Apple bought 3.6% of Imagination, PowerVR SGX/VXD in future iPhones

Posted on Friday, December 19 2008 @ 17:12 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Apple has bought a 3.6 percent stake in Imagination Technologies, along with a multi-year, multi-use license of Imagination's PowerVR SGX/VXD graphics and video IP cores.
Cupertino (CA) - Apple has taken a 3.6% stake in UK-based Imagination Technologies Group, a company which is known for its graphics technology blueprints that served for example as the foundation for Intel graphics chips in the past. Imagination also confirmed that an "international electronics systems company," mentioned in its August press release, that secured a "multi-year, multi-use license" of its SGX/VXD graphics and video IP cores is Apple. The news is considered as yet another indication that Apple in fact is designing its own hardware platforms.

"Apple Inc. is subscribing for 8,200,000 new shares of Imagination Technologies Group plc at 39p per share, the mid market close price on 17 December 2008, subject only to listing and admission of the new shares," Imagination said in yesterday's press release. "Following the share placement, Apple will have an ownership interest of 3.6%. Apple is a licensee of Imagination’s technology."

The company added that Apple's application for the new shares will be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange, while the Official List of the UKLA has already been made.

The current iPhone and iPod touch generation integrates Imagination's fourth-generation PowerVR MBX Lite 3D accelerator, basically a souped-up version of the second-generation chip that ran inside Sega's Dreamcast gaming console. MBK Lite sports a tile-based rendering system and packs enough horsepower to put the iPhone and iPod touch on gaming platform map. Now that Apple officially describes the iPhone as a game console, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the company is eyeing Imagination's more powerful PowerVR SGX/VXD cores for future iPhones.
Source: TG Daily


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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