Nightsurge beat me to it. I had to reread my thread title to see if I typed it out wrong. I didn't say IBM is ending Cell Processor Production, I said development. It means they are no longer working on any improved models of the Cell.

Nothing has changed in this sense, because IBM already developed the PowerCell 8i targeted at HPC and their next architecture stems from the Cell family design. It was already implicit that if Sony wanted an even "softer" CPU upgrade (i.e. basically a Cell with more SPEs and minor architectural changes) they'd have to commision a special design. Not that IBM would have any trouble at producing that, given their know-how, but I hope they move to something more radical.

no that's not true at all...why? IBM is working on the Cell BE successor, and it is still going to be a Cell based chip.

its very simple

the same technology that is used in the Cell is being used in other SOC hybrid chip's, the same chipset will be there. esp when you are talking about IBM. the power chip design may change but the core technology is going to be the same.

the hybrid accelerator chip is here to stay and going forward it will remain part of the core of chip design of not just IBM but pretty much all the big chip maker's. due mainly due to broad band requirement need's.

the Cell Processor is at it's core a accelerator chip that is what it's main function was and is.