Seems like nVidia is getting back in the game. While Apple might be deciding to dump them for the next gen of Macbooks, nVidia might have found success in the smartphone and tablet market. The Tegra chipset, which they claim to be the world’s most advanced mobile processor, has found lots of friends in the Android community.
First, we saw LG announcing the Optimus 2X using Tegra 2 (which is also rumored to be used in other dual-core smartphones from HTC & Samsung). Secondly, Glen Yeung of Citigroup says that Google has made Tegra the reference design for Honeycomb (Android 3.0) and so Tegra 2 may sound like a fast track to victory in the budding tablet space. Glen Yeung also says that Samsung has “placed a sizeable order with Nvidia for Tegra 2 chips in the first half of 2011, geared for both tablets and smartphones,” and BMO Capital Markets analyst Ambrish Srivastava anticipates the next Galaxy Tab will be one of the devices that use it.
With the number of companies showing interest in Android tablets and smartphones day-by-day, Honeycomb might end up being a big success for nVidia in the coming year. I personally am biased towards nVidia from my Desktop Gaming days. Provided it performs well, I’d be happy to buy a Tegra 2 mobile phone in 2011.
[via Engadget]
