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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Apple buys motion sensor maker PrimeSense | Apple buys motion sensor maker PrimeSense |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Apple has purchased PrimeSense, an Israeli firm that specialises in making 3D motion detection technology. | Apple has purchased PrimeSense, an Israeli firm that specialises in making 3D motion detection technology. |
| PrimeSense is best known for developing gesture control for Microsoft's Kinect sensor, and has made strides towards bringing the technology to mobile. | PrimeSense is best known for developing gesture control for Microsoft's Kinect sensor, and has made strides towards bringing the technology to mobile. |
| Apple's deal is likely to spark speculation about its plans to develop new products such as Apple TV. | Apple's deal is likely to spark speculation about its plans to develop new products such as Apple TV. |
| PrimeSense confirmed the deal with Apple in a statement to the BBC but said they could not comment further. | |
| Apple did not disclose the financial details of the deal but said it had taken place. Some reports claimed it had paid $360m (£222m). | |
| "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," said an Apple spokesman. | |
| 'Mega trend' | 'Mega trend' |
| The deal comes at a time when firms are increasingly experimenting with gesture control. | The deal comes at a time when firms are increasingly experimenting with gesture control. |
| In October 2011, Apple filed for a patent for new ways to control devices that do not involve physical contact. | In October 2011, Apple filed for a patent for new ways to control devices that do not involve physical contact. |
| Its filing, entitled Real Time Video Process Control Using Gestures, talked about allowing users to "throw" content - the ability to transfer it from one of the firm's products to another - using contact-free hand movements. | Its filing, entitled Real Time Video Process Control Using Gestures, talked about allowing users to "throw" content - the ability to transfer it from one of the firm's products to another - using contact-free hand movements. |
| Analysts said that acquiring a firm that specialises in making motion sensor technology could help Apple offer such features. | Analysts said that acquiring a firm that specialises in making motion sensor technology could help Apple offer such features. |
| "Usage of gesture-based, touch-less control of devices is one of the big mega trends in the industry right now," Nitin Bhat, a partner with consulting firm Frost & Sullivan told the BBC. | "Usage of gesture-based, touch-less control of devices is one of the big mega trends in the industry right now," Nitin Bhat, a partner with consulting firm Frost & Sullivan told the BBC. |
| "From Apple's perspective it looks like an attempt to make its current gadgets a lot more attractive by offering such a feature on them. | "From Apple's perspective it looks like an attempt to make its current gadgets a lot more attractive by offering such a feature on them. |
| "It could also look to incorporate this technology in future portfolio of devices which could include an Apple TV," he added. | "It could also look to incorporate this technology in future portfolio of devices which could include an Apple TV," he added. |
| 'Ability to observe' | 'Ability to observe' |
| Earlier this year, PrimeSense unveiled the advances it has made in incorporating its technology in mobile devices. | Earlier this year, PrimeSense unveiled the advances it has made in incorporating its technology in mobile devices. |
| By shrinking down the sensor used in the Kinect, the firm showed it working with a Nexus 10 tablet at a Google developers' conference in May. | By shrinking down the sensor used in the Kinect, the firm showed it working with a Nexus 10 tablet at a Google developers' conference in May. |
| According to PrimeSense, its 3D sensing technology gives digital devices "the ability to observe a scene in three dimensions". | According to PrimeSense, its 3D sensing technology gives digital devices "the ability to observe a scene in three dimensions". |
| It said that once it has observed the movements, it translates them into a "synchronized image stream... just like humans do". | It said that once it has observed the movements, it translates them into a "synchronized image stream... just like humans do". |
| The firm's technology then processes these images and translates them into information such as: | The firm's technology then processes these images and translates them into information such as: |
| The firm has also launched a 3D scanner which, it says, allows "anyone to scan items in their own environment and print them out on a 3D printer". | The firm has also launched a 3D scanner which, it says, allows "anyone to scan items in their own environment and print them out on a 3D printer". |