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Reuters reports that Intel's move into contract manufacturing of chips for other companies suggests that Apple could become a future customer with its A-series chips for the iPhone and iPad, potentially reducing its reliance on arch-rival Samsung as a supplier.
A source close to one of the companies says Intel and Apple executives have discussed the issue in the past year but no agreement has been reached.
Intel has in the past always designed its own computer CPUs, which PC manufacturers like Apple then buy. Intel had previously expressed interest into moving toward some contract or "foundry" manufacturing of chips, although had indicated that it would be most interested in projects based on its existing technology.
But the growing trend away from PC and towards mobile devices continues to threaten Intel's core business, apparently prompting the company to more heavily consider acting as a foundry for distinct chip designs from third-party companies.
Sunit Rikhi, vice president and general manager of Intel custom foundry, told Reuters last week his group is ready to take on a potential large, unidentified mobile customer, although he declined to discuss Apple specifically.
Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy said the chipmaker is in constant discussions with Apple, which buys its PC chips, but he would not comment on negotiations about a potential foundry relationship. An Apple spokesman declined to comment.
Pat Becker Jr, of Becker Capital Management, believes the move would make sense for both Intel and Apple. "If you can have a strategic relationship where you're making chips for one of the largest mobile players, you should definitely consider that. And for Apple, that gets them a big advantage."
Top Rated Comments
(View all)EDIT: Does this mean OSX bootable iPads perhaps?!
The change in opinion around here on Intel from the days of the switch from PPC to now is really incredible.
In this pantomime, the Bad Guy changes a lot. Sometimes it's IBM, or Microsoft, or Intel. Today it's Samsung.
Oh man this is exciting. Lose the Samsung dependency! :)
EDIT: Does this mean OSX bootable iPads perhaps?!
How is that exciting? :confused:
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Sadly its only a very, very, very small dent. Samsung makes billions from everything else.
Why is it sad? :confused:
I hope so, x86 has been the slowest and most unproductive arch of the 21st century. Look at how cutting edge intel has been since Apple signed on with them. 3 years and still waiting on something other than menial bumps for the macpro, why because of intel's lack and or desire to raise any bar. although no need to when your a monopoly.
I'm fairly certain this is Apple's fault and not Intel's. Sandy Bridge E has been around for some time. Ivy Beidge E is around the corner.