Targeted at enabling high-end smartphones the MSM8260 and MSM8660 include two Scorpion processors, based on the ARM Cortex A8 but modified by Qualcomm under an architectural license. The devices are third-generation processors from Qualcomm's Snapdragon family.

However, according to documents on Qualcomm websites, the company expected to sample the parts in the fourth quarter of 2009. So either Qualcomm has been late in sampling the parts or the company has been slow to announce the sampling. In addition Qualcomm has another dual-CPU Snapdragon processor, the QSD8672 which is again built in 45-nm CMOS but operates at 1.5-GHz clock frequency. That was due to sample in the second-half of 2009.

Qualcomm announced plans for the QSD8672 in November 2008 and for the MSM8260, the MSM8660 and the MSM827 in a press release dated Feb 12, 2009 stating that the chips would sample in Q4 2009 and be manufactured in 45-nm process technology. The MSM8270 is due to sample in mid-2010.

Now the company states the MSM8260 supports HSPA+ and the MSM8660 supports multi-mode HSPA+/CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. B. The devices include 3D and 2D graphics processing cores for Open GLES 2.0 and Open VG 1.1 acceleration, a 1080p video codec, a separate audio engine, integrated GPS, and support for 24-bit WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution displays.

"Qualcomm's first-generation Snapdragon chipsets set a new standard for advanced smartphones and smartbook devices, and our second-generation solutions are already shipping in volume," said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, in a statement.

By: DocMemory
Copyright © 2023 CST, Inc. All Rights Reserved