NVIDIA launches Tegra, hopes to change the smartphone / MID game

NVIDIA is launching a full-frontal assault on Intel, its burgeoning MID market, and smartphone makers with its forthcoming "mobile computer on a chip" architecture, dubbed Tegra. We've shown you snippets of what this would look like before, but plans are now well underway to take this technology mainstream, with numerous partnerships, and products planned for Q4 2008 and Q1 / Q2 2009. We had a chat with the company, and we've got a slew of info about the chips and their intended products after the break.

Update: We've added some videos from World Mobile Congress showing off the UI.

• The Tegra line will be all-in-one, integrated systems on a chip, containing an 800MHz ARM CPU, GeForce GPU, image processor, HD video processor, and controllers for all other aspects of core operations (memory, USB ports, communication) -- in a package about the size of a dime.
  
• The range will come in two varieties to start -- the Tegra 600 and the Tegra 650. Both chips can run games like Quake 3 with full filters and anti-aliasing at rates of more than 40 FPS, and will support 1080p HDMI, WSXGA+ LCD or CRT, and NTSC/PAL TV outs.
  
• Products will be built atop Windows CE or Windows Mobile, though the company isn't ruling out other operating systems, like Android.
• The chipset is 1/10th the size of Intel's Atom and is ultra-low power. A single charge can allow the user to run audio for 130 hours or HD video for up to 30 hours.
• The first Tegra systems will be handhelds or small laptops with screens ranging in size from 4-inches to 12-inches, with QWERTY or touchscreen interfaces, as well as WiFi and possibly 3G connectivity.
• Starting prices for the initial devices will range from $199 to $249.
• The demo we saw of the NVIDIA UI is an actual interface that the company is seeding to developers. It takes advantage of the Tegra's GPU and is quite fast (videos of the UI running on the APX 2500 below).
  
• NVIDIA is giving both an SDK for that UI and hardware development kit to partners, and encouraging them to utilize the custom chipset of the Tegra for user interface design and functionality.
• The chipmaker expects to see media players, MIDs, and GPS units using the chipset by the end of 2008, with ODM smartphones in Q1 2009.

[Chris @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:49AM]

Isn't the whole point of the atom to be x86 compatible? Doesnt look like this is.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:51AM]

uhhhhh...what does this have to do with Atom? good job engadget, the whole tech blogosphere revolves around this CPU.

wait for it.... "but does it have Atom?"

[zomg0t @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:58AM]

@phanbouy
I believe it has been rumored that the next generation iPhone may use the Atom processor, so the Tegra may attempt to compete with the Atom if this rumor turns out to be correct.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:02AM]

it has been rumored?

hey, i know of a tech blog that advertises random pixelated photos as "rumors" about the 3G iPhone. wonder where your rumor mighta come from. 'bout that intel thing ya mentioned.

[zomg0t @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:05AM]

It's been posted on engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/15/wwdc-to-launch-a-3g-iphone-and-atom-based-mid-device/
However, the article has been updated after I looked at it. It seems as though these rumors have been busted, unless Intel would rather keep it a secret until Apple announces it.

[Ethyriel @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:06AM]

Wow, do you have any idea how horrible an idea that would be? A handset with Atom?

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:07AM]

sarcasm meters need their fluid levels checked this evening

[zomg0t @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:11AM]

@phanbouy
Yeah, sorry, I didn't really understand your comment about pixelated photos, and besides, the Tegra is planned for small laptops as well and it seems as though the Atom will enjoy a piece of that market as well, so it seems fitting to compare this CPU to the Atom, especially considering nvidia's assault against Intel.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:16AM]

ahem... does this article from 4 days ago help?

http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/28/iphone-sdk-contains-a-3g-iphone-icon/

[zomg0t @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:19AM]

Ah, I see. But isn't the much higher quality image the evidence for a 3G switch or a hold button or something? I didn't really get into that article too much after being super-saturated with the same news of 3G Iphones.

(Oops! I screwed up the capitalization an apple product! Please forgive me Stevie!)

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:28AM]

just sayin', engadget's hyping up to big brands to generate buzz, i'd bet 1 meeleeon dollars that the 3G iphone doesn;t have Atom anything

[zomg0t @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:34AM]

I'm willing to bet a trilly it won't have an Atom processor. It is just a rumor, but maybe nvidia considers it a possibility or just wants to get a share of the market regardless of the Atom's presence in mobile phones.

[dennis @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:03AM]

The Atom is Intel's new efficent chip that is supposed to go into things like MIDs and phones apparently. And this NVIDIA chipset is supposed to be 10x more efficient than the Atom and go into MIDs as well. So the Atom and the Tegra are related in that they are both new products that are going for the low-power portable computer-ish device market. That's how they're related.

Who here has a device with 30 hours of HD video playback on a single battery? Yeah, I thought so.

[Shinigami @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:11AM]

Say, is PSP atom-based? Because this product seems to be able to compete with PSP. Can PSP run Q3 in 40fps? With filters and AA?
Can Atom do it? I wonder...

But with 130 hours of audio its certainly something I want even with 4-inch screen! The only question that remains is the size of the device, I guess we'll see more compact models in 09.

By the way, Intel plans to show Atom-2 processors in 09 which will be more effective than Atom-1 processors (in all ways?). That is when the most interesting part will start - Atom2 versus Tegra.

But I'm more willing to see a smartphone that plays Q3 with high quality and 40+fps and has 3G, 2 usb ports for KB and mouse xD

[Macha88 @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:39AM]

of course it has atom everything in the universe is made of atoms how can this thing not have atom it would be like antimatter and apocalypse aaaaaah! run. the large hadron colllider made it it is going to eat us all and send us into hell... nooooo!

[substance90 @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:58AM]

Wow, that will be amazing! Can`t wait to see what devices will be built. I just hope some manufacturers pick it up.

[dj-kenpo @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:49AM]

ya, this looks better than windows CE after years of putting up with it.
and they're just giving the OS away for developers to use.

freakin wicked.

nvidea seems to ahve gone a little aggressive.. just a 'tad' but that's REALLY good clearly for all of us!
low power high performance chip with an OS that doesn't blow chunks?

won't hear me complaining.

[zomg0t @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:02AM]

Where's my video?!

[Saad Rabia @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:23AM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsYFXGKUIpE&fmt=18

[zomg0t @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:40AM]

I don't think that's the video Engadget was talking about considering how old it is, the fact that the person in the video mentioned only 10 hours of HD video playback, and because it's on the APX, so unless the APX was the code-name for the Tegra, I don't think they're the same. But, damnit! Engadget removed the mention of any video below and I forgot which point the video was supposed to reference.

[roflercopterer @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:03AM]

Yes please.

[Ferny @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:05AM]

psp 2 better have a gpu

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:09AM]

and ps3 better have X-men 3,

and Rambo 4, you'd better uh... even the score

(yes i'm rhyming like ferny)

[Rick wilson @ Jun 2nd 2008 6:22PM]

phanbouy "three" and "three" don't rhyme

[K @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:09AM]

wow, exciting stuff

though only the smartphone use interests me but a chip that can have a faster ui and support hd out is something I can get behind.

[K @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:10AM]

also could we get that video up?

[Saad Rabia @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:26AM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsYFXGKUIpE&fmt=18

[Anku @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:11AM]

wow, that thing looks like it will pack a serious punch... I wonder if this was what Jen-Hsun Huang had in mind when he decided to rant at Intel. Either that, or this is a way of showing the world that they can do something too, even with Atom on its way...

[sam arieta @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:14AM]

This might just be the iPhone killer

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:17AM]

the forces of sarcasm are strong in you.

oh wait, maybe you don't realize you're comparing a forthcoming mobile chipset with an existing phone.

[Saad Rabia @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:26AM]

This is not only a-iPhone killer, it is an all-mobile-technology burner.

Actually it is unfair to compare it to the iPhone or any smartphone out there.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:30AM]

Saad, you're a funny guy. And for once I'm not being sarcastic. I think. No, no I'm not.

[Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:22AM]

Please, have Sony make a PSP2 out of this! Or maybe Microsoft introducing a gaming handheld.

[maveric101 @ Jun 4th 2008 9:36PM]

and this thing could play xbox-quality games or better, in the same resolution (widescreen, 800x480).

[gm76 @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:36AM]

NVIDIA needs to go back and release proper Windows Mobile drivers for their GoForce 5500 if they want to convince me they won't pull the same stunt with this one. No one wants a mobile device with unfinished drivers with no plans to release an update.

[Tony @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:42AM]

But will it play DotA?

[kamu @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:48AM]

30 hours?! Is this powered on witchcraft?!

Got me interested.

[zomg0t @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:54AM]

I think it means it can play 30 hours of HD video (it doesn't even say the resolution; it may just be 720p) on an external display. If run on the device's display, the times would be variable and much lower.

[DiscoCat5 @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:42AM]

this seems to be badass to the max,

now sony...
take this, and your telecommunicatios skills, and your maaad portable audio quality skills, make this the coolest portable media device ever, and make my wet dreams come true and your wallet full.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:46AM]

am i the only one unimpressed by the name "Tegra"?

i know nvidia are big time now, but that doesn't mean they need the same marketing bozos as everyone else does it?

[Saad Rabia @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:00AM]

Are you in your sarcastic mode or you are talking for real?? I really can't decide anymore if you are serious about what you write or not!

Anyway, I like the name.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:17PM]

not sarcasm. hmm but looks like some of the Tegra fanboys are protecting their new brand name already with down votes

[B-Mo @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:04AM]

A Handheld device with 1080p HDMI?

It's overkill, but I want it.

[Brendan Sheehan @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:12PM]

But can you afford it? And can you fit it in your pocket?

[Pdexter @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:37AM]

It's a bit of a overkill with some featires....but take it SE or Nokia and i'm happy ;)

[Johan S @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:43AM]

Can it drive 3 screens?

The mobile device of the future will have at least 3 screens. One on the outside like an iPhone has. And two on the inside like a Nintendo DS Lite. Except that you'll be able to snap on a millimeter thick keyboard or game controller keypad directly on top of the inside bottom touch display. That way if you like keyboards you can carry that around closed inside .. if not, u can have it closed with a game controller and carry the keyboard separately (maybe slid underneath the device?) in case u may need a tactile feedback keyboard for something.

[dennis @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:15AM]

Actually, the mobile device of the future will be a set of electronic contact lenses that display dynamic information, derive power from the the blinking of your eyes, and interact wirelessly with the chipset injected into your brain and with the control panel implanted subdermally in your forearm. But if you would rather, you can use your iPhone DS instead.

[Johan S @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:22PM]

Yea I agree but thats a few years away I am talking about the 2010 time-frame.

[Gavin Greenwalt @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:23AM]

No! The mobile device of the future will be a device which directly interfaces with your brain and interfaces wirelessly with an external processor which sends sensory and pure knowledge to the implants.

[Mobius_1 @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:19AM]

That's more powerful than my laptop! (ok, it's quite old)