Andre Yoskowitz
18 Sep 2007 8:24
Although Sony spokespeople are denying the claims, Asian press sources are reporting that the electronics giant has decided to sell its Kyushu Semiconductor facility, the facility that produces the Cell BE CPU for the PlayStation 3, to Toshiba for almost 100 billion yen, the equivalent of $860 million USD.
The deal, if true, would help in Sony's on going plan to scale down its investment in semiconductor technology while at the same time keeping the powerful Cell chip within its group of partners. Since its inception, Sony, Toshiba and IBM have been in charge of its development.
Sony should keep all intellectual property rights for the Cell chip and will just be selling the facility it is made in. Sony doesn't necessarily need the money, but it would help reduce Sony's capital expenditures for the upkeep of the facility. BusinessWeek reported those figures are nearing $2 billion USD.
More updates as they become available.
Source:
BetaNews