Apple may soon be using micro-LED displays for its next generation of devices as the company quietly confirmed Friday, May 2, that it purchased LuxVue Technology, a low-profile company that has been working on micro-LED screens since it was founded in 2009.
The company sent out a typical no-comment comment to confirm the acquisition.
"Apple buys small technology companies from time to time and we generally do not disclose our purpose or plans," wrote Apple spokesperson Kristin Huguet in an email to Bloomberg.
LuxVue's operations, which are based in Santa Clara, Calif., appear to be mostly under wraps. Little is known about the company, which does not even have a website of its own. Sources familiar with the matter, however, say that LuxVue specializes in the development of battery-saving LED displays for small screen devices, such as an iWatch, for instance.
In December, LuxVue raised $25.2 million in venture capital from various investors, including Kleiner Perkins and iD Ventures. This adds up to a grand total of $46 million in venture capital raised since 2009. Kleiner Perkins currently lists LuxVue's status as "Acquired."
John Doerr, a partner at Kleiner Perkins, came out last year at Disrupt SF saying that LuxVue made a "technical breakthrough in displays," citing the stealth company's micro-LED technology could pave the way for brighter displays that can save more battery.
VentureBeat reports that LuxVue filed several patent applications for LED technology, which can be used to replace the typical LCD screens Apple typically uses for its smartphones and other devices. Micro-LED displays are known to be brighter and more efficient than OLED displays, which are currently the best in screen technology. Long-time Apple rival Samsung's Galaxy S5 uses an OLED screen.
OLEDs, however, prove to be expensive, even for Samsung. LG has come up with a small line of OLED display televisions, but the prices remain above the roof. This is where LuxVue could prove to be useful for Apple, which is rumored to be working on several new products, including a wearable smartband, an Apple TV and a next-generation iPhone.
Kapil Sakariya, LuxVue's vice president of technology, previously worked for Apple as a display architect and iPhones operations and procurement manager before leaving the company to work full-time for LuxVue.
Apple has been acquiring smaller firms left and right for the past 18 months, totaling up to 24 new companies, which include software-makers Burstly and Catch.com and PrimeSense, an Israel-based 3D sensing company.
