AuthenTec, a mobile security firm specializing in fingerprint recognition, had just inked a deal with Samsung -- only to be bought weeks later by Apple for $365 million, according to Reuters.
AuthenTec makes fingerprint sensor chips used for secure identification purposes, according to TechCrunch. Employers facing a revolt of "By Your Own Devices" to work use security tech like this to protect their data systems.
The patent battle (which heats up Monday) over smartphone technology might play into this purchase as it's unclear is Samsung's deal with AuthenTec for the Android platform will stay in place.
The SEC filing indicates Apple pays $20 million for "non-exclusive licenses and other rights" and another $115 million to license "certain hardware technology" as well as patents. That could indicate it's taking its security tech off the market.
Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned on this week's earnings call that the trend for businesses to use iOS devices is in a "rapid adoption" cycle -- meaning more and more IT workers have to worry over securing employees' devices and protect intellectual property.
The 8-K indicates Apple will pay $7.5 million for additional development of existing technologies. That could mean a more rapid adoption, itself, of the security technology into iOS.
