Google and Qualcomm are making ready a elementary change to Put on OS

Google not too long ago introduced the Pixel Watch 2, and the brand new watch is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor. Nevertheless, the 2 firms have now introduced a partnership that would change the inspiration of smartwatches and extra.

Qualcomm introduced that it’s working with Google to develop a Snapdragon Put on chipset based mostly on the RISC-V structure. Moreover, Qualcomm says this new processor will energy “next-generation Put on OS options.”

The US chip designer added that its RISC-V Snapdragon Put on chipset would allow smartwatches with options like “customized cores, low energy, and better efficiency.”

Qualcomm additionally mentioned that work was underway to guarantee that apps and a “sturdy” software program ecosystem can be found when the primary business Put on OS watches powered by RISC-V are launched. It didn’t reveal a launch window for these first smartwatches.

It’s price noting that we’ve beforehand seen RISC-V wearables being introduced, however these have typically been restricted to the likes of China and weren’t operating Put on OS to start with.

RISC-V is a rival to the Arm structure which at present dominates the smartphone and smartwatch area. Certainly, just about all smartphones and smartwatches use chips based mostly on Arm’s structure, whereas Apple’s newest Mac computer systems use them as nicely. Actually, it’s also possible to discover Arm-based chips in good house devices, many trendy vehicles, and even the Nintendo Swap.

The Arm structure is the brainchild of chip designer Arm, and firms wishing to construct Arm-based chips must pay for a license from the corporate. Nevertheless, RISC-V is an open structure, permitting anybody to freely construct a customized processor.

The newest RISC-V chips nonetheless aren’t fairly on par with flagship Arm-based processors in the case of horsepower and options. However Qualcomm and Google’s smartwatch announcement means that the 2 firms really feel RISC-V chips are prepared for wearables. The open nature of the structure also needs to lead to value financial savings that would doubtlessly be handed on to shoppers.

This Put on OS announcement comes after Google revealed in December 2022 that Android will formally assist RISC-V. The platform holder additionally issued a roadmap of types on the time, whereas suggesting that it didn’t merely need Android on RISC-V to be a prototype.

RISC-V’s rising adoption additionally comes after studies that Arm was altering its licensing mannequin for Arm-based chips going ahead. The British chip kingpin was reportedly contemplating bypassing chip designers like Qualcomm, as an alternative requiring system makers to pay royalties to make use of Arm-based silicon. These royalties would purportedly be calculated based mostly on a tool’s worth.

So information of Qualcomm making RISC-V chips for Put on OS smartwatches actually looks as if a backup plan on the very least for the chip designer and system makers.