Qualcomm has unveiled two new Snapdragon processors aimed more than just smartphones. These new chips are designed for embedded computing and Internet of Things applications that can be found in a wide range of devices.
Qualcomm announced the new Snapdragon 410E and 600E processors, both of which have been designed for IoT devices. In a press release, Qualcomm said that both processors are designed to be embedded in applications in many verticals such as set-top boxes, digital signage, medical imaging systems, industrial robotics, and point-of-sale systems, among many others.
The 410E is a 1.2GHz quad-core processor that promises to deliver high performance while only consuming a small amount of power. It has an Adreno 306 GPU and Hexagon DSP, supports Bluetooth 4.1, 802.11 b/g/n and GPS. These features make the 410E ideal for Internet of Things use such as in smart homes, digital signages, medical equipment, and surveillance systems.
The 600E, on the other hand, is a 1.5GHz quad-core chip that is built for more resource-intensive applications. It features an Adreno 320 GPU and Hexagon DSP, supports only Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, and GPS. Engadget reported that the 600E is designed for heavy applications like 3D graphics rendering.
According to Qualcomm, the 600E is highly expandable and is applicable for a variety of uses with SATA, DDR memory, eMMC storage, HDMI and PCIe interfaces, among others.
Not only are Qualcomm's new chips promising in terms of performance, they will also be made available to small- and medium-scale companies. This will be made possible through a partnership with Arrow Electronics.
Arrow, which produces chips for companies like Samsung, will make the Snapdragon 410E and 600E available to companies in smaller quantities, enabling them to order as few as a hundred chips at any given time. This means even startups can make use of the new chips in their innovations.