# Mergers and Acquiescence

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-08-05
- Length: 1h 18m
- Episode: 310
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-05-mergers-and-acquiescence
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/310-mergers-and-acquiescence/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the consolidation of the semiconductor and electronics distribution industries, specifically analyzing the acquisitions of Linear Technology by Analog Devices, Atmel by Microchip, and ARM by SoftBank. They critique the loss of competition and choice for engineers, referencing the 'Innovator's Dilemma' and the strategic value of tools like LTspice. The conversation also touches on the business models of IoT platforms like Particle, the legal implications of firmware modification, and the future of chip manufacturing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-05-mergers-and-acquiescence#t=0) Introduction and Dave Jones' Knee Surgery
- [16:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-05-mergers-and-acquiescence#t=1004) The Innovator's Dilemma and Low-Cost Disruption
- [28:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-05-mergers-and-acquiescence#t=1723) Avnet and Premier Farnell Acquisition Battle
- [44:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-05-mergers-and-acquiescence#t=2685) Analog Devices Acquires Linear Technology
- [59:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-05-mergers-and-acquiescence#t=3555) SoftBank's Acquisition of ARM
- [1:08:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-05-mergers-and-acquiescence#t=4105) Firmware Rights and IoT Business Models

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Analog Devices (company)
- Linear Technology (company)
- LTspice (tool)
- Microchip (company)
- Atmel (company)
- SoftBank (company)
- ARM (company)
- Avnet (company)
- Premier Farnell (company)
- Particle (company)
- TI (company)
- Maxim (company)
- STM32 (product)
- ESP8266 (product)
- WS2812 (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Exploring Cross-Disciplinary Integration in CAE and EDA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-28-exploring-cross-disciplinary-integration-in-cae-and-eda) (OnTrack)
- [Whither Semiconductors? The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round and ‘Round](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-16-whither-semiconductors-the-wheels-on-the-bus-go-round-and-round) (EE Times Current)
- [Episode 48: Semiconductor Industry Wish Lists for 2024](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2024-01-08-episode-48-semiconductor-industry-wish-lists-for-2024) (The Circuit)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-05-06-the-spark-gap-episode-32) (The Spark Gap)
- [CES 2019 Special: Tyson Tuttle, Silicon Labs + Chris Stansbury, Arrow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-01-14-ces-2019-special-tyson-tuttle-silicon-labs-chris-stansbury-arrow) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-08-05-mergers-and-acquiescence. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.