Apple acquires small footprint, low-power chip maker Passif

Justin Kahn

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Apple has recently acquired wireless chip-developer Passif Semiconductor. The Silicon Valley-based company specializes in small, low power communication chips and low energy bluetooth devices, technology that could be implemented into Apple's rumored wearable tech project and future mobile devices.

Initially reported by former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin, Apple's Amy Bessette has now confirmed the acquisition with AllthingsD: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

Passif's current low powered radio works using the extremely power efficient Bluetooth LE, which is great for health-monitoring and fitness devices that require extended battery life. This would appear to fall right in-line with what Apple will need to accomplish with some kind of iWatch or arm band product.

It is still unknown how much Apple handed out to purchase the California based tech company. Lessin reports the iPhone and iPad maker already tried to buy Passif years ago for somewhere in the mid tens-of millions range, a number most likely to have risen since then.

Back in May, Tim Cook announced Apple has been acquiring companies at the rate of 1 every 70 days, a trend the seems to be continuing. This purchase follows a recent set of acquisitions that included public transit and navigation app developer HopStop, Wi-Fi company Wifislam as well as crowdsourced mapping firm Locationary. After past acquisitions of PA Semi and Intrinsity, it seems as though Apple is looking to build upon its semiconductor design network. 

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