• Intel is in early talks with Apple for a potential investment to improve its financial status.
• Recent investments from Nvidia and SoftBank highlight Intel's ongoing challenges in the market.
• Intel's stock rose significantly following news of the investment discussions.
• Despite being a longtime partner, Apple is unlikely to switch back to Intel processors for its devices.
• The chipmaker struggles to compete with rivals like Nvidia and AMD.

Intel Corporation has approached Apple Inc. for a potential investment as part of its strategy to recover from financial struggles. Sources note that discussions between the two companies have focused on how they can work more closely together. However, these talks are still in the preliminary stages and may not result in an agreement, according to Reuters, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

The discussions follow a recent $5 billion investment from Nvidia, which solidifies its partnership with Intel focusing on personal computers and data centers. Additionally, Intel has received $2 billion in funding from SoftBank, part of ongoing efforts to reinvigorate its business amid stiff competition from other tech companies like NVIDIA and Advanced Micro Devices. This influx of investments has raised investor optimism, marking a 60% increase in Intel's stock price since early August, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

Despite its history as a key Apple supplier, the likelihood of Apple switching back to Intel processors for its devices appears low, given that Apple has transitioned most of its production to in-house chips using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). Industry analysts emphasize that while Apple has expressed some interest in supporting Intel's comeback, such support may not translate into adopting Intel's latest technology, according to India Times and Los Angeles Times.

Intel's recent partnerships reflect its ongoing struggle to maintain relevance in the semiconductor market, particularly in the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector where competitors have far outpaced Intel's innovation. CEO Lip-Bu Tan's aim for a turnaround includes not only these investments but also a strategic pivot towards becoming a chip foundry for external clients, a fundamental shift since the previous management’s decisions, according to Reuters, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.