Apple Starts Work on Its Own Cellular Modem

Good. I was surprised that Apple Silicon Macs don't have a built-in cellular modem. This reminds me how iPhone launched without a 3G modem, and I hope Apple will similarly fix the lack of cellular connectivity in the next generation of MacBooks.

I don't understand; couldn't Apple just add a Qualcomm modem into every Mac?

i'm sure they could. But apple wants to own the vertical.

More likely cost

Supposedly Qualcomm’s licensing costs are even more egregious for PCs, it makes it impossible to blanket include modems.

Qualcomm takes a cut on the product for selling the modem. In a 1000 dollar phone, Apple ends up paying more than 500 dollar Huawei, which ends up competing with iPhone. Qualcomm gets away with it because it can.

I guess Apple just does t like to depend on anyone anymore.

It’s not like there hasn’t been legal fighting between Apple and Qualcomm about this very issue: https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/14/18307820/apple-qualcomm-l...

Would be interesting to know how this would get apple around the claimed sweeping internet-connected-phone patent.