Apple has reportedly acquired Israeli 3D sensing firm PrimeSense for $345m, making it the second Israeli acquisition after the purchase of flash storage chip maker Anobit in January last year.
PrimiSence produces chips that make possible three-dimensional (3D) machine vision, which also powers the gesture control feature in Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gaming console, Reuters noted citing reports from Israeli Calcalist financial newspaper.
A PrimeSense spokeswoman said that the company focuses on building a prosperous company while bringing 3D sensing and natural interaction to the mass market in a variety of markets such as an 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 rumours or recycled rumours," she said.
The firm had also raised $85m from Israeli and US venture capital funds including Canaan Partners Global, Gemini Israel and Genesis Partners.
Apple is currently working on a new iPhone version with a curved screen, which would also boast a bigger screen with enhanced sensors that are capable of detecting different levels of pressure.
To be offered in two variants featuring screen sizes of 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches, the new iPhone models would go on sale during the third quarter of 2014.
