Chipmakers look to autos for demand, deals and disruption

BERLIN (Reuters) - Faltering demand in computer and phone markets, once semiconductor industry mainstays, have fueled a year-long merger wave as firms look to formerly unloved areas like auto electronics for sales growth. Big consumer chipmakers who once considered automotive electronics too small to merit attention are taking notice as Tesla, Google and Apple have jump-started a drive to turn cars into connected Internet devices.