Future iPhones Could Have Apple-Designed Cellular Modems, But Possibly Not Until 2021

[ReneR]

so apple again copying and thus stealing other's company's technology?
[doublepost=1544706653][/doublepost]

This is good.

Intel needs to stick to making CPUs.

Intel CPUs with all the latest spectre & meltdown security flaws? Maybe Apple should switch to amazing AMD Ryzen for improved performance, ..?

 

[Carnegie]

Intel does in fact pay Qualcomm a license for some of the modems physical build requirements. (Hardware design patents).
No one can build a standards compliant modem without paying SEP fees to all relevant patent holders.
That fee could be passed onto the buyer of the modem (phone manufacturer), but Intel still has to get a license.

The software license (modem firmware) is what typically gets passed onto the phone builder as the builder determines what modem functions they wish to enable in the firmware.

Apple, Intel, Samsung, and the FTC (not to mention other parties) all assert, in court filings, that Qualcomm has refused to license SEPs to other modem suppliers (i.e. its competitors or would-be competitors). Qualcomm doesn't deny that, indeed Qualcomm effectively concedes in court filings that that is the case.

Qualcomm argued that it doesn't have to license SEPs to modem suppliers. It argued that not doing so is (1) not an anti-trust violation and (2) not a violation of its FRAND obligations. On the latter, it argued (unsuccessfully, and according to Judge Koh hypocritically) that it doesn't have to license SEPs to modem suppliers because modem chips don't practice or implement the relevant standard.

On the hardware or software patent issue: Either a patent is an SEP, whether it is a hardware or software patent, or it is not. If it is, then Qualcomm is required to license it to other modem suppliers. Those modem suppliers can incorporate it into products which they sell to, e.g., handset makers. They might supply those handset makers with hardware and software needed to practice a standard. (They, of course, might not do it way. But Qualcomm can't refuse to license them necessary SEPs.)

If a patent isn't an SEP, then handset makers don't need it to practice a standard and Qualcomm can't (successfully) claim that, by practicing a given standard, they are necessarily infringing that patent. In such cases, handset makers may still want to use that IP. But they are free to negotiate licensing terms for it with Qualcomm without Qualcomm having additional leverage based on the IP being needed to practice a given standard. A fair, freely negotiated licensing agreement can be reached.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Intel CPUs with all the latest spectre & meltdown security flaws? Maybe Apple should switch to amazing AMD Ryzen for improved performance, ..?

Apple doesn't use Intel CPUs in iPhones - and possibly not Macs for much longer.

 

[Glockworkorange]

its so funny apple


i pick you ... because ... every test states that the qualcom modem is far superior. and you should write more about where you use your brick. in a major city never leaving it? or more a traveller on the countryside too?
[doublepost=1544685075][/doublepost]

if it was meant funny - it isnt (really)
if its true it is not funny even more!

It is true.

 

[johnsc3]

It is a nice idea BUT...
If Apple does this, they might as well build a courthouse in East Texas solely for the innumerable court cases of Patent Infringement that will be slapped on Apple from the huge numbers of 3G,4G and 5G patent holders. They number in the thousands which makes it almost impossible for Apple to license them all.
This is a sad fact of life when it comes to Apple technology these days. Apple is there to be shot at by all and sundry.
If QC can have a patent for resizing an image then who knows what others will have in their back pockets eh?

East Texas - The Las Vegas of patent showdowns.

 

[justperry]

I pick you ... because ... every test states that the qualcomm modem is far superior. and you should write more about where you use your brick. in a major city never leaving it? or more a traveller on the countryside too?

Small countryside town, I am not saying it isn't superior, all I am saying is that the providers are junk in the states, also, it doesn't really matter that much if I have an Intel or a qualcomm modem, they are both fast enough and reception is good on both.

 

[Defthand]

Apple is fighting to pay for the SEP patents, but not a percentage of the TOTAL SALES PRICE of the device (even if there are no Qualcomm chips inside).

What goes around, comes around. If I'm not mistaken, Apple uses an identical pricing strategy for its MFi licensing and certification of third party products and accessories. The cost is proportional to the MRSP of the product. In fact, Apple advises third parties what to charge for their wares. It's no coincidence that many Apple-certified accessories have uncompetitive pricing.

 

[truthertech]

If AAPL had started 5+ years ago with 300+ Woz-level engineers, then maybe ... otherwise, it's a total joke, & the ONLY ones promoted this as even a possibility are the NONE engineers.

I'm an EE, I grew up in Silicon Valley, & prior to transitioning into iOS App Development four years ago, I've worked @ Qualcomm here in San Diego where I've lived the past 10+ years ... while AAPL has done a fantastic job with their A-series mobile processors, & it is what differentiates them, engineering-wise, from the other smartphones, they have NO chance of developing & incorporating cell technology in the next 5+ years ! ... NO chance @ all ! ... simply too late to the game, & it's an EXTREMELY complex game to participate in !

That mentality, assuming that no one else can compete with them, is why companies go bankrupt. The classic example is when it first came out that Apple was going to produce it's own cell phone, much more complex than just the modem itself. People scoffed at the idea that Apple could compete in a business that they had years lead on Apple. The rest is history.

 

[Tech198]

You can always tell when Apple says "enough is enough". when it starts building it's own.

No more delays, and since its Apple, can be performance enhanced to tweak with Apple's own hardware better.

At least, that's what Intel got out of it.