Alphabet Inc’s Google has decided to indigenously develop its very own smartphone processor called Google Tensor for its upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel Pro smartphone this year. The decision is viewed as a move to shift away from Qualcomm Inc technology which has powered the tech giant’s Android devices for over 15 years.

Speaking of move, Tensor, a new custom SoC (system on a chip) will be the tech giant’s first step towards being unique in the smartphone realm, something that was often seen as the company’s struggle from the past.

In fact Apple Inc., had first decided to take that silicon route for its new computers.

Likewise, Google is also following an ARM-based architecture, since these processors use less power and can be used in mobile devices such as phones, tablets and even laptops.

Nonetheless, Google will remain reliant on the San Diego company to supply components for its budget minded A Series. The next Pixel phone, the 5a, will still contain a Qualcomm chipset, according to Google.

The name Tensor is a clear hint to Google's TensorFlow ML, which has been at the heart of a number of its projects. Unsurprisingly, the company sees AI/ML as critical to the chip's inclusion in future phones.

Software-based solutions, such as computational photography, have long been promoted by the Pixel team as a differentiator.

In addition to a CPU, GPU, and image signal processor, it has a separate processor that performs artificial intelligence applications. Instead of having to send data to the cloud, the phone will be able to analyze more data locally.

The announcement appears to be targeted toward laying out what the future looks like for a restructured Pixel team, and these types of priorities surely play into exactly what Google should be doing in the smartphone space: focusing on its AI and software smarts.

Tensor will be crucial in boosting voice recognition and language learning, in addition to the enhanced camera system.

After a couple of generations of maintaining that software/AI are the grounds on which it has decided to battle, the business has swapped its square configuration for a broad, black bar that appears to signal an even larger push towards enhanced hardware.