• by Gavin O'Malley , Staff Writer @mp_gavin, October 17, 2012

Apple has reportedly bought Particle -- a creative consulting start-up, which specializes in Web applications and marketing projects using HTML5.

“The deal went through late last month, though not all its less than a dozen employees stayed on to work at Apple,” CNet reports. “Those who did are listed as ‘creative technologists,’ as well as one ‘user interface engineer,’” according to their LinkedIn profiles.

“Particle has had big-name clients, such as Google, Sony, Motorola, and even Apple, over the years,” 9To5Mac notes. Yet, “the acquisition is said to be for the sole purpose of acquiring talent.”

“Apple has put a big focus on HTML5 on its product pages, iAd advertising, and on iCloud.com, which serves as one of the only places Apple has true Web applications,” CNet writes. “According to Particle's about page, the company had a similar ethos.

Of the rumored deal, Jonny Evans writes in Computerworld: “I think it illustrates a few interesting new elements to Apple’s future plans for mobile devices, apps, software and services.”

Regarding Apple and Particle, Mashable writes: “The two companies appear to have had a good working relationship.” In fact, “Particle notes on its About page that it has ‘great Apple relationships and execution experience around iAds, iTunes Extras and Apple.com.’”

Though it rarely publicizes the moves, Apple is never too far away from an acquisition. As TechCrunch reminds us, “Apple’s other acquisitions this year include mobile security company AuthenTec and app store search and discovery company Chomp.”