Wireless Watch 666: Qualcomm in key breakthroughs

Key Issues:

Qualcomm attacks Intel where it hurts, in server chips and Microsoft alliance 2

 Qualcomm’s Centriq beats everyone to the 10nm server chip post 3

 Full-blown Windows 10 comes to ARM courtesy of Microsoft/Qualcomm 7

Sprint’s recovery and US densification will boost 2017 network capex 8

Comment:

• Bluetooth 5 boosts range and coexistence, but no mesh yet 13
• Sony pins mobile gaming hope on ForwardWorks studio and Project Field 15
• Nokia addresses major virtualization barrier with VNF templates 16
• US digital ad spend to reach $72bn, prolonging life of tablet market 17

Start-Up Watch:

Beamr hints at how the HEVC/AOMedia battle will transform mobile video 19

5G Watch:

New Chinese spectrum rules could be a 5G game-changer 22

IoT Watch:

Apple does have autonomous car ambitions after all, letter reveals 25

IPR Watch:

US Supreme Court rules in favor of Samsung against Apple 26

WiFi Watch:

Altice pulls Cablevision’s Freewheel service and waits for real WiFi-First 27