Intel and TSMC link arms to develop new chips for MIDs
Shortly after unveiling the new "specialized" Atom processor designed for its upcoming media phones (PDF), Intel announced a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan's TSMC to "port its Atom processor CPU cores to the TSMC technology platform including processes, IP, libraries, and design flows."
The alliance will make it possible for TSMC, one of the world's largest contract component/chip makers, to make the new Atom-based chips for portable gadgets like MIDs, smartphones, and netbooks. Rick Tsai, president and CEO of TSMC, believes that the parternship lets its "technology platform extend beyond the two companies’ current collaboration to support future Intel embedded x86 products." Intel obviously agrees, adding that the CPU is "designed to bring the whole Internet and the benefits of computing to an emerging class of consumer-friendly devices."
I wonder what ARM thinks about this.
[MSNBC | IT Examiner]