Apple and Samsung supplier of motion sensor chips InvenSense explores sale

InvenSense Inc, a US chip maker of motion sensors for Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co, is exploring strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, Reuters reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The news comes just two days after Qualcomm Inc, the world's biggest chip maker, struck a deal to buy its smaller rival NXP Semiconductors NV for $39 billion, in the biggest-ever deal in the semiconductor industry. (See: Qualcomm to buy NXP Semiconductors for $39 bn) California-based InvenSense is working with an investment bank to explore its options, and Chinese and Japanese companies are among interested suitors, the report said.

With a market cap of $680 million, InvenSense is a provider of motion tracking sensor system on chip (SoC) for consumer electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, wearables, gaming devices, optical image stabilization, and remote controls for Smart TVs.

InvenSense motion controller is in Nintendo Wii game controller and the Oculus Rift DK1, while its motion controllers are in the Samsung Galaxy smartphones and the Apple iPhone 6.