Apple will open a research and development centre in Israel focussing on semiconductors, reports suggest, suggesting it will become the first R&D facility outside its headquarters in Cupertino, California.
According to Globes, the maker of iPods, iPads and iPhones has already hired Israeli high-tech veteran Aharon Aharon to manage the centre to be located in Herzliya, Israel’s answer to Silicon Valley.
Apple vice president of R&D Ed Frank is said to be currently in Israel, the Israeli broadsheet revealed.
Aharon is currently chairman of Camero Technology (Kfar Netter, Israel) which develops through-the-wall radar imaging technology, where he was previously the CEO for a period of six years.
It was reported in Israeli media that Apple was in talks to acquire Anobit, a maker of flash storage technology in Israel, for $400-$500m.
Apple declined to comment on the rumour.
