Google Uses a New Processor

What They Say

Google said a couple of days ago that it planned to move away from using Qualcomm processors and move to its own Tensor chip which has been designed in-house and is said to be optimised for AI.

The Information’s Reality Check newsletter highlighted that Google is taking a different approach to AR to Apple, and it quotes Google head of hardware, Rick Osterloh, as saying that the new chip is a “perfect foundation” for improvements to AR. It also suggested that this kind of chip could help Google develop AR glasses.

What We Think

This story might have been a significant semiconductor story, but the reality is that Google is a niche player in terms of smartphone market share. In fact, I wonder if it really has the scale to develop competitive chips, although, of course, Google has enough cash. I guess that someone at the firm thought “If Apple can design its own chips, so can we”. (BR)

Google Share proc