A few weeks ago, we reported that there were strong rumors that Qualcomm, the processor chip maker that powers a large number of smart devices in the world, wanted to take over semiconductor chip designer and manufacturer Intel.
Recently, there are more rumors that Apple and Samsung are also considering the takeover of the company. Although Intel's company value is now seen to be declining at a severe rate, they are seen to still hold a large percentage of the consumer laptop sector with their latest processor chip offerings such as Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake which have just been launched.
Intel's uniqueness comes through its ownership of the widely used X86 computer processing chip architecture, while it is also one of the few technology companies present with the ability to manufacture their own semiconductor chips, although for now, the Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake processing chips- S is built using TSMC process technology.
They are seen developing their latest 18A process, which is expected to be operational by the middle of next year, and will start manufacturing upcoming processing chips such as Intel Nova Lake soon.
For Qualcomm, their ability to own the X86 IP is a big deal, especially for Qualcomm because the company is currently going through a fight with ARM over technology licensing issues.
Apple and Samsung are seen to be interested in taking over Intel because of the company's ability to manufacture their own processing chips. For Apple, this acquisition is seen as a way to reduce dependence on TSMC, while for Samsung, this will give them a high enough advantage to have a ready-made semiconductor production plant in the United States.
Intel is currently seen at a value of around $90-99 billion, and for a company responsible for developing the consumer and industrial computing sectors, the value is seen as low enough that companies worth hundreds of billions or trillions can think of taking it over.
For now, this is still seen as a mystery, but since Intel is arguably a strategic asset especially for the United States government, it is not surprising to see that there are many companies interested in acquiring it.