“SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son wants to spend $31.4-billion to buy chip designer ARM Holdings, the same ARM that Apple uses as the foundation for its A-series CPUs that power the iPhone and iPad,” Ron McElfresh writes for McSolo.
“Son is betting on IoT; the so-called Internet of Things which many say is the future of technology,” McElfresh writes. “Son and SoftBank’s record for bets is enviable. The company was an early investor in Alibaba and Yahoo!, among others… [Son said], ‘There are all kinds of direct and indirect synergies. This year they will be small. And next year they will be small. Ten years from now those synergies will be gigantic. In 10 years to 20 years from now people will be jealous.'”
“My fear is not that Apple does not know where the puck is or where it’s going,” McElfresh writes. “My fear is that Apple has forgotten how to skate.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Reportedly, Apple was caught by surprise by Softbank’s ARM acquisition. Hopefully, they had generally expected and anticipated something along the lines of ARM being purchased at some point, especially post-Brexit with the weak pound.
Imagine Apple’s level of surprise if Samsung bought ARM yesterday.
SEE ALSO:
Post-Brexit, predators go hunting British corporate prey – July 18, 2016
ARM says did not consult with Apple, other customers before Softbank deal – July 18, 2016
ARM sold for bargain price, thanks to Brexit – July 18, 2016
Japan’s Softbank just became one of Apple’s most important suppliers – July 18, 2016
Softbank to acquire Apple chip designing partner ARM for $32 billion – July 18, 2016
Yeh, let’s just fantasize something and be afraid of it. SO much valuable thinking on the Web.
Hmm, it’s not like technology doesn’t change. Apple is already significantly vertically integrated, more than any other technology company. Buying ARM would effectively lock Apple into this technology, potentially causing them to actually miss out on new innovation. Too much buy-in to existing technology isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Nothing prevents Apple from submitting a topping bid.
Anyone that thinks SoftBank & ARM didn’t get Apple’s blessing is stupid…..
Does Apple care? They design their own ARM chips.