Tech giant Apple has confirmed - in a recent statement to TechCrunch - that it has acquired BookLamp --- the Boise, Idaho-based start-up which, through its Book Genome Project, makes recommendations to readers on the basis of unique algorithms that integrate search titles.

Despite the fact that Apple has not made any disclosure about the price it paid for acquiring BookLamp, TechCrunch has revealed that the company apparently paid up to $15 million for acquiring BookLamp and its 10 employees.

Though Apple's BookLamp purchase has been confirmed to TechCrunch recently, the acquisition actually took place in April this year, when BookLamp had announced in a statement published on its website that it was shutting down. The startup had not given any reason its immediate close.

The evident objective behind Apple's decision to acquire BookLamp is to bring about an improvement in its iBooks service, as well as to enable readers find more book titles in accordance with their interests.

However, Apple itself is yet to officially divulge its end-game with BookLamp, though the toolsets offered by the startup can unfold a number of possibilities from advertising options, tailored book "Playlists" and smart recommendations.