Japanese Softbank, one of the largest technology companies in the world, is determined to buy ARM Holding, the company that designs the microcontroller cores that we find in so many devices today and in any Elektor projects. The deal is estimated at about 20 to 25 billion euros and the board of ARM is expected to recommend its shareholders to accept the offer.

Feelings about the takeover are mixed. Whereas some people think that the deal shows that there is economical life after the Brexit, others mourn the loss of one of British technology crown jewels. For us techy people probably nothing will change. If Softbank manages to improve on ARM’s success, then we will see even more ARM processors; if they fail, we will switch to something else. Maybe to MIPS from Imagination?