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Sarah Tew/CNET
Apple may have quietly acquired a small audio developer, according to filings with a UK government agency.
Companies House, the UK’s corporation-listing entity, on Monday published a new address for Camel Audio that matches Apple’s UK headquarters. In addition, the company’s director is now listed as Heather Joy Morrison, who according to her LinkedIn page, serves as senior counsel in Europe for Apple’s iTunes platform.
Macrumors earlier reported on the story, citing changes made to Camel Audio documents through Companies House.
UK-based Camel Audio’s software, including Alchemy, offers virtual synthesizers and sound effects.
Last month, Camel Audio abruptly announced that it was closing up shop and redirected its website to its support page. In a statement last month, Camel Audio didn’t provide a reason for the closure but thanked its customers “for the support we’ve received over the years in our efforts to create instruments and effects plug-ins and sound libraries.”
Circumstantial evidence aside, if Apple did in fact acquire Camel Audio, all of the pieces seem to be lining up. When Apple acquires a small company, it typically shutters the existing operation and allows for little to no details on why it’s happening. Apple also tends to go dark on the announcement, preferring instead to leave the speculation to consumers, reporters and analysts. And when a small firm is acquired, the deal is unlikely to be considered material and thus require any formal announcement to investors.
If Apple has indeed acquired Camel Audio, it would make sense to eventually see the company’s software find its way to Apple’s consumer-focused music-maker GarageBand or the more professionally minded Logic Pro X.
Responding to a request for comment, an Apple spokesman said “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”
Camel Audio did not respond to a request for comment.
