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> Apple tried and failed to make a chipset to replace Qualcomm didn't they? I can't remember whether it was sourcing Intel modems or rolling their own, but yea
by rodgerd 4y ago
> Apple tried and failed to make a chipset to replace Qualcomm didn't they?
I can't remember whether it was sourcing Intel modems or rolling their own, but yeah, either way they fell foul of Qualcomm's nest of patents: Qualcomm's real competitive edge is that they are experts at lobbying to have their patented tech built into government and NGO standards.
You don't need to make decent chips or support them for more than a couple of years if it's illegal not to use them.
- hinkley 4y agoDid they end up buying Intel's wireless division off of them? I believe they already had their own, but buying it for the patents (and transferable patent licenses) would be valuable to them. If someone won't give you favorable patent terms but you can buy a company that got better ones... edit: yes, they did (modem division): https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/07/apple-to-acquire-the-majority-of-intels-smartphone-modem-business/ https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/07/apple-to-acquire-the-... One potential avenue here is if Apple, with a cellular modem of their own, just includes the modem in all of their devices and cut out a bunch of SKUs.