Semiconductor giant AMD announced this week the completion of its approximately $5.4 billion acquisition of ATI Technologies.
It also indicated a new innovation for the local market is on the cards, as a result of the companies` integration.
"AMD is already working on addressing the needs of the local market through the development of a new, innovative, low-cost, entry-level product with an integrated central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU)," says Gaith Kadir, AMD`s regional VP for Middle East and Africa.
As with all emerging markets, SA is an important country in AMD`s plans going forward, he notes. Further details of the product will be available in the coming months.
Accelerate to market
"We believe that joining ATI`s leading chipset and GPU businesses with AMD`s CPU leadership will allow us to offer market benefits locally even more quickly through integrated, customer-centric platforms," states Kadir.
"Together, our 'go-to-market` strategies become an 'accelerate-to-market` strategy, allowing us to deliver in 2007 customer-centric, open platforms that we believe will bring very specific value to South African and other customers in key segments like commercial and mobile markets," he adds.
It is hoped the acquisition will enable AMD to help local and international PC manufacturers deliver total platform solutions, including better time-to-market, unified support for customers, and more optimised technology, such as graphics for digital television and battery life for mobile handsets.
Research and development
Kadir says there will be an increase in the amount spent on research and development (R&D), explaining that the platform R&D and technical support teams are co-located in Taipei and Shanghai.
"This will allow us to better promote core technologies that are common and enable our engineers to better deliver on customer-centric innovation. In 2007, we plan to deliver our first jointly developed platforms."
AMD`s local distribution channels are expected to remain unchanged, he adds.
Fusion initiative
On a global scale, AMD plans to create a new class of x86 processor that integrates the CPU and GPU at the silicon level with a broad set of design initiatives collectively codenamed "Fusion", according to a company statement announcing the final clearance of all competition and court requirements.
Fusion processors are expected in late 2008 or early 2009, adds the statement.
"With approximately 15 000 employees, the company merges AMD`s technology leadership in microprocessors together with ATI`s leadership in graphics, chipsets and consumer electronics," reads the statement.
PC users, says the company, will benefit from innovations intended to extend battery life on the next-generation AMD Turion 64 mobile technology-based platform, as well as enhancements to the AMD LIVE! digital media PC platform that will enable users to get more from their favourite photos, music and movies.
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