In normal times, ARM would have headlined Apple’s use of its chips in some of the most iconic electronics sold. However, the Cupertino, Calif. iPad and iPhone maker has assumed the role of a black hole for component suppliers: felt, but unseen – and unspoken. As such, when ARM announced a 72 percent increase in fourth-quarter profits from chips destined for tablet computers, Apple was mentioned only as an “influential market leader.”
ARM’s fourth-quarter net income reached $46.7M, up from around $27M a year ago, the chipmaker told reporters Tuesday. “ARM continues to sign licensees with influential market leaders in an increasingly digital world, and as the industry chooses ARM technology in a broadening range of products, it further drives our long-term royalty opportunity,” the company announced.
Speaking to reporters today, ARM’s finance chief Tim Strong said “most tablets that we can see coming forward are ARM-based.” Of the 35 ARM processor licensees, 19 will use ARM’s Cortex processor – eight of which will be used either by a new customer or in a new product. Apple is likely to be among that latter group.
In related news, chipmaker Samsung has agreed to quadruple production of mobile processors, selling half of its 2011 output to Apple. Samsung makes the A4 chip found in the iPad, iPhone and other Apple devices.
[9to5Mac]
