48-Core Chips Could Redefine Mobile Devices

[wraggster]

Intel researchers are working on a 48-core processor for smartphones and tablets (http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9233039/Intel_working_on_48_core_chip_for_smartphones_tabl ets), but it could be five to 10 years before it hits the market. Having a 48-core chip in a small mobile device would open up a whole new world of possibilities. 'If we're going to have this technology in five to 10 years, we could finally do things that take way too much processing power today,' said analyst Patrick Moorhead. 'This could really open up our concept of what is a computer... The phone would be smart enough to not just be a computer but it could be my computer.' Enric Herrero, a research scientist at Intel Labs in Barcelona, explained that with the prototype chip someone could, for instance, be encrypting an email while also working on other power-intensive apps at the same time — without hiccups. Same for HD video. Intel's Tanausu Ramirez said it could also boost battery life. 'The chip also can take the energy and split it up and distribute it between different applications,' he said. Justin Rattner, Intel's CTO, told Computerworld that a 48-core chip for small mobile devices could hit the market 'much sooner' than the researchers' 10-year prediction.

http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/10/30/1634207/48-core-chips-could-redefine-mobile-devices