Apple's bad blood with Nvidia continues, after decades of fighting
Dec 24, 2024 - appleinsider.com
Apple is intensifying its efforts to develop its own AI chip to reduce reliance on third-party developers like Nvidia, with whom it has had a strained relationship. This move follows Apple's previous decision to design its own processors, starting with the M1 chip in 2020, which ended its partnership with Intel. Currently, Apple rents access to Nvidia chips through cloud services from Amazon and Microsoft, but it is reportedly partnering with Broadcom to design its own AI server chip. Apple's relationship with Nvidia has been rocky since the early 2000s, marked by disputes over technology and custom chip designs, culminating in a fallout over driver support for macOS Mojave in 2019.
Despite Nvidia's openness to collaboration, Apple seems determined to end its reliance on Nvidia, aiming to release its own AI processor, codenamed Baltra, by 2026. This processor is expected to be manufactured by TSMC using its N3P process and first appear in the iPhone 17 Pro. The ongoing tension between the two companies has been fueled by past incidents, such as the "Bumpgate" event in 2008 and Nvidia's demands for licensing fees from Apple and others in the 2010s. While Nvidia remains open to working with Apple, the latter appears focused on moving forward independently.
Key takeaways:
Apple is developing its own AI chip to reduce reliance on Nvidia, potentially ending a long-strained relationship.
The relationship between Apple and Nvidia has been tense since the early 2000s, with disagreements over technology and business practices.
Apple's AI processor, codenamed Baltra, is expected to be released in 2026 and manufactured by TSMC.
Nvidia remains open to collaboration, but Apple seems focused on developing its own solutions.
