Is Apple Brewing Quad-Core on an iPhone?

More power, more cores, more graphics seems to be the mantra of technology these days, and mobile technology is no exception. Popular blog ZDNet is reporting that Apple maybe cooking up a third-generation (not to be confused with 3G for the iPhone 3G) version of the iPhone that will utilize four mobile computing cores--that's right, quad-cores on iPhone 3.0. The new iPhone Firmware 3.0 will be required for the quad-core processor.

ZDNet goes on to state that the iPhone has roughly the same computing power as the Sony PSP--Sony's portable gaming system. With four cores, Apple's mobile handset, which is already a popular gaming choice for many consumers, will be able to handle more than its competitors from Sony and Nintendo. Apple would utilize the forthcoming PowerVR SGX543 processor; Apple already uses the current generation PowerVR chip from Imagination Technologies in its iPhone 3G and iPod Touch models.

According to Mac Rumors, "The likely candidate for the new iPhone's CPU, however, is a derivative of the ARM Cortex A9 multi-core processor. The ARM Cortex has excellent power efficiency, well ahead of Intel's Atom offerings. Apple appears to be an ARM architectural licensee and their acquisition of P.A. Semi has brought low-power chip design expertise into the company." Mac Rumors also confirms the existence of iPhone Firmware 3.0.

However, as cool as the accelerometer and touch interface are for gaming, I wonder if there will be much more fast-action, high quality games that will make gaming a pleasant experience. At least Sony's PSP has physical controllers.