Next stop is 5G for Qualcomm

17th October 2017
Next stop is 5G for Qualcomm
The Qualcomm X50 modem for 5G

Qualcomm gears up for 5G, announces readiness and reference design for first ever 5G device, releases new Snapdragon chip
From Vishnu Anand
Hong Kong, October 17: At its annual jamboree of partners and associates, Qualcomm announced that it  has achieved the world's first 5G data connection, and launched the first 5G chipset - the X50. 
"This is truly a testament to Qualcomm Technologies’ leadership in 5G and extensive expertise in mobile connectivity,” said Cristiano Amon, executive vice president, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and president, QCT. "This major milestone and our 5G smartphone reference design showcase how Qualcomm Technologies is driving 5G NR in mobile devices to enhance mobile broadband experiences for consumers around the world.”
The new 5G technology is based on 'milimeter wave' which puts extra stress on the RF signal, but offering optimum latency, availability, reliability and enhancing end user data speeds. Qualcomm's 5G technology is aimed at tje IoT ecosystem that requires multiple devices, performing multiple operations to be connected seamlessly to the mobile device, at the same time. With industries like Automobile, Robotics already creating mobile application, the 5G reference will go a long way in providing the backbone for both consumer as well as business-related applications.
Speaking  to IndiaTechOnline, Jim Cathey, Senior Vice President and Vice President of APAC and India said, "I expect India to be one of the earliest countries to adopt 5G." In response to whether the current generation of handset will become obsolete, he said, "When 4G happened, people changed their handsets, but only after they were convinced about how it will make their life easier. Similarly, the potential of 5G with say, connected homes, smart cities and even advanced VR applications, people will ask for 5G devices and the handset prices will not bother them too much."
Additionally, Qualcomm also announced the launch of Snapdragon on Windows, an offering that promises to provide the speed and flexibility of a smart phone on Windows 10 laptops. With a 50 percent hike in battery life and powered by the first ever 10nm chip, Snapdragon on Windows promises an enhanced level of mobility for laptop users, with the 1GB LTE incorporated into it. 
At the event, Qualcomm also launched the Snapdragon 636 chipset, with its flagship Kyro 260 GPU, superior display and gaming capacities, along with a 40 percent improvement in device performance. The 636 can also provide superior viewing experience in FHD+ displays. The chipset will be rolled out next month's and the first bunch of devices powered by Snapdragon 636 will reach us by January of next year.