Apple to acquire fingerprint sensor maker AuthenTec for $356M
Apple has reportedly reached a deal to purchase AuthenTec, a security company best known for creating fingerprint sensors, for $356 million.
The asking price of $8-per-share represents a 58 percent premium over AuthenTec Inc.'s closing price of $5.07 on Thursday, according to Reuters. Among other products, AuthenTec creates chips that drive secure fingerprint sensors in personal computers.
In addition, the company also makes software, hardware and applications that work with fingerprint sensors. AuthenTec also offers security toolkits and VPN client solutions.
One service that the company provides is security for a near-field communication based mobile e-wallet. Rumors have persisted that Apple is interested in adding an NFC chip and e-wallet functionality to a future iPhone, perhaps as soon as this fall with the launch of iOS 6 and its new Passbook application.
The acquisition agreement was approved with unanimous consent by AuthenTec's board this week, according to Bezinga. The deal is not yet finalized because it requires approval from the majority of outstanding shares of the company's common stock, among other final steps.
Based in Melbourne, Fla., AuthenTec announced earlier this month that its QuickSec VPN security product was chosen by Apple's rival, Samsung, for use in new Android-based smartphones and tablet models. The company's QuickSec Mobile VPN Client for Android allows secure communication through an Internet Protocol Security-based VPN client.
AuthenTec has shipped more than 100 million fingerprint sensors for integration in a wide range of portable electronics, including more than 20 million mobile phones. Some of its clients include Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Fujitsu, HBO, HP, Lenovo, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Samsung, Sky and Texas Instruments.
The asking price of $8-per-share represents a 58 percent premium over AuthenTec Inc.'s closing price of $5.07 on Thursday, according to Reuters. Among other products, AuthenTec creates chips that drive secure fingerprint sensors in personal computers.
In addition, the company also makes software, hardware and applications that work with fingerprint sensors. AuthenTec also offers security toolkits and VPN client solutions.
One service that the company provides is security for a near-field communication based mobile e-wallet. Rumors have persisted that Apple is interested in adding an NFC chip and e-wallet functionality to a future iPhone, perhaps as soon as this fall with the launch of iOS 6 and its new Passbook application.
The acquisition agreement was approved with unanimous consent by AuthenTec's board this week, according to Bezinga. The deal is not yet finalized because it requires approval from the majority of outstanding shares of the company's common stock, among other final steps.
Based in Melbourne, Fla., AuthenTec announced earlier this month that its QuickSec VPN security product was chosen by Apple's rival, Samsung, for use in new Android-based smartphones and tablet models. The company's QuickSec Mobile VPN Client for Android allows secure communication through an Internet Protocol Security-based VPN client.
AuthenTec has shipped more than 100 million fingerprint sensors for integration in a wide range of portable electronics, including more than 20 million mobile phones. Some of its clients include Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Fujitsu, HBO, HP, Lenovo, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Samsung, Sky and Texas Instruments.
Comments
Great way to get security on NFC chips: placing a finger on a fingerprint sensor on your iPhone when making a transaction. Would proof it against people who take your phone and not allow "drive-by" hacking.
If approved I wonder what happens to Sammy's contract?
The people that created this blog should be forced to only use it on an iPad or iPhone for a month.
Samsung and Motorola are in trouble now, they are infringing on APPLEs patents. Remember folks the Android camp has been buying up patents just to sue APPLE. What is good for the Goose, is also good for the Gander.
As said above, this is probably about patents.
But regarding fingerprint security, I have never quite understood why anybody uses it. You are effectively leaving your password on everything you touch!
ok so now we will see Google, Microsoft, and Samesung rush to introduce finger print recognition....and i am sure they already had it, probably for years.
#next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Interesting news......
in the meantime who the hell thought this forum was fit for purpose - seriously AI just try using it on your mobile device, it absolutely sucks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by markm49uk
#next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Interesting news......
in the meantime who the hell thought this forum was fit for purpose - seriously AI just try using it on your mobile device, it absolutely sucks.
I agree. I hate it. I can't even right click on a word to check spellings.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smiles77
Great way to get security on NFC chips: placing a finger on a fingerprint sensor on your iPhone when making a transaction. Would proof it against people who take your phone and not allow "drive-by" hacking.
Agreed.
Not just on phones. It'd be awesome to just add this to all computers. Fingerprint sign on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetz
Agreed.
Not just on phones. It'd be awesome to just add this to all computers. Fingerprint sign on.
You know that exists, right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by markm49uk
#next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Interesting news......
in the meantime who the hell thought this forum was fit for purpose - seriously AI just try using it on your mobile device, it absolutely sucks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by monstrosity
I agree. I hate it. I can't even right click on a word to check spellings.
Very true. It's miserable on an iPhone. Yes, we come here more for the community than the site design, but good site owners should ensure the site helps users interact and not obstruct a good (read usable) user experience.
Meanwhile, while it interests me why they bought AuthenTec, it's not certain they'll be used in the near future. Look at the LiquidMetal purchase/license which we've been waiting to be used for years now.
How would he know? Apple doesn't use it yet, meanwhile it's been on laptops for years.
Apparently Apple is paying another $7M to a team in AuthenTec to do something just for Apple. Apple is paying $20 million for rights to certain patents and then has an option to pay as much as $115 million for other patents it chooses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bullhead
ok so now we will see Google, Microsoft, and Samesung rush to introduce finger print recognition....and i am sure they already had it, probably for years.
Considering the article mentions they were already doing this (prior to Apple buying this company) I think it's a given.
1. It's not a done del so they are APPLE'S patents just yet
2. For all we know, they have a proper license which Apple will honor at least until it runs out, so no infringement
It really helps if you have Siri.
Dictated on my iPad.
Can you provide a link?
Dictated on my iPad.
Sorry folks off topic ... (although it's kind of on topic for every post if you use iOS!)
My wife got the iPad 3 I have to struggle with my mk 2 /sigh. However, AI really need to address the limitations / difficulties of this blog on iOS you can't always dictate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum
It really helps if you have Siri.
Dictated on my iPad.
It also helps to use dictation on Mountain lion.
Dictated on my MacBook pro.
;-)
Except that can lead to burned knees in the loo!
dictated on Mountain Lion and corrected manually.
[=http://allthingsd.com/20120727/apple-acquires-fingerprint-security-company-authentec-for-356-million/]