Apple has indeed purchased flash memory design firm Anobit, the company said on Wednesday. Speaking to Bloomberg, Apple spokesperson Steve Dowling confirmed the widespread reports that began in December, but declined to comment further. "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," Dowling said.

News of the Anobit acquisition initially came via Israeli newspaper Calcalist last month, which reported that Apple's head of research and development visited Anobit's headquarters. The company reportedly told its staff of the acquisition soon thereafter. Apple allegedly purchased the firm for $500 million—its most expensive acquisition since Apple acquired NeXT in 1996—showing Apple's commitment to solid-state flash storage.

Apple was already using Anobit-designed DSP chips in its iPhones, iPads, and MacBook Air in order to extend the life of the devices' NAND flash chips, which is Anobit's specialty. (Chris Foresman discussed why the acquisition makes sense last month; check it out for more detail.) When speaking to Bloomberg, Dowling did not confirm the supposed $500 million purchase price, nor did he confirm whether Apple was building an R&D center in Israel. Still, with Anobit under its wings, Apple is clearly preparing to move forward with its flash-based device designs in 2012 and beyond.

Update: Bloomberg has updated its piece to say that the purchase price ended up being $390 million, according to "people familiar with the purchase."