Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

The next step people were expecting to see regarding devices with ARM processors hitting the market was to cross the 1GHz clock mark. The qualcomm snapdragon is one of those chips, and people are always speculating about when companies will release devices with this or othrr 1 GHz ARM chips.

These devices are already starting to arrive. In special, the iPad has a 1GHz ARM chip. But we dont expect to see the next Nokia tablet (N910? Rover? N9.99?) much sooner than the end of this year, do we?

So I've been wondering: What is the chance the next tablet might feature the second next step in ARM chips, namely _a dual core processor_? Or will we still be happy with 1GHz single-core then?

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

Near zero chance. The next/Maemo 6 device is said to be also OMAP3, which is single core. Also, there is a chance it might be 800 or 720 MHz instead of 1GHz because of power considerations. Remember that snapdragon's 1GHz is performance wise not directly comparable to an 1GHz OMAP3.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

Yeah... what attila77 said.

I'd love it, it would make me 100% happy if halfway true. But... it ain't gonna happen.

I might have to get an Inbrics MID M1 to satiate my internet tablet usage/needs.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

as far as i know only the snapdragons cpu's will be dual core and coming out this year.

but if it's a slight bump in speed with dedicated gpu it'll be better than dualcore.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

The OMAP4 should start volume production 2010H2, but that would be too late for the Maemo6 device.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

the n900 is fast for me, i cant even keep up with it. but still there are better devices to be released

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

Aren't dual core chips more efficient for power usage?

Edit: Especially for concurrent operating systems with lots of multitasking.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

Kindasorta. They make sense only if your application is actually able to run in parallel threads, otherwise it will give you just UI snappiness (which, while good for user experience, results in more power draw).

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

http://www.slashgear.com/texas-instr...ds-on-0172231/

more info on the omap 3 and omap 4 chips, dual core is coming out for omap 4. not sure if it'll be in time maemo 6

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

I met some TI reps and asked them about the omap4 devices; they said that we didn't have enough volume to sell those chips to us. They were not released to the general public. They explained that we would have to have the volume of the big mobile phone players. I asked if Nokia was one and they couldn't comment; however, the smirk on their faces was enough to tell me that Nokia has had these chips for a while. It really annoyed me that we couldn't use that puppy in our next gen product. Dual core A9's will rock.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

One quote from the Slashgear article:

As for the first commercial products, they’re expected to reach the market in late 2010 or early 2011, with TI proving tight-lipped on exactly which manufacturers are on-board; both smartphones and other devices – such as tablets – are apparently in the pipeline.

2H2010, tablet, that fits with the Nokia M6 device. Unfortunately it also fits with the N900 being left behind by M6.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

Really, the next Maemo 6 device(s?) will use OMAP3. This is not guessing, it was in a presentation by a Nokia rep at Maemo Summit. You can find the slides here.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

You may be right, but plans change. The competition is already running at 1GHz and Qualcomm has announced a dual core 1.5GHz Snapdragon. The OMAP3640 is the fastest OMAP3 that I've seen announced and it's only a 1GHz processor. I would not be surprised to see Nokia go with OMAP4. OTOH, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

But OMAP also has an integrated DSP that does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to media, which Snapdragon doesn't. It's an apples to oranges comparison.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

There is also talk that Nokia will be pushing maemo really hard in 2010.
Supposedly 10% of all sold Nokia phones will be maemo 6 devices by 2011.
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/...-half-of-2010/
With Nokia selling 400 to 500 million phones a year, that would be more Maemo 6 devices then iPhones have sold in the last 2 and a half years.
I very much doubt that that will happen if maemo 6 will only run on the newly released highest performence mobile chips (OMAP 4). It would simply make Maemo 6 devices too expensive to reach the 10% goal.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

I have nothing to add to the previous comments; Snapdragon is overhyped due the outcome of the semi-censored Google Search, and Maemo will account for 20% of Nokia's smartphone portfolio in 2011.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

Not a chance... Nokia hasn't been using any cutting edge technology since n95. Even the omap3 chipset is a bit outdated, though it'll still get the job done. That's the chip we're going to see in maemo 6 devices.

I don't know how cortex a8 compares to snapdragon, but if I understood correctly - the snapdragon is based on older - less effecient - arm architechture than cortex a8...

Edit: I Stand corrected - the snapdragon gives 5% more/mhz...

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

At the moment it would seem pointless having dual core processors or 1.5 ghz + processors.

Before we can have that the software would have to be highly optimized (to minimize battery usage) as well as the os being designed to switch off anything which is not currently being used - i.e. wifi, micro usb ports, bluetooth to conserve battery and possibly some new battery tech to increase the battery life dramatically, as with dual core processors or powerful 1.5 + ghz processors will come more graphic intense games = more battery usage.

So hence the problem. The next big development really needs to be a new type of battery tech to tripple the current life of the N900 otherwise dual core processor + gaming = 3 hours battery life.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

that doesn need to be the case.

the OMAP34x in the N900 is still made on a 65nm process.
The OMAP36x and the OMAP4 will be produces on 45nm. That will result in a huge energy saving.

I think the Maemo 6 devices will use the OMAP36x chip. cheaper and more energy efficient.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

Timing of dual core chips also fits perfectly for Symbian^4 devices.

Re: Might the next tablet be a dual-core device?
 

As far as battery life, Texas Instruments estimates that a 1,000 mAh battery would be good for 30 to 50 hours of MP3 playback with an OMAP3 while the OMAP4 will offer up to 145 hours.

New chipsets designed for mobile devices generally offer new power efficiencies as their primary selling point with speed as a secondary issue.