By Claus Hetting, WiFi NOW CEO & Chairman
Synaptics acquired by Onsemi
Onsemi and Synaptics Incorporated — two Nasdaq-listed companies — have announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Onsemi has agreed to acquire Synaptics in an all-stock transaction, representing a total enterprise value of approximately $7 billion. Onsemi’s largest ever acquisition creates a stronger hardware and software player delivering AI-enabled systems in every addressable market, including on-device AI. It also makes Onsemi more relevant for audio product development and general consumer electronics applications. We will have more to say about the acquisition shortly.
Helium solves connectivity dead-zone problem in Redondo Beach, California
The City of Redondo Beach, California has chosen Helium Networks to solve a mobile coverage deadzone problem along Redondo Beach’s waterfront and pier. The pier – which draws one million visitors annually – has had near zero cellular coverage for years but now visitors can autoconnect to the city’s Wi-Fi network with help from Helium’s ‘carrier offload’ technology and service. Helium has brought coverage to the waterfront with no new hardware and no capital expenditure from the city. More than 2,000 users per day are staying connected through the Helium Network at the city’s waterfront pier district, with that number increasing as summer foot traffic builds, Helium says in a blog here.
Ambient power wireless coming of age – with Haila
Ambient power denotes an exciting new class of ultra-power wireless technologes promising a staggering 1,000 times lower power consumption. The technology collects energy from the environment – in some case from RF signals – to power connectivity. This leads to extremely long battery operation or even battery-less operation, says Patricia Bower, Chief Operations Officer of Haila Technologies, one of the leaders in ambient power. For all the details don’t miss our brand new TECH WATCH interview with Patricia Bower here.
/Claus.
