Apple has been known to acquire startups and companies over the years as a way to improve their products and services. In the last six years alone, Apple has acquired more than 100 companies [1]. These acquisitions have helped Apple expand into new markets, improve existing products, and develop new ones. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the recent startup acquisitions by Apple and what they mean for the tech giant.
WaveOne – AI-Powered Video Compression Startup
Apple’s acquisition of WaveOne in March 2023 is a significant move for the tech giant [2]. WaveOne was a startup based in Mountain View, California, that developed AI algorithms for video compression. By compressing video files using AI, WaveOne’s technology could potentially enable faster streaming and downloads, which is a key feature for video-based platforms such as Apple TV+.
While Apple has not confirmed the acquisition, WaveOne has confirmed the sale [4]. However, there is no public information available on the financial terms of Apple’s acquisition of WaveOne, as Apple has not released any details about the acquisition [2][4][7]. It is not known how much Apple paid for the startup or how much revenue WaveOne generated before the acquisition. The acquisition is in line with Apple’s long-standing interest in AI and machine learning [6]. With Apple’s strong focus on providing high-quality video content to its users, WaveOne’s technology could provide Apple with a competitive edge by improving the efficiency and speed of video streaming and downloads.
Apple has a history of acquiring startups with expertise in AI and machine learning, such as Turi, XNOR.ai, and Laserlike [6]. With the acquisition of WaveOne, Apple is likely to continue its trend of incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies into its products and services.
AI Music – Personalized Soundtracks and Adaptive Music Startup
In February 2022, Apple acquired AI Music, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized soundtracks and adaptive music [5]. This acquisition could help Apple improve its music recommendation algorithms, leading to a better user experience for its Apple Music subscribers.
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AI Music was founded in 2018 and developed an “Infinite Music Engine” that creates unique background music that can be used in a variety of applications such as gaming, movies, and virtual reality [5]. The technology uses machine learning algorithms to generate music based on a user’s individual preferences, behavior, and context. This acquisition is a clear indication of Apple’s continued investment in AI and machine learning technology, as the company seeks to enhance its music and entertainment offerings.
Turi – Machine Learning Startup
In August 2016, Apple acquired Turi, a Seattle-based machine learning startup [4]. Turi’s technology could potentially help Apple improve its machine learning capabilities and develop new products in this space.
Turi was founded in 2013 and offered a platform for building and deploying machine learning models, as well as tools for data analysis and visualization [3]. The acquisition of Turi was part of Apple’s broader push into the field of artificial intelligence, as the company seeks to integrate AI into its products and services. The acquisition also highlighted Apple’s growing interest in developing products and technologies for the enterprise market. By acquiring Turi, Apple gained access to a talented team of engineers and data scientists, as well as cutting-edge machine learning technology that could potentially be applied to a range of products, including Siri and other voice assistants, as well as augmented and virtual reality experiences.
Previous Acquisitions in the AI Space
Apple has also acquired several other companies in the AI space, including Emotient, Glimpse, RealFace, Shazam, SensoMotoric, Silk Labs, Drive.ai, Laserlike, SpectralEdge, Voysis, and XNOR.ai [6]. These acquisitions could help Apple improve its AI capabilities across various products and services.
Some of these acquisitions, such as Shazam and XNOR.ai, could help Apple improve its voice recognition and natural language processing capabilities . Meanwhile, companies like Silk Labs and Drive.ai could help Apple develop better smart home and autonomous driving technology [6].
Additionally, Apple’s acquisition of Voysis could help the company improve its virtual assistant, Siri. Voysis specialized in developing voice recognition technology for use in virtual assistants, which could help Siri better understand natural language commands and queries [6].
Overall, Apple’s acquisitions in the AI space reinforce the company’s commitment to developing advanced technology and improving its products and services with the help of artificial intelligence.
External Reference
- Apple buys a company every three to four weeks
- Apple acquired a startup using AI to compress videos
- Report: Apple Acquires AI Startup Turi
- Apple acquires AI-powered video compression startup WaveOne
- Apple Acquires AI Music Startup That Can Generate Dynamic Soundtracks
- Apple Bought the Most AI Companies From 2016 to 2020
- Apple acquires a startup that uses AI for video compression