Apple has acquired FoundationDB, a firm that specialises in NoSQL databases. The move is seen as a strategic step towards enhancing Apple’s cloud services, which currently lag behind competitors such as Amazon and Google. FoundationDB’s technology offers high-speed data processing, a feature that could significantly improve the performance of iCloud and iTunes.
The acquisition could also potentially impact the broader NoSQL market. FoundationDB’s software was previously available for free, but Apple has since removed it from download, causing concern among existing users. The company’s decision to pull the software suggests that it intends to use the technology exclusively, rather than develop it for wider commercial use.
Peter Goldmacher, a former Wall Street analyst, has suggested that Apple’s move could trigger a wave of similar acquisitions as companies rush to secure their own NoSQL solutions. He also predicted that Apple’s entry into the NoSQL market could drive up the price of other NoSQL companies, as the tech giant’s presence validates the technology’s value.
Despite the potential benefits, the acquisition is not without risk. Apple’s decision to restrict access to FoundationDB’s software could alienate the open-source community, which traditionally values collaboration and free access to technology.
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