Apple acquires AuthenTec, may be incorporating fingerprint tech in iOS

Apple's new operating system iOS 6 is due out later this fall for all its mobile devices including the new iPad, existing iPhones, and the rumored iPhone 5.

Included in iOS 6 is a new app called Passbook, which serves as a digital wallet of sorts, and will allow users to store loyalty cards, coupons, and potentially will allow people to pay digitally at supported stores.

Already an interesting premise being copied by Microsoft and Google, Apple may have just taken the necessary steps to ensure their mobile devices keep an edge over the competition.

Thanks to the new acquisition of AuthenTec, Apple may soon be the only mobile device manufacturer with the ability to keep personal information safe and secure with the aid of fingerprint recognition.

Licensing negotiations turned to merger discussions

Apple was previously engaged with in discussions with AuthenTec to commercially license the company's 2D fingerprint recognition technology.

However, both parties could not agree on terms for the licensing deal, leading to Apple shifting their priority to buying AuthentTec outright.

The proposed buy-out was offered in May of this year, with Apple offering AuthenTec 115 percent above its stock's closing value.

According to the SEC filings, Apple not only offered AuthenTec a deal they deemed "very attractive," but Apple informed AuthenTec they "would not participate in an auction process and would rescind its proposal if the board decided to solicit alternative acquisition proposals."

The merger deal also included a $20 million IP provision, which granted Apple the right to license any and all AuthenTec patents for as much as $115 million.

Simple, safe, secure, and now (almost) unique to iOS

With the merger, which still must be approved by shareholders, Apple will find itself in sole control of AuthenTec's fingerprint recognition software and hardware.

AuthenTec's device, which is a 1.3mm sensor, could be added into the existing build of many of Apple's mobile devices with ease, and would give the company a big leg up on its competitors.

Though Apple has one of the smallest ranges of devices available, that factor could work to their advantage in developing the technology further as they won't have to create the hardware for dozens of different devices.

Of course, the applications of the fingerprint security tech could extend well beyond Apple's mobile devices, and branch out into the company's laptop line-up down the line.

Until Apple's new range or rumored products arrive, we won't know just how they plan to incorporate AuthenTec's technologies.

That said, such security measures could go a long way in establishing a new standard in the digital shopping landscape.

Via: Slash Gear, Next Web