Report: Apple Eyeing Flash-Memory Maker Anobit

Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire Anobit, developer of a NAND flash controller technology that dramatically enhances flash chip performance. Price? $400 million to $500 million, according to Israel’s Calcalist, which broke the story.

Apple already uses Anobit’s technology in the iPhone, iPad and the MacBook Air, so the company’s interest here is clear: Own and control the technologies critical to those products, particularly if they further differentiate them from the competition.

The acquisition, if it closes, would be Apple’s first in Israel and, potentially, its largest ever, surpassing its $404 million purchase of NeXT in 1997.

Reached for comment, Apple declined, citing its policy of ignoring rumors and speculation.