Broadcom targets low-cost LTE smartphone market
Carriers and device makers are increasingly focused on low-cost smartphones, and chipmakers are ready to give them what they want. Today Broadcom unveiled two new mobile platforms aimed at the sub-$300 LTE smartphone market. The solution set features a dual-core and a quad-core version of the chipset, with “pin-to-pin compatibility” between the two meant to give OEMs the ability to scale a design from one device to another. Broadcom says the chipsets can support 150Mbps Category 4 speeds on FDD-LTE and TD-LTE networks as well as 42Mbps on 3G, HSPA+ and 2G networks. The SoCs have been operator and field validated on more than 40 networks and 20 countries for accelerated time to market.
IBM may sell chip-making unit
IBM is reportedly looking to sell its chip-making business. The company has lost key contracts to make chips for Sony’s and Microsoft’s gaming consoles, and has also decided to sell its low-end server business to China’s Lenovo.
In the mobile world, IBM is increasingly focused on software, but does not have a mobile processor or mobile connectivity solution on the market. However, the company is expected to maintain its chip design business, leaving the door open for future moves into mobile.
Intel envisions the future
Chip giant Intel sees its future in mobile, but not necessarily in mobile devices that we carry in our pockets. Today the company has released a report called “Intel Freeway to the Future,” and the focus of the study is of course the connected car. Many of those who doubted that the automotive industry would actually become the next big battleground for chipmakers became believers at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, where the North Hall looked a lot like the Detroit Auto Show.
According to Intel, 44% of Americans would like to live in a driverless society, where cars and public transportation vehicles operate automatically. 50% would let their city put a sensor into their car to facilitate parking, and 58% said they would trust drones to manage ambulances and emergency response vehicles.
