NVIDIA acquires Icera, launches two-pronged attack on mobile industry

NVIDIA today announced an agreement to acquire baseband processor maker Icera, which helps develop 3G and 4G data networks used by phones and tablets. The $367 million cash acquisition is expected to reach completion in 30 days. When the companies combine, they will be able to offer both application and baseband processors, which will help manufacturers deliver products to market faster and meet the requirements of next-generation mobile computing. Plus, by offering two main processors, NVIDIA will have about doubled its revenue opportunity per device. Furthermore, this acquisition will allow NVIDIA to invade territory currently dominated by Qualcomm, dividing NVIDIA's attack on mobile into two fronts: processors and radios.