Samsung Electronics has bought chipmaker CSR's mobile phone connectivity and location technology for $310 million. Samsung said the deal would add more capability to its platforms featuring the application processors that power Apple's iPhone, iPad and its own Galaxy products.

Access to CSR's patents could also serve as a buffer in future patent disputes.

CSR will keep the existing products and revenues, and could now focus its attention on areas where it was already winning, like voice and music and automotive.