Apple confirmed Tuesday that it had purchased Israeli flash memory maker Anobit Technologies Ltd. in December. The purchase had been rumored, but the acknowledgement by Apple spokesman Steve Dowling was the first official confirmation.
The Mac Observer reported Dowling’s comments:
“Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans,” Mr. Dowling said. In typical Apple fashion, he refused to elaborate.
Reports are that Anobit’s proprietary technology is said to improve flash memory performance. Being that Apple is the largest single buyer of flash memory in the world, the purchase makes sense. Apple bought 23 percent of the flash memory output last quarter. The Apple MacBook Air uses only flash storage, and it’s possible the rest of the Mac lineup could also begin using the technology at some future date.
Anobit is Apple’s first Israeli acquisition. The country boasts the largest amount of startups per capita in the world, and has 60 firms whose stock is traded on Nasdaq, giving it third place behind the U.S. and China.
