Isn’t it funny when a relatively small skirmish over money boils over to threaten (check notes) the entire Android ecosystem? And now, chip company Arm is asking Qualcomm to make its own chips. They are moving to revoke the architecture license that allows them to do so.
Basically, in 2021, Qualcomm acquired Nuvia, an AI chip company that was also a licensee of Arm. Qualcomm uses Nuvia’s technology in its AI PC chips, but Arm feels Qualcomm didn’t ask for its blessing to transfer those licenses.
In response, Arm filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm in 2022 to recover the debt, and the case is scheduled to go to trial in December of this year. But unless someone pulls out in the meantime, Qualcomm may be unable to make the chips that are the basis of its multibillion-dollar business.
Considering how big the risks are for both companies in this situation, I don’t have much to worry about. It’s likely that someone will cut a big check a few days before the license is revoked, and everyone will be able to return to a state of calm tolerance towards each other.
— Dan Cooper
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News summary
It’s made by Boeing, right?
intelsat
A Boeing-built communications satellite explodes and breaks apart in geostationary orbit around the Earth. The U.S. Space Force believes the Intelsat hardware shattered into 20 pieces, while Roscosmos says it is tracking 80 pieces. Although there is no danger to life on Earth, the debris could pose a risk to other satellites in orbit and to Boeing’s reputation.
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Lumon counterattacks.
apple
Honestly, Severance was the most stressful TV show of 2022, and I had heart palpitations for most of the season finale. After nearly three years in the making, the second season will debut on Apple TV+ on January 17, 2025. I still don’t know if my body can survive a second try, but if you’re strong, you’d better be prepared.
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That’s right, a promise from Elon Musk.
tesla
Tesla claims it is working on a series of more affordable EVs, with production expected to begin in the first half of 2025. Of course, as with any promise made by Elon Musk’s company, we have to take it with a grain of salt. . However, if you want a cheap Tesla, the used market has been very plentiful for some time.
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Latest information on AI chip drama.
Huawei is believed to have used new chips from TSMC in its hardware despite a number of sanctions designed to prevent it. Now, TSMC has revealed that it has stopped shipping to customers who may have been secretly handing over supplies to the Chinese tech giant. If true, one wonders how long Huawei expected to do this before someone noticed.
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