IBM — Triumph, Then Exit

Recently, two significant stories emerged that attest to IBM's preeminent and perennial contributions to semiconductor technology and the apparently inevitable consequences of the industry's precarious economics. At the end of January, the company announced the creation of the first fully functional IC made from nanomaterial graphene. Barely two weeks later the news sources were buzzing with Big Blue's plans to sell the semiconductor division that it can no longer afford when its profits come from software and services. Who will pick up the baton to ensure that the technology continues to blaze the next generation of new trails? Stay tuned.

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