Sony has agreed to purchase Altair Semiconductor for $212 million in a move meant to help shore up its chip business. Sony has invested heavily in building production capacity to meet demand for mobile components, such as smartphone camera sensors.
Altair, based in Israel, develops radios to connect small devices to mobile networks. Sony hasn’t said what it will do with Altair’s technology. It expects the deal to close in February.
In other Sony news, the company today announced the launch of Sony Interactive Entertainment, a combination of its Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Network Entertainment business units. Sony Interactive will focus on the company’s PlayStation gaming and media platform.
The business will be based in San Mateo, Calif.
