Apple execs working on iWatch
According to Jessica Lessin, Apple has acquired chip development firm Passif. The company’s chip technologies are focused on utilizing low-power and work with low-energy Bluetooth technologies.
As Apple moves towards smaller devices, the talent and resources of Passif will be critical. Apple reportedly tried to buy the firm a few years earlier, but was only able to strike a deal within recent months. We previously reported that Apple has been poaching several employees from other chip makers to work on the upcoming iWatch.
Apple confirmed the Passif acquisition. In recent weeks, Apple has also acquired mapping firms Locationary and HopStop.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
This makes it one of Apple’s unusual acquisitions this year. Hardware, specifically. Much more than the iWatch, if Apple was going to use the talent to produce chips for iPhone/iPad that use lower battery, that’s something to look into.