Latest tech industry speculation and rumour has it that flash (i.e. solid-state) memory hardware creator Anobit is firmly set in the sights of US tech company Apple. Reports have it that the company is about to pay up to $500 million for the smaller hardware firm.
Anobit’s repertoire of solid-state memory based knowledge is extensive – including chips designed to enhance performance of solid state drives as well as storage technology previously employed by Apple in its devices, such as the iPhone, iPad and the MacBook Air. This could be a possible reason behind the takeover rumour – Apple are looking to bring parts in-house.
Tech industry commentators have pointed out that the move by Apple seems to be quite rare considering their past record of only really ever taking over software companies – in order to augment and improve their vast array of user-created operating system applications and other features which require coded programs to function. This deal, as well as being one of those few concerning hardware, is also set to be one of the biggest in the firms history.
As for Anobit, the tech firm is found in Israel, with 200 employees on the payroll. The firm lacks a Wikipedia entry and scant details on what it actually handles, apart from those discussed in this article, exist on the web.
As for the deal between the two companies, the transaction is thought to be handled by Pitango Venture Capital, a firm previously heard of due to it’s involvement in the sale of search engine Video Surf to Microsoft in November.
Apple hasn’t yet given any comment on the rumour, as is the firm’s staunch custom. Various players in the tech commentary world have been discussing the issue, forecasting dark times for competitors who have previously allowed Apple to rely on their hardware and chips.
In particular, said commentors have highlighted the role of Samsung in Apple’s business model. Potential acquisition of Anobit would allow Apple to operate without using hardware supplied by Samsung at extortionate competative prices – allowing Apple to market better, faster products at a marginally decreased cost for the consumer.
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