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Apple Acquired 29 Companies Since Beginning of Fiscal 2014, Including Five Since April
During today's third quarter earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple has purchased a total of 29 companies over the course of the last nine months, including five new companies after the end of the March quarter. Of the 29 companies purchased, some are known but many remain unknown.
Only two of Apple's newest acquisitions have been revealed, including LuxVue Technology in early May Spotsetter in June, leaving three unknown acquisitions. The May acquisition of Beats was not counted in the 29 company total because the deal, which was Apple's most expensive purchase to date, doesn't close until this quarter. After the Beats deal closes, the total number of acquisitions will rise to 30.
Earlier in 2014, Apple acquired SnappyLabs, a company that produced a burst-mode photo app, and Burstly, the company behind the Testflight iOS beta testing platform.
Many of the other acquisitions were made in 2013, and those purchases focused heavily on mapping. 2013 acquisitions included mapping companies BroadMap, Embark, HopStop, Locationary, and WiFiSlam, along with other notable additions like 3D company PrimeSense and Novauris, a speech recognition company.
The technology from Apple's acquisitions will undoubtedly make its way into future products and updates. For example, significant mapping updates are expected sometime after the launch of iOS 8, adding transit directions and improved indoor mapping techniques.
During the company's April earnings call, Tim Cook said Apple was "on the prowl" for additional companies to acquire and in today's call, Cook said that Apple is always looking at acquisition space and doesn't let "money burn a hole in our pocket."
Only two of Apple's newest acquisitions have been revealed, including LuxVue Technology in early May Spotsetter in June, leaving three unknown acquisitions. The May acquisition of Beats was not counted in the 29 company total because the deal, which was Apple's most expensive purchase to date, doesn't close until this quarter. After the Beats deal closes, the total number of acquisitions will rise to 30.
Earlier in 2014, Apple acquired SnappyLabs, a company that produced a burst-mode photo app, and Burstly, the company behind the Testflight iOS beta testing platform.
Many of the other acquisitions were made in 2013, and those purchases focused heavily on mapping. 2013 acquisitions included mapping companies BroadMap, Embark, HopStop, Locationary, and WiFiSlam, along with other notable additions like 3D company PrimeSense and Novauris, a speech recognition company.
The technology from Apple's acquisitions will undoubtedly make its way into future products and updates. For example, significant mapping updates are expected sometime after the launch of iOS 8, adding transit directions and improved indoor mapping techniques.
During the company's April earnings call, Tim Cook said Apple was "on the prowl" for additional companies to acquire and in today's call, Cook said that Apple is always looking at acquisition space and doesn't let "money burn a hole in our pocket."
Tag: Apple acquisition
[ 31 comments ]
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60 months ago
Many people don't realize this, but this is how large companies innovate sometimes ...
60 months ago
Apple can buy my startup!
For Sale: Tech startup known as Elusiva. We offer one product, and if you can't discover it on the internet, then you know it's working! It is an internet eraser! Just try finding Elusiva by DC Software... but you can't find it! Now where's my $50M, Apple!?!?
For Sale: Tech startup known as Elusiva. We offer one product, and if you can't discover it on the internet, then you know it's working! It is an internet eraser! Just try finding Elusiva by DC Software... but you can't find it! Now where's my $50M, Apple!?!?
60 months ago
I firmly believe Apple should consult a corporate psychologist.
This binge acquisition syndrome is something that needs addressing
This binge acquisition syndrome is something that needs addressing
60 months ago
Yeah, this sounds like Microsoft's idea of innovation..
You mean Google right? They've purchased more stuff than Apple.
60 months ago
Apple hosts the sales of apps by the thousands, then cherry picks specific apps to acquire as its own.
60 months ago
Big acquisitions are often disastrous for shareholders. See microsoft and yahoo.
Please leave your dogmatic thinking in the classrooms.
The real world rarely revolves around academic dogmas.
Sorry, but you are off the mark here. This has got nothing to do with big acquisitions or better mergers, which indeed have the reputation to be bad for shareholders. Although a real correlation has never been proven (and the timeframe for observation is disputed).
Apple typically buys smaller companies (with Beats as an exception). These smaller acquisitions are not about market share or protection of IP as often larger acquisitions are. These acquisitions are to sustain or build an innovative capability and to acquire new technologies.
In large corporations -even very innovative ones like Apple- the innovative culture is slowly replaced by an operational culture focused on protecting profit margins and sustaining operations. This can be disastrous in the long term, look at Microsoft, Oracle etc.
The practive of acquiring smaller technology focussed companies is a way to inject talent, innovative culture and entrepreneurial gusto into the organisation, besides of course the direct effect of being the owner of new technology. It is a very effective way of retaining innovative thrust and a solid product pipeline, and in fact for many companies the ONLY way when they have grown as massive as Apple, Microsoft or Google.
So, one should look at these smaller acquisitions in a broader perspective for Apple and compare it with the situation where it would be on its own. In that respect there can be only one conclusion. This is good for Apple's shareholders as otherwise Apple would indeed be doomed.
60 months ago
I dont think a company should use a lot of there money buying up other companies. When I buy an Apple stock I want just Apple for my money. If I wanted Beats or other companies I would invest in them (or others alike) myself.
Instead Apple should payout the money to its owners - the shareholders.
Instead Apple should payout the money to its owners - the shareholders.
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