Reuters reports that Apple and Intel are conducting negotiations for the chip maker to produce ARM-based chips for the Cupertino giant’s devices.
Citing a person familiar with one of the tech giants, Reuters reported that executives have over the past year discussed a possible partnership in which Intel’s foundries would be used to manufacture Apple-designed chips. A deal has not yet been reached, the source said.
This is not the first time rumors have floated about a partnership between the two firms. A report in May 2011 reported that Intel might be interested in building Apple’s A4 and A5 processors. The idea was reportedly shelved as Intel’s Ultrabook initiative kicked off.
Intel is continually looking for way to utilize its idle foundry capacity, as PC sales slump in the face of the popularity of mobile devices such as Apple’s popular iPad. Intel recently agreed to fabricate silicon using technology from chip maker Altera.
As for Apple, it has been rumored that the company is looking for ways to wean itself away from frenemy Samsung, who currently manufactures the processors used in Apple’s iOS line of devices. The Korean company is Apple’s largest competitor in the mobile marketplace, and the two firms also are emboiled in a worldwide patent struggle.
