PrimeSense is a company based in Israel that provides the technology for Microsoft’s infamous Kinect sensor. Apparently Apple has bought it for as much as $345 million, according to the Calcalist financial newspaper which doesn’t cite any sources in its report. PrimeSense’s technology is most commonly known for being used in the Kinect sensor that was initially released for the Xbox 360. Its 3D machine vision technology is also used in 3D scanners like the Asus Xtion.
If the report is true, this would be the second Israeli based company that Apple has acquired in nearly two years. Back in 2012, Apple acquired Israeli flash storage chip manufacturer Anobit. PrimeSense hasn’t confirmed that it has been acquired by Apple, instead a spokeswoman for the company tells Reuters that the company does not comment on what its “partners, customers or potential customers are doing.” She also says that the company does not relate to “rumors or recycled rumors.” The recylced rumors bit is interesting because this isn’t exactly the first time that Apple is believed to be interested in PrimeSense. It was rumored back in July that Apple was in talks with PrimeSense for a possible acquisition and that Cupertino was valuing the company around $280-$300 million.
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