Apple plans to buy Israeli flash memory maker Anobit

Apple is in talks to acquire Israeli fabless semiconductor maker Anobit for 400 million to 500 million U.S. dollars, U.S. media reported on Tuesday. Apple is likely interested in Herzliya Pituach, Israel-based Anobit for an exclusive access to its embedded flash controllers which can significantly boost memory performance of smartphones and tablet computers, said technology news site TechCrunch, citing Calcalist, an Israeli newspaper in Hebrew which first reported the possible acquisition. Apple already uses Anobit's technology in iPhone, iPad and the MacBook Air. If the deal works out, it could be Apple's largest acquisition ever, surpassing its 404 million-dollar purchase of NeXT in 1997. It could also become Apple's first acquisition in Israel and the first with Tim Cook as the chief executive officer of the company since its iconic leader Steve Jobs passed away in early October.