Apple has made 26 strategic acquisitions of other companies and start-ups in the past 15 months. This was told by CEO Tim Cook at the annual meeting with shareholders. A year earlier, became aware of the 24 purchases made by Apple and a half years.
Apple, as a rule, does not report their acquisitions. It is currently known about the purchase of these startups: SnappyLabs, Burstly, LuxVue, Camel Audio, Swell, BookLamp, Prss, Spotsetter, Semetric and Beats Electronics. The company uses them to develop their own applications and services for iPhone, iPad or Mac.
In Cupertino traditionally refrained from detailed comments about the transactions limited to the standard response: "Sometimes Apple buys smaller technology companies, but we usually do not discuss these acquisitions and plans for development".
The largest for Apple deal was made in 2014: a $ 3.2 billion manufacturer of audio equipment was purchased Beats Electronics. The company interested in him after the leaders become more familiar with the Beats Music - Online translation service, released earlier this year. On the basis of this technology, Apple is planning to create your own strimingovyh service.
Due to the absorbed companies growing number of employees Apple, which currently exceeds 100 000 people. In 2006, the "apple" corporation employs only 20 000 people at the same total number of employees of Apple staff increased last year.
Apple is actively spending money not only for the purchase of promising start-ups, but also for their own development. In fiscal year 2014 capital expenditures Californian giant amounted to $ 11 billion.