Apple has acquired fingerprint sensor technology developer AuthenTec for $356m to strengthen the security and touch-control functionalities in future mobile devices.
The fingerprint-authentication and encryption security technology from AuthenTec is currently being used in mobile devices of Samsung, Motorola and Nokia.
Florida based company provides fingerprint technology for authentication of mobile payments in Japan and the acquisition would help Apple introduce mobile wallet services to iPhone users in US.
The acquisition will also help Apple strengthen its intellectual-property defences with AuthenTec’s security products based on nearly 200 patented technologies.
AuthenTec’s technology could be used in smartphones for security and identity verification, precise touch-control for editing text or scrolling as well as and customisation of features that enable use of different fingers to open specific apps or make calls.
Along with the deal, AuthenTec’s ha also signed a development agreement under which the company will perform non-recurring engineering services for parent for product development and will receive payment of $7.5m.
New intellectual property resulting from the services is to be owned by parent company and certain limited licenses for the services and resulting product will be given to Apple.
AuthenTec will act as an independent contractor under the terms of the agreement.
Apple has acquired 12 companies in last five years including Israeli based Anobit Technologies that makes flash memory drives for the iPhone and iPad, and Chomp which develops search engine for discovering iPhone and iPad applications.
