“Apple’s component purchases during 2010 have put it on top of Nintendo and just behind leader Samsung as the largest buyers of Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, according to a new report by IHS iSuppli,” Josh Lowensohn reports for CNET.
“These tiny components, which include–but are not limited to–gyroscopes and accelerometers, can be found inside a number of Apple’s portable products like iPhones, iPads, and iPods,” Lowensohn reports. “‘MEMS sensors bought by Apple last year included 3-axis gyroscopes from STMicroelectronics for the iPhone 4, iPod Touch, and–toward the end of 2010–the iPad 2 tablet,’ the report said. ‘Apple also bought accelerometers for the above three devices as well as for the iPod nano and MacBook computer.'”
Lowensohn reports, “All told, IHS iSuppli says Apple spent $195 million on said components, a 116.7 percent increase over last year’s purchases.”
Read more in the full article here.
The difference is that it’s actually used in cool new ways with Apple. The copy cats just well copy what Apple is doing with these little gizmos.
Seriously, I used to be the biggest Nintendo fanboy, and in terms of creativity, they really do have alot of that Pixar magic,but from a technological standpoint, they’re really treading water these days.