NVidia To Buy PortalPlayer For $357 Million

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

PortalPlayer has announced that NVidia has signed a definitive agreement to buy the company (http://portalplayer.com/news-and-events/PPI_NVIDIA.htm) for approximately $357 million ($13.50 per each outstanding share of PortalPlayer common stock). PortalPlayer's media chips have historically been used in Apple's iPods, however the company has seen setbacks in recent quarters with rumored losses to Samsung (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/04/20060426223303.shtml) (iPod Nano).

For its part, NVidia has been rumored to have secured (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/07/20060718175754.shtml) the so-called "true" video iPod's 3D chip, and the acquisition of PortalPlayer may aid it as it expands its embedded business.

[jrhone]

Cool!!!! Hopefully this will help the Video iPod....

[BRLawyer]

Horrible news, as it's gonna lower Apple's bargaining power vis-à-vis PortalPlayer for the supply of any future iPod chips...it makes sense for Apple only if NVidia is bought by Intel...

[p0intblank]

If this is another step towards finally seeing the true iPod video, then I'm all for it. :)

[Squonk]

it makes sense for Apple only if NVidia is bought by Intel...

I was just pondering this scenario too. Very interesting times ahead I'd say.

[cannonball]

I don't know too much, but if Intel bought Nvidia... Let's just say that there are enough people hunting intel for Monopolistic practices already. It all depends on how much they would let Nvidia continue to operate independantly, i guess.

All speculation, but fun.

[Willis]

OOooo. Interesting.

If NVidia are supplying the 3D chips, maybe the Vid iPod may be delayed to next year possibly.

[PygmySurfer]

Horrible news, as it's gonna lower Apple's bargaining power vis-à-vis PortalPlayer for the supply of any future iPod chips...

How does it change Apple's bargaining power with PortalPlayer whether PortalPlayer is a separate entity, or a division of NVidia?

If Apple doesn't like the price, they'll go to Samsung, like they did for the Nano. Or some other vendor. I wouldn't be surprised if Intel had something to offer (xScale).

it makes sense for Apple only if NVidia is bought by Intel...

Intel won't be buying NVidia anytime soon. NVidia has a much larger market cap than ATI. Plus, Intel already has their own graphics solution (I believe they're looking to expand to the discreet 3D graphics market soon, even). I think NVidia is quite content where they are, as well.

[Superdrive]

Horrible news, as it's gonna lower Apple's bargaining power vis-à-vis PortalPlayer for the supply of any future iPod chips...it makes sense for Apple only if NVidia is bought by Intel...

But how would Intel buying NVidia affect buying power?

[Stridder44]

But how would Intel buying NVidia affect buying power?


I was wondering this too. As far as I can see, this only helps the iPod. And if Intel bought Nvidia also, then I can only see Integrated Graphics getting way better, which means potentially better MacBooks/Mac Mini's/etc.

[BRLawyer]

How does it change Apple's bargaining power with PortalPlayer whether PortalPlayer is a separate entity, or a division of NVidia?

If Apple doesn't like the price, they'll go to Samsung, like they did for the Nano. Or some other vendor. I wouldn't be surprised if Intel had something to offer (xScale).

Intel won't be buying NVidia anytime soon. NVidia has a much larger market cap than ATI. Plus, Intel already has their own graphics solution (I believe they're looking to expand to the discreet 3D graphics market soon, even). I think NVidia is quite content where they are, as well.

Apple was huge against PortalPlayer, but not as huge against NVidia...therefore, its power to get better deals is lowered. As for NVidia's cap, it's peanuts compared to Intel...as much as ATi was peanuts compared to AMD.

But how would Intel buying NVidia affect buying power?

Because Apple already has great deals with Intel...so anything under the Intel umbrella would be advantageous...and the rumor runs high...some say Intel is seriously considering the deal with NVidia, given the acquisition of ATi by AMD...Intel's GPU division is pretty weak if compared to the consolidated duopoly we have between ATi and NVidia.

[Epicurus]

At the very least Apple will now be in greater contact with NVidia, since it will have to negotiate for any future iPods it wants to build (even if Apple goes with Samsung, they'll want to shop around a bit to drive down the bidding prices).

Apple getting closer to NVidia might also be facilitated by having all the PortalPlayer execs getting jobs within NVidia proper. PortalPlayer has a long, and for the most part positive history with Apple, so maybe we can hope for improved relations between NVidia and and Apple.

I see NVidia coming on board for better low-end graphics in Mac mini's and MacBooks. This is a good way for NVidia to roll out a new technology in this area and do so in the insulated (ie small and OS X running) Mac environment. Ultimately I'd like to see SLi in the Mac Pro's and more customization/information options in the NVidia drivers.

When the MacBook Pro 15" gets mobile SLi, and still fits in a 1" case, then I'll be truly happy! :D

[bloodycape]

I dunno how this is going to turn out. But i do know I rather see the TI Davinci chip in the a video ipod seeing how well the chip is and plus the fact you can do gapless audio and video from the hardware.

But then again AMD also has the Alchemy chips which are also pretty good and supports 3D also.

If anything this will be good news for the cellphone market. Maybe we will see more cell phones supporting 3D with nvidia chips; like in the iPhone. I know TI is planning to do this.

[fall3n]

It's good for Nvidia. As anyone will notice they're positioning themselves to piggyback off of Apples current and future success. Not a bad business move on their part at all.

[Object-X]

Could this just be another incentive for Intel to purchase Nvidia? Maybe Nvidia is trying to position themselves this way?

[ChoMomma]

Plus, Intel already has their own graphics solution (I believe they're looking to expand to the discreet 3D graphics market soon, even).

Having worked in the on Intel's integrated graphics along side the hardware and software engineers responsible for it, and the managers in charge of deciding it's direction. I can honestly tell you they will NOT be going with a discreet card ever. They previously dabbled in that way back with the Intel 740 series of AGP cards. They had some pretty damn cool ideas at that time and they might have turned out to be competitive cards. HOWEVER, Intel prefers to supply the industry with all the parts they need without making many of their own complete products (excluding motherboards). Their integrated gfx products are just a way of making their own Intel brand motherboards more valuable. It's a value add feature, much like their integrated NICs.

[mmmcheese]

...
If Apple doesn't like the price, they'll go to Samsung, like they did for the Nano. Or some other vendor. I wouldn't be surprised if Intel had something to offer (xScale)....

Intel sold their ARM (xScale) division...so they don't have anything like that anymore.

[Bonte]

Ow, Apple wants compatible chips for there nextgen iPod but now with full 3D support, Nvidia can't work closely with PortalPlayer on it but buying the company is a 'normal' thing to do.

[PygmySurfer]

Intel sold their ARM (xScale) division...so they don't have anything like that anymore.

Didn't know that. Still doesn't change the fact that PortalPlayer isn't Apple's only option :)

[PygmySurfer]

As for NVidia's cap, it's peanuts compared to Intel...as much as ATi was peanuts compared to AMD.

Ars (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061008-7933.html) can explain it better than I:

...the numbers don't make sense. NVIDIA trades these days with a total price tag of $11 billion, putting the general buyout target far, far north of the $5.4 billion ATI deal. While NVIDIA has superior cash flow to ATI, their annual sales are comparable. This makes NVIDIA a quite expensive acquisition, and for what? Intel already makes its own chipsets and graphics processors. Admittedly, Intel is not a player in the premium graphics scene, but all signs point towards Intel getting into that business sooner rather than later.

NVidia ("http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061025-8071.html) has already stated their desire to remain independant.

[Maccus Aurelius]

Imagine Intel-stuffed ipods....or NVIDIA powered ones? :rolleyes:

If this does indeed hark a new era of ipods, I'm all for it. Hopefully this doesn't break the new pattern of pricing for ipods. a 50 dollar drop is a pretty welcome sight, and hopefully apple keeps plenty of supply lines to keep the price around that general area, especially with the Zune coming out in about a week.

[lorductape]

as much as I like the though of an intel iPod, what is the "3D" chip? for 3d graphics? or is that just a fancy name?

[Bonte]

as much as I like the though of an intel iPod, what is the "3D" chip? for 3d graphics? or is that just a fancy name?

3D games, i'm sure the current 9 games will quickly sell in the millions and Apple makes a good profit on them. This 'real' video iPod will also be a portable gaming platform next to video and other PDA functions, maybe even a smart-phone combination.

[MrCrowbar]

3D games, i'm sure the current 9 games will quickly sell in the millions and Apple makes a good profit on them. This 'real' video iPod will also be a portable gaming platform next to video and other PDA functions, maybe even a smart-phone combination.

So I guess it's gonna be kinda like a PSP, but focused on media first. I wonder how a gaming interface would work on this allmighty touchscreen iPod tho...
Adventure games like Nintendo's Poekmon would work great and sell like crazy I guess. Imagine something like World Of Warcraft on a touchscreen iPod with wireless connection. :rolleyes:

EDIT: I guess a 3D chip would be very helpful for a nice looking interface such as front row. I'd love to have that Intl GMA950 chip (currently in Macbooks and Mac minis) and an IR-sensor in an iPod so I can hook it up to a HD-TV, but I guess that's overkill and wouldn"t really work. :-)

[TheBobcat]

I think this whole thing is a molehill being made into a mountain because of a slow news day. I really don't see any huge implications for Apple and its related products.

I see this as an acquisition since PortalPlayer's stock went down when Apple shat on them a few months ago. Now that they're cheap, nVidia capitalized no doubt hoping their technology and patents continue to generate revenue and reappear in future iPods. Not a bad move at a great time to buy, but I would almost certainly think that this will not buddy up nVidia and Apple, or Intel and nVidia any more so than before this happened.

[Stridder44]

If Apple could tack on games (better games, ones that come bundled into the iPod) into the Video iPod, and bring in WiFi (what for is not my guess, but I guess they could do something similar like the Zune) then they would quickly sell out.

[TheBobcat]

Yeah, games, Wifi, and music all equal a sell-out winner! Just ask Sony!

[twoodcc]

Cool!!!! Hopefully this will help the Video iPod....

my thoughts exactly.

[mmmcheese]

Didn't know that. Still doesn't change the fact that PortalPlayer isn't Apple's only option :)

Nope...just thought I'd point that out though...

[stephenli]

EDIT: I guess a 3D chip would be very helpful for a nice looking interface such as front row. I'd love to have that Intl GMA950 chip (currently in Macbooks and Mac minis) and an IR-sensor in an iPod so I can hook it up to a HD-TV, but I guess that's overkill and wouldn"t really work. :-)

well i dont want to trade this with battery life.
i need to shut down my PSP once per 4 hour. its really a bad experience...
wifi + 4 inch LCD + strong graphic chip = low battery life....

well, but touchscreen iPod may enable to develope some funny game like Nintendo DS. it would be great if adding a motion sensor just like Macbook;)

[Stridder44]

Yeah, games, Wifi, and music all equal a sell-out winner! Just ask Sony!

lol obviously not, because I can't even remember a Sony device that you just described having those features (not saying it doesn't exist). Which is why Apple did the right thing first, and made a tight integrated system (iPod + iTunes) and combined it with simplicity and "sexiness". Sony hasn't always been very good at keeping things simple...

[Bonte]

lol obviously not, because I can't even remember a Sony device that you just described having those features (not saying it doesn't exist).

The PSP :) But is indeed not simple enough, to big, no HD and marketed as a game console.

[Bonte]

So I guess it's gonna be kinda like a PSP, but focused on media first. I wonder how a gaming interface would work on this allmighty touchscreen iPod tho...
Adventure games like Nintendo's Poekmon would work great and sell like crazy I guess. Imagine something like World Of Warcraft on a touchscreen iPod with wireless connection. :rolleyes:

It won't have a touchscreen if we can believe the patents, more like touch sensitive borders so it can be controlled like a gamepad.

I'm also missing motion censoring for gameplay or to lock the HD when falling.

[fixyourthinking]

Intel sold their ARM (xScale) division...so they don't have anything like that anymore.

Selling it doesn't mean they don't have anything "like that" any more. I suspect that Intel could pretty much create any type of circuitry they wanted to. So as people have said here - if anything this probably opened Apple's options up for the iPod - not limited it.

[madmax_2069]

so what if intel buys nvidia, what if intel dont use the technology they just bought and intel dont keep them a separate company. and if intel does this and just dont do anything with it for a wile (like what nvidia did when they bought 3dfx) then apple would have to look for another company. and what would this do to apple and the ipod

what would happen if apple bought nvidia would they see any profit from it or any need to secure nvidia. would it be a good ideal if apple was to buy nvidia