Apple (News - Alert) has bought Israel’s Anobit, a maker of flash storage technology, for a reported $400 to $500 million. According to Israel’s Calcalist, Anobit informed it’s employees that Apple had made an offer and that is had accepted. Once the deal closed, Apple would solely own Anobit. The deal is one of only four hardware acquisitions Apple has made over the past 20 years.

Currently, Anobit’s flash memory technology can be found in Apple products such as the iPhone (News - Alert), iPad, and MacBook Air – who all rely on solid state (rather than mechanical disk) memory. The advantage to flash over disk storage is that it’s faster and generates less heat. However, the disadvantage is it’s more expensive.

The acquisition reinforces Apple’s growing commitment to flash memory, which the company has gradually been using to replace their hard drives and mass storage for years. Apple is currently, the world’s largest reatailer for flash consumer products.

GiaOm’s Erica Ogg said this is where Anobit comes in. “Anobit makes flash memory devices that can use the popular Multi Level Cell (MLC) flash-based solid-state drivers. Consumer devices use MLC flash because it’s cheaper, but it is also generally less reliable than the more common Single Level Cell flash drives. Anobit’s technology makes MLC more reliable,” said Ogg.

Anobit has developed a chip that enhances flash drive performance through signal processing. Last week, Calcalist said Apple was interested in the technology to increase and enhance the memory volume and performance of its devices.

Anobit explained further saying, “MSP enables SLC endurance and performance with MLC NAND, and MLC endurance and performance with TLC NAND, resulting in a significant reduction in cost per-bit,” said Anobit.

Apple has not confirmed the acquisition. However, one stakeholder might have given it away. The Israel Minister’s Twitter (News - Alert) Account, run by the new Media Director Dr. Eitan Eliram, welcomed Apple into Israel. The tweet this morning read, Welcome to Israel, Apple Inc., on your 1^st acquisition here. I’m certain that you’ll benefit from the fruit of the Israeli knowledge,” said the Prime Minister.

Rumors are also circulating that Apple will build a research center in Israel, its first facility outside of the United States.