Qualcomm earnings have been very healthy, their revenue was $3.35 billion for the last quarter, which gave them earnings of $1.17 billion. There are a number of factors why this is, but it is because the Verizon iPhone 4 uses their baseband chips. However, things are set to increase even further with suggestion that the iPhone 5 and the iPad 2 will also use the same chip.
The current baseband chip in the iPhone and iPad are from Infineon, which as we know is now owned by Intel. AppleInsider points out that Qualcomm also produces the ARM Snapdragon processor, which is considered one of the fastest on the market. There could be a conflict of interest there, as Apple currently uses the A4 processor, which as we know is manufactured by Samsung – all a bit confusing ah?
Either way you look at it, Qualcomm are in a great position, to have the best selling smartphone and tablet device on board — maybe they might push ahead for a processor deal as well? Although I would not hold my breath, as there have already been rumors that Apple is to stick with the Samsung version, but a dual-core version instead.
Phones Reviews seems to be getting excited about the upcoming release of the second-generation iPad and the fifth-generation iPhone, as they have now written an article about the countdown for both devices. They have informed us that more than 10 million iPhone 5 units have already been placed for the first production run, but were not able to offer any figures for the new iPad.
However, they do say that production is to begin in February and that the tablet device will be ready for release in April — around the same time as the Motorola Xoom and the BlackBerry PlayBook from RIM. Whatever happens, Qualcomm are now in a great position — one that will strengthen was these new Apple iOS devices hit the market.
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