AuthenTec explained

AuthenTec, Inc.
Type:	Public
Traded As:	NASDAQ:
Industry:	Semiconductor, computer security, mobile security, biometrics, identity management
Fate:	Acquired by Apple Inc.^[1] ^[2] ^[3]
Predecessor:	Division of Harris Semiconductor Corporation
Location City:	Melbourne, Florida
Location Country:	United States
Area Served:	Worldwide
Products:	Mobile security solutions, biometrics technology
Parent:	Apple Inc.

AuthenTec, Inc. was a semiconductor, computer security, mobile security, identity management, biometrics, and touch control solutions company based in Melbourne, Florida. Founded in 1998 after being spun off from Harris Semiconductor, AuthenTec provided mobile security software licenses to mobile manufacturing companies, and biometrics sensor technology, such as fingerprint sensors and NFC technology to mobile and computer manufacturers.^{[4] [5]} On 27 July 2012, AuthenTec was acquired by Apple Inc. for $356 million.^[6]

History

• In 1998, AuthenTec was spun off from parent company Harris Semiconductor.
• On 27 June 2007, AuthenTec became a publicly traded company.
• On 2 May 2008, AuthenTec acquired EzValidation.^[7]
• On 14 July 2009, AuthenTec acquired Atrua Technologies for $5m.^[8]
• On 26 February 2010, AuthenTec acquired SafeNet's Embedded Security Solutions division.^[9]
• On 7 September 2010, AuthenTec merged with UPEK.^[10]
• On 2 August 2011, AuthenTec began collaborating with NXP Semiconductors and mobile payment software firm DeviceFidelity to provide a combination of wireless chips, sensors, mobile applications and micro-SD cards to manufacturers and mobile network carriers of Android devices to support NFC mobile payments and transportation check-ins.^[11]
• On 27 July 2012, AuthenTec was acquired by Apple Inc. for $356M.^[6]

Products and services

• TruePrint smart sensors
• TrueSuite identity management software
• TrueProtect embedded security products (formerly SafeNet Embedded Security Solutions)
• Touch ID

Notes and References

1. Web site: Apple states they Buy Innovation not Competitors as it's Revealed that they've Acquired Mobeewave to Bolster Apple Pay Services. 2020-08-25. Patently Apple.
2. Web site: Earley. Kelly. 2020-05-14. 8 interesting Apple acquisitions from the last decade. 2020-08-25. Silicon Republic.
3. Web site: Brian. Matt. 2012-08-16. Why Apple Bought AuthenTec: It Needed NFC Fingerprint Sensors, Quickly. 2020-08-25. The Next Web.
4. Web site: Gupta. Poornima. Apple buys mobile security firm AuthenTec for $356 million. Reuters. Thomson Reuters. 26 September 2013. Carew, Sinead. 27 July 2012.
5. Web site: Price. Wayne T.. Fla. company's fingerprints all over iPhone security. USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network. 26 September 2013. 11 September 2013.
6. Web site: Form 8-K: Authentec, Inc. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 26 September 2013. 26 July 2012.
7. Web site: AuthenTec acquires EzValidation software assets. 2021-03-03. bizjournals.com.
8. Web site: AuthenTec Acquires Atrua's Assets. 2021-03-03. FierceElectronics. 15 July 2009.
9. Web site: AuthenTec buys SafeNet's Embedded Security Solutions Division Uncategorized News. 19 January 2012 . 2021-03-03.
10. Web site: AuthenTec and UPEK Announce Merger. Business Wire. 26 September 2013. 7 September 2010.
11. Web site: Woyke. Elizabeth. Can Fingerprint Sensors Convince People To Use 'Mobile Wallets'?. Forbes. 26 September 2013. 2 August 2011.