Apple developing its own GPU to have more control over products

Apple developing its own GPU to have more control over products
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The company’s current GPU provider, Imagination Technologies has announced that Apple will cease to use its GPU chips in 15 to 24 months apparently because it's working on its own GPU design

Apple will soon be using its own GPU in its A-Series of chipsets. The company currently uses PowerVR GPUs in its chipsets for use in its mobile devices, which are developed by Imagination Technologies. In a statement, Imagination Technologies has announced that Apple will cease to use its intellectual property for GPU chips in 15 to 24 months. That is apparently because Apple is working on its own GPU design. This would give the smartphone maker more control over its products and reduce the dependency on Imagination Technology

“Apple has used Imagination’s technology and intellectual property for many years. It has formed the basis of Graphics Processor Units (“GPUs”) in Apple’s phones, tablets, iPods, TVs and watches. Apple has asserted that it has been working on a separate, independent graphics design in order to control its products and will be reducing its future reliance on Imagination’s technology,” Imagination said in a statement.

It also seems like Imagination is readying itself for a potential legal battle. The company stated that it would be “extremely challenging” for Apple to design a new GPU architecture without infringing on its property rights. It states that Apple has not presented any evidence to substantiate the assertion that it will no longer require Imagination’s technology without violating its patents, intellectual property and confidential information.

Given the time frame of 15 to 24 months, it is highly unlikely that we’ll get to see Apple’s own GPU in the upcoming iPhones. It is possible that we’ll have to wait till 2018 to see the new GPU being used in Apple’s products.

Shrey Pacheco

Shrey Pacheco

Writer, gamer, and hater of public transport. View Full Profile

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