Apple buying AuthenTec for about $356 million
The Apple store in Paris sports the company logo on a flag.
/ Stephen Shankland/CNET(CBS/AP) Apple has acquired the fingerprint security company AuthenTec for approximately $356 million as the maker of iPhones and iPads looks to strengthen its digital security capabilities.
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Apple's acquisition comes as consumers use their smartphones for more and more daily activities, including shopping.
"As cell phones become essentially credit cards, consumers will look to secure them in the event of theft or loss. AuthenTec's fingerprint sensors offer one way to secure handsets," said Raymond James analyst J. Steven Smigie.
The tech blog AllThingsD speculates that Apple purchased AuthenTec to secure patent rights, citing a quote from the 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that said: "The Restricted Information may be used solely for the purpose of developing a 2D fingerprint sensor for Apple that is suitable for use in an Apple product."
AuthenTec said Apple Inc. is paying $8 for each of its common shares, a 58 percent premium to their closing price on Thursday.
AuthenTec's stock jumped $3.25, or 64 percent, to $8.32 in Friday afternoon trading, above Apple's offer. That could suggest investors think there will be a higher bid for the company.
The deal was unanimously approved by AuthenTec's board. It still requires approval from a majority of the holders of the Melbourne, Fla., company's stock. AuthenTec has about 44.5 million outstanding shares, according to FactSet.
A higher offer for AuthenTec is possible. In a regulatory filing, AuthenTec said it's not allowed to actively seek out other offers, but it could hold talks with other parties before its stockholders approve Apple's buyout terms.
If AuthenTec does wind up accepting a superior offer, it would have to pay a breakup fee of approximately $11 million.
While Apple said earlier this week that its growth rate slowed in its latest quarter, massive sales of its iPhones and iPads in recent years have made it the world's most valuable company. It's the third-largest maker of cellphones, according to research firm Gartner, and dominates the market for tablet computers.
Apple stock added $7.67, or 1.3 percent, to $582.55.
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It's nice to see Apple go this route, for what it's worth.
Now if only they would get their contracted manufacturer to make the things so they won't overheat to death in 2~3 years via excessive application of thermal grease on the CPU and/or other sloppily or poorly designed/implemented cooling measures. Ever since my 2009 iMac developed screen burn-in problems, I refuse to buy an iMac. MacBook Pros, even the 2012 models, also have too much thermal grease poorly applied... Only the Mac Pro seems to be thoroughly and well-built and Apple's actions have shown they're trying to ditch that model...