Reuters is reporting that Apple is conducting trials with Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC for its next generation A6 processor; according to sources familiar with the matter.
TSMC has got all the authorization and details ready. Whether Apple puts in a formal order will depend on the yield rate, said the source, who was not authorized to speak to the media. The source did not provide further details of the orders.
This could be a significant development in the ongoing “copy-cat” lawsuit between Apple and Samsung. Samsung is currently the sole supplier of the current generation A5 chip which is used in the iPad 2. The A5 chip is also widely rumored to be the chip of choice for the next generation iPhone 5 too. It appears that Apple may be looking to sever its ties with Samsung for its future chip production.
The A6 processor will likely debut in the iPad 3 when it is launched next year. Apple tends to introduce new processors to the iPad line of devices first, then introduces them to the iPhone and iPod touch when they are updated.
[Reuters]
