Google is best known for its software and services including search, Android and Chrome. But the company also has a hardware division that produces devices including the Chromebook Pixel and the upcoming Pixel C tablet. And Google works with other companies to produce and sell Nexus phones and tablets.
Now it looks like the company may be developing its own processors as well. The company has posted a job listing for a “multimedia chip architect” that would “lead a chip development effort” and work to “take chip to product shipment.”
According to Business Insider, the job would be in the same department of Google that’s responsible for Pixel devices, which suggests that Google might be planning to build its own custom processors for upcoming tablets, notebooks, or other consumer devices.
Of course, it’s also possible that Google wants to design chips for something else, like web servers. The company has a few of those, and would certainly benefit from faster or more efficient processors.
Still, with companies including Apple and Samsung developing their own custom processors for smartphones, tablets, TV boxes, and other hardware, it wouldn’t be that surprising if the company that makes the software that runs on most of the world’s smartphones wanted to design a chip optimized to play well with its software.
It would really make sense for them to make specialized SoCs for their datacenters. Tons of repetitive tasks, most of the CPU’s capabilities goes unused, taking up die-pace and sucking up power.
Similar discussion were made back in 2013 regarding servers:
https://gigaom.com/2013/12/12/google-may-be-making-its-own-custom-server-chips-it-should/
Back then the cost analysis was very reasonable.
Si-Spy. No way to stop it.
It would be interesting if they billed your google account if a licence could not be found for media that is played.
Looks like they want a hardware multimedia expert to help define the partitioning of hardware and software for future mobile systems. Alliance for Open Media stuff. Maybe they can find the next Dan Dobberpuhl (PA Semi).
The job description make it quite clear it’s for mobile SoCs, and not servers, as it’s a “multimedia chip” and they prefer people wih “experience working with mobile and low-power electronics.”
Exactly. It sounds more like a chip for an Amazon Echo type of device.
This isn’t a radical idea, not even a new one. Time ago there were already rumors about Google creating their own processors optimized for their servers.
A “Multimedia Chip Architect” could merely be assembling existing CPU and GPU parts in an optimum fashion for a specific product. The resulting chip could look as similar, or different, as an ARM based SoC.
Using “your own chip design” is not as radical as it sounds.
Or, maybe for products like the chromecast