Apple splashes out $360m on PrimeSense

Apple has purchased 3D sensor specialist PrimeSense, an Israel-based firm which provided the technology behind Microsoft's Kinect motion sensing device.

The deal is worth $360 million, according to sources. The iPhone maker declined to comment directly on the acquisition, and instead released a generic statement.

"Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," said Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet.

Apple is likely to use the technology within its long-rumoured Apple TV product. With PrimeSense having developed smaller sensors, it's also possible the rumoured iWatch could also utilise gestures.

Primesense's sensor technology was used in the original Microsoft Kinect motion camera for the the Xbox 360. This allowed players to use gestures and voice commands to navigate the interface and play games.

Microsoft has since switched to using its own in-house technology for the the latest version of the Kinect for the newly-launched Xbox One.

This marks Apple's second acquisition of an Israeli company. The vendor purchased Anobit, a firm which designs flash memory controllers, for a reported $500 million in January.