Intel has reportedly approached Apple about a possible investment as the chipmaker works to strengthen its business, which is now partly owned by the US government. The discussions are in the early stages, and there is no guarantee that a deal will happen, reports Bloomberg.
Intel and Apple have reportedly explored ways to collaborate more closely. While a potential investment would signal confidence in Intel’s turnaround efforts, it is unlikely that Apple would return to using Intel processors in its devices. Apple now produces most of its own chips with help from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
The talks come after other major investments in Intel, including $5 billion from Nvidia Corp., which plans to work with Intel on chips for PCs and data centers, and a $2 billion investment from Japan’s SoftBank Group. Intel has also reached out to other companies about potential partnerships and investments.
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“Intel Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan is attempting a comeback with the backing of the federal government. In an unconventional deal brokered by the Trump administration in August, the US acquired a roughly 10% stake in the chipmaker,” the report mentioned.
Despite the financial backing, Intel faces significant challenges. Once a dominant player, it has lost its technological edge and market share to competitors like Advanced Micro Devices. The company has also reportedly struggled to capitalise on the growing demand for artificial intelligence chips, an area where Nvidia excels.
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Apple and Intel have a long history, though it has sometimes been strained. Apple used Intel chips in Macs for many years but began moving to its own processors in 2020. The iPhone maker also acquired most of Intel’s modem chip business in 2019.