Google continues to draw inspiration from Apple. After integrating its first Google Tensor in-house SoC on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the manufacturer is currently developing a new chip for its upcoming tablets and Chromebooks.
By freeing itself from Intel for the development of processors for its Mac M1s, Apple has been emulated. Indeed, it would seem that Google has chosen to continue in this direction, as affirmed by our colleagues from the Nikkei Asia site. According to their sources, Google is currently developing an in-house processor for its upcoming ChromeOS tablets and Chromebooks.
These products, whose names have not yet been released, should be launched by 2023, according to sources close to the Mountain View firm. Unsurprisingly, these sources explain that several reasons led Google to embark on the path of personalized chips. Of course, Apple’s choice to drop Intel to manufacture its own Apple Silicon processors largely inspired the American giant.
It must be said that ARM processors, which are usually found in our smartphones and tablets, are of increasing interest to laptop manufacturers. Microsoft has already expressed its interest in this technology, as has Google, which is currently developing its internal silicon for the ARM architecture.
Google is 100% committed to custom chips
With the creation of its personalized SoCs, Google will be able to exercise greater control over its ecosystem, in particular by carrying out micro-optimizations hitherto impossible with silicon designed by Qualcomm. In addition, Nikkei Asia sources claim that Google “is also stepping up its efforts ” for build homemade processors for its next Pixels and other devices.
In other words, it’s clear that the Google Tensor SoC, which will power the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, is just the foundation stone. As a reminder, the SoC Tensor promises to be very close to the Exynos 2100 of the Galaxy S21. Logical, when we know that Samsung is involved in the development of the component.
More precisely, Google’s SoC should offer similar power to that of Samsung’s future Exynos 9855. Internally, the two processors are referred to under the same code name: Whitechapel. Of course, we will have more information on this subject during the official presentation of the Pixel 6 scheduled for September 13, 2021 if we are to believe the latest rumors.
Source: Nikkei Asia