Apple ‘beat Samsung to the punch’ on AuthenTec purchase
News broke earlier today that Apple is buying mobile security company AuthenTec for $365 million. The company makes the majority of its money from fingerprint sensors and various security tools. AuthenTec also made a deal just last week with Samsung to implement its VPN technology in some of its Android devices. Many have speculated why Apple decided to make the purchase, and some point to the possibility of using AuthenTec’s technology in a future wallet solution. A report from ZDnet’s Larry Dignan offers another reason: simply to “beat Samsung to the punch.” Citing a report from analyst Richard Shannon, who recently said AuthenTec’s technology would be critical to Samsung, Dignan explained: