Apple takes £3.2m stake in mobile graphics firm

Posted on 19 Dec 2008 at 09:15

Apple has taken a stake in the UK company that makes the graphics processors for mobile devices.

Imagination Technologies announced that Apple had acquired a 3.6% stake for around £3.2 million and has also licensed the company’s PowerVR technology.

But it seems that one of the two companies—probably Apple, given its predilection for secrecy—doesn’t want anyone to know; the press release announcing the tie-up has since been removed from Imagination’s website.

PowerVR will improve graphics handling on the iPhone and iPod touch, an increasingly important feature give the devices’ perhaps unexpected emergence as a handheld gaming platform.

Apple’s investment is yet further evidence that Apple is looking to increase its control over the hardware that it puts into its mobile devices. Last year it bought PA Semiconductor, a chip designer, in order to develop its own mobile processors.

Author: Simon Aughton

Get more reviews, tutorials and in-depth advice, every month with Computer Shopper.
Click here to try 3 issues for £1

< Previous News : Mobile phones Next >

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to Login or Register to comment.