April 06, 2005

Apple Video iPod?

Silicon Valley Watcher has learned Apple has ordered a chip design from Alphmosaic, a Cambridge UK based semiconductor company owned by Broadcom. One the the main designs is the VC01 which can display video on a 3.5 inch LCD screen, capture 8 megapixel images, and produce vivid TV 3D images. A new Apple product can be launched as soon as end of 2005 or January 2006. Potentially we could see a multi-function MP3, video playback, cellphone, camera, DVR, and gaming device. However a simple video iPod with music capability is most likely.

Broadcom says the chip uses very small amounts of battery power and "excels in high-quality 3D graphics performance with the capability to support pixel shading and volumetric lighting with low power consumption, making it ideal for use in mobile gaming applications and comparable in performance to home consoles."