Who wants to build a chip?
Pretty much everyone. We have been doing a lot of work lately on in-house silicon, most recently with our post on Google’s VCU. And it got us thinking about who […]
Pretty much everyone. We have been doing a lot of work lately on in-house silicon, most recently with our post on Google’s VCU. And it got us thinking about who […]
The 5-Year Plan for Semis – the whole debate about industrial policy for the US semis industry is muddled. One clue – whenever people start talking about Shenzhen it means they are focused on some other problem.
Where did Apple’s margins come from? – The M1 probably added only $300m to Apple’s gross margins this quarter, but it probably also helped them sell a lot more MacBooks, the benefit of Apple Silicon is strategic not cost savings.
Intel 2.0’s Customer Dilemma – If Intel can sort out its manufacturing process, if it can find the funds it needs, if it can build up a true customer service capability, and if can do all this in under three years, then IFS may be viable.
Could? Should? Would? – In which we totally make up a scenario in which mobile operating systems get better.
You’re On Allocation – The electronics supply chain is knotted up with shortages seemingly everywhere. We think we are probably past the worst of it and do not believe it will last into 2022.
RF Semis Update – On the competitive front Qualcomm’s growing heft in RF semis does not affect Broadcom much, but is a growing problem for Skyworks and Qorvo.
The Qualcomm Shakes-up of RF is Beginning – Qualcomm announced a few commercially minor RF products, but they demonstrate that the company is about to win the Holy Grail of RF chips.
It’s a Trap – Intel published a set of benchmarks that purport to show their chips actually outperform Apple’s M1. We use this example as a primer in all the shortcomings of Benchmarks as a Marketing tool. TL;DR – the Apple M1 is probably very good.
Lies, Damned Lies, and Benchmarks – a string of benchmarks and leaks highlights the growing urgency phone makers have in closing the silicon gap with Apple, and Qualcomm’s surprising stumbles in the market.