Right, Apple bought P.A. Semi, and assuming that those guys stuck around after Apple switched from PowerPC to Intel, Apple has a proven CPU devel team.

That purchase occurred a couple of years after the Intel switch. In retrospect, it looks a lot like a purchase intended for the newcomer iOS lineup.

Oh yeah. I merged things together in my memory.

Apple bought P.A. Semi in 2008, a bit over two years after the Intel transition. Apple also bought Intrisity (in 2010) which was made up of staff and IP from PowerPC licensee, Exponential Technology.

Many of the PA Semi team went to Google via Agnilux.