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Intel Opens Doors To Rivals, Maybe
Rambo Tribble writes "In what appears to be a major reversal of policy, Intel's new president, Renee James, has indicated that Intel will be open to manufacturing chips based on rivals' designs. While the language is a bit tentative, this appears to open an opportunity for such as ARM to benefit from Intel's manufacturing expertise and technology."
From the article: "James said Intel will evaluate prospective foundry clients on a 'deal by deal basis, not on an architecture by architecture basis.' That applies, James said, 'even in areas where there may be some competition with businesses that we’re in.'" Intel is already manufacturing FPGAs for Altera that include 64-bit ARM cores.
I would hope so. Friends in the chip design world have told me that Apple could save about 20% of the power draw on their A-series CPUs if they had access to intel's fab process.
-jcr
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
There is no chance that Intel would rent out its best fabs.
The reality is that Intel has a growing number of out-dated fabs that are not utilizing full capacity, and it wants to sell time on those.
"His name was James Damore."
Intel has a "copy exactly" policy. Every fab is Intel's "best fab", mainly because maintaining different processes across sites would be a logistical nightmare. Also, I'm sitting in Intel's "best fab", and we run this stuff. So. Nope.
Apple could buy Intel, at least in theory. They have cash reserves of $147 Billion - Intel's market cap is only $118 Billion.
That's exactly how it works.
Scene 1: The stockbroker's office
Tim Cook enters the office of his stockbroker, carrying a briefcase and looking determined.
Cook: Good morrow, old chap.
Stockbroker: Ah, Mr. Cook. Do please take a seat and explain how I may be of service?
Cook: I'd like to buy Intel shares.
Stockbroker: Excellent choice, sir. What quantity did you have in mind?
Cook: All of them
Stockbroker: Right away, Mr. Cook. Cash or credit?
Cook opens a suitcase to reveal $118 billion in billion dollar notes.
Cook: Cash, of course. Jeeves, ready my stealth jet.
Jeeves: Very good, sir. Where to?
Cook: Santa Clara.
Jeeves: Yes, sir.
Scene 2: The Intel boardroom
Tim Cook strides in to the boardroom, smoking a cigar and eyeing the decor.
Krzanich: Cook, you can't come barging in here!
Cook: I think not, old friend. For I just bought Intel!
Krzanich: How?
Cook: I read an informative post on Slashdot in which it was explained how it was as easy as having money equal to the market cap. I'll need to ask you to leave.
Krzanich: Damn it! I didn't think anyone knew this!
Jeeves: Shall I begin construction of your Tony Stark-like secret labs under the building, where you may commence work on powered armour or something similar, sir?
Cook: Yes, Jeeves. That would be awesome - Awesome to the max!
-- Using the preview button since 2005