Apple Confirms Acquisition of Kinect Co-Creator PrimeSense

Deal said to be worth around $360 million.

Apple has confirmed that it has acquired PrimeSense, the company responsible for the 3D-sensing technology found in the original Kinect for the Xbox 360. It was reported last week that the deal would be worth $345 million, although sources have now told AllThingsD that the purchase was closer to $360 million.

At this point it's unclear what Apple intends to do with PrimseSense's technology, or what products it may or may not end up in. An Apple spokesperson stated, "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans." Since the creation of Kinect, PrimeSense has developed smaller sensors that could be used with tablets, smartphones, all-in-one computers, and laptops—all things that Apple happens to produce.