Great discussions are happening on 9to5 Mac regarding Apple testing a 64-bit CPU for the iPhone. Many comments point out that the need for 64-bit is not to make any rendering to happen more smoothly but a starting point of Apple transitioning to an iOS which requires it. This is the type of design upgrade requirement that Apple loves to plant on its customers.
Here is the quote causing much of the stir:
It’s unclear if 64-bit will make the cut, but it’s been in testing. We’re told that the 64-bit processing will make animations, transparencies, and other iOS 7 graphical effects appear much more smoothly than on existing iOS Devices…
All of this discussion was sparked by Clayton Morris, an anchor at Fox News Channel said on Twitter that the A7 processor is running about 31 percent faster than the existing iPhone 5′s A6 processor.
Regardless, the fodder is fun. It’s pure rumor and pure speculation which mostly turns out to be false. In fact, pay attention to the GigaOM article summarizing all of the guesses. After all, Apple is expected to announce products on September 10.
To add to the discussion, re-read the ZD Net article published in 2005 regarding the importance of 64-bit. While it is in relationship to Windows, Apple’s change would be one to sell possibilities and not one of current need.