Apple happy with Intel, PA Semi purchase for iPod, iPhone

 Apple’s purchase of PA Semi doesn’t mean the company’s relationship with Intel is cooling off, Apple CEO Steve Jobs told the Wall Street Journal.

The relationship between Apple and Intel is still strong, Jobs said, "We have a great partnership with Intel. We expect that to continue forever.”

As 9to5 Mac reported early this week, the acquisition wasn’t driven by any plan to migrate Macs back to PowerPC, but by Apple’s interest in hiring PA Semi’s team of expert chip designers, Jobs reassured. The newly-hired talent will lend their expertise to Apple’s work developing chips for portable electronics devices such as the iPod and iPhone. Jobs explained Apple has "been involved" in designing chips for these for some time.

Asked if Apple plan to return to the PowerPC chip in its Macs, he said “I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over that. We’re very happy with Intel.”