• wewewawa@alien.topOPB
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    1 year ago

    This is despite the iGiant swallowing Intel’s 5G modem business back in 2019 after the chipmaker said it was exiting that sector. Apple picked up about 2,200 Intel workers plus intellectual property in that deal, valued at $1 billion.

    Bloomberg noted that Apple also has to be careful not to infringe Qualcomm’s patents, which may be slowing design efforts. In addition, the cellular standards themselves are a moving target as they continue to be developed and updated.

    • stashtv@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Bloomberg noted that Apple also has to be careful not to infringe Qualcomm’s patents, which may be slowing design efforts.

      This probably is the slowest and most expensive hurdle to overcome. Qualcomm is a patent giant in this area, its almost impossible not to trip over something they have patented.

      • TwoBionicknees@alien.topB
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        1 year ago

        the problem there is intel’s 5g modems just didn’t work as opposed to worked well and then got sued by Qualcomm. Apple would also pretty happily fight that battle in court. Make a working 5g chipset then release it, make millions in market with a back up chip ready if they get a bad court decision but hope to fight qualcomm over unfair patents.

        But they need a working competitive 5g chip first, which Intel and now Apple using basically the same starting point, just don’t have yet.

    • TwoBionicknees@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      I think it’s because they swallowed Intel’s 5g modem business. intel’s modems were miles behind the competition in 4g and their 5g modems were straight failures. I do remember the hilarious PR around it.

      “hey I know it seems bad because all our products got cancelled and everyone we work with was let down, but it’s all because our modem is sooooo good we’re skipping the first chipset (which totally works and is done for reals) and moving the second chipset up by 6 months”

      The Intel PR around their modems sounded like it was written by Trump.