Intel, Samsung Display show off 'slidable' PC concept

Source: Intel

If this concept ever comes to life, we might see slidable PCs in the future. Samsung Display CEO JS Choi showed off at Intel's Innovation keynote a new prototype PC that goes from a 13-inch tablet into a 17-inch one. Choi said this "device will satisfy various needs for a larger screen and portability as well." He hinted at foldable being gone on PCs for now, at least from Samsung Display's perspective.

Using this prototype, Intel demonstrated its new Unison software on this screen, which aims to connect Intel-powered computers to smartphones. We don't know if this concept will ever become an actual product, but it does show us what the companies are experimenting with in this space.

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Apple now owns Intel's smartphone modem business

Apple has completed its acquisition of Intel's mobile modem business. The deal was announced back in July with a value of US$1 billion (around CA$1.3 billion). Apple plans to leverage Intel's modems to develop its technology, particularly when it comes to its iPhones. The goal is for the company to lessen its reliance on third-party suppliers for its components.

In the meantime, you can still expect Apple to use Qualcomm's modems. The two feuding companies reached a US$4.5 billion (around CA$6 billion) settlement back in May, resuming their business with each other. As for Intel, the company can still develop its 5G networks and modems, but for non-smartphone applications like in vehicles and PCs.

Apple buys ‘majority’ of Intel’s smartphone business for US$1 billion

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Apple is moving forward with its plans of developing its own cellular hardware with its latest acquisition. The company is buying the “majority” of Intel’s smartphone modem business for US$1 billion. It’ll see Apple taking on 2,200 Intel employees, intellectual property, and leases. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year if regulators approve of the handover, that is.

In the smartphone chipset market, Intel won’t be completely out of the game. But it’ll scale back. And its focus on 5G will be in areas where it “most closely aligns” with what its customers want. The focus would be on customers like network operators, cloud service providers, and equipment manufacturers. The company will also work on developing modems for computers, Internet of Things devices, and self-driving cars.

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Apple poached Intel’s head for 5G ahead of its truce with Qualcomm

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We speculate that a part of why Intel gave up on 5G was because Apple and Qualcomm’s truce. But it seems there might be one more thing to add to that. Weeks before the said settlement, Apple poached Intel’s 5G modem head Umashankar Thyagarajan. His departure wasn’t exactly a secret. But he was, according to the Telegraph, the project engineer for the XMM 8160 chipset, which was at the heart of Intel’s 5G plans. And he “played a key role” in the creation of the Intel modems in the iPhone XS and XR.

Intel and Apple are not commenting on the report. And it isn’t clear what his role in Apple is, apart from it being described as “Architecture” on his LinkedIn page. But we expect he is working on wireless chipset design for Apple. Apple has in the past said it wanted to make its own cellular chipsets, so we aren’t as surprised about the hire as we should be.