As a noob to chip design, I've always wondered; why can't chip packages integrate filter caps at the outputs directly? Instead of having boards put a ton of them on the PCB as close to the chip connections as possible?

Is it a matter of current handling? Or repairability (easier to replace one external smoked cap than a whole IC...)?

(I know the filtering here is a little different in purpose, but it just made me wonder).

You have to publish a book!

Good article!