AMD to resist ARM and enter tablet space with proprietary Fusion APU

by Steven Mostyn - May 2 2011, 08:53

Cambridge-based chipmaker ARM Holdings is a definite forerunner in the ever-expanding mobile space, thanks, in the main, to licensing out its processing technology to leading smartphone and tablet manufacturers such as Apple.

That being said, rival chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is reportedly preparing to enter the mobile market supported by its proprietary x86 architecture, denying whispers that it will look outside its own creations by licensing ARM’s chipsets.

Speaking with the IDG News Service, John Taylor, director of client product and software marketing at AMD, has indicated that the California-based heavyweight wants to move into the tablet market by utilizing its own Fusion APU (accelerated processing unit).

Rumours surrounding the possible unveiling of a licensing deal between AMD and ARM began gathering momentum over the last week after it was announced that Jem Davies, vice president of technology at ARM, is to deliver a presentation at AMD’s inaugural Fusion Development Summit.

AMD’s apparent intent to keep faith with its own x86 technology follows on from Intel’s recently announced Atom X670 ‘Oak Trail’ chipset, which maintains a similar distance from ARM and will soon begin appearing in a variety of ultra-mobile devices.

Some of the most prominent tech companies that have already embraced ARM chips for their smartphones and tablets include the likes of Samsung and LG, along with chipmakers such as Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and NVIDIA.

The upcoming AMD summit is scheduled to take place in Bellevue, Washington, between June 13 and June 16.

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