[新闻] 【情報】IBM退出Cell處理器的研發，模組還會繼續被研發，抄襲在GPU上（全文）

http://www.playstationuniversity.com/ibm-cancels-cell-processor-development-1295/

It has been confirmed that IBM will be pulling out of Cell development, with their current PowerXCell 8i to be the company’s last entrance in the technology.

這是已經被IBM確認的消息，IBM在開發完PowerXCell 8i 之後，就要退出Cell的研發工作
The Cell Processor was originally the brain child of ‘The Father of PlayStation’ Ken Kutaragi. It was later co-developed by Sony, IBM and Toshiba; making its way into the PlayStation 3, TV’s and super computers.

Cell本來是由SONY的PS之父，久多良木健所提出。事後由SONY，IBM，東芝共同發展。並運用在PS3，TV，和超級電腦上。
Featuring a central general-purpose processor, the Cell includes a number of co-processing units with internal memory, known as SPUs. Greatly increasing performance, the Cell’s SPUs have been notoriously difficult to develop for, with a number of developers, such as Naughty Dog, making significant breakthroughs of late.

Cell由一個核心CPU搭配數個協助SPU所組成。SPU可以使Cell增加效能，但SPU是難以開發，例如 : 頑皮狗也是摸了很久，才能掌握SPU的運用。

IBM’s most recent development in the Cell Processor’s design is the PoweXCell 8i, which is featured in the second most powerful supercomputer in the world; Roadrunner.

IBM最近開發的Cell，PoweXCell 8i，被運用在全世界第二強大的超級電腦Roadrunner。
However, this is where Cell will end for IBM. The company’s Vice President David Turek, told German website Heise Online that the planned 32 SPE Cell processor will not be made.

但是，IBM的副總裁David Turek向德國的Heise Online表示，32SPE的處理器將不被製造了。
However, Turek did explain that features of the Cell would continue to be moulded into other processor designs. With the future looking like it’s taking a GPU route, a hybrid technology is the direction IBM will developing.

但是，Turek 解釋，Cell模組將繼續被研發。或許IBM會運用在GPU(顯示卡的處理器)。

------- 以下是原文筆者自己的看法 ---------
So what does this mean for Sony and the PlayStation 4? It has long been understood that the platform holder wants to use the Cell processor once again, allowing them to take advantage of this generation’s research and to make the transition into the next much smoother.

所以，這意指著這將被運用在PS4 ? 不難理解，它們將再一次的運用Cell技術在下一代的主機平台，並試圖讓它的轉換更為平順。
Will this change with IBM pulling out of their own development? Not necessarily. Sony can still hire IBM to create a Cell Processor for their next console, without IBM being involved in their own internal development outside of the PS4. So don’t start counting Sony’s chickens just yet.

這將改變IBM退出它們自己的研發部門的主意嗎 ? 不急，SONY 仍然可以僱用IBM開發Cell 處理器為了下一代主機PS4。所以不要開始數落SONY的失敗。