Christopher Dresser

Apple makes its own modem

Apple has been trying to replace Qualcomm and make its own cellular modem for a decade, even buying Intel’s own failed attempt at this for $1bn back in 2019.

Now it’s finally shipping the C1, as part of the new entry-level iPhone 16e announced this week. Apple says the C1 is up to 25% more power-efficient, and having its own technology will give more options for integration and reconfiguration. Besides cutting the fees it pays to Qualcomm, this might also mean cellular in MacBooks, but it’s also interesting to think about wearables, where battery and space are at a premium. LINK

Dinning with the Sultan

In December the WSJ reported that Amazon/MGM was stalemated with Barbara Broccoli, who controls the rights to ‘Bond’ - she didn’t want spin-offs and ‘content’. Now Amazon has bought creative control, for $1bn. Fans are obviously worried that Bond will suffer the same patchy over-exploitation that Disney brought to Star Wars, although one should point out that Eon had a pretty mixed record too (Moonraker? Die Another Day? Octopussy?). LINK, COVERAGE, CONFLICT