Apple is reportedly in the midst of talks to buy the Israeli company that manufactures the Xbox 360's Kinect device for $280 million, local newspaper Calcalist reported.
The Israeli newspaper was the first to report the negotiations between Apple and
Primesense. The negotiations are in infant stages, but Apple is reportedly very interested in acquiring the company for its 3-D motion sensor technology.
Apple senior officials also reportedly visited Primesense's headquarters and spent an entire day there, a move which the Israeli newspaper said showed their strong interest in making a deal.
Primesense started with an $85 million venture from investors and, if current reports of the $280 million acquisition hold true, those investors will make their money back with a profit.
Primesense's technology can be found in a number of devices aside from the Xbox 360. Matterport designed a 3-D scanner using the Israeli company's technology capable of generating detailed, color 3-D models of interior spaces.
"Easy to use and portable, it only takes minutes to go from scanning to 'walking' around the 3D model on your computer," the company's website said.
According to TheVerge.com, Primesense is also looking to expand its technology outside of gaming and the living room. The company is reportedly trying to get its technology in ASUS' upcoming WAVI Xtion PC for 3-D games, as well as collaborating with companies in the healthcare, retail and robotics industries.
This is not the first time Apple, or any American company, has acquired an Israeli tech start-up. In January 2012, Apple bought the flash storage company Anobit for $400 million.
Google recently struck a deal to buy the Israeli social navigation maps app creator Waze for $1.3 billion. Google reportedly beat out Facebook and Apple in a bid for the company. However, following an FTC complaint from Consumer Watchdog, the Federal Trade Commission has launched an anti-trust probe into the pending acquisition.
As Israel becomes more and more recognized for its technological advances, various local entrepreneurs are becoming rich and gaining exposure for the country.
"I think it's a big step forward," Erel Margalit, who is also an opposition lawmaker in parliament, told the Associated Press in June. "Israel is no longer just a R&D center. It's a creative hub."
