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ARM: The Non-Evil Monopolist

Posted by michael on from the there's-a-slogan-for-you dept.

yootje writes "ZDNet is running an article about ARM, a chip-maker who controls more than 80% of the cell phone market and 40% of the digital camera market. ARM shipped 780,000,000 processors last year. ZDNet finds it strange that no one seems to have anything against this company. And maybe it is strange: according to the article many would say ARM is a monopolist, but you never hear anyone say 'ARM sucks!'. But then again, why would they?"

3 of 452 comments (clear)

  1. It's not a crime to be a monopolist by StLawrence · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Being a monopolist, or having a monopoly, is not a crime.
    However, engaging in behavior that takes unfair advantage of
    one's monopolist state to inhibit or stifle competition can be a
    crime.

    I am not a lawyer, but I know right from wrong...

  2. Obbligatory Slashdot posts by mu22le · · Score: 0, Redundant

    All packed toghether so you dont have to search

    In soviet russia ARM boycots you!

    I, for one, welcome our new processor market overlords.

    I can't afford a non ARM cell phone, you insensitive clod.

  3. Difference between chip and software. by jellomizer · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The reason why ARM, isn't hated it the fact that chip makers (IBM, Intell, Motarolla...) Need to release some specs for their chips in order for developers to make hardware that uses them.

    so if * 1010 1010 1010 1010 0000 0000 0000 0001 0000 0000 0000 0001 = ADD 1 1

    Then a competing chip maker can make a chip that uses that takes the same Op Code to do the same thing although they may do it differently but as far as the software is concerned there is no difference. (that is why AMDs, and Intell are compatible to most software because they stole each others op code

    Now with windows. Microsoft doesn't tell you that the binary sequence * 1001 1110 1010 1001 0110 1110 1001 1110 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0001 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0001
    that this will put a command button on top left side of your window.
    So if someone want to make a windows compatible product they need reverse engineer every thing (which is much harder with 32 bit then 16 bit) and by the time they are done Microsoft will make a new version that changes everything.
    That is the real difference there are or can be 99% ARM compatible chips out there.
    But their isn't any 99% windows compatible OS's out there. Sure there are some projects that are getting there but they are not there yet.

    * These binary numbers I just picked at random. Not actual code

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.