Ruff, Q sure has a demonstrated expertise in the RF modulations and all that good stuff. From what I hear a lot stronger in hardware than software.
Who do you think makes all the GSM chips sold every year? As I understand it (poorly) the protocol stack on that mother ain't child's play either.
In addition to the GSM crowd, hanging around for a playing field a bit more level than the MC one, we have Intel, LSI, and various TI ventures/joint developments with our Nordic friends.
Problem with the DS mode, is that QCOM was frozen out of the back channel of the DS standards process - so it now has to design to specs concocted by its foes. Clearly, some of the specs are known about by the DS crowd well in advance of them ever being officially adopted and published.
Lastly, at least for now, unlike national carrier deals, the real details of chip design progress are carefully guarded state secrets by all companies involved. This is the realm of ultra-high industrial security. All we can do is speculate by looking at core competencies, apparent resource deployments, and who may or may not have a head start in certain areas.
Part of the problem with the stock price is that way too many people became infatuated with the idea that "Qualcomm is God" (apologies to Eric Clapton) and while it's a mighty fine company, with great technology, God it ain't. Apparently the revelation of such was an awfully big blow for many individuals and institutions.
Let's start calling a spade a spade, cut out the fantasy quotient, and we may have fewer of these gut-wrenching stock price collapses in the long run. |
