Apple reportedly buying PrimeSense, makers of original Xbox Kinect sensor tech

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Apple is reportedly in the final stages of acquiring PrimeSense - the Israeli company whose sensor technology was used by Microsoft to create the original Kinect for Xbox 360 - for roughly $280 million. According to Calcalist (via Google Translate):

The transaction was scheduled to be signed at the beginning of the month but the legal issue surrounding the partnership of developers Bfriimsns delayed the signing. These days the two sides are working on a solution to the last problem, and the contract will be signed as the next few day

Microsoft switched from PrimeSense to their own technology for the Xbox One Kinect sensor. PrimeSense currently offers their own line of 3D sensors including the Kinect-like Carmine, and the embedded reference design, Capri.

The deal is, of course, being linked to long-standing Apple Television rumors, since such a device would presumably require non-touch based direct manipulation and gesture recognition input. However, Apple already makes and markets many currently non-mythical products that might also that benefit from 3D sensors as well.

If this deal proves real, iSight could get a lot smarter in the coming years. How would you like to see Apple make use of it?

Source: Calcalist via SlashGear

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.

38 Comments
  • Would be awesome to be able to swipe through channels on a tv from a chair or pull down a menu screen without touching the tv. Could you imagine the smudges on a tv screen if you had to touch it to navigate!
  • Would that really be any easier than moving a single finger and operating a remote?
  • I wonder if this acquisition will lead to more accessibility options. I would think people could control devices with just subtle movements. Sent from the iMore App
  • Not surprising if you think about it. Agree would be great to see this integrated into Apple TV! Sent from the iMore App
  • They could do a lot with this. Maybe future iPhones have the technology built in to work with Apple TV. You set your phone by your tv and use your motions and voice to control things on your tv. Sent from the iMore App
  • I could see a lot of potential with this! Hopefully we'll see the signs of this purchase with the next Apple TV update or in future iterations of mobile devices being able to see movement around them. Sent from the iMore App
  • I'm interested to see how apple uses this and what products they design that will use/take advantage of it Sent from the iMore App
  • Oh of only we were this far ahead already. What a world! If apple had the "sense" to acquire such a company then the options could conceivably be limit less!!! Sent from the iMore App
  • This could be a big step to gaming through an AppleTV box either through apps or airplay. I'm not thrilled about hand gestures to control an Apple TV, but I guess it would be nice to have when I lose that little "silver stick" for the hundredth time. Sent from the iMore App
  • This is awesome this opens up so many possibilities especially consider the type of products that a rumored to be released in coming years. Sent from the iMore App
  • I would also love to to change the channels by swiping. Navigating the current Ape TV menus with fingers and gestures would be easier, quicker and awesome. The applications in the video are great like being able to put furniture, change paint colors and see changes in the room on your iPad. The same for tattoos, makeup, hairstyles and color. Sure you can photoshop etc. now but it never has the element of realism. It's just got so many possibilities. Sent from the iMore App
  • Isn't the kinect sensor kind of crappy? meaning it requires a lot of space, isn't very accurate, etc?
  • It's gotten better. Xbox One is apparently better still.
  • This will be interesting to see how it unfolds Sent from the iMore App
  • interesting purchase...wonder what apple has up their sleeves...i don't think apple is in the business of buying out competitor innovations and then squashing it..
  • How's that liquid metal coming along?
  • I don't know if anyone remembers that video that circulated on the internet with the "iPhone 5" that had the projected keyboard and hologram display. Now I doubt they would be able to do the projected keyboard but I see them being able to do something along those lines. Having it where you can type without touching and possible 3D or projection style display. I'm interested to see how apple integrates them in to future projects Sent from the iMore App
  • Interesting I'd like to see what comes of it Sent from the iMore App
  • Wow, I can only imagine all the cool things that would be made possible if Apple acquired them. For, TVs yes changing channels with certain hand sways would certainly be awesome. And for games, it can lead to some more casual fun. Sent from the iMore App
  • Oh man. Bigs things for Apple this year. First we get a fingerprint sensor, an awesome fully functional version of maps (which I love), and now this new acquisition. I'm surprised Apple had yet to hop on the touchscreen laptop/desktop bandwagon. Could you imagine a version of OS X built for touch screens?! Sent from the iMore App
  • Nice, can't wait to see where they go with this. Sent from the iMore App
  • Wow! This could get very interesting. Sent from the iMore App
  • Wow, this would be amazing. Proof that Apple is still looking to innovate and bring their products into the future. I would love to see this technology built into the Mac product line and a future television set. Apple always excites me. Not because they are always the first to do things, but when they do things they try to be the best. Sent from the iMore App
  • No thank you.
    I need a tactile interface - verbal at the very least. It's so much more intimate and real.
    Besides, the way I wave my hands around under an average television sitting, between trying to get the kids out of the way or yelling at the pin-heads on the screen, I'd kick my TV in the face if it started changing channels or volume level (or activating menus) while I was trying to watch the winning goal or pivotal reveal of a show/event that I might be trying to enjoy.
    I could embrace a Siri [JARVIS] interface on the spot, but now flicking and waving for me.
  • I think a combination of voice and gesture, as well as an easy way to turn gestures on and off so you don't accidentally do things, would be really cool. Sent from the iMore App
  • JARVIS has air gesture support in the movies. And holographic projection!
  • Yes. Yes he does. So cool, and yet, still awkward feeling to see Mr. Tony Stark waving his hands around to interact with ...
    Wait a minute, Mr. Stark is not kicked back on his sofa channel surfing. He's interacting with his computer system up close and personal... Now that I could get along with, down right get into - especially for creating digital art! (I could just image the Pollock-esque creations from that kind of digital freedom! xD)
  • I think it would be great. Especially when you lose your remote and need to control the tv. Sent from the iMore App
  • This is interesting Sent from the iMore App
  • I feel pretty certain that, Apple being Apple, they will find an awesome and innovative way to use this new technology. It's not like them to take something and use it exactly like someone else, so I think that they'll find a really cool and new way to implement this. Sadly, I don't know what that will be, but I sure cant wait to find out! Sent from the iMore App
  • Interesting purchase, but I wouldn't expect anything too soon from this. It usually takes Apple a few years to find the right use for these acquired technologies. Sent from the iMore App
  • Hopefully it's only for the rumored TV and not for an iDevice. I applaud Apple for making wholesome, functional products free of gimmickry (i.e. Android's "swipe" feature). But if Apple uses this technology and keep their signature cleanliness and functionality, I'd be at least INTERESTED to see what it looks like on an iDevice (maybe something like Android's capability to recognize when you look up/down on a page and it registers your eye movement). Sorry can't think of the phone(s) that do that. Sent from the iMore App
  • It's great to see Apple acquiring another company. I can't wait to see what Apple will actually do with this technology. There are so many possibilities. Sent from the iMore App
  • I hope its not for controlling a TV, cause I cannot fathom why waving your hands at the set like a Kung Fu master would be any easier than operating a remote control. I see usefulness for gaming, but that's old news by now. This might be a defensive aquisition, I would not read too much into it.
  • Oh please be true that would be awesome!!! Sent from the iMore App
  • Oh please be true that would be awesome!!! Sent from the iMore App
  • Sounds promising and should be interesting how they use it a few years from now. If we know Apples history, it will take a year or two of prototyping before we see anything for retail. This sounds more like the TV rumors would be true eventually, but I don't see how they would put that on MacBooks and so forth. Living rooms are much busier that staring at a computer or tablet 1-3 feet from you. In my living room, my tv is like 10-15 from my couch and there can be a lot of traffic in between with my kids.
    I think they would use a different technology for the MacBooks and tablets, such as how cameras can track your eye movement to see what you are looking at on the screen. Creepy, I know, but cool nonetheless. Sent from the iMore App
  • Integrate this into future Macs and Apple TV, and iOS devices as an API and we'll be in for a treat. I just hope they can improve on the product, because Microsoft really has taken the ball and ran it way past the goal line with the new Xbox One. Sent from the iMore App