Apple buys start-up that helps developers test applications

Apple confirmed it had gone shopping and purchased a California start-up, Burstly, which facilitates testing of software applications for developers. The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that Apple did not disclose a price for the company. The company allows developers access to more potential users for beta tests. Recently, however, it canceled its TestFlight option for devices that use the Android operating system, the Times said. Apple is known for making relatively small acquisitions, spending $345 million in one deal in 2013 -- its biggest purchase of the year -- for a company that makes semi-conductors. With a large pile of cash on its books, however, Apple has gone shopping more often. It spent $525 million on acquisitions in the final three months of the year, Apple said in a regulator filing.