Report: Amazon In Advanced Talks To Buy Texas Instruments Mobile Chip Business In Deal Worth Billions
Amazon is in advanced negotiations to buy Texas Instruments mobile chip business, according to Israeli newspaper Calcalist, with the price expected to be in the billions of dollars range. If the deal goes ahead Amazon would take a step close to rivals Apple and Samsung by gaining the ability to design and manufacture its own mobile chips.
At the time of writing, Amazon and Texas Instruments had not responded to a request for comment. Well update this story with any response.
TI chips are used in various devices including Amazons Kindle Fire tablet. Calcalist also notes that TI is a supplier to Amazons rival Barnes & Nobles Nook e-reader.
The paper previously reported TI was considering exiting the mobile chips business because of increased focus on integrated technology solutions, and also Intels entrance into the market. TI has lost out to rival chipmakers such as Qualcomm when it comes to gaining significant mobile market share (Qualcomm took 48 percent market share in the first half of this year, according to Strategy Analytics).
Calcalist speculates that the rumoured Apple iPad mini could be the catalyst for Amazon to acquire TI. Amazons strategy to compete with the iPad has been to launch cheaper, less high end tablets sold at cost price but if Apple launches a cheaper iPad that will erode the appeal of Amazons Kindle devices.
However Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi told Reuters she doubted whether Amazon wants to become that intimately involved with hardware.
A TI spokeswoman told Calcalist the company does not comment on rumour and speculation.
http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/15/re...-mobile-chip-business-in-deal-worth-billions/
Amazon is in advanced negotiations to buy Texas Instruments mobile chip business, according to Israeli newspaper Calcalist, with the price expected to be in the billions of dollars range. If the deal goes ahead Amazon would take a step close to rivals Apple and Samsung by gaining the ability to design and manufacture its own mobile chips.
At the time of writing, Amazon and Texas Instruments had not responded to a request for comment. Well update this story with any response.
TI chips are used in various devices including Amazons Kindle Fire tablet. Calcalist also notes that TI is a supplier to Amazons rival Barnes & Nobles Nook e-reader.
The paper previously reported TI was considering exiting the mobile chips business because of increased focus on integrated technology solutions, and also Intels entrance into the market. TI has lost out to rival chipmakers such as Qualcomm when it comes to gaining significant mobile market share (Qualcomm took 48 percent market share in the first half of this year, according to Strategy Analytics).
Calcalist speculates that the rumoured Apple iPad mini could be the catalyst for Amazon to acquire TI. Amazons strategy to compete with the iPad has been to launch cheaper, less high end tablets sold at cost price but if Apple launches a cheaper iPad that will erode the appeal of Amazons Kindle devices.
However Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi told Reuters she doubted whether Amazon wants to become that intimately involved with hardware.
A TI spokeswoman told Calcalist the company does not comment on rumour and speculation.
http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/15/re...-mobile-chip-business-in-deal-worth-billions/