SoftBank Approached Apple to Gauge Interest in Chip Designer Arm
- IPhone maker isn’t planning to purse a bid for U.K. company
- Arm is key partner, but would be poor fit with Apple business
Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images
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SoftBank Group Corp. approached Apple Inc. recently to gauge the iPhone maker’s interest in bidding for chip design firm Arm Ltd., according to people familiar with the discussions.
The two firms had preliminary discussions, but Apple isn’t planning to pursue a bid. Arm’s licensing operation would fit poorly with Apple’s hardware focused business model. There may also be regulatory concerns about Apple owning a key licensee that supplies so many rivals. Representatives from SoftBank and Apple declined to comment.