Apple’s latest acquisition, fingerprint sensor maker AuthenTec, is reportedly causing a “state of panic” as it has notified customers that it will not be offering its security technology to customers starting in 2013. Firms are scrambling to find replacements for the company’s technology.
In an email to its customers, which includes Samsung, HP, Dell, Lenovo and Fujitsu, Apple acquisition AuthenTec reportedly said it will no longer be honoring orders come 2013, a source told Korean language website etnews.
This report could indicate the direction Apple will be taking AuthenTec and it’s technology after purchasing the company in July for $356 million. AuthenTec is well known for its fingerprint sensor technology, and rumors have floated that Apple wants to include the biometric security system in an upcoming iPhone.
Before the iPhone 5 was introduced on September 12, speculation pointed toward Apple including AuthenTec’s sensors as part of Apple’s new Passbook app. The rumors turned out to be unfounded, as no biometric devices are to be found in the new iPhone.
It remains unclear at this time as to what Apple will eventually do with AuthenTec’s intellectual property, but for now they seem content merely to dash their rivals fingerprint-security based plans to the wind.
