If the rumors are to be believed, Google has decided not to go ahead with its plan to launch a successor to the 5.5-inch Pixel XL. Earlier, it was believed that a device code-named Muskie would succeed the Pixel XL. However, now a new model with an even bigger screen code-named Taimen is expected to replace the XL version, according to Android Police.
Taimen to succeed Pixel XL 2
Muskie and Walleye were both smaller than Taimen, claimed Droid-life earlier this year. So it wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that the Pixel XL 2 could be Taimen. The reason behind Google’s decision to scrap Muskie is still unknown. There are good chances that it will release two instead of three Pixel devices (Walleye and Taimen).
“We rate this information 9 out of 10 on our rumor confidence scale and confirmed we have corroborated this story with several sources we deem reliable,” Android Police said.
Google released two Pixel handsets last year, of which the Pixel XL was the best. Thus, fans could be disappointed to learn that its successor may not be released. However, the news is still not confirmed, so fans must not lose hope. Further, there are rumors that Google has approached LG to build this year’s Pixel phones.
Google hires Apple veteran to build chips
In other Google news, the company has hired veteran Apple chip architect Manu Gulati, according to Variety. Gulati recently updated his job profile on LinkedIn, listing his new company as Google and his designation as Lead SOC architect, beginning in May.
Gulati, who worked at Apple for eight years, is credited with designing chips for the Apple TV, the iPhone and the iPad, noted the report. Apple has numerous patents related to mobile processors and integrated circuity, and Gulati is listed as the inventor of most of them. Apart from the iPhone maker, he has worked at chip makers like AMD and Broadcom.
At Google, the executive will likely work on developing custom chips for its Pixel range of smartphones. The current Pixel smartphones run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 processor, which can be found in several flagship Android smartphones as well. With the latest Pixel smartphones, Google plans to compete with Apple in the premium smartphone category, and thus, it wants to build its own chips to differentiate its phones from other Android phones on the market.
Such a strategy has worked well for Apple. By designing custom microchips for each device, the company is able to optimize processors to offer the best performance with minimal energy consumption. SoC or system-on-a-chip is the common reference used for such integrated chips for mobile devices.The silicon chips that Apple uses come in a wide range, beginning with the single-core A4 chip that was first used in the original iPad and then in the iPhone 4, to the six-core A10X Fusion chip that the latest iPad Pro models with 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch screen sizes.
If Google has decided to build its own chips, it will surely be a big blow to Qualcomm. There are good chances that the search giant will not use custom chips in its upcoming Pixel devices scheduled for release this coming fall.
