<p>Topics covered include: </p><ul><li>P.A. Semi’s original moniker ("Palo Alto Semiconductor”) and its celebrity founder (in the semiconductor world) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_W._Dobberpuhl">Dan Dobberpuhl</a></li><li>History of the back and forth tradeoffs between Intel’s powerful x86 chips and low power alternatives like ARM processors </li><li>Dobberpuhl’s technology breakthroughs throughout his career that enabled true low-power + high-performance chips</li><li>The <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/start-up-plans-new-energy-efficient-processor/">initial target markets</a> for P.A. Semi’s chips (surprise: NOT mobile phones)</li><li>P.A. Semi’s <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/apple-considered-small-chip-startup-over-intel-sez-el-reg/"> first foray into a potential deal with Apple</a>, dashed by Cupertino’s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple's_transition_to_Intel_processors"> surprise switch to Intel processors in 2005</a></li><li>The rise of mobile finally creating the huge market need for low-power / high-performance, Apple’s acquisition of P.A., and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A4">launch of the first Apple-designed chip, the “A4”, with the original iPad in 2010</a></li><li>Geekbench: the single-core performance of Apple’s latest generation of smartphone processors (A10 Fusion) has <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/16/12939310/iphone-7-a10-fusion-processor-apple-intel-future"> basically caught up with Intel’s laptop CPUs</a></li><li>AuthenTec’s beginnings in the late 90’s as a spinoff from the defense contractor Harris Corporation (<a href="https://www.wired.com/2015/01/dangerous-people-internet-right-now/">named by Wired Magazine as the #2 threat to internet privacy in the US</a>), based in Melbourne, Florida</li><li><a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/10/16/authentec-cofounder-shows-off-early-prototype-of-apples-touch-id"> Early versions of the technology that became TouchID</a>, the sensors for which were many times larger than today’s iPhones themselves!</li><li><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20110222194432/http://authentec.com/">AuthenTec “not very Apple-like” website on Archive.org</a> (and <a href="http://i.imgur.com/3hVq4FI.png">screenshot</a>)</li><li>AuthenTec’s <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/why-apple-wanted-authentec-thwart-samsung-android-in-byod/"> deal that almost was</a> to put their technology and sensors <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120716005105/en/Samsung-Selects-AuthenTecs-VPN-Security-Enhance-Enterprise"> into Samsung’s flagship phones</a> </li><li><a href="https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/27/apple-to-acquire-authentec-for-356-million/"> Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec</a> for $356 million in July 2012, and the rapid <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_ID">introduction of TouchID in the iPhone 5S</a> one year later in September 2013</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Sponsors:</strong></p><ul><li>Legora: <a href="https://bit.ly/acquiredlegora">https://bit.ly/acquiredlegora</a></li><li>Vanta: <a href="https://bit.ly/acquiredvanta">https://bit.ly/acquiredvanta</a></li><li>ServiceNow: <a href="https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26">https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26</a></li><li>Statsig: <a href="https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26">https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26</a></li></ul><br> <p>Followups: </p><ul><li><a href="http://www.differentworks.com/#routemap">Merging of Alaska & Virgin America loyalty programs</a> (woo!)</li><li><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/13/jetcom-founder-shakes-up-wal-mart-staff.html"> Walmart announces major reorg</a> following the Jet acquisition</li><li>Snap Inc. IPO <a href="http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/snapchat-fake-growth-lawsuit-pompliano-1201952800/"> drama</a> is <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/in-snap-ipo-new-investors-to-get-zero-votes-while-founders-keep-control-1484568034"> mounting</a>! (we can’t wait to cover this one)</li></ul><p> The Carve Out: </p><ul><li>Ben: Rands in Repose: <a href="http://randsinrepose.com/archives/the-situation/">The Situation</a></li><li>David: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Rituals-How-Artists-Work/dp/0307273601">Daily Rituals: How Artists Work</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>More Acquired!</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.acquired.fm/email">Get email updates</a> with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodes</li><li><a href="http://acquired.fm/slack">Join the Slack</a></li><li><a href="https://pod.link/acquiredlp">Subscribe to ACQ2</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acquired.fm/store">Merch Store</a>!</li></ul><p><br>© Copyright 2015-2026 ACQ, LLC</p>