>> That does look like a significant shift in the company's focus.
> Indeed. I'm eager to know if they plan on abandoning Power Architecture completely
I'm confused. It seems the development agreement between Applied Micro and Veloce has been covering not only the ARMv8 X-Gene processor but also a PowerPC processor:
"This Development Agreement [...] is entered into as of May 17, 2009 [...] by and between Applied Micro Circuits Corporation [...] (AMCC) and Veloce Technologies, Inc. [...](Company). [...] WHEREAS, the Parties desire for Company to develop for AMCC one or more PowerPC processors that meet certain specifications provided in the Merger Agreement [...]. [...] Project means the development of a PowerPC processor as described in Section 2.1. [...] 2.1 Project. Company will use diligent efforts to develop a 40 nm PowerPC processor module as further described in Exhibit A, which meets the specifications and the requirements provided in the Merger Agreement (as such specifications and requirements may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, the Design Requirements). The Company will meet all of the milestones provided in Exhibit B (the Milestones) by the applicable due dates specified therein. [...] 2.10 Technology Review and Project Materials. Company and AMCC will meet periodically, but no less than quarterly, to discuss the status of the Project, including the status of Milestones and to jointly perform technical review of the PowerPC processor in development." http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/711065/000119312512237264/d238010dex1066.htm http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/711065/000119312512449811/d431089dex1066.htm
Unfortunately, the exhibits have been omitted due to confidentiality. Maybe this is linked to "Viper":
