iWatch on the way? Apple buys wireless chip maker Passif Semiconductor

Apple has acquired wireless chip manufacturing startup Passif Semiconductor for an undisclosed amount of money, the company confirmed to AllThingsD earlier today.

Passif specializes in producing low-power chips for smaller devices, such as iPhones, iPods, health care devices, and maybe even wearable gadgets like the rumored iWatch that Apple may be producing.

The company’s technology uses a radio that works with a low-energy version of Bluetooth called Bluetooth LE, according to former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin, who first reported the news of Passif being acquired.

While Apple may not be making as many moves as Yahoo, its purchase of Passif is the latest in a string of acquisitions over the last few months. Last week, the company acquired local data management startup Locationary and transit data service HopStop.