Apple is apparently looking to acquire Japan-based chip maker for smartphone displays, Renesas SP Drivers. According to a Nikkei report, the Cupertino-based giant is already in talks to buy 55% stake for 50 billion yen ($479 million) in a move that would make it less dependent from some other companies from its supply chain (read: Samsung).
Renesas SP Drivers, which provides controllers for iPhone’s LCD screen, is a joint venture between Japanese Renesas and Sharp, and Taiwanese manufacturer Powerchip. If the deal goes through, Sharp would sell its 25% stake in Renesas SP to Apple on request, after the transaction, while Powerchip will retain 20% of its stake.
This, of course, isn’t the first such acquisition for Apple. In the past, it has bought several companies for iPhone and iPad components, including security firm AuthenTec, semiconductor maker PA Semi, flash-memory maker Anobit, and PrimeSense which develops 3D sensors for motion tracking.
[Via: FoneArena]