Apple chip designer leaves for AMD

The hardware designer behind the Apple A4 and A5 processors, Jim Keller, has left Apple to join AMD.

Keller will join AMD as a corporate vice president and chief architect for processor cores and will report to former Apple VP Mark Papermaster. His role will see him heading up design efforts on both high performance and low-power microprocessor cores – both of which will form the core of AMDs future strategy.

“Jim is one of the most widely respected and sought-after innovators in the industry and a very strong addition to our engineering team,” said Mark Papermaster.

“He has contributed to processing innovations that have delivered tremendous compute advances for millions of people all over the world, and we expect that his innovative spirit, low-power design expertise, creativity and drive for success will help us shape our future and fuel our growth.”