Samsung v. Apple Fallout? TSMC and now Intel Pursuing Apple Foundry Work

From EETimes:

SAN JOSE, Calif. - At present, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is making the Apple-designed A4 and A5 processors on a foundry basis for Apple Inc.

That could soon change. As reported, Apple and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) have entered into a foundry relationship for the A5 and follow-on chips, sources said.

Now, according to an analyst, another player is pursuing Apple's foundry business: Intel Corp. Intel is already supplying x86-based processors for Apple's PC line. Intel is also dabbling in the foundry business and has recently struck a deal with Achronix Semiconductor Corp.

''Based on a number of inputs, we believe Intel is also vying for Apple's foundry business,'' said Gus Richard, an analyst with Piper Jaffray & Co., in a new report.

...

Samsung, as reported in earlier posts, is currently in a multi-jurisdictional IP battle with Apple, perhaps its largest customer.

 

Previous coverage:

• Samsung v. Apple: Calculating the Time (for a Re-exam)
• Why Did Samsung Assert a Stylus Patent Against Apple?
• Bloomberg: Samsung Broadens Patent Dispute Against Apple With U.S. Lawsuit
• Samsung counter sues Apple over iPhone, iPad
• Apple v. Samsung: The Multi-touch Patent
• Flashback: Macworld 2007: "...and boy, have we patented it."
• Apple v. Samsung: Design Patents & Egyptian Goddess
• WSJ: Apple Files Patent Suit Against Samsung Over Galaxy Line of Phones and Tablets