Apple has finally inked its acquisition deal of PrimeSense, an Israel based 3D motion detection technology, for a reported £222M Million.
Best known for developing gesture control technology for Microsoft’s Kinect console, PrimeSense gives digital devices movements and objects detection technology. Apple’s new deal indicates the company’s plans to come up with such features in its own product lineup including Apple TV.
According to sources close to the matter, Apple has paid £222M ($360M) for the acquisition. However, the financial detail regarding the deal has not yet been disclosed publicly.
Kristin Huguet, Apple’s spokesperson, has confirmed the purchase in a telephone interview with AllThingsD. Huguet said “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans”.
Canaan Partners, Silver Lake, Gemini Israel Funds and Genesis Partners are some of PrimesSense’s major investors. The company’s new technology not only provides for depth-sensing technology allowing a 3D camera in a mobile phone to enable apps like indoor navigation tools or 3D shopping catalogs, but also for measuring depth, which will allow a person to take a photo of their living room into a furniture store to determine if a sofa would fit in the space.
This is not the first acquisition for Apple, earlier this year iPad maker bought Passif Semiconductor, in 2010 it bought Intrinsity and in 2008 P.A. Semi. Anobit was Apple’s first Israeli acquisition last year through which it gained company’s flash-memory technology.
