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Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit

By | December 13, 2011, 3:36am PST

Summary: Anobit’s Memory Signal Processing technology includes proprietary signal processing algorithms and advanced error correction and innovative flash management schemes.

Apple is reportedly looking to pay $400 million to $500 million for Anobit, an Israeli startup focused on flash memory and digital signal processing technologies.

The deal, reported in Israel’s Calcalist, may indicate that Apple is looking to boost the memory on a device and improve reliability. Here’s the Google Translate version of the Calcalist report.

Anobit’s wares are already integrated on Apple’s iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air. Anobit also has enterprise storage products.

If the deal happens, Anobit will represent one of Apple’s largest acquisitions. Apple has acquired two hardware companies—PA Semi in 2008 and Intrinsity in 2010.

Calcalist speculated that Apple is looking to acquire Anobit to get exclusive access to its flash memory chips. Hynix and Samsung are both Anobit customers.

Anobit’s Memory Signal Processing technology includes proprietary signal processing algorithms and advanced error correction and innovative flash management schemes. The goal is to improve endurance and performance while cutting system costs.


Via TechCrunch

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Topics

Apple Inc., Anobit, Memory, Flash Memory, Semiconductors, Hardware, Components, Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and SmartPlanet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic.

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Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan has nothing to disclose. He doesn’t hold investments in the technology companies he covers.

Biography

Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and SmartPlanet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic. He was most recently Executive Editor of News and Blogs at ZDNet. Prior to that he was executive news editor at eWeek and news editor at Baseline. He also served as the East Coast news editor and finance editor at CNET News.com. Larry has covered the technology and financial services industry since 1995, publishing articles in WallStreetWeek.com, Inter@ctive Week, The New York Times, and Financial Planning magazine. He's a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism and the University of Delaware.

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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
non-biased 20th Dec
@jorjitop He is not only simply anti-Apple, he is simply a moron.
View in thread
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
toddybottom 13th Dec
This is the key sentence:
"Hynix and Samsung are both Anobit customers."

This is all about hurting Samsung. Apple is so anti-competitive.
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
the.nameless.drifter 13th Dec
@toddybottom

This is about Apple trying to control its supply chain and for leverage against its suppliers and competitors. If they have the $$$ and want to buy a supplier fair play, its only if they discriminate against Samsung that its anti-competitive
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And, of course, the only way Apple can buy Anobit is if Anobit
baggins_z 13th Dec
agrees to sell. Funny how everyone seems to forget that part of the equation in their righteous indignations.
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baggins: good point
toddybottom 13th Dec
At least Apple is pretending to be interested in buying Anobit. Apple is now a twice convicted IP thief so this is an improvement on how they have operated up until now where they simply steal the IP they want.
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Because, of course, we all know that the only place you can buy flash
baggins_z 13th Dec
memory is Anobit. And because they are a startup, no one was able to buy flash memory at all before they existed. Any flash memory you may have been told you had before that time is simply the result of mind control implemented by Apple Special Forces.
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
dhmccoy 13th Dec
@toddybottom
Let's say this is true. Apple not wanting to support a company that they feel is ripping them off is anti-competitive?

I can tell you don't own a business. You wouldn't last long buying your competitor's stuff.
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
johnsuarez10 13th Dec
@toddybottom What do you think google does? They are buying tons of companies. So what are you complaining about?
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
jorjitop 13th Dec
@toddybottom
Sounds like you are simply anti-Apple. There is no indication that Apple would not honour existing contracts. And Samsung or Hynix have every possibility to make a counter offer.
0 Votes
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
non-biased 20th Dec
@jorjitop He is not only simply anti-Apple, he is simply a moron.
0 Votes
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
myangeldust 13th Dec
Apple should get a discount on Anobit. The US provides Israel with millions for all sorts of things and they're left with enough money to create these high-tech companies. We're subsidizing this phenomenon. I also doubt that technology can't be bested by an American company. There's NO WAY a country and population that small can come up with all this technology out of thin air. Israeli entrepreneurs are either getting help from external entities or stealing the info to create it themselves.
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
Bates_ 13th Dec
@myangeldust I'll let you in on a secret: They steal it. They steal the technology, tweak it slightly and patent it. Ok well I am speaking for my former company, but I am sure most of these start ups practice this method.
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RE: Apple reportedly eyes Israeli flash memory startup Anobit
trm1945 13th Dec
After a time, Apple's total vertical integration led them to build the finest steam engine in the world.

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