Computex 2011:Qualcomm 展示多款新裝置

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高通(Qualcomm)今天展示了多款使用最新 CPU 的裝置,基本上幾乎都是基於 Snapdragon ,相信大家都知道「威猛的咬咬龍」(其實真正意思是三葉草),這次展示的都是第三代的 Snapdragon 。

比較特別的,其中有一款手機,是 acer Iconia tab 系列手機,疑似之前謠傳的21:9的那款,而且現場手板的型號也被塗掉,透過影像軟體的協助,可以勉強看出是型號 Iconia tab A5 ,應該就是acer接下來要推的 Iconia Smart 智慧型手機,處理器使用雙核的 MSM8260 ,是基於 ARMv7 架構。

第三代的 Snapdragon 除了有雙核心架構外,預設加入 3D 影像播放、1080p 影片播放與相機5連拍,以上3點都是硬體處理。 1080p 影像播放若配上音效(DTS或杜比),就有具體而微的家庭劇院功能(就像 LG Optimus 2X 廣告那樣的感覺);加入了硬體處理相機5連拍,對手機廠商在設計相機功能時可以有更多的發揮,像是加入 HDR 之類的功能。

現場還有展示 Qualcomm Atheros WiFi Display 技術,是由剛被買下 Atheros 的技術,走 WiFi Direct 規範,可以把裝置上的影像送到顯示裝置上,當然顯示裝置也要支援該技術,與 Intel WiDi 最大的不同是該技術走軟體層,所以網卡只要更新驅動或韌體就可以支援,而且還不用再買一個接收盒,不過筆電市場的無線網卡幾乎都是 Intel 的天下,加上電視機廠商也要願意支援才行,概念很不錯,只是還要待觀察。

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Qualcomm have showcased many devices based on its third generation Snapdragon processors today. Out of the lot, there was one Acer Iconia tab series phone which looks like the one with 21:9 aspect ratio screen that Acer announced back in February. Although all phones on display have their model numbers marked out, with some help from photo editors, one can make out this phone should be Iconia tab A5, the next-in-line for Iconia Smart series, which features a dual-core MSM8260 processor with ARMv7 instruction set.

On top of dual-core architecture, by default, all third generation Snapdragon will have the capacity to hardware accelerate 3D display, 1080p video playback and burst mode for camera to take continuous photos up to 5 shots.

Also on display was the demonstration of Qualcomm Atheros WiFi Display. Sourced from recently acquired Atheros, it technology is capable of transferring image displayed on one device to any other video displays capable of receiving it via WiFi Direct protocol. The major point of distinction between this and Intel's WiDi is that a receiver box would not be required, and since this technology only involves changes in software layer, so a upgrade to include support for this technology may merely involves a driver or firmware update to wireless NICs. However, since Intel dominates wireless chipset market for current notebooks, and support from television manufacturers would be essential to its success, how well this good concept fares in the market would be something yet to be seem.