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ARM outs an entry-level A7 for affordable devices

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ARM has brought a new processor Cortex A7, which is cheaper and smaller in size and is capable of bringing a mobile revolution in developing nations

UK based chip designer ARM, has come up with a new processor called the Cortex A7. The company believes that this processor may bring a mobile revolution in the developing countries as they are going to make the smartphones and tablets cheaper.

About 95percent of the world's smartphones already contains ARM design and a range of manufacturers have already signed-up to use this A7 processor.

To reduce power use the ultra-efficient chip can be paired with more powerful processors in a hybrid model. The A7 is said to offer comparable power to current chips but only at a fraction of its price.

According to Warren East, chief Executive ARM, its silicon core is also only one-fifth of the size of existing technologies, which led to a reduced production price. He added that chips are made on a silicon wafer and it costs roughly the same amount of money for each wafer. Whatever be the number of devices on a wafer cost of production remains the same which makes a huge difference in cost per device.

He also believes that this processor will help the African nations and the users in these countries can make their lives easier. Although the Bric countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are catching-up with the Tablets and Smartphones but this processor will really provide an extra push to the mobile revolution.

He believes that the Smartphones to be produced for under $100 by 2013 or 2014.

For the countries where the price is less of an issue the Cortex A7 might be used as a combination to its high end mobile processor to offer a powerful, along with an energy-efficient package.

A7 processor would easily handle tasks like checking background for email and social networking updates and whenever it will come across the tasks which require more power it will switch over to chips such as Cortex-A15, using the technology known as big LITTLE.

This processor will allow the users to get a more battery life as most of the time A7 processor will be functioning for regular use.

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Pallab Jyotee Hazarika, 2011-10-21 (Update: 2012-05-26)