Apple rumoured to launch chip arm

Rumours are surfacing that Apple is handpicking a team of engineers and semiconductor specialists, as it seeks to create its own computer chip business.

The company is a very large consumer of chips, and such a move would not be unexpected, according to reports in The Wall Street Journal.

Apple has made a number of strategic acquisitions recently, including microchip firm P.A. Semi, and has been in attendance at various job fairs, including one for former employees of chip maker Spansion.

"Apple's strategy also marks a break from a long-term trend among most big electronics companies to outsource the development of chips and other components to external suppliers," said the report.

"People familiar with Apple's plans expect former P.A. Semi engineers to help create ARM-based chips that could improve the performance and battery life of future iPhones."

Apple's own job postings include various positions pitched at engineers, and the firm recently appointed former AMD chief technology officers Bob Drebin and Raja Koduris.

Meanwhile, a trawl through social networking site LinkedIn shows that many of the chip elite already have set sail for Apple.

Apple's press relations team has so far declined to comment on the suggestions.