Intel buying Texas Instruments cable STB division: Google TV incoming?
Intel has agreed to purchase Texas Instruments' cable modem division, with the chipmaker planning to use it as a showcase for their Atom-based SoCs. TI's existing staff will be folded into the Intel Digital Home Group; it's unclear at this stage whether Intel intend to shift the cable STBs to the Google TV platform, having been a launch partner for the Google-led technology.
So far, all Intel has publicly said is that the company hopes to "provide cable OEMs with an open and powerful platform for delivering innovative and differentiated products to service providers that improve the video, voice and data content experience at home." Considering cable provider reluctance was cited as a key barrier to Google TV adoption, having Intel behind some of the STBs would certainly ease their entry into the home entertainment segment. Intel's acquisition of the TI unit is expected to be completed in Q4 2010.
Press Release:
Intel to Acquire Texas Instruments' Cable Modem UnitSANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 16, 2010 – Intel Corporation today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Texas Instruments' cable modem product line. The purchase enhances Intel's focus on the cable industry and related consumer electronics (CE) market segments, where the company's expertise in building advanced system-on-chip (SoC) products, based on Intel® Atom™ processors, will be applied.
Intel plans to combine Texas Instruments' best-of-breed Puma product lines with the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standard technology and Intel SoCs to deliver advanced set top box, residential gateway and modem products for the cable industry. The objective is to provide cable OEMs with an open and powerful platform for delivering innovative and differentiated products to service providers that improve the video, voice and data content experience at home.
"Adding the talents of the Texas Instruments' cable team to Intel's efforts to bring its advanced technology to consumer electronics makes for a compelling combination," said Bob Ferreira, general manager, Cable Segment, Intel's Digital Home Group. "Intel is focused on delivering SoCs that provide the foundation for consumer electronics devices such as set top boxes, digital TVs, Blu-ray* disc players, companion boxes and related devices. This acquisition specifically strengthens Intel's product offerings for the continuum of cable gateway products and reinforces Intel's continued commitment to the cable industry."
All employees of Texas Instruments' cable modem team received offers to join Intel at sites in their home countries, primarily Israel, and will become part of Intel's Digital Home Group. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The agreement is subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions. It is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2010.