Nvidia to help power next-gen video iPod
Graphics chip maker Nvidia Corp. has beat out Broadcom Corp. in a major design win for Apple Computer's next-generation video iPod product line, according to one Wall Street analyst.
"Based on our analysis, we believe Nvidia is designed into the next-generation video iPod socket at the expense of Broadcom," American Technology Research analyst Satya Chillara told clients on Tuesday.
The video capabilities of Apple's current fifth-generation iPods are made possible by a chip from Broadcom.
"We believe the Nvidia chip adds 3D graphics functionality in addition to all of the existing features that Broadcom supported with the existing video iPod," Chillara added.
As a result of his findings, the analyst upgraded shares of Nvidia to "Buy" from "Hold" while downgrading shares of Broadcom to "Hold" from "Buy."
"We view this development as negative" for Broadcom, Chillara said, explaining that Apple's fifth-generation iPods have contributed between $50 and $70 million in revenue for the company each quarter.
Apple's decision to adopt Nvidia chips in the next video iPod represents the second major iPod component supplier swap in recent months:
In April, it was reported that Samsung beat out PortalPlayer as the system-on-a-chip (SoC) supplier for the second-generation iPod nano.
"Based on our analysis, we believe Nvidia is designed into the next-generation video iPod socket at the expense of Broadcom," American Technology Research analyst Satya Chillara told clients on Tuesday.
The video capabilities of Apple's current fifth-generation iPods are made possible by a chip from Broadcom.
"We believe the Nvidia chip adds 3D graphics functionality in addition to all of the existing features that Broadcom supported with the existing video iPod," Chillara added.
As a result of his findings, the analyst upgraded shares of Nvidia to "Buy" from "Hold" while downgrading shares of Broadcom to "Hold" from "Buy."
"We view this development as negative" for Broadcom, Chillara said, explaining that Apple's fifth-generation iPods have contributed between $50 and $70 million in revenue for the company each quarter.
Apple's decision to adopt Nvidia chips in the next video iPod represents the second major iPod component supplier swap in recent months:
In April, it was reported that Samsung beat out PortalPlayer as the system-on-a-chip (SoC) supplier for the second-generation iPod nano.
Comments
Grrrr.... guess I'll have to stick with my shuffle for a while longer!
Originally posted by WaRrK
Hmmmm all this chipset swappery doesn't sound like a product whose release is imminent....
Depends on how old the information is. This could be information that is 6-12 months old! If it is even reliable.
Originally posted by WaRrK
Hmmmm all this chipset swappery doesn't sound like a product whose release is imminent....
It also doesn't mean this will be the next iPod released. It could be 2-3 more generations from now.
Originally posted by JoeAlamaiz
Poor guys... poor little guys...
Really? Why not contribute something next time.
What are they analyzing that allows them to draw these conclusions?
Unless they busted open a pre-production model and saw the chips I would be highly doubtful.
Originally posted by Ireland
Really? Why not contribute something next time.
Kind of like your bazillion countdown/discuss this topic/post your mockups threads?
Originally posted by gregmightdothat
Kind of like your bazillion countdown/discuss this topic/post your mockups threads?
LOL
all i need on my ipod is my music and Tetris.
Tetris, Mr. Jobs.
Tetris.
Tetris, Tetris, Tetris! ADD IT FFS!
I can't wait for the new iPods, personally. My 20gig 4th G is just too small now days.
Soon as they release something bigger than 60g, i'll be all over buying hte 60gig. I'm getting tired of waiting, but I'm definitely not buying an iPod at this point!
Sunil. It's time for some of your research.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060718-7295.html
Originally posted by blackbird_1.0
I'd love to have Tetris, Breakout and Pong on my iPod.
I'm sure Nvidia's chip will run Doom 3 without too much trouble!
I wasn't aware Nvidia had a chip that could compete with Broadcom. I wonder which chip it is?
Sunil. It's time for some of your research.
What am I? Asok the Intern from Dilbert?
Here ya lazy bastards: (image) Chew on this first.