Apple is Quickly Expanding its Data Centers

[AleksandarK]

Thanks to the latest reportings from DigiTimes, we have obtained information that Apple has been working on expanding its data centers. According to Taiwan's server upstream supply chain, Apple has increased orders for its data centers, which have been growing starting from the second quarter of 2020. For the full year 2020, the orders are expected to be doubled, and the growth in purchasing is going to continue well into 2021. This purchasing decision from Apple comes after strong demand for its services like iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV, App Store, etc., all of which have millions of users. Being that Apple is expanding its data centers, that must represent a sign that Apple's user base is continuing to grow strongly.


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[Rahnak]

Getting ready for cloud gaming.

 

[Daven]

The more important information is who is the vendor for these servers and what suppliers are providing the components.

 

[windwhirl]

Last I heard (years ago, when Xserve was dropped) they were using hardware provided by HPE, but I never found out about the specs (I imagine they were x86 servers, but I can't be sure)...

Can't help but wonder about the kind of hardware/software combination running in those datacenters... Linux? Unix? Some Apple internal OS based on MacOS? x86 or some other thing?

It would be really funny if it runs Windows Server, though

 

[Daven]

Last I heard (years ago, when Xserve was dropped) they were using hardware provided by HPE, but I never found out about the specs (I imagine they were x86 servers, but I can't be sure)...

Can't help but wonder about the kind of hardware/software combination running in those datacenters... Linux? Unix? Some Apple internal OS based on MacOS? x86 or some other thing?

It would be really funny if it runs Windows Server, though

I forgot to mention the OS. I just assume Linux but it could be something else as you suggest.

 

[MagnuTron]

Getting ready for cloud gaming.

YEP

 

[lexluthermiester]

Getting ready for cloud gaming.

No thank you. And let's not promote that very stupid idea..

 

[Vya Domus]

Getting ready for cloud gaming.

What are they going to do ? Run Windows or Linux based machines with Vulkan/DirectX ? x86 servers ?

Come on ...

 

[Rahnak]

No thank you. And let's not promote that very stupid idea..

Probably happening wether we like it or not.

What are they going to do ? Run Windows or Linux based machines with Vulkan/DirectX ? x86 servers ?

Come on ...

They’re not rapidly expanding data centers for their existing services. They’ve tested the waters with Apple Arcade, they’ve kept cloud gaming apps from iOS. It’s probably coming.
As for hardware, no clue. If they want to stick with their Apple Arcade style games and go Nintendo style (family/all ages games), probably their own. They could go the Stadia route with Linux and AMD hardware.. but I don’t really see Apple selling you the next Assassin’s Creed or the usual triple AAA games.

Do you have a better idea?

Edit:

Apple Patent Surfaces in Europe covering Interactive Service for Cloud Rendering Gaming in 5G Systems

On Thursday a new Apple patent was published in Europe titled "Enabling Interactive Service for Cloud Rendering Gaming in 5G Systems." The original International filing was made on February 06, 2020 and published this week in Europe. As Apple is preparing to launch their first 5G iPhones in...

www.patentlyapple.com

 

[lexluthermiester]

Probably happening wether we like it or not.

Not if we don't pay for it. Perfect example, Google Stadia. While they haven't thrown in the towel yet it not going to be long before they do.

 

[Easo]

The more important information is who is the vendor for these servers and what suppliers are providing the components.

Absolutely not Apple, that is for sure. There would be zero sense for Apple to develop their own server CPU's, at least for the next few years. What tangible benefit there would be for them in it?

Probably just HPE or Dell.

 

[R0H1T]

What tangible benefit there would be for them in it?

Oh I dunno why did they go for ARM in their own phones, tablets & now Macs or Macbooks? That's the same reason, though of course they won;t do it unless they (fore)see massive jump in profits longer term.

 

[Rahnak]

Not if we don't pay for it. Perfect example, Google Stadia. While they haven't thrown in the towel yet it not going to be long before they do.

I don’t think many people expect Stadia to succeed, based on Google’s track record of killing projects. The trust just isn’t there. The same can’t be said for xCloud, for example. While cloud gaming isn’t for me, personally, I believe it’s here to stay, and Apple has a large following of people that just buy everything they offer. Luckily, I don’t think they’ll compete with “traditional“ gaming. If anything, I imagine them more of an alternative to Nintendo.

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

Are they running their servers on their Bionic chips or some other semi-custom ARM processor with an egregiously pretension model name?

Future TPU news article: In a Press Release Apple announced today that their data centers will run on their new "Messiah" processors with their roadmap showing the "Second Coming" processor to be next, followed by the "King Sh*t of F*ck Mountain" processor. This processor was originally to be called the "Bow and scrap before thy might" processor, but this was later changed due to, albeit minimal, backlash from Apple fans on social media. Leaked documents indicate that other titles for the processor included "Resistance is futile against the unrelenting hive-mind of our Fanboy army" and "Assimilation is Destined", though Apple has explicitly stated that these names are definitely NOT off the table for use in the future.

 

[lexluthermiester]

If anything, I imagine them more of an alternative to Nintendo.

Eww. That's a horrible thought...

 

[windwhirl]

Not if we don't pay for it. Perfect example, Google Stadia. While they haven't thrown in the towel yet it not going to be long before they do.

Sort of agree/disagree with this? I think it's gonna happen, but not anytime soon. Maybe 5 or 10 years down the line, at best. You need really good internet infrastructure all the way between the end user and the cloud gaming service provider, and even then it might not be enough, because I think we are gonna see more people moving towards higher resolution and higher refresh rate displays. That means that the baseline for a "good user experience" will evolve from, e.g., 1080p at a solid 60Hz to 1440p or even 2160p at 90, 120 Hz or even higher refresh rates, which also means even higher network speed and tighter latency requirements.

Alongside that, other network-based services (like Netflix) are going to use whatever extra bandwidth is gained due to these improvements, so you are again running into the need of having an above-average Internet service.

And frankly, how many ISPs in the world can give you that? Definitely not the ones that implement data caps, nor the ones that suffer network congestion.

Absolutely not Apple, that is for sure. There would be zero sense for Apple to develop their own server CPU's, at least for the next few years. What tangible benefit there would be for them in it?

Probably just HPE or Dell.

It makes sense as a long-term strategy, though. Not for the purpose of selling an Xserve-like product but for themselves to rely even less on third-parties.

 

[dragontamer5788]

I don’t think many people expect Stadia to succeed, based on Google’s track record of killing projects. The trust just isn’t there. The same can’t be said for xCloud, for example. While cloud gaming isn’t for me, personally, I believe it’s here to stay, and Apple has a large following of people that just buy everything they offer. Luckily, I don’t think they’ll compete with “traditional“ gaming. If anything, I imagine them more of an alternative to Nintendo.

The problem isn't even on Google's killing of projects.

Its latency and jitter:

Its one thing if you can have constant latency. 30ms to 100ms TV screens exist, and while its kind of terrible playing video games on them, at least its a consistent level of lag. For games like Guitar Hero, your brain adjusts pretty well to the timing, even on very laggy TVs.

But what's demonstrated in that test video isn't just latency: but jitter that's common to many internet connections. The latency may be 30ms (very good for the internet) for one button push, but then a few seconds later the latency becomes 70ms or 100ms. Its not constant, because the internet was not designed to give you a consistent latency packet-to-packet.

 

[Vayra86]

Getting ready for cloud gaming.

Wait, Apple and gaming in one sentence?

I think they're ready to burn a looooooot of money for no benefit there. It won't fly.

its a bit like Microsoft and gaming. Or... a block of cheese and a stapler. The two don't relate.

 

[dragontamer5788]

Wait, Apple and gaming in one sentence?

I think they're ready to burn a looooooot of money for no benefit there. It won't fly.

Apple Arcade looks pretty successful actually. From a business point of view (not a major gaming platform yet, but big enough to probably make positive cash flow).

 

[Vayra86]

Apple Arcade looks pretty successful actually. From a business point of view (not a major gaming platform yet, but big enough to probably make positive cash flow).

So does Apple, but I still hate their guts and if I could toss this Iphone away I would, but work phone.

Walled gardens like that are by default on the shitlist. I won't ever buy a single app in that store. As for their success... in the land of the blind applies here. They make money, yes.

Same goes for cloud gaming... now combine Apple and cloud gaming, and all I can say is, napalm that asap.

Good for company != good for gaming, in many cases.

 

[dragontamer5788]

Yeah, I think Apple can make money here. But that doesn't mean I agree with their morals at all. I'll probably not get an iPhone, but maybe I'll buy their stock, lol.

 

[Vayra86]

Thing is, they probably can't even push half serious content now that they've alienated Epic. And I reckon Steam might become an unexpected ally - or sell out to Apple to reinforce their 30% business.

 

[Rahnak]

Wait, Apple and gaming in one sentence?

I think they're ready to burn a looooooot of money for no benefit there. It won't fly.

Yep. If I had to guess, I'd say they'd expand on what they're already doing with Apple Arcade and throw some bigger, more complex stuff in there, and try to emulate Nintendo.
Love or hate Apple, they do know how to attract talent because their platform is so profitable. Because people just throw money at them, whatever the product. In the end though, I doubt it will have any impact in the gaming world we know.

its a bit like Microsoft and gaming. Or... a block of cheese and a stapler. The two don't relate.

What do you mean they don't relate? Pretty much all games run on Windows, the vast majority use DirectX. Xbox Live has about as many monthly active users as Steam. They're about to launch their 4th console generation. I'd say the two are pretty well related. It hasn't been a perfect relationship, and PC was neglected for a long time. But it seems like they're putting some effort on it these days.

 

[Vayra86]

Yep. If I had to guess, I'd say they'd expand on what they're already doing with Apple Arcade and throw some bigger, more complex stuff in there, and try to emulate Nintendo.
Love or hate Apple, they do know how to attract talent because their platform is so profitable. Because people just throw money at them, whatever the product. In the end though, I doubt it will have any impact in the gaming world we know.


What do you mean they don't relate? Pretty much all games run on Windows, the vast majority use DirectX. Xbox Live has about as many monthly active users as Steam. They're about to launch their 4th console generation. I'd say the two are pretty well related. It hasn't been a perfect relationship, and PC was neglected for a long time. But it seems like they're putting some effort on it these days.

They always cheap out on content. Gaming is about games. MS is about pushing a very limited subset of pretty mediocre stuff. Sports games. The usual gears and halo shooters... some racing. Yawnfest

Sony otoh adds creativity and innovation to the market.

 

[Rahnak]

The problem isn't even on Google's killing of projects.

Its latency and jitter:

Wow, that video is pretty bad. I didn't think it was that bad. That might be why Apple's cloud gaming patent mentions 5G networks.

They always cheap out on content. Gaming is about games. MS is about pushing a very limited subset of pretty mediocre stuff. Sports games. The usual gears and halo shooters... some racing. Yawnfest

Sony otoh adds creativity and innovation to the market.

Ah, you're just considering the games, gotcha. I mean sure, MS games isn't my cup of tea either, I've only ever played whatever Fable cames came to PC, the Dungeon Siege games and Forza Horizon 4.
But I see it differently, you can contribute to gaming with more than games. To me, Valve's greatest contribution to gaming was Steam, not their games. Epic's greatest contribution is by far the Unreal Engine. But I undertand your point now.