Apple unveils ‘outrageously powerful chip for AI’ in latest iPads
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Apple has introduced a fresh range of iPads that boast of a chip for AI that the tech company defines as "remarkably potent". This reveals Apple's increasing priority on delivering artificial intelligence solutions.
On Tuesday, the business released the "M4" microprocessor for its newest iPad Pros, which came shortly after the introduction of the M3 with fresh Macs in October.
The hunger of AI developers for computing power is causing leading companies like Apple and Nvidia to speed up the production of processors that can handle large quantities of data.
The development of microchips has become an important skill for technology companies that top the world's wealthiest list. Recently, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google introduced new processors that concentrate on artificial intelligence to enhance their products.
According to Tim Millet, the vice-president of platform architecture at Apple, the fusion of M4's CPU, GPU, and AI features (known as the "neural engine") is a significant advancement from their prior chips.
During an Apple event held on Tuesday, he mentioned that the components incorporated into the M4 chip contribute to its incredible power when it comes to artificial intelligence.
Investors have been pressuring Apple to reveal new artificial intelligence (AI) features in order to keep up with both Microsoft-supported OpenAI and Google. This comes at a time when iPhone sales have been on the decline.
The release of ChatGPT chatbot by OpenAI a year and a half ago has led to an increase in the development of new AI applications. As a result, there is a competition to obtain the high-speed processors required to create large language models - AI systems that can generate text and images that resemble human work.
From 2010, iPhones from Apple have been using their own processors based on Arm architecture, and in 2020, the company switched from Intel chips to M1 for its Mac computers.
During the unveiling event on Tuesday, the newest iPad Pro versions were introduced with thinner and brighter screens that need more advanced processors. However, just like the previous versions of M-series chips, M4 will initiate a larger transformation of Apple's personalized chips found in all their products, leading to more sophisticated AI features.
Nvidia, a tech company based in Silicon Valley whose processors are popular among start-ups and large technology corporations, released a new series of their AI chips last month with the aim of solidifying their position as a leading force in the field.
Experts suggest that Apple can now introduce numerous AI capabilities onto their customers' devices with the help of their latest chips. This would result in faster app performance and increased privacy as these features would no longer solely rely on cloud computing.
Ben Bajarin, an analyst in the technology industry at Creative Strategies, stated that Apple silicon's adaptability is one of its main technical benefits when compared to rivals. He also noted that the corporation is now making an effort to highlight the roles its chips play in artificial intelligence.
According to Millet, the M4 utilizes the latest manufacturing technology that is widely accessible called the second-generation 3nm node. This technology is set to increase power efficiency and provide more memory bandwidth which is vital for AI applications that require a lot of data.
He criticized Apple's competitors by highlighting that the iPhone manufacturer has been allocating a fraction of its processors towards AI functionalities, called the neural engine, for several years now. He went on to assert that the neural engine was superior in strength to the corresponding chip in all current AI PCs.
Microsoft, the PC competitor of Apple, has an upcoming event this month where they will be highlighting AI and portability. The event will showcase new processors from Qualcomm which will be based on Arm architecture.
According to Johny Srouji, Apple's senior VP of hardware technologies, the newly released iPad Pro featuring M4 is an excellent illustration of how creating exceptional custom technology can lead to revolutionary products.
During the Apple event, they also unveiled a reworked Pencil pen for their tablets and a less expensive option for their larger 13-inch iPad model.
