Marvell to Purchase Intel's Communications and Application Processor Business for $600 Million.
The planned sale will give Marvell a strong presence in the growing market segment for processors used in smart handheld devices. The sale also will enable Intel to focus its investments on its core businesses, including high-performance, low-power Intel Architecture-based processors and emerging technologies for mobile computing, including Wi-Fi and WiMAX broadband wireless technologies.
Intel’s communications and application processor business develops and sells processors for handheld devices including smart phones and personal digital assistants. The business’ processors, based on Intel® XScale technology, include the Intel® PXA9xx communications processor, codenamed “Hermon,” which powers Research in Motion’s (RIM) Blackberry* 8700 device. The Intel PXA27x applications processor, codenamed “Bulverde,” is used in the Palm Treo* smart phone, the Motorola Q* and other devices.