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WSJ: Apple's 5G Modem Prototypes 'Three Years Behind Qualcomm's Best Chip'
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I mean, tech always starts out like that, and then they leap forward, I think Apple is capable of doing that.
I wonder what the cost benefits are to just buying a modem vs trying to build your own. I guess they did that with processors and it has worked out for them, but smaller components I wasn't so sure about. For example they aren't trying to make their own screens, so why so much focus on a modem?
I wonder what the cost benefits are to just buying a modem vs trying to build your own. I guess they did that with processors and it has worked out for them, but smaller components I wasn't so sure about. For example they aren't trying to make their own screens, so why so much focus on a modem?
The problem with Intel was, if I remember correctly, that Apple was “locked” into their release schedule, which is clearly not the case with Qualcomm, as Apple do not even use their latest modems as yet and not many Apple customers complain, as it is still an improvement over older stuff.
I never expect him to understand technology. They only know the business aspects they do hire people to consult in technology. They have no idea what They are doing when you’re writing articles. They get referrals and public relations but that’s about it. So you’re right
The problem is u still need to license the patents from qualcomm but the advantage is when 6g comes out u will have ur own patents. intel is the most horrible company more like slave labor ( i used to design chips) qualcomm is very innovative.
There’s a business angle to this that seems to be missed by most reporting on this.
Apple doesn’t necessarily need to succeed in building their own modem. As long as this project continues, as something possible on the horizon, it gives them leverage in their modem purchase negotiations with Qualcomm.
Without this project, Apple will be completely beholden to Qualcomm as a modem supplier and Qualcomm will be able to ask for anything on their modem deals. The threat of switching completely to in-house modems, even ones that doesn’t perform as well as Qualcomms, is enough to keep Qualcomm at bay. Apple’s modem orders make up for 20% of Qualcomm’s revenue.
edit: Samsung does the exact same thing, but with a working modem. They still use Qualcomm in their top of line phones but the rest of the line up has some models with their own Samsung modems. So if Apple make a modem good enough for an iPhone SE, it’s enough to give them the upper hand to keep using Qualcomm modems on the Pro phones.
Apple doesn’t necessarily need to succeed in building their own modem. As long as this project continues, as something possible on the horizon, it gives them leverage in their modem purchase negotiations with Qualcomm.
Without this project, Apple will be completely beholden to Qualcomm as a modem supplier and Qualcomm will be able to ask for anything on their modem deals. The threat of switching completely to in-house modems, even ones that doesn’t perform as well as Qualcomms, is enough to keep Qualcomm at bay. Apple’s modem orders make up for 20% of Qualcomm’s revenue.
edit: Samsung does the exact same thing, but with a working modem. They still use Qualcomm in their top of line phones but the rest of the line up has some models with their own Samsung modems. So if Apple make a modem good enough for an iPhone SE, it’s enough to give them the upper hand to keep using Qualcomm modems on the Pro phones.
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So you've completely forgotten about the Vision Pro announcement a few months back that completely floored the entire AR/VR industry?
Cellular standards change. They change both over time and by region/country. As cellular data rates increase so have the frequencies in play and dealing with copper shift of moving devices, reflection, multi-path, and a whole pile of other signal propagation issues is a significant challenge. Think about trying to listen to a single conversation in a full sports stadium when you're 100ft away from the person you're speaking to; that's what cellular modems do.
Apple does best and innovates the most when problems seem insurmountable. So I expect they will get over the collective corporate learning curve and get the job done.
So....basically, Apple hubris biting them in the a**? Say it ain't so!! Tech companies, they have gotten so big, that sometimes, they need a reality check, and boy oh boy, did Apple get one with this!
If Apple is depicted as a dumb-dumb dummy that failed to anticipate the obstacles of a field that is foreign to them…
…then why even Qualcomm in 2021 was dead sure Apple’s modem would be ready by now? Are they too not familiar with the obstacles of the trade they’re in? Didn’t they know how “ridiculous” it sounds to imagine Apple making 5G modems? Were Qualcomm dumb-dumb dummies too in 2021?
“At an investor conference in New York, Qualcomm executives said they expect to supply only 20% of Apple’s modem chips by the launch of the iPhone in 2023. Qualcomm Chief Financial Officer Akash Palkhiwala expects Apple to make up a “low single-digit” percentage of the company’s chip sales by the end of fiscal 2024”
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The problem I think is having to design around the patents. It's not that Apple can't build a better modem; it's that they can't do it using any methods that have been patented. That's a tough nut to crack when Qualcomm has so many patents in this area. Ideally they'd need to buy the company to do what they want, but that's probably not worth it.
I hear you bro. Apple A and M series cpu/gpu SOCs used in iPhones/tablets and computers, and their year-over-year improvements have definitely been flops.
Should Apple be going back to Intel CPUs?
Doesn't the cellular iPad Pro M2 from last year with the unique limitations use an Apple modem?
There are no tear downs so far.
www.macrumors.com
There are no tear downs so far.
M2 iPad Pro Wi-Fi + Cellular Models Drop GSM/EDGE Support
Apple has just announced the new sixth-generation 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and it turns out the cellular models no longer include GSM/EDGE...
www.macrumors.com
There is absolutely no way any of this report is correct. Listen to the wisdom of Macrumours comments! Apple can move Mountains. They design the best CPU in the world. Apple Modem will come and trash Qualcomm in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023..... /S
It is just great that comments aren't deleted in all the older threads.
How many times have I said designing a modern Qualcomm Modem competitor is harder than having a better CPU than Intel or AMD.
It is just great that comments aren't deleted in all the older threads.
How many times have I said designing a modern Qualcomm Modem competitor is harder than having a better CPU than Intel or AMD.
Yes, I would prefer Intel chips. It is sad that Apple took away that options. Apple silicon is optimized for special tasks like video editing, but I hardly ever edit a video.
Why is it embarrassing for a company to not yet be successful in doing something? Even if Apple never gets this figured out as well as Qualcomm, why be embarrassed at that? They can keep partnering with Qualcomm.
you are aware all processors have circuitry designed for specific tasks, right?
And no thanks on the Intel chips. I’d rather not have a loud noisy turd on my desk.
Well... the good news is that Intel is still in business and many companies make computers using Intel cpus, should you need a break from Apple.