Episode 30: P.A. Semi + AuthenTec
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Topics covered include: 

• P.A. Semi’s original moniker ("Palo Alto Semiconductor”) and its celebrity founder (in the semiconductor world) Dan Dobberpuhl)
• History of the back and forth tradeoffs between Intel’s powerful x86 chips and low power alternatives like ARM processors 
• Dobberpuhl’s technology breakthroughs throughout his career that enabled true low-power + high-performance chips
• The initial target markets) for P.A. Semi’s chips (surprise: NOT mobile phones)
• P.A. Semi’s  first foray into a potential deal with Apple), dashed by Cupertino’s  surprise switch to Intel processors in 2005)
• The rise of mobile finally creating the huge market need for low-power / high-performance, Apple’s acquisition of P.A., and launch of the first Apple-designed chip, the “A4”, with the original iPad in 2010)
• Geekbench: the single-core performance of Apple’s latest generation of smartphone processors (A10 Fusion) has  basically caught up with Intel’s laptop CPUs)
• AuthenTec’s beginnings in the late 90’s as a spinoff from the defense contractor Harris Corporation (named by Wired Magazine as the #2 threat to internet privacy in the US)), based in Melbourne, Florida
•  Early versions of the technology that became TouchID), the sensors for which were many times larger than today’s iPhones themselves!
• AuthenTec “not very Apple-like” website on Archive.org) (and screenshot))
• AuthenTec’s  deal that almost was) to put their technology and sensors  into Samsung’s flagship phones) 
•  Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec) for $356 million in July 2012, and the rapid introduction of TouchID in the iPhone 5S) one year later in September 2013

**Sponsors:**Statsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig24)Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvanta)Crusoe: https://bit.ly/acquiredcrusoe)  Followups: 

• Merging of Alaska & Virgin America loyalty programs) (woo!)
•  Walmart announces major reorg) following the Jet acquisition
• Snap Inc. IPO  drama) is  mounting)! (we can’t wait to cover this one)

  The Carve Out: 

• Ben: Rands in Repose: The Situation)
• David: Daily Rituals: How Artists Work)