Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit: Day 2 Keynote on ACPC and Gaming
by Dr. Ian Cutress on December 1, 2021 6:00 PM EST06:04PM EST - We're here on Day 2 of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit, ready for a keynote on the next generation of Always Connected PCs (ACPCs) and non-Smartphone gaming. We've got new silicon and new handheld devices to talk about.
06:11PM EST - And here we go
06:11PM EST - Day 2
06:12PM EST - Yesterday was all about smartphone, today is about PC and handheld gaming
06:12PM EST - Cristiano taking the lead again today
06:13PM EST - Taking mobile experiences into different devices
06:13PM EST - Qualcomm is most famous in mobile/smartphone
06:13PM EST - That's never going to change - going to continue to be the company that drives the pace of mobile
06:14PM EST - Focusing on connecting billions of devices and making them smarter
06:14PM EST - It's a repeated statement - it's hard to emphasise the growth of the cloud
06:14PM EST - If you believe in growth of the cloud, a company like qualcomm is making those connections
06:15PM EST - Next few years you will see QC at the entire edge, not just mobile
06:15PM EST - The role beyond the smartphone
06:15PM EST - Look at that handheld device
06:16PM EST - Qualcomm has a one technology roadmap
06:16PM EST - Seeing traction at a high pace on a number of devices
06:16PM EST - Look into adding VR/AR/XR
06:17PM EST - Revolution in mobile gaming too
06:17PM EST - Snapdragon automative
06:17PM EST - ICE and digital cockpits
06:17PM EST - This is not a vision, it's happening today
06:17PM EST - 1600+ devices beyond smartphone using snapdragon
06:18PM EST - CEO of Lenovo on a video now
06:19PM EST - Being connected all the time
06:20PM EST - Smart Home, Smart City
06:20PM EST - Lenovo shares this view
06:20PM EST - driving transformation at the edge for consumers and businesses
06:20PM EST - 'the new normal'
06:22PM EST - Better together
06:23PM EST - Back to Qualcomm
06:23PM EST - Metaverse time
06:24PM EST - Regardless of device, you'll need connectivity
06:24PM EST - No matter the version of the metaverse
06:25PM EST - Automotive is part of the metaverse
06:27PM EST - The opportunity is real, it's more than a buzzword
06:28PM EST - 5G driving the evolution of social
06:29PM EST - It's not about one size fits all though
06:30PM EST - Facebook/Meta video now
06:31PM EST - Meta rep and Cristiano in the metaverse
06:32PM EST - Andrew's avatar looks like he's playing a piano
06:33PM EST - well, hands on a keyboard
06:34PM EST - Talking about the industry
06:37PM EST - ok back to QC, talk about gaming
06:37PM EST - Mobile gaming is big (50%+ revenue in gaming)
06:38PM EST - G3x Gen 1 announcement
06:39PM EST - Collab with razer
06:39PM EST - G3x Gen 1
06:40PM EST - Designed for mobile gamers
06:40PM EST - Inspiring new form factors
06:40PM EST - Phones and up
06:40PM EST - Switch like
06:40PM EST - running android
06:40PM EST - Best sustained GPU perf/watt
06:40PM EST - VRR, HDR
06:41PM EST - Snapdragon G3x handheld developer kit
06:41PM EST - Razer video time
06:42PM EST - Ongoing qualcomm support and solutions with Razer
06:44PM EST - Connecting different visual categories
06:44PM EST - Snapdragon Play in automotive
06:45PM EST - The car becomes a hub for distribution for services and media
06:45PM EST - Customized experiences
06:46PM EST - Redefining intelligent transportation
06:46PM EST - Building an ecosystem around qualcomm - the system perspective
06:46PM EST - connectivity, compute, graphics, security, all on Qualcomm
06:47PM EST - Build a platform for all those applications
06:47PM EST - Connected advanced computer on wheels
06:48PM EST - All about platforms
06:48PM EST - Build on the trends of transformation for the cars of tomorrow
06:48PM EST - Working with 25/26 car brands
06:48PM EST - No mention about car issues getting silicon to even manage heated seats
06:48PM EST - Collab with GM and Cadillac
06:49PM EST - video time
06:50PM EST - Cadillac is set to be EV luxury leader
06:51PM EST - Snapdragon Drive has super cruise enabled for 200k miles of roads in the US
06:53PM EST - Cadillac is talking about driving features Tesla had 4 years ago
06:54PM EST - This is going on a bit long
06:55PM EST - 'Please buy the Lyric, there are lots of Qualcomm chips in there'
06:55PM EST - The Cadillac Lyric 2023
06:56PM EST - Now to ACPC
06:56PM EST - ACPC is Redefining the PC for the future
06:58PM EST - The future is all about connected high performance compute
06:59PM EST - next gen productivity
07:00PM EST - transition to new architectures and ecosystems
07:00PM EST - Panos from Microsoft live convo at a distance
07:01PM EST - the delay is about 750ms
07:01PM EST - PCs have become essential to us over last few years
07:01PM EST - the engine that powers the home
07:02PM EST - home, work, and life
07:02PM EST - move between spaces, devices, and remaining connected
07:03PM EST - How does 5G change Windows?
07:03PM EST - It changes how people work, remote work, play, travelling
07:04PM EST - No matter the user, the device, the use case, the company, the connection - on-demand connectivity and compute inspires
07:05PM EST - AI brings so many capabilities
07:05PM EST - Edge and cloud
07:07PM EST - Collab on Windows 11 for Windows on Snapdragon
07:08PM EST - Momentum for software to be native on Windows on Snapdragon
07:08PM EST - x86-64-bit emulation on Windows 11
07:09PM EST - Android compatibility too
07:09PM EST - Android on Windows on Snapdragon - AoWoS
07:10PM EST - I asked one of the QC execs earlier today about the Microsoft x Qualcomm agreement being exclusive. He said he couldn't say
07:11PM EST - More at Microsoft Build 2022
07:12PM EST - Miguel Nunes to the stage
07:13PM EST - Updates to ACPC
07:14PM EST - Enabling the world where everyone and everything is intelligently connected
07:14PM EST - The freedom to stay connected
07:14PM EST - Led by Qualcomm
07:15PM EST - The best of the smartphone to the entire ecosystem
07:15PM EST - 8cx, 8c, 7c
07:16PM EST - There should be a snapdragon for everyone
07:16PM EST - 64-bit emulation of x86 is very important
07:16PM EST - I spoke with Miguel earlier today - the barriers to full emulation were more software than hardware funnily enough
07:17PM EST - 'laptops at the intelligent edge'
07:19PM EST - transforming businesses
07:20PM EST - QC redefined what it meant to be a laptop
07:20PM EST - more than just a laptop
07:20PM EST - security, connectivity, and experiences
07:21PM EST - Battery life that keeps on going
07:21PM EST - Announcing 8cx Gen 3
07:22PM EST - 5nm hardware
07:23PM EST - First 5nm chip for PCs running Windows
07:23PM EST - Qualcomm AI included
07:23PM EST - Also 5G
07:24PM EST - 4x 3.0 GHz Prime cores + 4x 2.4 GHz Efficiency Cores, 14MB Total Cache (8MB L3+6MB System cache)
07:24PM EST - Single threaded perf +40% vs previous generation
07:24PM EST - 85% faster MT perf
07:25PM EST - Matches 22W i5 performance at 9 W
07:26PM EST - Or at 15W offers 25% more perf than i5
07:26PM EST - 60% better perf/watt
07:26PM EST - 8cx Gen 3 GPU - +60% faster Adreno Gen on Gen
07:26PM EST - 40% better GPU perf/watt compared to x86 competition
07:27PM EST - Photoshop and Lightroom have been optimized natively for Adreno
07:27PM EST - Shapr3D too
07:29PM EST - Shapr3D demo time
07:30PM EST - Now gaming, optimizing for snapdragon
07:30PM EST - Eve Online is optimized for snapdragon
07:30PM EST - also Among Us
07:31PM EST - Roblox too
07:31PM EST - 30% longer battery than competing platforms
07:32PM EST - Spectra ISP inside for video conferencing
07:33PM EST - Auto-focus, white balance, up to 4K HDR for Teams and Zoom
07:33PM EST - Up to 4 cameras x 24 MPs
07:33PM EST - Qualcomm Voice Suite - AI Accelerated Echo Cancellation and Noise Suppression
07:35PM EST - 8cx Gen 2 did 9 TOPs, Gen 3 does 29 TOPs (CPU+GPU+Hexagon+ISP)
07:36PM EST - I asked Miguel earlier - some software can use it all, while others are better served by one or a combination of two or three. Otherwise you need separate AI concurrent workloads to get to that value
07:37PM EST - dedicated AI IP on Snapdragon to enable this - not relying on CPU or GPU which might be lower efficiency
07:40PM EST - Now security
07:41PM EST - lowest level root of trust
07:41PM EST - Layered Secure Boot, zero trust, Pluton
07:41PM EST - reduces surface area for attacks
07:42PM EST - Bringing the best of smartphone to the best of laptop
07:44PM EST - VP Strategy on the stage, Miran Chun
07:45PM EST - Best part of market research is talking to end custoemrs
07:45PM EST - hybrid work environment from business customers
07:45PM EST - ACPC are pivotal to WFH
07:45PM EST - Productivity gain and end user satisfaction
07:49PM EST - business video time
07:51PM EST - another business video
07:53PM EST - Qualcomm Small Business Accelerator Program
07:53PM EST - Enabling education with always connected devices - Windows and Chromebooks
07:56PM EST - Back to Miguel
07:56PM EST - Lots of 7c devices in the market at entry
07:56PM EST - New 7c+ Gen3 entry level chip
07:57PM EST - enabling 5G at entry
07:57PM EST - 60% CPU ST vs 7c Gen 2
07:57PM EST - 6.5 TOPs
07:57PM EST - +70% GPU perf
07:58PM EST - Integrated X53 modem for 5G, 3.7 Gbps
07:58PM EST - Coming first half 2022, both Gen 3 chips
07:59PM EST - another business video time
08:02PM EST - Driving convergence of Mobile and PC
08:03PM EST - Now more gaming
08:03PM EST - 52% of revenue is now mobile - but how much of that is IAPs for 2D titles
08:05PM EST - 'it has to feel good in the hands'
08:06PM EST - Snapdragon for gaming devices - Snapdragon G brand
08:06PM EST - G3x as earlier
08:06PM EST - Dedicated to gamers
08:07PM EST - 8-core Kryo + Adreno
08:08PM EST - no details beyond that
08:08PM EST - 5G mmWave = Wi-Fi 6E
08:09PM EST - Snapdragon Sound
08:10PM EST - Now talking about Razer again - didn't we do this already?
08:10PM EST - This feels out of order
08:12PM EST - Razer to the stage
08:14PM EST - talking about developers and content, but nothing new here
08:18PM EST - Designed to maximise sustained performance. It has a fan
08:18PM EST - Gaming for hours
08:18PM EST - Advanced haptics
08:18PM EST - Dual motors in the handle
08:18PM EST - Ergonomics for long gameplay
08:18PM EST - Perfect Weight - feels great in the hands
08:19PM EST - apparently
08:19PM EST - Mapping buttons to physical controls
08:20PM EST - 6.65-inch OLED screen, FHD+, 120 Hz refresh rate, 1 billion colors
08:20PM EST - Doesn't say if VRR or if that 10-bit color is true 10-bit or 8-bit + FRC
08:20PM EST - 4-way speakers
08:20PM EST - 1080p webcam
08:21PM EST - 2 microphones (with AI ANC?)
08:21PM EST - 4K60 external support
08:22PM EST - 5G mmWave support
08:22PM EST - Connect XR viewers
08:23PM EST - 6000 mAh battery
08:23PM EST - This is a dev kit - so even if OLED, do they care about panel accuracy?
08:23PM EST - Android only and related streaming ecosystem services
08:26PM EST - And that's a wrap. Time for demos
21 Comments
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ikjadoon - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - link
If they're not fitting their ACPC (always connected PC) systems with X2 / A710, we know exactly how "hard" Qualcomm is working in this space. Mediatek's launching A78 Kompanio laptop SoCs this year; smh.And how expensive? Apple fit an M1 + the rest of the laptop all into a $999 MacBook Air.
Alistair - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - link
And the M1 is a doubled up chip, this is just a cellphone chip for Windows. The M1 Pro is a 4x or 8x chip, this is just a 1x chip...ksec - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - link
Those ST performance, surely seems Nuvia like?BGQ-qbf-tqf-n6n - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - link
The 8cx series never had X1 cores right? They could go right to X2 and get +20% YOY boost * 2 generations, 40% improvement overall (I admit this is extremely handwavey, but pretty sure 8cx Gen 2 never had X1 at all).SarahKerrigan - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - link
8cx G1/G2 is A76. You don't need to go to Nuvia to get these gains.MetaCube - Friday, December 3, 2021 - link
No lolikjadoon - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - link
The naming, oh my lanta. Like a bird shit on a Scrabble board.Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
Snapdragon G3x Gen 1
Which mindless Qualcomm executive demanded that insanity? Gotta be Cristiano, no? "The Snapdragon brand means confusion". It's their only branding now 😂...
Ampere: Q80-33 (80 cores @ 3.3 GHz)
Apple: M1 (Mac SoC, gen1); M1 Pro (upgraded); M1 Max (flagship)
Qualcomm: what if it was like that, but worse? How does Intel name CPUs?
ikjadoon - Wednesday, December 1, 2021 - link
And now we can add Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3ffs
Prestissimo - Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - link
Ikr, this is worse than the USB naming convention ffs 🤦♂️Rudde - Thursday, December 9, 2021 - link
Intel (and AMD) has consistent generations (12xxx) and product segments (i5, i7). Qualcomm had product segments (7 or 8) and now generation. The generations would just need to be consistent (e.g. everything would be at the same generation now). The G3 product segment is just out of place.