PS3 Cell Processor to Power Smart Appliances

Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi already has big plans for its Cell Processor even before it has made its public debut via the PS3 console. In an interview with PC Impress Watch, the prez said the company plans to incorporate the Cell Processor into other kinds of devices like servers, smart appliances and computerized electronic gadgets.

According to Kutaragi, the computerization of home appliances is inevitable although he expects resistance from the consumer electronics industry because of “pride.” “The number of [industry] people who believe that home electronics must be computerized is close to zero… there’s nothing wrong with pride, but it leaves the question of what to do with your fixed hardware and software when you have to process data.”

But isn’t the PS3 a tad too powerful for a smart appliance? How many IQ points does a toaster has to have to keep from turning bread into chracoal briquets? Outside the PS3, the Cell’s the eight Synergistic Processor Elements (SPE) will be scaled down considerably for domestic applications.

Kutaragi admitted that the Cell is plagued by high production cost as well as power consumption issues. “If we can’t reduce [power consumption] we will never be able to make the PS3 cheap and small.” The company is currently working to address this. “We’ll use heat pipes and a custom cooling solution, but the methods used will be common. We’re spending a lot on heat and electromagnetic interference [management]. The power supply could almost be sold separately.” By 2007, Ken also sees the company adopting a 65-nanometer process, and Tranmeta’s LongRun power-management technology to make the Cell more competitive.

While the Cell’s popularity will be closely linked with PS3’s success, it has already earned the respect of scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (of the US Department of Energy) calling it the next best thing for scientific computing in terms of performance and power efficiency. (Check out PS3’s STI Cell Processor Impresses Scientists). But in the interest of fair reporting, another test called the chip a big disappointment. (See Cell Microprocessor for PS3 Performing Poorly?) – a report several developers dismissed “misleading and uninformed and entirely meaningless” (Developers Slam PS3 “Slow and Broken” Allegations). Ultimately it is the PS3’s performance that will determine the Cell’s future.

Via Gamespot

Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi already has big plans for its Cell Processor even before it has made its public debut via the PS3 console. In an interview with PC Impress Watch, the prez said the company plans to incorporate the Cell Processor into other kinds of devices like servers, smart appliances and computerized electronic gadgets.

According to Kutaragi, the computerization of home appliances is inevitable although he expects resistance from the consumer electronics industry because of “pride.” “The number of [industry] people who believe that home electronics must be computerized is close to zero… there’s nothing wrong with pride, but it leaves the question of what to do with your fixed hardware and software when you have to process data.”

But isn’t the PS3 a tad too powerful for a smart appliance? How many IQ points does a toaster has to have to keep from turning bread into chracoal briquets? Outside the PS3, the Cell’s the eight Synergistic Processor Elements (SPE) will be scaled down considerably for domestic applications.

Kutaragi admitted that the Cell is plagued by high production cost as well as power consumption issues. “If we can’t reduce [power consumption] we will never be able to make the PS3 cheap and small.” The company is currently working to address this. “We’ll use heat pipes and a custom cooling solution, but the methods used will be common. We’re spending a lot on heat and electromagnetic interference [management]. The power supply could almost be sold separately.” By 2007, Ken also sees the company adopting a 65-nanometer process, and Tranmeta’s LongRun power-management technology to make the Cell more competitive.

While the Cell’s popularity will be closely linked with PS3’s success, it has already earned the respect of scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (of the US Department of Energy) calling it the next best thing for scientific computing in terms of performance and power efficiency. (Check out PS3’s STI Cell Processor Impresses Scientists). But in the interest of fair reporting, another test called the chip a big disappointment. (See Cell Microprocessor for PS3 Performing Poorly?) – a report several developers dismissed “misleading and uninformed and entirely meaningless” (Developers Slam PS3 “Slow and Broken” Allegations). Ultimately it is the PS3’s performance that will determine the Cell’s future.

Via Gamespot