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Print 17 comment(s) - last by Cheesew1z69.. on Jul 29 at 1:53 PM
Fingerprint scanners coming to Apple gear?

Mobile and network security company AuthenTec is known for its fingerprint readers/sensors which are embedded in a number of notebooks and other devices. The company today announced that it has been acquired by Apple for a price of $8 per share which works out to about $356 million in cash.

Reuters reports that the deal represents a premium on AuthenTec stock of 58% based on Thursday's closing price of $5.07 per share.
 
The deal was confirmed by an 8-K filing made by AuthenTec noting that the company entered into an intellectual property and technology agreement with Apple. The deal allows Apple to acquire a non-exclusive license to AuthenTec hardware and software technology including its patent portfolio.
 
The deal allows Apple license the patents on a non-exclusive basis for up to $115 million. AuthenTec has 200 filed and issued patents in the United States. Apple is also paying the company $7.5 million for non-recurring engineering services with any new research conducted belonging immediately to Apple.
 
AuthenTec has notable customers including Lenovo, Dell, Fujitsu, Samsung, Motorola, and Nokia.  

Sources: The Next Web, Reuters


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Apple...Security?
By Apone on 7/27/2012 12:13:18 PM , Rating: 5
Well gosh darn it, why oh why would Apple ever buy a security company if OS X and iOS are so apparently bulletproof?....




RE: Apple...Security?
By retrospooty on 7/27/2012 12:24:10 PM , Rating: 4
"Well gosh darn it, why oh why would Apple ever buy a security company if OS X and iOS are so apparently bulletproof?"

Of course, they bought it so they can "invent" the concept of digital security next year and sue the competiton for copying what Apple copied. SSDD.


RE: Apple...Security?
By Apone on 7/27/2012 12:24:43 PM , Rating: 2
LOL!


RE: Apple...Security?
By michael2k on 7/27/12, Rating: 0
RE: Apple...Security?
By retrospooty on 7/27/2012 3:54:06 PM , Rating: 3
"Your disdain does you a disservice."

As your blind acceptance does to you.


RE: Apple...Security?
By michael2k on 7/27/2012 4:04:18 PM , Rating: 2
Are you trying to disagree with what I'm saying? That Apple will probably integrate the fingerprint sensor into their touchscreen, and that they will enhance "slide to unlock" with a fingerprint detection?

I'm actually trying to increase the signal on the board. I'm adding something interesting and relevant and hopefully insightful.


RE: Apple...Security?
By retrospooty on 7/27/2012 4:36:51 PM , Rating: 2
I dont think they will do that, but that isnt what I am saying. I am saying whatever they do with this newly purchased company will wind up in a lawsuit, Apple suing party B for some reason or another.


RE: Apple...Security?
By michael2k on 7/27/2012 5:22:39 PM , Rating: 2
Well, sure, given that AuthenTec as real HW patents and not SW patents, why would that surprise you?

It would only surprise me if Apple didn't implement a fingerprint sensor, and then proceeded to sue.

Thus I figured it was relevant to talk about the fingerprint sensor, first. I don't know why you don't think Apple would add a fingerprint sensor, or do you think they will but not as part of the screen? They already have you "swipe to unlock", so adding some extra capacitance/RF sensor to the screen makes more sense than adding a separate fingerprint sensor on the side or something.


RE: Apple...Security?
By Tony Swash on 7/27/2012 7:49:37 PM , Rating: 2
The thing about Apple acquisitions is that Apple make very few and the ones they do make are always connected to specific product plans so they are always an interesting indicator of something in the Apple road map. In this case it seems pretty obvious that this is something to do with fingerprint recognition. Smart phones based commerce is going to be huge, bigger than desktop web based commerce, but making it secure and preventing ID theft in a portable and easily stolen device is tricky. Fingerprint recognition is an obvious way to tackle this.


RE: Apple...Security?
By Tony Swash on 7/27/12, Rating: -1
RE: Apple...Security?
By Cheesew1z69 on 7/28/2012 12:57:19 PM , Rating: 3
In related news, Tony Swash is a complete AppleDouche...


RE: Apple...Security?
By Tony Swash on 7/29/2012 11:27:54 AM , Rating: 2
You are obviously a bit unhappy - here is something to cheer you up

http://youtu.be/GBaHPND2QJg

Ode to Joy indeed!


RE: Apple...Security?
By Cheesew1z69 on 7/29/2012 1:53:02 PM , Rating: 2
And you are obviously an idiot...


RE: Apple...Security?
By FITCamaro on 7/27/2012 2:17:21 PM , Rating: 2
Honestly DailyTechs description of AuthenTec as a security company is a bit misleading. Unless things have changed, when I worked there they didn't make security solutions. They just made fingerprint sensors which can be used to help make a computer more secure. They also sold their sensors to mobile phone manufacturers to be used as security on the phone (I'd love this as opposed to having to enter a passcode every time I want to unlock my phone) and even to buy things with NFC transmitters and vending machines (different fingers could even be programmed to be different snacks).

So this could mean Apple plans to integrate fingerprint sensors into their products. Wouldn't really address their security issues though.


RE: Apple...Security?
By Cheesew1z69 on 7/27/2012 2:56:55 PM , Rating: 2
They are a security company by all accounts.

quote:
Complete Solutions for Mobile and Network Security AuthenTec is a leading provider of mobile and network security. Our diverse product and technology offering helps protect individuals and organizations through secure networking, content and data protection, access control and strong fingerprint security on PCs and mobile devices. AuthenTec encryption technology, fingerprint sensors and identity management software are deployed by the leading mobile device, networking and computing companies, content and service providers, and governments worldwide. AuthenTec’s products and technologies provide security on hundreds of millions of devices, and the Company has shipped more than 100 million fingerprint sensors for integration in a wide range of portable electronics including over 15 million mobile phones. Top tier customers include Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Fujitsu, HBO, HP, Lenovo, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Samsung, Sky, and Texas Instruments. You can keep closer tabs on AuthenTec by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/authentecnews.


Apple Purchase
By kleinma on 7/27/2012 12:22:17 PM , Rating: 4
"After the AuthenTec purchase was announced, all if its existing customers were promptly sued by Apple for patent infringement"




Lol
By FITCamaro on 7/27/2012 10:06:40 AM , Rating: 2
This was the company I worked for right out of college. Unfortunately I didn't stay long enough to be vested in my stock options. But at $8 a share, I didn't lose much.




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