Google reportedly wants to build Android device chips for its hardware partners in an attempt to boost the virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences of its mobile users. Possibly to get a head start on Apple, Google has shared in-house designs with its business partners, which would be used in Nexus and other Android smartphones in the next years.
The Information first reported the story. A big benefit of the search giant designing and making its own chips would be to reduce the discrepancies of various handsets' features. That would provide a more uniform user experience.
It would be more in line with Apple, which internally develops chips and smartphones. In 2012 the company made major redesigns to its ARM-based A6 chipset for the iPhone 5, and beat Android in developing a 64-bit A7 chip, according to Gizmodo.
Ex-Apple CEO Steve Jobs once famously quoted computer scientist Alan Kay. He said it is important for a "serious" software-developing company to also manufacture in-house hardware.
Google wants to have a bigger influence in the development of various technologies. The Information reported they include technologies such as cameras and CPUs.
In fact, VR-capable devices such as Nexus smartphones would involve many components. That includes the CPU, GPU, camera, and accelerometer.
However, the ultimate goal is likely to get a head start on the competition in creating new VR and AR tech. It could be used across all of its smartphone and tablet devices.
Samsung's newest Galaxy smartphones already include VR-capable Exynos chips. Mobile phone makers such as Qualcomm also have added VR and AR-friendly graphics processors to their handsets. However, they create different experiences based on varying hardware.
One option Google has is to base its home-grown chip designs on partners' existing architecture licenses. Such graphic chip specialists could speed up the developing of AR and VR chipsets.
However, Roger Kay of Endpoint Technology Associates explained that Google's iron-fisted chip redesigns could upset its mobile partners, according to Computer World. They want their handsets to have unique features.
Google would need its biggest Android device manufacturer Samsung to help promote chip designs. That could get other handset makers on board with uniform chip designs.