Sony continues to shed chip responsibilities

Although they inked a 5-year deal back in January 2006, Sony is bailing on at least part of its commitment to the development of chips with 32-nanometer (or less) circuitry. The research required to developed the manufacturing technology now rests squarely on the shoulders of Toshiba and IBM. A move which certainly makes sense now that Tosh has manufacturing responsibility for Sony's Cell processor. Sony will continue to assist with "the design work" and making post-lunch runs to Starbucks.

[Chino B @ Nov 7th 2007 5:12AM]

Good decision for Sony.

[Dustin @ Nov 7th 2007 5:44AM]

What's sony?

oh yeah, it's that company that made those casette-tape players in the 80's. yeah I had one.

[Fruition @ Nov 7th 2007 6:07AM]

"A move which certainly makes sense"

A change of pace, Sony? ;)

I kid, I kid. It's nice to hear that Sony still knows how to make smart decisions. I really want them to do well in... whatever market this relates to. If it's the console market, so much the better.

[E71 @ Nov 7th 2007 8:10AM]

Anyone else think it's real weird having your competitors design your chips? I mean, what's stopping them from you know, rigging thangs?

[NeoteriX @ Nov 7th 2007 9:26AM]

Would you buy lemonade from the adorable kids down the street if you found out they pissed in the school bully's drink?

[David @ Nov 7th 2007 10:08AM]

Take it from someone who works on-site where the 32nm development is taking place ... there are no nearby Starbucks stores. There is a Dunkin Donuts, however.

[UoMDeacon @ Nov 7th 2007 10:21AM]

Hopewell?

[KC @ Nov 7th 2007 1:40PM]

I can't believe how Engadget managed to skew the article. Nowhere does the article (from InfoTech) say: "Sony is bailing on at least part of its commitment to the development of chips with 32-nanometer (or less) circuitry".

Sony is going to continue to design the 32nm chips with Toshiba and IBM. They are not going to design the **manufacturing process** for those chips. That's 2 different things all together! Geeze.