Apple, Samsung, HTC, everyone really, they rely on components from either Broadcom or Qualcomm to enable GPS and GLONASS support. Broadcom is a leader in this industry since they sell “combo chips”, meaning one solution that provides WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS, FM radio support, and even NFC. But according to The Korea Times, Samsung is hard at work on their own location solution.

The project is being called “Position Engine”, and I can’t figure out for the life of me why Samsung is doing this. Say they invent the best GPS receiver on the face of the planet, they’re still going to need to work with other chip makers for WiFi and Bluetooth support. Is Samsung trying to build a database of cell tower locations to enable some sort of crazy ultra low power positioning system?

There’s obviously a lot I don’t know about this, but I’m curious to see what happens since this is yet another demonstrations of Samsung’s eagerness to go completely vertical.

What’s next, the WiFi stack?

Update: Tip of the hat to Alexandre Bouillot, who alerted me to the fact that Samsung purchased CSR’s wi-fi and bluetooth mobile chip technology in July 2012!