Pokemon Go Offers Glimpse Into 32 Billion SoftBank-ARM Deal

Every time a Pokemon Go fan drains a smartphone battery chasing virtual monsters, it's a reminder that chip technology has a long way to go. The company poised to push the boundaries of mobile computing is ARM Holdings Plc, which has built a business designing chips that squeeze the most out of limited battery capacity on mobile devices, dominating 85 percent of the market. Masayoshi Son built SoftBank Group Corp. by making big, early bets on personal computers, broadband and smartphones. Now, he's spending 32 billion to buy ARM, gambling that the company's chips will find their way into self-driving cars, virtual-reality devices and machines with artificial intelligence. Pokemon Go, the hit game that relies on power-hungry GPS and camera functions to work, is showing people the limits and capabilities of their smartphones.