December 26, 2023
CUPERTINO – Apple, the world’s most valuable technology company, has been making headlines with its impressive lineup of devices powered by its own custom-designed chips, such as the M-series processors for Macs, the A-series processors for iPhones and iPads, and the S-series processors for Apple Watches.
The company, which has been gradually reducing its dependence on external chip suppliers, such as Intel and Qualcomm, has been praised for its ability to deliver superior performance, efficiency, and integration across its hardware, software, and services.
In a rare interview with Bing News, Apple’s platform architecture VP Tim Millet and product marketing VP Bob Borchers shared some insights into the company’s chip strategy, its innovation process, and its future plans.
According to Millet, Apple’s chip ambitions date back to the early days of the iPhone, when the company realized that it needed to have more control over the core technologies that drive its products.
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“We saw that the mobile industry was evolving very rapidly, and we wanted to be able to differentiate ourselves from the competition and offer the best possible user experience. We also wanted to have more flexibility and agility in responding to the changing needs and demands of our customers. That’s why we decided to invest in our own chip design team and capabilities,” Millet said.
Millet explained that Apple’s chip team consists of hundreds of engineers with expertise in various domains, such as CPU, GPU, neural engine, image signal processor, secure enclave, memory controller, and power management. The team works closely with the software and hardware teams to design chips that are optimized for specific features and functions of each device.
“For example, for the Mac, we wanted to create chips that could deliver desktop-class performance with laptop-class efficiency, and also support features like Touch ID, Touch Bar, and FaceTime HD camera. For the iPhone, we wanted to create chips that could enable features like Face ID, Animoji, and computational photography. For the Apple Watch, we wanted to create chips that could enable features like always-on display, ECG, and fall detection,” Millet said.
Borchers added that Apple’s chip design process is driven by a vision of creating products that are not only powerful and efficient, but also simple and intuitive to use.
“We don’t design chips for the sake of designing chips. We design chips to enable amazing experiences for our customers. We want our products to be easy to use, reliable, secure, and private. We want our products to delight our customers and empower them to do more with their devices,” Borchers said.
Borchers also said that Apple’s chip strategy is not only about creating chips for its own devices, but also about creating platforms that can support a rich ecosystem of apps and services from third-party developers and partners.
“We have a very vibrant and diverse developer community that creates incredible apps and services for our customers. We want to provide them with the best tools and technologies to unleash their creativity and innovation. That’s why we create platforms like Metal, Core ML, ARKit, and SwiftUI, which allow developers to leverage the full potential of our chips and devices,” Borchers said.
Looking ahead, Millet and Borchers said that Apple is not resting on its laurels, but is constantly pushing the boundaries of chip technology and innovation.
“We are very proud of what we have achieved so far, but we are not satisfied. We are always looking for new ways to improve our products and deliver better experiences for our customers. We are always exploring new technologies, new architectures, and new processes that can enable us to create chips that are faster, smarter, and more efficient,” Millet said.
Borchers said that Apple’s chip ambitions are not limited to its current devices, but also extend to new categories and domains that the company is exploring.
“We are very excited about the future of our products and services. We are always looking for new opportunities to create products that can enrich the lives of our customers and make the world a better place. We are always looking for new challenges and new frontiers that can inspire us to create chips that can enable new possibilities and new realities,” Borchers said.
1. How Did Apple’s Chip Ambitions Begin?
In the nascent days of the iPhone, Apple recognized the need to differentiate itself and enhance user experience by gaining more control over core technologies. Tim Millet, Apple’s platform architecture VP, reveals that this realization prompted the company to invest in an in-house chip design team. The goal was to be more flexible and agile in responding to the evolving needs of users.
Apple’s chip team, consisting of hundreds of engineers with diverse expertise, collaborates closely with software and hardware teams. The objective is to design chips tailored for specific features and functions of each device. For example, the Mac chips aim for desktop-class performance with laptop-class efficiency, while iPhone chips enable features like Face ID and computational photography.
2. What Drives Apple’s Chip Design Process?
Bob Borchers, Apple’s product marketing VP, emphasizes that the chip design process is rooted in creating powerful, efficient, simple, and intuitive products. The focus is not merely on designing chips for the sake of it but on enabling exceptional user experiences. Apple aims for products that are easy to use, reliable, secure, and private, delighting customers and empowering them to do more with their devices.
Moreover, Borchers highlights that Apple’s chip strategy extends beyond its own devices. It involves creating platforms that support a vibrant ecosystem of apps and services from third-party developers. This commitment to fostering innovation led to the creation of platforms like Metal, Core ML, ARKit, and SwiftUI, providing developers with tools to leverage the full potential of Apple’s chips and devices.
3. What Is Apple’s Vision for the Future of Chip Technology?
Millet and Borchers make it clear that Apple is not resting on its laurels. While proud of their achievements, the company is continually pushing the boundaries of chip technology and innovation. They express a commitment to exploring new technologies, architectures, and processes to create chips that are faster, smarter, and more efficient.
Borchers adds that Apple’s chip ambitions extend beyond current devices to new categories and domains. The company is excited about the future, always seeking opportunities to create products that enrich lives and contribute to making the world a better place.
4. How Does Apple Balance Performance and Efficiency in Mac Chips?
For Mac chips, Apple aims to deliver desktop-class performance with laptop-class efficiency. This involves a careful balance to ensure that the chips support features like Touch ID, Touch Bar, and FaceTime HD camera while maintaining efficiency. The collaboration between the chip, software, and hardware teams is crucial in achieving this delicate equilibrium.
5. What Features Do Apple’s iPhone Chips Enable?
Apple’s iPhone chips are designed to enable a range of features, including Face ID, Animoji, and computational photography. The emphasis here is on creating chips that go beyond mere processing power, enhancing the overall user experience. The integration of these features showcases Apple’s commitment to innovation in the mobile space.
6. How Does Apple Approach Chip Design for the Apple Watch?
When it comes to the Apple Watch, the focus is on creating chips that enable distinctive features such as an always-on display, ECG (electrocardiogram), and fall detection. This showcases Apple’s dedication to tailoring chip designs to the specific needs and functionalities of each device category, enhancing the overall capabilities of the Apple Watch.
7. What Is the Driving Force Behind Apple’s Chip Design Philosophy?
Apple’s chip design philosophy, as explained by Borchers, is not solely about creating chips for its devices. It extends to creating platforms that support a diverse developer community. These platforms, including Metal, Core ML, ARKit, and SwiftUI, empower developers to unleash their creativity and innovation, leveraging the full potential of Apple’s chips and devices.
8. How Does Apple Ensure Its Products Are User-Friendly and Intuitive?
Borchers emphasizes that Apple’s chip design process is not just about technical specifications; it’s about creating products that are user-friendly and intuitive. The overarching goal is to design chips that enable amazing experiences for users, ensuring that Apple products are not only powerful and efficient but also simple and enjoyable to use.
9. What Challenges and Frontiers Is Apple Exploring in Chip Technology?
Millet and Borchers express Apple’s commitment to constant improvement. While proud of their achievements, the company is always exploring new challenges and frontiers in chip technology. This commitment to innovation is a driving force, inspiring Apple to create chips that not only meet current demands but also enable new possibilities and realities in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
10. How Does Apple Support Third-Party Developers in Its Chip Ecosystem?
Borchers sheds light on Apple’s commitment to supporting a rich ecosystem of apps and services from third-party developers and partners. The creation of platforms like Metal, Core ML, ARKit, and SwiftUI demonstrates Apple’s dedication to providing developers with the best tools and technologies. This support allows developers to tap into the full potential of Apple’s chips and devices, fostering a vibrant and diverse developer community.
Apple is dedicated to constant improvement and exploration. The company is always seeking new challenges and frontiers in chip technology, inspiring innovation and the creation of chips that enable new possibilities and realities.
