Nov.25, 2013


Apple has confirmed that it has completed its acquisition of Israeli firm PrimeSense, the maker of motion-tracking chip technology that was used in Microsoft's Kinect game console.

According to published report, the purchase price was around $360 million. Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet confirmed the PrimeSense deal late Sunday.

"Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," Huguet added.

The deal leaked earlier and was reportedly in the works for months as Apple was first reported in July to be looking to acquire the firm behind the original 3D body sensing technology. Earlier this month Apple was said to be on the verge of a deal to purchase PrimeSense for $345 million.

PrimeSense has been developing new depth-sensing technology that allows for a 3D camera in a mobile phone to enable apps like indoor navigation tools or 3D shopping catalogs. PrimeSense's new 3D sensors Capri, utilizes the next generation System on Chip, with improved algorithms including multi-modal 3D sensing techniques. It can fit into devices that are 10 times smaller than the current generation of 3D-sensor devices, making it ideal for embedding in consumer electronics devices such as tablets, TVs, PCs, All–in-One PCs, laptops, mobile phones, consumer robotics etc.

PrimeSense also has said its technology can sense both depth and color in 3D space, allowing a person to take a photo of their living room into a furniture store to determine if a sofa would fit in the space.

Apple has expressed interest in Kinect-like motion control of such products as appliances and vehicle instrumentation. PrimeSense's technology could be used in any number of Apple's actual and hypothetical products in development.

Apple has bought several chip companies, including P.A. Semi in 2008, Intrinsity in 2010 and Passif Semiconductor this year. Last year, the company confirmed that it acquired Israel-based flash storage maker Anobit for $400 million.

PrimeSense had raised around $80 million in funding from Silver Lake Sumeru, Canaan Partners, Gemini Israel and Genesis Partners.


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