Apple’s 64-bit A7 SoC ‘set off panic’ for chipmakers

In a report from Dan Lyons’ blog HubSpot, an unnamed source at chipmaking giant Qualcomm said Apple’s A7 “hit us in the gut,” referring to the silicon’s support for 64-bit processing.

“Not just us, but everyone, really,” the person said of the surprise Apple’s chip caused. “We were slack-jawed, and stunned, and unprepared. It’s not that big a performance difference right now, since most current software won’t benefit. But in Spinal Tap terms it’s like, 32 more, and now everyone wants it.”