“Apple manufacturing partner Samsung has warned of weak growth on chip orders and a downturn on displays, in what could be construed as a evidence of Apple’s alleged plans to transition component purchases away from the competitor with which it is currently engaged in a patent infringement suit,” Josh Ong reports for AppleInsider.
“Samsung executive Kwon Oh-hyun cautioned that the company’s semiconductor and flat-panel display businesses, which provided 70 percent of Samsung’s operating profit last year, are experiencing difficulties, The Wall Street Journal reports… Though reports last week had suggested that the move was a financial decision to hide losses in Samsung’s display unit among profits from its semiconductor business, Kwon’s most recent comments suggest that the company’s chipmaking operations may be faltering as well,” Ong reports.
Ong reports, “Meanwhile, Apple and Samsung are locked in a heated legal battle after the Cupertino, Calif., company sued the Korean electronics giant in April, alleging that Samsung had copied the look and feel of the iPhone and iPad. Last week, the iPhone maker filed for a preliminary injunction that would block for of Samsung’s products while the case is being resolved… Rumors have swirled that Apple is planning to move away from Samsung when it begins production of the so-called “A6″ processor in 2012. Apple will reportedly turn to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for production of the chip.”
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