Apple did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

The acquisition will make Apple a provider of the technology it created in the mid-1990s, and pushed the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to adopt as the IEEE 1394 standard. FireWire is a high-speed serial input/output technology for connecting digital devices such as digital camcorders and cameras to desktop and portable computers. The FireWire technology -- with broad support among consumers and professionals -- is considered a key aspect of Apple's Digital Hub strategy.

Zayante, founded in 1996, provides silicon and software to semiconductor manufacturers and manufacturers of consumer and computing products like Sony, Canon, JVC and Kodak.

"By acquiring Zayante, Apple is extending its commitment to FireWire as the premiere, high-speed digital interface solution," said Jon Rubinstein, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. "FireWire is the best technology to connect digital devices that need to transfer lots of data quickly -- such as transferring an entire CD from Mac to your iPod in less than a second."

Apple said Zayante President and Chief Executive Officer Prashant Kanhere will join it to promote the adoption of FireWire technology.