“GlobalFoundries is preparing to make chips for Apple’s iPhone and iPad at its Fab 8 complex in Malta, according to a source close to the company,” Larry Rulison reports for The Albany Times Union.
“Samsung Electronics, which currently makes the logic microprocessors used in Apple’s popular iPhone and iPad devices at its Austin, Texas fab, will help with the start-up of the Apple program, ensuring that Apple will have a second U.S. source for chips for the popular smart phones and tablets,” Rulison reports. “Last week, the Times Union published stories that Samsung would be playing a role at Fab 8 and that it would utilize the new $2 billion Technology Development Center that GlobalFoundries is building next to its current chip factory, known as Fab 8.1 The TDC will be used by GlobalFoundries and its customers to develop and perfect new chip designs and manufacturing processes before they go into full-scale production. The 565,000 square-foot facility is under construction and expected to be completed late next year.”
“A small team from Samsung is going to come to Fab 8 with Apple’s chip-making ‘recipies.’ Samsung will help GlobalFoundries set up the manufacturing processes at Fab 8 that will be needed to make the chips. It is unclear if that process will begin before the TDC is completed,” Rulison reports. “It’s unclear if GlobalFoundries will be making the chips with Samsung as the customer on behalf of Apple, or if Apple will be the direct customer, with Samsung helping set up the operation to mirror what it does in Austin. Either way, Apple will be the ultimate customer. And there is no indication that Samsung’s Apple production will cease in Austin.”
Read more in the full article here.
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