Advanced RISC Machines Ltd, the Cambridge UK-based chip design company set up at the end of last year to develop microprocessors based upon the Acorn RISC chip – backed by Apple Computer Inc and VLSI Technology Inc as well as Ing C Olivetti & Co SpA’s 80%-owned Acorn Computer Plc – is preparing to unveil its first new processor, the ARM600, on October 2. The UK launch – US introductions will follow later – brings together all partners in the new venture, together with firms currently using the Acorn RISC that are thought to be working on desktop, laptop, notebook, board and embedded-level products based on the ARM600 and its successors. Active Book Company Ltd, Sanyo Electric Co, Radius Inc and Philips Communications are thought to be among them. The ARM6000 will not be physically compatible with any of the things that Apple is planning following its alliance with IBM Corp, although future ARM-based Apple products – most likely starting with a notebook – are said to be complementary in a marketing sense.
