ARM Holdings CEO Warren East on the Future of Mobile and Computing

Strategic Insights -

As the world becomes increasingly connected, mobile devices have become an integral part of our daily lives. Warren East, CEO of ARM Holdings, joins Bloomberg's Emily Chang to discuss the future of mobile and computing, highlighting the company's role in powering the vast majority of mobile devices. East emphasizes the growing breadth of ARM technology, from TVs to tablets, and its impact on the chip landscape. He also addresses the competition between Intel and Qualcomm, predicting that ARM technology will remain in the lead due to its power efficiency and partnerships with semiconductor companies.

Key Takeaways:

  • ARM technology is powering over half of the TVs on the market, driven by the increasing demand for connectivity and thin devices.
  • The company sees a growing breadth of its technology in various form factors, including tablets, ultrabooks, and hybrid devices.
  • East predicts that ultrabooks will have their day, but form factors will continue to evolve, with consumers choosing the most convenient devices.
  • ARM-based Windows devices will be launched, but the exact timing and details will depend on Microsoft's product rollout.
  • The tablet space will see increased competition, and innovation in form factors will become a defining characteristic of 2012.
  • Some form factors will flop, while others will become popular, as manufacturers trial different designs to meet consumer demand.

Statistics:

  • Over half of the TVs on the market are now powered by ARM technology.
  • The traditional PC market has been dominated by the x86 architecture for 25 years.
  • ARM technology is available through a range of ARM licensees, powering devices such as Windows tablets and Google-based devices.
  • Intel has made strides in improving the power efficiency of its chips, but ARM remains in the lead due to its partnerships with semiconductor companies.

Sources:

  • Bloomberg
  • ARM Holdings
  • Intel
  • Qualcomm
  • Microsoft
  • Google
  • Memory Manufacturers (such as Kingston and Corsair) and hard drive manufacturers don't appear in the transcript, but are often mentioned as suppliers in related materials.