ARM's chips can be found in most of the smartphones on the market. According to the Wallstreet Journal, ARM is in talks of acquiring security company Sansa, expanding past mobile. (via ARM)
ARM holdings, a chip designer company based in Cambridge, England, may be preparing for a new deal. They're looking to acquire Israel based mobile security company, Sansa Security, for between $75 million and $85 million according to The Wallstreet Journal. While ARM designs chips that are found in most smartphones, Sansa provides a security platform for the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as refrigerators and washers and dryers. Everyone is willing to spend huge cash for IoT dominance. Is this enough for ARM?
Recently, ARM announced a new hardware subsystem that will speed up the development of specially made chips for IoT devices. This will work with the company's mbed operating system with the hopes it will power smart devices in the coming years.
Though the two companies seem to have little in common, it's possible ARM is showing an interest in Sansa to complement mbed and its broader chip technology by implanting its security features from the hardware to the software. This means ARM would have a greater advantage in the growing market for chips in IoT devices.
If ARM's deal goes through it will only be just one in the latest of acquiring chip companies. Last week, Avago and Broadcom announced plans to merge in a $37 billion deal. Intel is getting in on it to with a $16.7 billion deal to acquire chipmaker Altera.
Sansa, founded in 2000, has raised over $37 million in investments according to Dow Jones VentureSource. Investors in the company include Accel Partners, Sequoia Capital, Genesis Partners Ltd. and Pitango Venture Capital.
Earlier this month, ARM signed a long-term agreement with Samsung to deliver more captivating and compelling visual experiences for the next generation of smart devices. This new deal allows Samsung to continue making products that address a range of prices and performance points for evolving markets. They're already using ARM's Mali technology in Systems on Chip (SoCs) powering different consumer products.
ARM was founded in 1990 and is the world's leading semiconductor IP company. They have shipped over 60 billion ARM Systems on Chip (SoCs) to date. Their chips can not only be found in most of the smartphones on the market, but also 80% of digital cameras, and 35% of all electronic devices. It seems with this possible deal with Sansa they want to increase those numbers significantly. All not too bad for a company selling a processor design only...
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