A report published online at Israeli news outlet Calcalist and been translated and read that Apple acquired PrimeSense, a 3D sensor technology company in Tel Aviv, for USD345 million. Multiple reports about the acquisition plan had emerged in the middle of the year, but had been shot down by a source of tech news website TechCrunch, saying that the news was not true.
PrimeSense had a special partnership with Apple's rival Microsoft Corp to develop the latter's original Kinect. Kinect was originally shipped as an add-on for Microsoft's more popular Xbox 360 video game console then. Kinect was later on released as a standalone device when it became more popular with the modding community. PrimeSense also sells 3D sensors and middleware to be used in a plethora of markets such as retail, robotics, industry and healthcare, TV, mobile and computers.
In July, The Next Web said Apple was expected to offer PrimeSense around USD280 million. Without citing whether it obtained sources for its information, Apple's senior engineers had reportedly visited PrimeSense's headquarters in Israel in early July.
The Next Web pointed out that Apple's acquisition of PrimeSense will enable the former to have access to the technology. The Web news site also postulated that an obvious development to the reported acquisition would be regarding the tech giant's much-anticipated Apple TV.
When the The Next Web reached out to PrimeSense about the report, a representative sent a statement that read, "PrimeSense is the leading 3D technology in the market. We are focused on building a prosperous company while bringing 3D sensing and Natural Interaction to the mass market in a variety of markets such as interactive living room and mobile devices. We do not comment on what any of our partners, customers or potential customers are doing and we do not relate to rumors or re-cycled rumors."
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