Looks like Dr. Jacobs has learned a trick from our Gemstar friends:
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 26 (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM), which developed a technology standard for cell phones, said on Wednesday it would buy SnapTrack Inc., a maker of software that helps locate wireless phone users, for $1 billion in stock.
The company said the deal was expected to close by mid-March.
The companies' combined technology will enable the design of "smart" phones, handheld devices and pagers to help find wireless users making emergency calls.
They will provide customized services, providing information about a user's location, such as maps or advertising, either directly to the user or via wireless Internet services.
"The acquisition provides Qualcomm with an even stronger patent portfolio" for position location technology, Qualcomm said.
SnapTrack, based in San Jose, Calif., will become a wholly owned unit of Qualcomm. SnapTrack pioneered the technology known as the Wireless Assisted Global Positioning System (GPS) that uses satellites to pinpoint wireless devices, including inside buildings where conventional GPS does not operate.
A later news release also mentioned that this technology was going to be a key in complying with an FCC mandate that 911 operators be able to locate calls coming in from cell phones. This mandate apparently goes into effect next year. Is anyone aware of alternate ways to support this mandate? If not, it would seem that the Q just bought themselves a new royalty stream. Or maybe I'm reading too much into this. |
