Display Technology Company Pixelworks Discloses Strategic Relationship with Apple - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Display Technology Company Pixelworks Discloses Strategic Relationship with Apple

by

Shares of video and pixel processing company Pixelworks have climbed over 40 percent after the company revealed a strategic relationship with Apple that contributed significantly to the company's revenue in 2013 (Via SeekingAlpha).

pixelwork-logo
Pixelworks confirmed in a recent Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that Apple, along with Hitachi and NEC, each accounted for more than 10 percent of the company's revenue in 2013.

Revenue attributable to our top five end customers represented 57%, 53% and 51% of revenue in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. End customers include customers who purchase directly from us as well as customers who purchase products indirectly through distributors. Sales to Hitachi Ltd. represented more than 10% of revenue in each of 2013, 2012 and 2011. Sales to each of Apple Inc. and NEC Corporation represented more than 10% of revenue in 2013. Sales to Panasonic Corporation represented more than 10% of revenue in each of 2012 and 2011. Sales to Seiko Epson Corporation represented more than 10% of revenue in 2011. No other end customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in 2013, 2012 or 2011.

It's not clear what Pixelworks is providing to Apple, but it likely involves Apple's high-resolution retina displays, which are noted in the company's 10-K filing.

Recent advancements in display manufacturing technology have allowed display manufacturers to pack an increasing number of pixels into tighter spaces. This transition was led by the mobile segment, and in particular by Apple’s “Retina” display, which set the standard for smaller screens. The resolution on display devices in all segments is increasing.

Pixelworks is known for its video display processing technology and holds over 120 patents that cover the display and processing of digital image data. The company provides display technology for digital projection systems, flat panel displays and mobile displays.

Top Rated Comments

MattJessop Avatar
164 months ago
07/03/2014 - Pixelworks acquired by Google
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Garsun Avatar
164 months ago
Wow, I guess it's time for me to buy something that adds a black sticker to my collection. :D :apple::apple::apple::apple::apple:

After you take out the stickers, could you send me what's in the rest of the box:D
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dBeats Avatar
164 months ago
07/03/2014 - Pixelworks acquired by Google

Nah, Facebook will buy them for eleventy billion dollars and then realize they have no use for them...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrmjenkins Avatar
164 months ago
After reading about their technologies and knowing what GPU IP they're using, it sounds like they're likely investigating framebuffer techniques to minimize display updating (in addition to advanced compression techniques afforded to ImgTec GPUs and reduce any artifacts that are resultant from that to the user) in order to minimize display power consumption. There has been a lot of effort by other companies to reduce power consumption by having things like GRAM where the display has its own local storage to redisplay the same frame buffer rather than have the GPU burn electrons to output the same image over again.

http://www.pixelworks.com/technology.php

Some of our core Video Display Processing technologies include:

Halo Free MEMC.

Our proprietary Halo Free MEMC technology significantly improves the performance and viewing experience of any screen by addressing problems such as judder and motion blur. Unlike competitive solutions it also reduces halo effects that are a byproduct of MEMC. Halos are objectionable blurred regions that surround moving objects as the MEMC algorithms try to reconstruct missing image data caused by the concealing and revealing of objects as they pass over or behind one another. Removing halos drastically improves image quality and is of particular importance on high-resolution displays where artifacts become more visible.

Advanced Scaling.

As display resolutions continue to increase there is a need to convert lower resolution content to higher resolution in order to display it properly. With the latest wave of high-resolution displays, the quality and quantity demands of scaling have increased significantly. Artifacts become more noticeable on these types of displays as they distract from the realism effect. In addition, with the availability of 4K content lagging the availability of 4K displays, high-quality scaling is required to ensure 4K displays do not suffer when compared to Full-HD displays of the same size. Pixelworks advanced scaling ensures that up-conversion of lower resolution content is of the highest quality in maintaining the fidelity of image.

Mobile Video Display Processing.

Pixelworks has developed innovative, power optimized Video Display Processing solutions for mobile devices. Beyond MEMC and Advanced Scaling, these mobile solutions provide the kind of improvements in color, contrast, sharpness and de-blur that are only found in high quality televisions today. Furthermore, this technology can save system power and extend battery life.

VueMagic and Networked Displays.

With the advent of mobile devices being used in business, educational and consumer environments there is a growing need to connect to displays wireless for sharing and collaboration. VueMagic uses our networking technology to enable the same video stream to be networked across multiple displays for applications such as connected video projection and digital signage. VueMagic provides interactive features for annotation and display control, and unlike other solutions, is device and operating system independent.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
164 months ago
07/03/2014 - Pixelworks acquired by Google

And on 3/08/2014 (in the US we reverse the month and day, so my date is just 1 day after yours), Samsung signs an agreement with Pixelworks :D
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
164 months ago
It's only software companies with simple products that go for billions of dollars. Hardware companies solving difficult problems are usually a few million.

Lol
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design

Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:36 am PDT by
Apple's long-rumored smart home hub will have an iMac G4-style design and a host of unique features, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. The smart home hub is said to feature a square 6-inch display, with variants that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall. It features a single FaceTime camera on the front, with microphones and speakers in its connected base. Gurman described the...
HomePod minis on gradient feature 1 1

Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13

Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:04 am PDT by
Apple plans to introduce a series of new smart home products on Tuesday, October 13, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple reportedly plans to debut its long-awaited smart home hub device, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV on the date. The new HomePod mini and Apple TV are set to retain their existing designs, but tout faster chips to support Siri AI. The new HomePod mini will...
Apple TV Sans Remote Feature

New Apple TV 4K Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:16 am PDT by
MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris has uncovered an image file from Apple for an unreleased Apple TV 4K, suggesting that a new model will finally be released soon. The image is specifically for an "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)" model. Apple TV 4K (4th generation) image (on a gradient) The image reveals that the Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, with all of its...
Latest Stories
iPhone 18 Pro Aperture Control Goes Fully Manual in Halide 3.2
iPhone 18 Pro Aperture Control Goes Fully Manual in Halide 3.2
42 minutes ago
Apple Stores Receive 'Do Not Open' Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch
Apple Stores Receive 'Do Not Open' Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch
1 hour ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Jump in China Ahead of iPhone Duo Launch
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Jump in China Ahead of iPhone Duo Launch
2 hours ago
Apple TV Still Down for Some Users Following Apple Services Outage
Apple TV Still Down for Some Users Following Apple Services Outage
3 hours ago
PSA: Apple Mail on Mac May Stop Syncing Microsoft 365 Accounts Today
PSA: Apple Mail on Mac May Stop Syncing Microsoft 365 Accounts Today
3 hours ago
Apple's Smart Home Hub: Everything We Know So Far
Apple's Smart Home Hub: Everything We Know So Far
13 hours ago
Apple's Home Hub Borrows From the iPhone Duo's StandBy Mode
Apple's Home Hub Borrows From the iPhone Duo's StandBy Mode
14 hours ago
Apple Invites App Updated With Three New Features
Apple Invites App Updated With Three New Features
18 hours ago
Apple Event on October 13?
Apple Event on October 13?
19 hours ago
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?
Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?
21 hours ago
iPad Mini 8 to Offer These 10 New Features
iPad Mini 8 to Offer These 10 New Features
21 hours ago
DoorDash Unveils AI Food Ordering Through Apple's Messages App
DoorDash Unveils AI Food Ordering Through Apple's Messages App
23 hours ago
Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off Select M5 MacBook Air Models
Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off Select M5 MacBook Air Models
23 hours ago
Apple Still Plans to Release a New Full-Sized HomePod
Apple Still Plans to Release a New Full-Sized HomePod
1 day ago
Apple Working to Expand HomeKit
Apple Working to Expand HomeKit
1 day ago
Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design
Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design
1 day ago
Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13
Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13
1 day ago
Apple Pay Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards
Apple Pay Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards
2 days ago
OpenAI Launches Always-On 'Dots' Agents to Rival Meta's Muse
OpenAI Launches Always-On 'Dots' Agents to Rival Meta's Muse
2 days ago
AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
2 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Owners Complain of Speaker Crackling or Popping
iPhone 18 Pro Owners Complain of Speaker Crackling or Popping
2 days ago
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
You Can 'Get Ready' for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders on October 12
2 days ago
Apple Pay Reportedly Launching in India Today
Apple Pay Reportedly Launching in India Today
2 days ago
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
2 days ago
Apple Shares New Guide for Using iOS 27 Parental Controls
Apple Shares New Guide for Using iOS 27 Parental Controls
2 days ago
Apple Creator Studio and Final Cut Camera Get New Features
Apple Creator Studio and Final Cut Camera Get New Features
2 days ago
Apple Explains Why It Removed ICE Tracking Apps Last Year
Apple Explains Why It Removed ICE Tracking Apps Last Year
2 days ago
Amazon Expands $779.99 Apple Watch Ultra 4 Deal to More Models
Amazon Expands $779.99 Apple Watch Ultra 4 Deal to More Models
2 days ago
Switch Siri AI for ChatGPT on Your Mac
Switch Siri AI for ChatGPT on Your Mac
2 days ago
Apple Says Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available in Norway
Apple Says Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available in Norway
2 days ago

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors