Bloomberg News reported that Microsoft hired a top Apple Inc engineer to create its own processors for its servers, citing individuals familiar with the situation. According to the story, the software giant hired semiconductor industry veteran Mike Filippo, who previously worked for Apple for almost two years.
A source informed Reuters in December 2020 that Microsoft is developing in-house CPUs for the servers that operate its cloud computing services and Surface line of personal computers. The cloud computing behemoth is primarily reliant on Intel and Advanced Micro Devices for CPUs for its Azure cloud computing services as well as Surface PCs.
The hiring of Filippo suggests that Microsoft is escalating its drive to develop domestic processors for its servers that run Azure cloud computing services, according to the article. According to his LinkedIn biography, Filippo began his career as a CPU designer at chip designer AMD in 1996 and has since worked at Intel and UK-based ARM before joining Apple.
Microsoft and Apple did not react quickly to Reuters’ requests for comment.
