Skip to main content

Report: Apple concludes Anobit acquisition for $500 million

Anobit MSP flash controller
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Following reports earlier this week that ever-secretive Apple was in talks to buy Israeli flash technology firm Anobit, Reuters is reporting that Apple has concluded the deal for a total of $500 million. But that’s not all: Reuters also has Apple planning to open a new research and development facility in Israel—the first time the company would have taken its development work outside the United States.

At $500 million, the acquisition of Anobit would count as Apple’s most-expensive takeover since it acquired NeXT—and along with it, Steve Jobs—15 years ago for $429 million and 1.5 million shares of Apple stock. However, Apple’s fortunes have shifted substantially since its “death spiral” days of the mid 1990s: the reported purchase price for Anobit is roughly one half of one percent of Apple’s current cash assets.

Apple’s interest in Anobit has everything to do with flash memory. Apple’s iPhone, iPod, iPad, and (increasingly) Mac computers rely on flash memory rather than traditional disk-based storage, for all the usual reasons: no moving parts, lower power consumption, and higher performance. However, rather than manufacturing heaps of flash memory, Anobit has been focussing on improving the design of flash memory to improve performance and reliability, as well as bringing down power needs and manufacturing costs. In fact, Apple is already using Anobit-designed flash in many of its flash-based products.

By acquiring Anobit—much in the same way Apple acquired PA Semi back in 2008—Apple gets an exclusive lock on Anobit’s flash memory innovation—meaning Apple will get the call on whether or not Anobit’s technology is available to competing smartphone and portable device makers. We’re guessing not.

Apple’s decision to open an R&D center in Israel is also interesting, making Apple one of a group of large global technology companies like Qualcomm and Intel that have set up facilities near Israel’s Institute of Technology.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
I love my Apple Watch, but it pisses me off every single day
Someone wearing an Apple Watch Series 5 on their wrist.

I’m in a dysfunctional relationship with my Apple Watch, and it’s only getting worse.

I love that it gives me quick access to Siri. I love that I’ve almost never missed a phone call since I started wearing it. I love being able to glance at a text message and know if I need to respond quickly or if I can ignore it (like I do with its constant reminders to stand up).

Read more
iPhone Flip: what we know about Apple’s first foldable phone
Folding iPhone concept from iOS Beta News.

In the past few years, Samsung has become one of the leading manufacturers of foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. Though it's not the only brand making foldable devices, it offers the most mainstream and available options, especially in the U.S. That leads to the question of whether Apple will follow suit with a foldable iPhone — or even an iPad.

There have been long-standing rumors that Apple could be working on such a device, including a foldable iPhone, which we'll call "iPhone Flip" for now. Apple's a secretive company, so there may very well be at least some research and development taking place on such a device. But, of course, this continues to just be all speculation for now. From the latest news, rumors, and reports, here's everything we know so far about Apple's folding iPhone.
iPhone Flip: design and display

Read more
How to delete apps on an Apple TV
How to delete apps from Apple TV.

Apple TV is easily one of the best streaming devices you can get, hands down. It's a gateway to all your streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, and it can be used for gaming, fitness, music streaming, and other fun and helpful apps. But therein lies the problem — there's almost too much to do with the Apple TV, so much so that over time, your device's home screen can get pretty crowded with apps.

The good news is that you can clean things up pretty easily, either by offloading apps you don't use, but want to keep in the background, or giving the ax to apps that you're just done with. Here's how to delete apps on Apple TV.

Read more