There was a rumor stating that the upcoming iPhone will include a special fingerprint feature. If Apple decided to pay that amount of money, in order to purchase Authen Tec, a fingerprint security company, then it's not much of a rumor. According to analysts, Apple took this decision, because it wants to improve security for mobile payment systems, also rumored to be included in the future iPhones and iPads. Authen Tec is very popular for what it does: fingerprint sensors and other security products for mobile devices, so Apple could pay even more (after all its cash is estimated at $117.2 billion), in order to be sure of its purchase, fingerprint-authentication and encryption security technology.
Apple Pays $ 356 Million For Fingerprint Security
Let's not forget that nowadays online shopping is like sipping your tea, it's important to feel secure about your money in your virtual wallet. Among the most common users of iPhone and iPad you will find business customers, so Apple has to assure them that its gadgets are no subject for malware and other threats.
What is quite funny is that Samsung, has already started using Authen Tec technology in new smartphones and tablets, so I expect a new intellectual property case to begin, after all Apple and Samsung enjoy to tease one each other. The deal between Apple and old Authen Tec, which requires the approval of shareholders and regulators, is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Don't think that AuthenTec can say no, it's already too late, since the small company would pay Apple a breakup fee of $10.95 million, if it accepts a better proposal.
Apple Pays $ 356 Million For Fingerprint Security
Everybody points Facebook as loving to do the shopping among small and helpless companies, but Apple too loves to swallow small fish, as follows: Anobit Technologies Ltd (an Israeli company that makes flash memory drives), Chomp Inc (maker of a search engine for discovering iPhone and iPad applications) or a patent portfolio from Nortel Networks Corp for $4.5 billion.
Apple had to do it now, since more Android gadgets have already started to lure customers with a wireless technology, letting phones make payments with the tap of a reader. Beyond protecting payments, a fingerprint system could keep unauthorized people from accessing email or contact lists and more, it's more powerful than a password and can't be forgotten, since it's all about your finger matching Apple's standards of security.
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