iPhone 5s Gets New ‘M7’ Motion Coprocessor Chip For Location-Aware Tracking

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Not only did Apple toss a desktop-quality 64-bit A7 processor into the iPhone 5S, but the company is introducing a new M7 motion coprocessor that works alongside the A7 processor to measure motion data, accelerometer, and gestural data.

A new CoreMotion API is also being introduced for developers to take advantage of the chip’s data to provide better information in health and fitness applications.

From Apple’s press release:

Every iPhone 5s includes the new M7 motion coprocessor that gathers data from the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass to offload work from the A7 for improved power efficiency. Developers can also access new CoreMotion APIs that take advantage of M7, so they can create even better fitness and activity apps that go well beyond what other mobile devices offer. 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.

 

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