It’s often refreshing to see an “anyone but Intel” philosophy adopted in the mainstream, but there are limits. This blog had been getting ARM-heavy in recent weeks, leading up the opening of the ARM TechCon3 conference in Santa Clara this week. Thankfully, Gordon Kelly covered us with an early teaser on low-cost ARM, and the Monday morning announcement on an ARM-Xilinx licensing deal is enough outside the smartbook realm that we can minimize coverage.
Some news outlets have speculated that ARM has its PR Wurlitzer cranked up to 11, due to a search for an acquiring partner. This would not be a good idea. Let’s remember what happened when Apple acquired microprocessor startup P.A. Semi in the spring of 2008, sparking a range of threats, user anger, and cancellation of designs. ARM has a strong and broad user base precisely due to its independence. If it were to be snapped up by TI, Broadcom, or even Qualcomm, its strength in smartbook accounts could be diluted.
Even assuming that an acquisition is not in the cards, though, the conference show floor does not officially open until Oct. 21, and already I’ve had my weekly fill of ARM. Yes, its processor designers are on the cutting edge of multicore implementations, and of communication fabrics, through its AMBA technology. Yes, ARM’s licensee list now covers a range of technologies. Yes, ARM is looking more appealing than Atom with every given day.
But this blog may set a limit on news items from TechCon3. The phrase “too much of a good thing” is rapidly becoming operative here.
Loring
