Hasta La Gadget!

Adding more weight to the rumors, DigiTimes is reporting that TSMC is getting ready to develop an integrated AP/ GPU solution for the Cupertino-based technology giant, Apple. According to Digitimes Research analyst Nobunaga Chai, TSMC will be using its 20nm SoC process technology for the purported AP/ GPU solution. Additionally, backing up our previous report, Chai also believes that TSMC is already working on engineering samples of Apple’s A6X chips using 28 nanometer process. These chips will soon power Apple’s next-generation iPads and iPad mini tablets, which, according to Chai, will be launched later this year. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: iPad Mini 2 With Retina Display, Cheaper iPhone, iPhone 5S Are All Coming This Year, Says Analyst, John Sculley Thinks Apple Should Consider A Cheaper iPhone,

Apple is looking to shift production of its mobile device processors to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company sooner rather than later, according to Taiwan-based newspaper The Commercial Times (via AppAdvice). A new report from the publication claims that Apple will have TSMC, the world’s largest chip foundry, begin production of the A6X (found in the 4th generation iPad) as early as the first quarter of 2013.

While The Commercial Times isn’t always accurate as a source of rumors, a potential shift of processor manufacturing from Apple’s current partner in Samsung to TSMC has reportedly been in the cards for some time now. A report from August 2011 saw Apple kick-off trial production with the Taiwan-based processor foundry, and there were rumblings that TSMC would get a much larger share of Apple’s processor business back in November. Today’s report also agrees with one from December that suggested Apple’s shift to using TSMC’s 28nm process in its chip production (vs. Samsung’s 32nm method) would happen earlier than expected, though at the time the Taipei Times reported that the second quarter of 2013 was a likely start date for the shift.

Other evidence that suggests Apple could be working with TSMC to start building A6X processors sooner rather than later include the construction of a massive new chip factory in the U.S., which was revealed by The Oregonian around mid-December. Apple’s A-series processors are currently built by Samsung in Texas, so replacing that supply source with another U.S.-based production facility makes sense. Apple has also been making other moves that indicate it’s reducing its dependence on Samsung as a chip supplier, including poaching a top Samsung chip designer, and reducing the Korean company’s role in the chip design process.

With the deteriorating relationship between Apple and Samsung, it is becoming increasingly common to hear about Apple looking to source the manufacturing of their AX chipsets from manufacturers that aren’t Samsung. So far we’ve heard rumors that Intel could be picking up the slack, and we’ve also heard that TSMC is a strong candidate, and here to add to the list is another Taiwanese chip maker, Unimicron. Word has it that the Taipei-based manufacturer has passed a smaller-scale test in the current quarter in which they were put to the test to see if they were capable of delivering the basic ARM foundation for Apple’s AX chipset. There are supposedly plans to build a new plant in which production will be ramped up upon completion.

It was only recently that there was speculation that future Apple chipsets could be built in the US, as word has it that a company is looking to build a 3.2 million square foot facility where about 1,000 people would be hired. Rumor has it that Apple was the company, but recently it has been suggested that it could be TSMC who in turn would be helping Apple make their chips.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: iPhone 5S to launch in June 2013 with new camera, NFC and multiple color options [Rumor], Apple said to have turned to Intel for manufacturing of their mobile chipsets [Rumor],

Welcome to Wednesday evening everyone, just two more work days to go and then we’re at the weekend again. Today we found out that new Nexus 4 orders won’t ship for another 4-5 weeks, and that’s if you’re ordering the 16GB model – those who order the 8GB model might be waiting as long as two months. Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer said that Windows Phone sales these days are four times greater than they were in autumn 2011, which is definitely a good sign, while we learned that RIM has lost a big patent case against Nokia in Sweden.

Windows Phone 7.8 will be hitting handsets in early 2013, though we’re not sure of an exact release date at the moment. A couple of unlucky SMS spammers have been hit with a hefty fine after their company was accused of sending out millions of annoying text messages, but they claim that they had permission to send all of those text messages to the recipients. Google announced today that it has purchased Incentive Targeting, a company that focuses on helping advertisers deliver coupons to consumers more effectively.

Apple parts providers will be increasing their yields in Q1 2013, which should help with those stock shortages we keep hearing about, and today we got our first glimpse at Will.i.am’s new line up of iPhone accessories. There’s a new Facebook bug that is adding users to groups they left long ago, and HTC has brought on a new CMO to retool the company’s marketing efforts. TSMC might not be able to keep up with demand once Apple starts relying on the company for its CPUs, and Ballistic has a new line up of cases for the iPhone, Nokia Lumia 920, and Samsung Galaxy S III. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said that the Grand Theft Auto series is still special because it doesn’t release annually, and Sharp unveiled its new IGZO 32-inch 4K display today.

Finally tonight, we have a couple of reviews for you check. First up is Craig Lloyd with his review of the HTC Windows Phone 8X from Verizon, while Chris Burns gives us his review of the T-Mobile Nexus 4. That does it for tonight’s evening Wrap-Up, we hope you enjoy the rest of your night folks!

SlashGear Evening Wrap-Up: November 28, 2012 is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The relationship that Apple and Samsung is sharing is akin to a love-hate relationship. You’ll see these two technology giants fight in court on any given day, and tomorrow, they’re back working on their mutualistic professional relationship once again. But after the “trial of the century” in August that resulted in a one billion-dollar decision in favor of Apple, the relationship has gone from bad to worse. We previously wrote about the rumor that Samsung is increasing the pricing of its processors. Although Samsung has denied the reports, the possibility remains.

Today, DigiTimes is reporting that Apple is beginning to veer its contracts away from Samsung in favor of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacture Company or TSMC. According to the publication, TSMC is reportedly worried about its production capability because of Apple’s CPU orders. Industry sources told DigiTimes that TSMC, now the world’s largest independent semiconductor foundry, will start producing chips for Apple’s next iOS devices in 2013. Sources added that TSMC will need at least more than 200,000 12-inch wafers ready to satisfy the huge demand from Apple.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Samsung Galaxy Devices Banned In Netherlands, Skype For iOS Update Brings Microsoft Account Integration,