Apple has reportedly agreed to by AuthenTec, a company that specializes in fingerprint authentication technology, for $350 million, or 58% over market value on Thursday. Saabira Chaduri of the Wall Street Journal says:
Apple, of Cupertino, Calif., didn't disclose its intentions for the technology. AuthenTec said in its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it "cannot comment on Apple's intentions" for the company.
On their website, AuthenTec describes themselves as:
AuthenTec is a leading provider of mobile and network security. Our diverse product and technology offering helps protect individuals and organizations through secure networking, content and data protection, access control and strong fingerprint security on PCs and mobile devices.AuthenTec encryption technology, fingerprint sensors and identity management software are deployed by the leading mobile device, networking and computing companies, content and service providers, and governments worldwide. AuthenTec’s products and technologies provide security on hundreds of millions of devices, and the Company has shipped more than 100 million fingerprint sensors for integration in a wide range of portable electronics including over 15 million mobile phones.
Their Mobile Smart Sensors page, AuthenTec talks about their smartphone offering:
AuthenTec smart sensors enhance the touch-powered features of today’s mobile phones and other wireless devices by giving users precise cursor positioning, menu navigation, turbo scrolling, and full touchpad emulation as well as effortless security via the simple swipe of a finger. Smart sensors further contribute to their value by adding personalization features, or the ability to associate different mobile phone applications or functions with different fingers. Mobile wallet purchases can also be authenticated using smart sensors, enhancing the security of mobile commerce (m-commerce) transactions made via the phones.
The Samsung Galaxy S3 is listed as using the AuthenTec VPN client, HBO Go as using their DRM, and more.
AuthenTec also offers mobile payment security angle at play as well. Hmmm....
Apple had $117 billion in the bank as of Q3 2012, so $350 million isn't much more than a rounding error. How Apple chooses to use AuthenTec technology in future products is the more interesting story. Anyone case to speculate?
Swipe will start reading your fingerprint before it lets you unlock?
Source: Wall Street Journal
