Qualcomm Atheros partners with Nokia for indoor maps
Qualcomm Atheros and Nokia are teaming up to combine Nokia’s map data with Qualcomm’s Wi-Fi solutions. Using Nokia’s map data, Qualcomm says it will be able to provide location data that will be accurate within 3-5 meters. The collaboration will enable mobile operators to offer more location-based services to tenants in large venues like shopping malls and airports. Retailers will be able to target mobile subscribers with real-time offers based on their location.
Nokia says that its ‘HERE’ mapping unit has mapped more than 9,000 venues consisting of 50,000 unique buildings in 69 countries. The data includes features like ATM machines, restrooms and escalators. “Indoor spaces are among the new frontiers in mapping and HERE is uniquely positioned to bring its global leadership in outdoor mapping to inside venues,” said Cliff Fox, senior vice president of Location Content at HERE. “Not only have we been the first to map some of the most recognized buildings in the world, but we also offer the world’s broadest coverage of indoor spaces.
MediaTek doubles down on quad-core processors
Taiwan’s MediaTek says it will ship 60-65 million smartphone ICs during the third quarter, with quad-core processors accounting for 25-30% of the total according to local media reports. The company is now one of the five leading vendors of mobile application processors, along with Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung and China’s Spreadtrum.
MediaTek and Spreadtrum are major suppliers to Chinese smartphone manufacturers. They offer low-cost solutions, but MediaTek has also made it clear that it wants to be an innovator in the mobile applications space. The company recently announced the first octo-core processor that will deploy all eight cores simultaneously.
Nvidia joins IBM in OpenPower Consortium
Nvidia and IBM will work together to integrate the CUDA GPU and Power ecosystems as part of Nvidia’s role in the OpenPower Consortium. The consortium, spearheaded by IBM, aims to challenge Intel’s dominance in the market for server hardware. Other members of the open development alliance include Google, Tyan and Mellanox.
The OpenPower consortium is based on IBM’s POWER microprocessor architecture. IBM says the goal is to create “advanced server, networking, storage and GPU-acceleration technology aimed at delivering more choice, control and flexibility to developers of next-generation, hyperscale and cloud data centers.”
Follow me on Twitter.
