According to a new report from Israeli business newspaper Calcalist ( via 9to5Mac ), Apple has begun hiring for its research and development center in Haifa, Israel with a goal of opening the center by the end of February. The report claims that Apple has already received "several hundred resumes" from engineers looking to work in the new center, which is being headed up by Apple's newly-hired Israeli high-tech executive Aharon Aharon . The report notes that is likely to set up its research center near existing facilities run by Intel, Microsoft, and Phillips, with Apple seeking expertise in chip development, specifically with electrical circuits and hardware testing and verification

Bloomberg reports that Apple has confirmed last month's news from Israel that the company had acquired flash memory firm Anobit. The confirmation came in the form of Apple's standard boilerplate statement used in addressing acquisitions, and did not include details on the purchase or Apple's plans for the company. Steve Dowling, a spokesman for Cupertino, California-based Apple, said today that the purchase had been made, while declining to elaborate.

News emerged earlier this week that Apple had acquired Israel-based fabless chip maker Anobit for as much as $500 million .

News emerged earlier this week that Apple had acquired Israel-based fabless chip maker Anobit for as much as $500 million .

Israeli newspaper Calcalist reports [ Google translation ] that Apple has finalized its previously-rumored acquisition of flash memory firm Anobit, with company executives having gathered employees to share the news. According to the report, Apple is paying $400-500 million for the Israeli firm.

The Israeli business publication Calcalist reported this week that Apple plans to site an innovation center (translation, original here ) in the northern Israel city of Haifa, close to the country's leading technical university.