Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) took over Swedish firm AlgoTrim, which specializes in algorithms for tasks like compressing images, video, and software, according to a report from Swedish publication Rapidus. Initially, AlgoTrim created algorithms for feature phones but later on advanced to smartphones as well.
Apple confirms the acquisition
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) spokesman Kirstin Huguet confirmed the acquisition to AllThingsD saying, “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.” However, the representative gave no information on the price paid and future plans that the iPhone maker has for AlgoTrim.”
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will certainly draw advantages from the acquisition of AlgoTrim. Apple can reduce the size of software updates as it continuously issues various update for countless apps. Images will be displayed on a screen faster, which will be huge plus for any app with graphics.
About AlgoTrim
According to the Swedish firm’s website, the technology is used for swift decoding of images in Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s gallery app for the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android, and to compress firmware updates for Android phones for other device makers. The technology can be used to provide a clearer picture, with sophisticated lighting.
AlgoTrim has various product offerings for compression and decompression tasks for processing video in real time. “AlgoTrim also provides more advanced imaging solutions such as super resolution and will soon offer other imaging solutions that will bring modern computational photography to mobile devices,” according to the company website.
AlgoTrim was started in 2005, and its product, the Code Compression Library, (designed to reduce the size of mobile device firmware) has been embedded in mobile devices since 2006.
AlgoTrim has two programmers, Chief Software Architect Anders Holtsberg, who holds a Ph.D. in work on signal processing for sonar on submarines, and Chief Technology Officer Martin Lindberg, who researched radar image processing. According to Rapidus, Holtsberg has switched to Silicon Valley and can be reached through Apple’s own central telephone switchboard.
Apple continuing with its acquisition spree
With the acquisition of AlgoTrim, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has extended its acquisition strategy. Companies working in areas such as maps, transit, location and semiconductors have been acquired by Apple recently. The iPhone maker has followed the strategy of taking over low profile companies that look capable of achieving their target. Apple has targeted potential startups, much unlike Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) who has acquired big companies like Instagram, which has the capacity to run on its own.
