All current
smartphone SoCs are built using Arm CPU and other technologies, so this deal has major implications for future mobile processors. Arm’s list of high-profile partners includes Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung, and more. As the IP situation will remain unchanged, these companies can continue to access existing and future component designs from Arm, as well as their architecture licenses. It’s business as usual for mobile SoC designers. Although whether these companies are happy with profits funneling to their rival remains to be seen.
What’s perhaps more interesting is that Nvidia stands to gain a major foothold in the PC CPU space. With Apple making the switch to
in-house Arm PC processors and the growth of
Windows on Arm, Nvidia adds another string to its bow in the battle with Intel and AMD in PCs and servers. If we’re on the precipice of a major shift in the Arm vs x86 PC dynamic, the timing of Nvidia’s purchase is impeccable.
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