(1 day later) | |
Samsung has confirmed its next high-end smartphones will feature 64-bit processors. | Samsung has confirmed its next high-end smartphones will feature 64-bit processors. |
The announcement follows the launch of the iPhone 5S, the first handset to include the technology. | The announcement follows the launch of the iPhone 5S, the first handset to include the technology. |
Apple boasted its A7 chip offered "desktop-class architecture". | Apple boasted its A7 chip offered "desktop-class architecture". |
However, experts say most apps are unlikely to see much immediate benefit from the shift from 32-bit tech and that it could introduce compatibility problems in the future. | However, experts say most apps are unlikely to see much immediate benefit from the shift from 32-bit tech and that it could introduce compatibility problems in the future. |
The Android operating system would need to be updated before Samsung's Galaxy devices could take advantage of a shift to 64-bit. | The Android operating system would need to be updated before Samsung's Galaxy devices could take advantage of a shift to 64-bit. |
Faster work | Faster work |
The number of bits in relation to a microprocessor affects the size of the numbers that can be handled by its registers - the tiny bits of memory on the processing chip itself. Those numbers are then used to address RAM (random-access memory). | The number of bits in relation to a microprocessor affects the size of the numbers that can be handled by its registers - the tiny bits of memory on the processing chip itself. Those numbers are then used to address RAM (random-access memory). |
In the case of 32-bit architecture, the amount of memory than can be addressed is two to the power of 32, in other words 4.3 billion values. | |
In the case of 64-bit architecture the processor can theoretically address 18,400,000 trillion values. | In the case of 64-bit architecture the processor can theoretically address 18,400,000 trillion values. |
As a result, operating systems written for 32-bit chips can only access up to 4GB of RAM, but those written for 64-bit processors can, in theory, support up to 16 billion gigabytes of RAM. | |
If a program has been written to take advantage of a 64-bit operating system, it should mean the processor can access data that is in this larger memory rather than retrieving it from, for example, the hard disk. | If a program has been written to take advantage of a 64-bit operating system, it should mean the processor can access data that is in this larger memory rather than retrieving it from, for example, the hard disk. |
This speeds up the whole processing chain. | This speeds up the whole processing chain. |
However, including more RAM also makes the equipment more expensive and power-hungry. | |
For that reason, smart-device makers have tended to shy away from taking advantage of 32-bit chips' upper RAM limit. | For that reason, smart-device makers have tended to shy away from taking advantage of 32-bit chips' upper RAM limit. |
Samsung's forthcoming Galaxy Note 3 handset goes the furthest, with 3GB of RAM. The device also features a bigger-than-normal 3,200 mAh battery. | Samsung's forthcoming Galaxy Note 3 handset goes the furthest, with 3GB of RAM. The device also features a bigger-than-normal 3,200 mAh battery. |
Incompatible apps | Incompatible apps |
Samsung Electronic's co-chief executive announced its plan to use 64-bit chips, in an interview with the Korea Times newspaper. | Samsung Electronic's co-chief executive announced its plan to use 64-bit chips, in an interview with the Korea Times newspaper. |
"Not in the shortest time," said Shin Jong-kyun. "But yes, our next smartphones will have 64-bit processing functionality." | "Not in the shortest time," said Shin Jong-kyun. "But yes, our next smartphones will have 64-bit processing functionality." |
However, bearing in mind there will remain many iOS and Android handsets on the market that still rely on 32-bit chips, this may deter developers from taking advantage of the switch in the short-term. | However, bearing in mind there will remain many iOS and Android handsets on the market that still rely on 32-bit chips, this may deter developers from taking advantage of the switch in the short-term. |
"People who have the old 32-bit processors will not be able to run software that is built specifically for the 64-bit processors because the latter uses a different instruction set," explained Prof Alan Woodward, from the University of Surrey's computing department. | "People who have the old 32-bit processors will not be able to run software that is built specifically for the 64-bit processors because the latter uses a different instruction set," explained Prof Alan Woodward, from the University of Surrey's computing department. |
"However, if people write in 32-bit, it will run on many of the 64-bit processors because they still support the old instruction set. | "However, if people write in 32-bit, it will run on many of the 64-bit processors because they still support the old instruction set. |
"So, you can get the whole market by writing the app in 32-bits, but you can only get a very small part of the market if you write specifically for 64-bits." | "So, you can get the whole market by writing the app in 32-bits, but you can only get a very small part of the market if you write specifically for 64-bits." |
One solution to this is to use what is called a "fat binary", a program containing code tailored to both types of processor. However, apps that do this become bigger and therefore take up more storage space. | |
Once sales of the new devices do grow, makers of video games and software to create 3D-animations might be among the first to make the switch since their programs are among the most processor-intensive and thus most likely to see the biggest benefit. | Once sales of the new devices do grow, makers of video games and software to create 3D-animations might be among the first to make the switch since their programs are among the most processor-intensive and thus most likely to see the biggest benefit. |
One iPhone and Android developer welcomed the move. | One iPhone and Android developer welcomed the move. |
"Yes, many apps won't be able to take advantage of 64-bit at the outset," said Stephen Lum from Visual Candy Apps. | "Yes, many apps won't be able to take advantage of 64-bit at the outset," said Stephen Lum from Visual Candy Apps. |
"But the beauty of what Apple did is that they said it takes an iOS developer, like me, two hours to convert to 64-bit. That is awesome." | "But the beauty of what Apple did is that they said it takes an iOS developer, like me, two hours to convert to 64-bit. That is awesome." |
However, one industry watcher warned that the switch might create compatibility problems for devices using older types of chip once developers started releasing apps that only worked on 64-bit processors. | |
"When app makers do decide to transition to fully 64-bit, it will create a divide in the market," said Chris Green, from the Davies Murphy Group consultancy. | "When app makers do decide to transition to fully 64-bit, it will create a divide in the market," said Chris Green, from the Davies Murphy Group consultancy. |
"We saw exactly the same thing happen in the Windows world when software makers moved from 32-bit to purely 64-bit." | "We saw exactly the same thing happen in the Windows world when software makers moved from 32-bit to purely 64-bit." |
Rise of ARM | Rise of ARM |
For now British chip designer ARM may prove the biggest beneficiary. | For now British chip designer ARM may prove the biggest beneficiary. |
Smart-device makers are able to offer 64-bit tech because they have licensed the firm's ARMv8 architecture, which it first announced in 2011. The design includes other elements which should also boost processing power. | Smart-device makers are able to offer 64-bit tech because they have licensed the firm's ARMv8 architecture, which it first announced in 2011. The design includes other elements which should also boost processing power. |
The news means the company will enjoy bigger fees. ARM's share price has risen about 10% since the start of the week. | The news means the company will enjoy bigger fees. ARM's share price has risen about 10% since the start of the week. |
Some have speculated that Apple's announcement might foreshadow the US firm ditching Intel chips in its laptops and desktop computers and moving to its own processors. | Some have speculated that Apple's announcement might foreshadow the US firm ditching Intel chips in its laptops and desktop computers and moving to its own processors. |
"Apple's new A7 chip is not powerful enough to be a PC chip, but the architecture is going that way," said Prof Woodward. | "Apple's new A7 chip is not powerful enough to be a PC chip, but the architecture is going that way," said Prof Woodward. |
"They might be readying themselves. I think this is the beginning of a long road." | "They might be readying themselves. I think this is the beginning of a long road." |