Apple makes so-so microcontroller M7 special for iPhone 5s by re-branding strategy

M7 motion co-processor introduced by Apple is eye-catching change since iPhone 5s introduction.

Apple's effort to make technologies into art within their products brings impression from their storytelling.

M7 is another processor that helps main application processor A7 to save processing power in iPhone 5s as well as independent the other tasks working but not a totally new concept nor product.

However Apple has suggested new paradigm on data collection from human's movement and environment.

It continuously not only collects motion data from sensors like accelerometer, gyroscope and compass sensors but also optimize your life pattern based on contextual awareness.
Saving power consumption is another plus whilst you don't use iPhone.

All right, now let's get into the M7 coprocessor inside.
M7 is LPC1800 family microcontroller supplied by NXP that is one of popular semiconductor suppliers and it has Cortex-M3 with 180Mhz clock speed.

Source: NXP

Above LPC1800 relevant table doesn't show any differentiation and impression.

However Apple has been using discrete sensor API and hardware but now changing on both sides using centralized sensors data controller. Obviously Apple will extend current Core Motion Framework then iPhone will catch up human's behaviors.

This will be eventually Apple's potential strong advantage than competitor like Android and shows how mobile hardware and software move together and change the our life style.

One more thing about M7 coprocessor just represents low power/indepentent controller therefore Apple has a leadership in microcontroller market.

Finally let's remind Apple's explanation about M7 Motion coprocessor as below:

For example, Maps switches from driving to walking turn-by-turn navigation if, say, you park and continue on foot. And if your phone hasn’t moved for a while, like when you’re asleep, M7 reduces network pinging to spare your battery.

The M7 motion coprocessor continuously measures your motion data, even when the device is asleep, and saves battery life for pedometer or other fitness apps that use the accelerometer all day.