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Apple Reportedly Set to Acquire Israeli 3D Body Sensing Firm PrimeSense [Updated]

Sunday November 17, 2013 4:42 am PST by Eric Slivka
primesense_sensorBack in July, Apple was reported to have been looking at acquiring Israeli firm PrimeSense, the company behind the original 3D body sensing technology used by Microsoft for its Kinect platform, for around $280 million.

According to Israeli newspaper Calcalist [Google Translate, via SlashGear], a deal is now on the verge of being completed, with Apple agreeing to purchase PrimeSense for approximately $345 million. The report claims that the contract was scheduled to have been signed earlier this month but that one final legal issue has delayed the process. The contract should be finalized within the next few days, with an official announcement coming in the next two weeks.

kinect_disney
Apple has expressed interest in Kinect-like motion control of such products as appliances and vehicle instrumentation, but the main area where the company has been rumored to be using the technology is in television. Reports have indicated that Apple is looking at Kinect-like motion control for its future television set, although the project is said to be seeing continuing delays due to difficult content negotiations with Apple shifting its near-term focus to wearables such as the "iWatch".

Update: AllThingsD has confirmed that Apple is indeed in talks with PrimeSense, but while a deal is "close" to being completed, final details such as liquidity preferences have yet to be worked out. Apple has declined to comment on the matter, while PrimeSense has released the following statement:
"PrimeSense is the leading 3D technology in the market. We are focused on building a prosperous company while bringing 3D sensing and Natural Interaction to the mass market in a variety of markets such as 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 rumors or re-cycled rumors."


[ 145 comments ]


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markyr17
73 months ago

Give the two females in the image something to eat!


Really?
:rolleyes:

They look perfectly healthy.
Rating: 20 Votes
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FirePhantom
73 months ago
Facebook offers $3,000,000,000 for an instant messaging app.

Apple secures an innovative company with real-world products and a patent portfolio for $345,000,000.

Topsy-turvy times we're living in.
Rating: 17 Votes
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Rogifan
73 months ago

So does this mean Microsoft will have to pay Apple royalties for Kinect? If so, then that is gonna hurt haha! :eek:


I believe Microsoft is using their own technology for Kinect.
Rating: 16 Votes
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unlinked
73 months ago

Give the two females in the image something to eat!


It is weird how people react to not fat people so negatively these days.
Rating: 14 Votes
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ZZ Bottom
73 months ago

Give the two females in the image something to eat!


Translation: you're overweight and mad at anyone who isn't?
Rating: 11 Votes
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osx11
73 months ago
....Apple TV.....slowly but steadily....the clues are becoming more clear.....

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I believe Microsoft is using their own technology for Kinect.


According to wikipedia, a subsidiary of Microsoft writes the software, but the hardware still comes from this Israeli firm. If this is true, it's a smart move by Apple. Why didn't Microsoft buy PrimeSense?
Rating: 10 Votes
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rei101
73 months ago
"Innovation"... nothing worst that moving your hands to change channels. I rather move the finger.
Rating: 8 Votes
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sinsin07
73 months ago

That is so unrealistic. The remote is always around.

If you are laying on a side, how are you going to wave your hands?
or if you are with our girlfriend all cuddle... waving your hands sabotages all.
Why waving your hands when you already can move just one finger?


Now, if Apple is into that, I believe they lost the train regarding Apple TV, I do not see innovation anymore that is not out there already.


Then use the damn remote. Simple. People get so locked in like there is only one way to do some thing.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Solomani
73 months ago

The worst part is they accepted Apple's low ball offer. They should have countered somewhere in the billions.


If they are acquiring the company in its entirety, then it's very likely that the employees and/or executives of PrimeSense will also be given shares of AAPL stock. Cash is not the only thing they got.

It actually makes sense for AAPL to give them stock shares, because it will be an incentive for the Kinect programmers and original engineers to stick around for some time under Apple. You do realize that when small companies are acquired, many disgruntled employees leave soon after, right?

P.S. -- IMHO, if true, this is one of the best acquisitions that Apple has made in recent years. This is about as important as Microsoft's acquisition of Bungie in 2000.

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For what it's worth PrimeSense denies Apple purchase...

http://www.businessinsider.com/primesense-denies-apple-buy-for-345m-2013-11


Of course they deny it. If the agreement is "on the verge", then the deal is not yet finalized. No sane person on either side of the negotiating table will confirm an acquisition, especially when it hasn't happened yet.
Rating: 6 Votes
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carlgo
73 months ago

Give the two females in the image something to eat!


They were fat, but thanks to this fancy Wii thing they get up and dance around and lost weight. Look fine to me, not skinny at all. Nice to see people who are not fat, especially kids.
Rating: 6 Votes

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