Apple Buys a Chip Maker Behind the iPad Brain | Hacker News Reader

Apple Buys a Chip Maker Behind the iPad Brain

nytimes.com

26 pointsmechanician7 comments

I don't really understand why Apple would spend half a billion on buying chip manufacturers and paying their employees. What is the benefit for them to throw away profit and get into competition with part suppliers?

Seems like a poor business decision to branch so far from their core business model - especially in a field where you have to keep up with heavy competition. Haven't they always bought their chips from IBM(PPC) or Intel(newer Macs and ARM chips for iPhone), previous to this?

They're just trying to keep the best technology away from competitors. At their scale it's worth the money. Half a billion is nothing compared to iPod/iPhone/iPad profits -- if they can keep the technology out of competitors' hands for 6 months it's worth it.

I thought the A4 was a result of their acquisition of PA Semi a couple of years back.

I doesn't really make sense for them to develop the chip offsite, and then buy the company after it ships. Especially when they've already got the team to do it internally.

I thought the A4 was a result of their acquisition of PA Semi a couple of years back.

There's no evidence of that.

It doesn't really make sense for them to develop the chip offsite, and then buy the company after it ships.

Perhaps consider it the world's longest job interview.

Especially when they've already got the team to do it internally.

It's not clear to me how much skill overlap there is between PA Semi and Intrinsity.

Since everybody loves unfounded conspiracy theories, here's one: PA Semi's hotshot circuit designers went to Agnilux so Apple had to buy Intrinsity as plan B.

Re: PA Semi, I thought so, too.

My guess: if apple made the purchase of intrinsity after they delivered the a4, its probably because they see ongoing value with the chip/team. Future products and all.

But two chip acquisitions?

It's a bit strange how Jobs is referred to as "Steven P. Jobs", I checked Apple's exec profile and it's still Steve Jobs according to Apple. http://www.apple.com/pr/bios/jobs.html

That's because of the New York Times' style guide. The same reason they say "I.B.M.". Ugly.

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