Google to make A chip competitor?

[AustinIllini]

Google reportedly wants to design its own Android chips

Google is reportedly taking a page out of Apple's playbook and expressing interest in co-developing Android chips based on its own designs, according to a report today fromThe Information. Similar to how the iPhone carries a Ax chip designed by Apple but manufactured by companies like Samsung, Google wants to bring its own expertise and consistency to the Android ecosystem. To do that, it would need to convince a company like Qualcomm, which produces some of the top Android smartphone chips today using its own technology, to sacrifice some of its competitive edge. Google did not respond to a request for comment.

The discussions around Google-designed chips, which The Information say occurred this fall, originated around the company's desire to build an "enterprise connectivity device" — possibly the Pixel C laptop-tablet hybrid unveiled in September — that would rely wholly on in-house technology. Soon, Google was discussing the possibility of designing its own smartphone chips as well, the report states. One benefit of Google's strategy would be the ability to bake in cutting edge features into future versions of Android, like support for augmented and virtual reality, that would require more closely integrated software and hardware.

A GOOGLE-DESIGNED CHIP MAY FIND ITS WAY TO NEXUS PHONES FIRST

However, finding a chip co-developer may prove difficult. Though Google may find a willing partner from the pool of low-cost Android manufacturers, that partner may not be able to produce the highest-quality chips capable of powering high-end smartphones. The high-end market, which Apple dominates, is where Android fragmentation may be costing Google precious sales. One possibility, if chip makers don't agree to use Google designs, is requiring manufacturers of Google's Nexus line use only its own designs — all the way from the chip to the body of the device.

-Nick Statt, The Verge

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Overall, this seems like a good plan, particularly if it enables Google to better design Nexus devices from a power consumption standpoint. Some of the cutting edge Qualcomm screamers are a risk for Google implementation.

 

[Lloydbm41]

First, using anything from iVerge related to Android should be taken with a grain of salt.
Second, I have no doubt that Google has discussed building an entire Nexus/Pixel piece of hardware via in-house architecture. It is only logical that it is at least discussed and reviewed. The questions are, "Does that make any sense?" and "What advantage does it give a wholly Google made product?" The answers are likely that at the current time, it probably doesn't make any sense. But a road map may have been laid out.
That is probably as far as it has gotten. This story is little more than sensationalism based on a single meeting at Google.

 

[maflynn]

I can see it happening - taking a page from Apple's book with its Ax processors. Qualcomm hasn't been firing on all cylinders with its CPUs lately so perhaps they're seeing something that is concerning regarding a long term relationship with Qualcomm.

 

[lowendlinux]

I agree it'll happen.

That will really make nexus devices reference

 

[AustinIllini]

First, using anything from iVerge related to Android should be taken with a grain of salt.
Second, I have no doubt that Google has discussed building an entire Nexus/Pixel piece of hardware via in-house architecture. It is only logical that it is at least discussed and reviewed. The questions are, "Does that make any sense?" and "What advantage does it give a wholly Google made product?" The answers are likely that at the current time, it probably doesn't make any sense. But a road map may have been laid out.
That is probably as far as it has gotten. This story is little more than sensationalism based on a single meeting at Google.

I tend to trust the vox.com sites for news, even if I don't agree with them.

Regardless, this makes sense if Google is planning on making Nexus devices more wide reaching, which they clearly are based on advertising.

 

[AustinIllini]

I can see it happening - taking a page from Apple's book with its Ax processors. Qualcomm hasn't been firing on all cylinders with its CPUs lately so perhaps they're seeing something that is concerning regarding a long term relationship with Qualcomm.

I'm not even sure it's a matter of "Qualcomm hasn't been firing" as much as it is Google trying to design in house.