Qualcomm chips are found in many smartphones, but they are not the only game in town. Nokia is going to be playing host to Windows Phone 7 handsets with a different group of hardware components. With the new alliance between Nokia and Microsoft, the future is looking bright for fans of Nokia. The power is on the way, with STMicroelectronics parts being the catalyst. STMicroelectronics makes everything from single transistors to microprocessors. They also make something called the U8500. This is what is called a SOC, or, “System On a Chip”. This is the first chip to integrate the Mali-400 GPU ( Graphical Processing Unit ) into one.
What this means is that future Nokia smartphones are going to have super graphics abilities. When comparing 3D capabilities with Apple, it makes an iPhone look inept. Gaming in 3D on a Nokia smartphone is going to be a much better experience. Videos are being released now that show the 3D gaming prowess of the ST-Ericsson’s U8500 platform. The best adjectives to describe the results are smooth and fast. This advanced graphics ability will give Nokia more clout in the mobile realm.
Nokia is going to use the ST-Ericsson U8500 platform to power some, but not all, of its smartphones. The boss of STMicroelectronics, Carlo Bozotti, is quoted by Forbes magazine as saying the Windows Phone 7 system will have this strapping new chip behind it. Windows Phone 7 uses a “six hub” system and Games are a spoke on that hub. The Xbox system is on the same gaming hub. This integration into the Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system will make gaming a real pleasure. Windows Phone 7 is the system that Nokia is going to be displaying on their smartphones in the coming months. Xbox will be on the Nokia and will have a “Live Integration” feature that synchronizes games. Different versions of the Xbox experience will be available on Nokia-Windows smartphones depending on whether the user has a free or a Gold membership.
The ST-Ericsson U8500 hardware uses Nomadik application processor technology. This is another creation from the STMicroelectronics company. It is dual core and uses less power than a single core processor. Thanks to its power, it enables full 1080p high definition camera function. That also means that web browsing will be limited by the speed of the internet connection, not the processor. Look for the Nokia-Windows smartphones to hit the market before the end of the year.
