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Qualcomm Unveils New PC Chip With Security Features for Businesses

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Qualcomm announced on Wednesday a new line of chips for PCs and smartphones, including the Snapdragon X2 Elite laptop chip, which introduces a security capability aimed squarely at the business market.

Best known for powering mobile phones, the San Diego-based company has been expanding into the PC sector, where it competes with Apple to deliver energy-efficient chips for Windows-based laptops and desktops.

The Snapdragon X2 Elite, set to ship next year, debuts Guardian, a feature designed for corporate IT departments. Guardian will let companies securely connect to machines remotely for updates or technical support—even if the device is powered off.

Intel, the longtime leader in corporate PCs, has offered similar fleet management features for years. But Qualcomm says its approach will be unique because it can integrate Guardian with its 5G modem chips, allowing corporate owners to manage and track devices virtually anywhere with cellular coverage.

“Nobody else can offer something like that,” said Ben Bajarin, CEO of technology consultancy Creative Strategies. “I can actually see that being attractive for a portion of the workforce and something that will get stronger interest in Qualcomm for enterprise fleets.”

The new chip represents Qualcomm’s latest push to gain traction in the PC market while positioning itself as a serious contender for enterprise customers.

Synopsys Misses Q3 Revenue Estimates, Shares Plunge 18%

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Chip design software provider Synopsys (SNPS.O) reported third-quarter revenue that fell short of Wall Street expectations, dragged down by weakness in its Design IP business, sending its stock down nearly 18.5% after hours.

Results and Outlook

  • Q3 Revenue: $1.74 billion vs. $1.77 billion expected (LSEG data)

  • Adjusted EPS: $3.39 vs. $3.74 expected

  • Q4 Guidance: $2.23–$2.26 billion revenue (above $2.09 billion consensus)

Key Pressures

  • Design IP Weakness: Includes interface, security, and embedded processor IP, plus implementation services.

  • Deal Fallout: Several deals failed to close due to:

    • U.S. export restrictions on China disrupting design starts

    • A major foundry customer canceling projects amid market and client-related challenges

  • CEO Sassine Ghazi: Said Synopsys had invested heavily in building IP for the foundry, but returns expected in 2H 2025 will now not materialize.

Strategic Moves

  • Ansys Acquisition: Completed $35B cash-and-stock purchase of engineering design firm Ansys in July after global antitrust reviews, including conditional approval in China.

  • Customer Base: Partners include Nvidia, Intel, and Qualcomm, among others.

Market Context

  • Rival Cadence Design Systems (CDNS.O): Raised its 2025 sales and profit forecast in July, highlighting diverging performance in the EDA software sector.

  • Synopsys’ miss underscores ongoing geopolitical risks and dependence on key customers in a competitive industry where regulatory headwinds are reshaping chip design markets.

Qualcomm and BMW Unveil Automated Driving System With Hands-Free Features

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Qualcomm and BMW announced Friday the launch of Snapdragon Ride Pilot, a new automated driving system aimed at boosting competitiveness in the fast-growing driver-assistance market. The technology, debuting in BMW’s electric iX3, offers hands-free highway driving, automatic lane changes, and parking assistance.

While advanced, the system does not qualify as fully autonomous “Level 5” driving. The driver remains responsible for supervising the vehicle. Qualcomm said Ride Pilot has been validated in over 60 countries and will expand to more than 100 by 2026, giving it one of the broadest global footprints for such systems.

The collaboration underscores Qualcomm’s aggressive push beyond smartphones into automotive electronics. The company posted 21% growth in automotive revenue in the third quarter, reaching $984 million, and projects $8 billion annually by 2029.

Competition is intensifying, with Nvidia and Mobileye both pitching their platforms to automakers, while Tesla and General Motors continue developing proprietary driver-assistance stacks. By making Ride Pilot available not just to BMW but also to global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers, Qualcomm is positioning itself as a key supplier for the industry’s shift toward automation.