sincity Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 For now Apple's new iPad Air and its other A7-processor equipped devices are sitting pretty as 64-bit mobile devices, but Intel says that's all going to change next year. The chipmaker revealed as much during an investor meeting this week, where CEO Brian Krzanich informed attendees that the company is developing a 64-bit version of Android and plans to release tablets with the tech following Bay Trail tablets running 64-bit versions of Microsoft's Windows 8.1. The Windows 8.1 tabs are expected in the first quarter next year. Krzanich went on to say that Android tablets equipped with Bay Trail processors could come with a starting price of $150 (about £92 or AUS $162). What's more, apparently all Bay Trail chips already support 64-bit addressing, which means a software update could make a whole range of Bay Trail devices 64-bit capable as well. Intel is also currently developing an image of Android 4.4 KitKat. What does 64-bit really mean anyway? For the longest time, most Android mobile devices ran on ARM or Intel processors equipped with 32-bit versions of Android. Meanwhile, Apple latest hardware including the iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display as well as the iPhone 5S have the A7 processor and 64-bit iOS operating system. Technically speaking Apple isn't the first 64-bit mobile device maker. Microsoft introduced its original Surface Pro tablet running a full version of 64-bit Windows 8 last year. But this is closer to carrying around a full-fledge PC because it packed a real Intel Core i5 processor. Semantics aside, what a 64-bit system does for mobile devices is grant access to more increased system memory and pave the way for Ultra-HD video. 32-bit systems thus far have always been limited to 4GB of RAM. It probably won't be a big issue for some years to come, especially seeing as the only phone that will reach this memory limit is the rumored Samsung Galaxy S5. Currently the 3GB of RAM is the highest we've seen on handset like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and LG G2. Via PC World Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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