Jeff KAGAN, Industry Analyst
Technology Industry Analyst Jeff Kagan is available to speak with reporters, or may be quoted through this release.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 25, 2014
Qualcomm, which is a wireless phone and tablet chip making company, just acquired around 2,000 patents from Palm, which were owned by HP, says the Associated Press, Jan 24.
Technology analyst Jeff Kagan offers comment.
During the 1990’s, Qualcomm was in the wireless handset business. The industry continued to change, moved from analog to digital, and is getting faster, stronger and better every day. In 1999 Qualcomm sold it’s cell phone manufacturing business and has since been focused on wireless tech for many different handset makers. Since then they have grown into one of the largest and strongest companies in the space.
“Now Qualcomm seems to be taking some curious steps that appear to be headed back to the handset business once again. Recently they introduced their smartwatch called Toq, and now they are acquiring patents from Palm. Are they getting ready to jump back in and be a player in the handset space once again,” asks Tech analyst Jeff Kagan.
“It is not a forgone conclusion, however Qualcomm has not been clear about their plans either. If they do make this move back into gear, on one hand this could open new revenue opportunities for them, but they could also experience losses since companies who buy chips from them today, may not want to continue doing business with as a competitor,” says Principal analyst Kagan.
“So what’s going on? Is Qualcomm developing a split personality? We don’t really know yet. However the questions while exciting to think about, can either be helpful or harmful to Qualcomm depending how they manage it. The computer, smartphone, tablet and smartwatch segments are a growing source of revenue. Now there is this growing sense of uncertainty,” says Kagan.
“So the real question remains, what the heck is Qualcomm really doing, why and what’s next? We’ll have to just wait and see," says Kagan.
Last year HP sold their Palm mobile operating system called webOS to LG Electronics, which uses the software in their TV’s which are connected to the Internet.
About Jeff Kagan
Jeff Kagan is a Technology Industry Analyst, consultant and columnist. He is regularly quoted by the media and shares his opinion in many ways over 25 years.
He offers comment to reporters and journalists on wireless, telecom, Internet, cable television, IPTV and other tech news stories.
Kagan is also known as a Tech Analyst, Wireless Analyst, Telecom Analyst and Principal Analyst.
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Contact: Jeff Kagan by email at jeff(at)jeffKAGAN(dot)com or by phone at 770-579-5810.
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