Via Technologies Inc. said Tuesday that it plans to allow IBM Microelectronics Inc. to manufacture its next-generation "Esther" processor. "Via’s decision is another feather in the cap of IBM, which will serve as a foundry for chips from Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Nvidia Corp. and other chip vendors. IBM will handle Via’s transition to 90nm geometries, and take advantage of IBM’s silicon-on-insulator technology."

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