Apple reportedly acquires 3D motion sensing company PrimeSense for $345m

Reports circulating on the web reveal that Apple has acquired PrimeSense, a 3D sensor motion tracking company. First reported by an Israeli news site called Calcalist, the Tel Aviv-based company has been acquired for $345 million. Earlier in July, there were whispers about a potential deal, and at that time a possible price tag of $280m for the company was being pegged. A public announcement is likely to be made in two weeks.

One of the latest key implementation of PrimeSense is called Capri, which significantly reduces the size of the sensor array while maintaining accurate motion-tracking. It is believed to be the main point of appeal to Apple, says the TheNextWeb. It is speculated that future iterations of iPhone and iPad could come fitted with the new sensor. On the other hand, it is believed that Apple’s real reason for acquiring the company is an alleged television project.

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Motion sensing technology in Kinect

So, there is a possibility of an on-demand, streaming smart TV system that uses gestures rather than a remote. It is also speculated that PrimeSense’s technology could be used for gesture control in Apple’s rumoured iWatch. It should be noted that PrimeSense’s body-tracking technology is responsible for the original Xbox 360 Kinect.  However, Microsoft later switched from PrimeSense to a home brewed alternative in the more recent version of the gaming console.

Neither Apple nor PrimeSense has released an official statement. In fact, a new report suggests that the deal hasn’t been finalised just yet.