What you need to know
- Apple is reportedly in "advanced talks" to purchase Intel's smartphone modem business.
- This deal could cost Apple as much as $1 billion and close as soon as next week.
- Intel's smartphone modem patents and staff would be part of the deal.
Apple is said to be in "advanced talks" to purchase Intel's smartphone modem chip business. It appears that the deal would be for both patents and Intel staff.
From The Wall Street Journal (paywall):
A deal, covering a portfolio of patents and staff valued at $1 billion or more, could be reached in the next week, the people said—assuming the talks don't fall apart.
According to the report, Apple and Intel have been in talks at one level or another about Intel's mobile modem chip business for years, but talks apparently fell through as Apple reached a settlement in its ongoing legal battle with Qualcomm. The same day as that settlement, Intel announced that it would be exiting the market for 5G smartphone modems. While the company has continued its work on other 5G devices, it has courted several interested buyers in an attempt to offload the smartphone modem chip business. which is still costing the company money.
On Apple's end of things, it's been rumored for some time that the company was looking to create its own modems for future iPhones and other mobile devices. Though Apple-produced smartphone modems would still be some years off, between R&D time and Apple's deal with Qualcomm, bringing in Intel's expertise could greatly boost its efforts if and when the company is ready to strike out on its own.
iOS gaming recap: PlayStation makes big moves into iOS, Streets of Rage 4
Besides some new games, a huge game maker discussed its plans to move into the mobile space, although it's unclear when. Here's what else you missed this week.
GRAMMY-winning music producer lauds his Mac Studio but still wants Mac Pro
GRAMMY-winning music producer Mike Dean, who has worked with the likes of Kanye, Selena Gomez, and Madonna has taken to Instagram to wax lyrical about his M1 Ultra Mac Studio while still lamenting the fact that he can't buy an Apple silicon Mac Pro.
Review: You really ought to check out Catalyst Black for iOS
Catalyst Black is an online multiplayer game that has teams compete against each other to score points and take down opponents. It has both sci-fi and fantasy elements since players can turn into large beasts to do additional damage.
All the games coming to Nintendo Switch in June 2022!
If you're in the market for new Nintendo Switch games, here are the ones being released in June. Highlights include Mario Strikers: Battle League, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, and Rabbids: Party of Legends.
