Latest Chipset Updates: Qualcomm, Inc. (QCOM)’s New Platform, Broadcom Corporation (BRCM)’s Cheaper Processors & Intel Corporation (INTC)’s Revised Plans

Editor’s Note: Qualcomm, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM), Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)

Broadcom Expands WICED Portfolio (Zacks)
Leading semiconductor solutions provider Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM) recently added a new product titled WICED Direct in its Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) portfolio. The product offers a framework for integrating Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC) and location technology into wearable devices. By integrating Wi-Fi into WICED platform, the company enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to rapidly develop wearable products that communicate seamlessly to the cloud via smart mobile devices. At the same time, the product simplifies the implementation of Internet connectivity into a wide range of consumer devices.

Qualcomm trolls MediaTek’s octa-core tech with not-so-subtle video (Engadget)
When MediaTek announced that it would be producing true eight-core mobile processors later this year, we knew it was only a matter of time before its main rival Qualcomm, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) chimed in. As illustrated by a set of guitar amplifiers, the San Diego gang explains that while they rebuild their CPU cores for each generation (the latest architectures being Krait 300 and Krait 400), they claim that “Our Competitor” — which is labeled with the same font and colors as MediaTek’s logo — simply “chooses to duplicate the same old cores” based on ARM’s slower Cortex-A7 architecture. That said, it’s worth a reminder that Qualcomm, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM)’s cheaper Snapdragon 400 range also uses Cortex-A7.

Intel Changes Plans: Core i “Broadwell” Processors Will Be Available in LGA Packaging, But There Is a Catch. (X Bit Laboratories)
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) has, apparently, once again revised its plans when it comes to desktop microprocessors. Instead of leaping directly to Skylake microprocessors from chips currently known as Haswell Refresh (due in 2014), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) decided to introduce code-named Broadwell chips for desktops as well. But while Broadwell and Haswell Refresh chips will be compatible with Intel 9-series chipsets, the latter will not support existing Haswell offerings.

Broadcom ready for wearables to explode (Market Watch)
Chip maker Broadcom Inc. is getting ready for the wearable computing market to explode — and hoping it will lift its own business prospects. Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM) Chief Executive Scott McGregor was in the Bay Area this week, talking to the press about the Irvine, Calif. company’s efforts in the burgeoning area called “the Internet of Things.” This latest tech buzz word refers to connecting a huge range of utilitarian devices from toasters to home thermostats to watches to the Internet.