Apple finalized its acquisition of mobile security and smart sensors firm AuthenTec after some urgency. Given the details it seems Apple could be using AuthenTec’s patents in their own products.
Apple acquired AuthenTec on an exclusive basis and gained the permission to license them out to other companies. The SEC filing shows that Apple seemed to be the only company bidding that was interested in using the technology they had developed. Apple wanted to close the deal as soon as possible because of “product plans and ongoing engineering efforts.”
Apple went as far as asking the firm that however the deal worked out to continue working on development. Additionally, Apple informed AuthenTec’s board of directors that it would not participate in an auction and would rescind their offer if others were solicited.
The end result is that future Apple products could be getting built-in fingerprint and NFC sensors.
Apple bought AuthenTec for $356 million.