Apple is relying on Qualcomm (QCOM) to supply modem chips.
But Apple's biggest competitors, Samsung and Huawei, have developed their OWN chips -- ones that can act as the modem and the processor,
all in one.
Custom hardware is a hallmark of Apple products.
So, it's no surprise that it wants this sort of chip for itself.
But why now?
Because Apple sees the writing on the wall ...
and that writing says: "5G."
5G means a few different things to different people.
For example, AT&T (T) now offers "5G Evolution,"
which is really just a stepping-stone on the path to 5G.
But bottom line: When you hear the word 5G, think speed.
With 5G internet,
download speeds could be between
10 and 100 times faster than what's currently available.
Instead of two minutes or more to load a webpage,
like we dealt with in the 1990s,
it'll take you six seconds to download a whole movie with 5G!
Every mobile carrier is racing to roll out 5G networks.
That way, they can get people into new contracts
--- by upgrading them to 5G phones.
This is, of course, where companies like Apple come in.
With this new acquisition,
Apple will get Intel's entire smartphone workforce
(of 2,200 employees),
all working on new "superchips" designed for 5G speeds.
Like Samsung and Huawei,
Apple knows you've got to bring plenty of muscle to the 5G game.
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