2. Image credit: Apple.
Camel Audio
Earlier this year, Apple acquired music plug-in and audio effects maker, Camel
Audio. The company made the popular Alchemy software, which included
synthesizers, effects, plug-ins, and other music editing features. Evidence of
the purchase was noticeable in GarageBand’s update over the summer, which
sported new synths and some new controls that looked very similar to Camel
Audio’s Alchemy mobile app.
Image credit: Apple.
3. Semetric
Semetric is an analytics company that scans the Internet and determines
which entertainment content is trending. The company takes into account
peer-to-peer networks, social media interactions, and online content to
determine which music, film, television, gaming, and eBooks have the most
engagement. With Apple Music, iBooks, and Apple’s recent focus on television
programming, it’s no surprise why Apple would want an entertainment
analytics company all for itself.
Image credit: Semetric.
4. The Virginia-based noSQL database startup created a way for companies to process
massive amounts of data, extremely fast. The 40-person company was snatched up by
Apple back in March, likely for speeding up Apple’s iMessage processing, iTunes
logins, the iAd platform, and other services. Aside from quicker database processing
speeds, FoundationDB’s tech also allows Apple to go through more data with less
hardware, making it less expensive to run.
FoundationDB
Image credit: Apple.
5. LinX, based in Israel, made camera modules for tablets and smartphones. The
company used sensors to capture multiple images at once, for effects like
focus blur and 3D pictures. The acquisition could bring DSLR-quality images
to Apple’s next iPhone. Image credit: Apple.
LinX
6. Coherent Navigation
San Francisco-based Coherent Navigation developed high-end satellite GPS
technology for Boeing and worked on projects with the Defense Department. Apple
could use the talent from Coherent to improve the accuracy of Apple Maps, or even
use some of the technology in its rumored Apple Car.
Image credit: Apple.
7. Augmented reality company Metaio was picked up by Apple this year and
could boost the iMaker’s position in the fast-growing space. Metaio made
augmented reality mobile applications that projected virtual imagery over real-
time and real-word images. Apple has already patented a virtual reality
headset for use with its iPhones, and this may be another piece of the puzzle
for Apple’s virtual and augmented reality ambitions.
Metaio
Image credit: USPTO.
8. Mapsense
Back in September, Apple purchased this San Francisco-based mapping data
and visualization company for about $25 million. The purchase could help
improve Apple’s mapping service, boost mobile advertising options, or simply
help Apple visualize its own map data better.
Image credit: Apple.
9. Recently, Apple purchased the natural language speech recognition company
VocalIQ. The company’s platform actively learns, as opposed to just listens,
and understands a user’s request a little bit better each time it’s used.
Improving Siri is the most obvious application of the acquisition, but Apple
could also use the tech in smart homes, the Apple Watch, or future voice-
based products.
VocalIQ
10. Perceptio
Towards the end of fiscal 2015, Apple acquired the deep learning artificial intelligence
company Perceptio, which allows mobile apps to run advanced artificial intelligence
without collecting lots of user data. The company was previously working on image
classification features for its system, which Apple could use on future iPhones and
iPads.
Image credit: Apple.
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