Apple Hopes To Drop Samsung As Chip Supplier 107
danomac writes "Apple is testing out new chip suppliers, trying to find a supplier other than Samsung. Apple is currently suing Android phone manufacturers, and Samsung is included in the lawsuit. 'Apple faces several hurdles should it want to make a switch to TSMC, including patents and chip design issues as well as a push by Samsung to retain the business. ... Analysts and other sources had previously said TSMC, the world's largest contract chip maker, was set to become a supplier of a next-generation processor chip to Apple, likely starting next year. However the chip may not be called the A6, as some reports have indicated, the sources said. TSMC is an obvious candidate to win processor business from Apple as it has budgeted $7.8 billion this year to update technology and add capacity. It also has experience with the architecture of British chip designer ARM Holdings Plc, widely used by Apple to make power-efficient mobile chips."
Good luck with that (Score:0, Insightful)
Good luck with that, Apple. I know that if there's one thing I look for in a potential customer, it's a tendency not only to file bogus patents (what was that last one, changing to landscape mode based on orientation but with a phone!111!!!!?) but to ruthlessly sue suppliers over them. (Oh no, you have a product with ROUNDED CORNERS, prepare for the Nazgul!)
Of course, I know I'm being naive. They'll find some company that's more than happy to accept their money, even with the continual threat of being sued to prevent them from using their own technology in the future.
But I can hope that karma comes back to bite them in the ass. I can only hope.
Re:So... (Score:5, Insightful)
Or maybe they see the value in having a supplier that doesn't represent a conflict of interest.
Re:Conflict of Interest (Score:5, Insightful)
Please do say what they stole. As far as I can tell apple is complaining about some bogus design patents and some typical bullshit software patents.
Good luck with that (Score:3, Insightful)
The problem with letting morals interfere with business decisions is knowing where to stop. Now that they've made it plain how little tolerance they have for independent thinking suppliers, the rest are going to be a bit skittish, either in their dealings with Apple, or in their own R&D. Either way, Apple is sending the message that it doesn't want first tier brilliant thinkers, only second tier yes-men.
I have a friend who lets his religious fundamentalism go crazy. I sent some Thomas the Tank Engine chocolate lollipops for Christmas stocking stuffers, and was told that Thomas is a Disney property, Disney supports health insurance for domestic partners, and therefore my stocking stuffers were unwelcome.
So what next? Don't let UPS deliver anything because the driver might be gay, or support human rights? Where does he draw the line? It's one thing (however silly it is) to not buy Disney products himself because they have gay employees, but to chew me out for not following his politics is absurd.