Apple has confirmed reports that it has purchased Texan chip manufacturer Intrinsity for an undisclosed sum.
Intrinsity specialises in designing fast chips for mobile devices and streamlining their operations to reduce the power requirements while operating. Apple is thought to have used the company's technology in the A4 processor that powers the iPad.
Profiles of staff at the company on LinkedIn started to change at the beginning of the month, and Apple has now confirmed that it has made the acquisition, but declined to say how much it paid. Analysts estimate around US$120 million (A$129 million).
Apple has been investing heavily in chip technology, buying chip design firm PA Semi in 2008 and recruiting heavily for staff with chip skills.
A rumour that Apple was looking to buy ARM sent the British chip maker's shares soaring, but the chief executive sought to downplay speculation.
Apple is happy to buy its chips for desktop systems from Intel, but is looking, like other mobile manufacturers, to develop its own chips tweaked to give the best possible performance with its software.
Further acquisitions seem likely.
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