Apple possibly acquiring Sony, EA?

[Phaze]

The US stock market is alive with rumours that Apple is about to launch an unprecedented acquisition - with Sony and EA just two of gaming's mentioned targets.

Apple has $51 billion cash to spend - and, last week, Steve Jobs hinted at where that might go.


"We strongly believe that one or more very strategic opportunities may come along, that we can take, that we're in a unique position to take advantage of because of our strong cash position," he told investors.

"So I think that we would like to continue to keep our powder dry because we do feel that there are one or more strategic opportunities in the future."

Could those "strategic opportunities" include the purchase of a video games company?

Some on Wall Street obviously think so.

Kaufman Brothers have tipped EA, Netflix and even Facebook as targets.

But it today emerged that financial wires have also nodded to Adobe, Disney and - wait for it - Sony.

Leading financial magazine Barron's is reportedly suggesting that Apple faces "speculation that it could acquire Adobe Systems, Sony, or even Walt Disney".

Just imagine. It sounds crazy.

But $51 billion and no debt is an enviable position - particularly when you consider that, for its last fiscal year to March 31, 2010, Sony announced a net loss of 40.8 billion yen ($440 million dollars).

The Japanese hardware giant is estimated to have a Market Cap value in the region of $40 billion - comfortably in Apple's price range.

Something massive could be a'brewing. Stay tuned.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=271625

I smell an imminent Mircosoft takedown, as far as gaming goes. Apple may have learned that an enemy of their enemy is their friend. Thoughts?

[S Carver Orne]

I doubt they could kill M$. But I also can't see Sony selling. I could definitely see a business partnership forming between Apple and SOE, and EA to a lesser degree, but acquisition? No, I don't see that being realistic, IMO.

[MFD]

Microsoft going down is a fucking ridiculous idea. This kind of acquisition would Apple right into the traditional gaming fray, but in the near-term (1-5 years) it's really just a matter of who owns who; it's not like them buying Sony or EA would result in an immediate iConsole.

[Edmaster]

You mean an iStation.

Or an iBox.

iii?

[MFD]

Definitely iii.

[Phaze]

I doubt they could kill M$. But I also can't see Sony selling. I could definitely see a business partnership forming between Apple and SOE, and EA to a lesser degree, but acquisition? No, I don't see that being realistic, IMO.

Realistically I could see Apple acquiring EA. Possibly a partnership with Microsoft. But if Apple acquires EA, that's no more EA Sports for Xbox.

Microsoft going down is a fucking ridiculous idea. This kind of acquisition would Apple right into the traditional gaming fray, but in the near-term (1-5 years) it's really just a matter of who owns who; it's not like them buying Sony or EA would result in an immediate iConsole.

I know that. I'm saying they would really give Microsoft a run for their money.

[MFD]

Realistically I could see Apple acquiring EA. Possibly a partnership with Microsoft. But if Apple acquires EA, that's no more EA Sports for Xbox.



I'd say you're dead wrong there. And miss out on all that revenue? You're fucking crazy. DoJ would be up their ass, too, the way this administration is treating Apple et al.


I know that. I'm saying they would really give Microsoft a run for their money.

Well, if they acquired Sony, then duh, they just acquired one of its top competing consoles. But multi-console homes are becoming more and more common, so competition ain't what it used to be, there. Everyone is doing well.

[Phaze]

I'd say you're dead wrong there. And miss out on all that revenue? You're fucking crazy. DoJ would be up their ass, too, the way this administration is treating Apple et al.


Well, if they acquired Sony, then duh, they just acquired one of its top competing consoles. But multi-console homes are becoming more and more common, so competition ain't what it used to be, there. Everyone is doing well.

Damn typo, I meant to say partners with Sony. I'm way too tired for this crap. And that's a good point with multiconsoling. I wonder, however, if people would be more inclined to by a sony product if it also had Apple's name/brand on it? iStation 4, you never know.

[MFD]

I think that would be pushing it, even for Apple. They're different segments of the population, I'd wager. Folks more game inclined are more apt to using PCs. Macs are for "artsy" folks or those retarded to use PCs.

[Dr. L]

The Playpad.

[Tonus]

The Playpad.
Hugh Hefner invented that long before computers were even mainstream.

[Phaze]

I think that would be pushing it, even for Apple. They're different segments of the population, I'd wager. Folks more game inclined are more apt to using PCs. Macs are for "artsy" folks or those retarded to use PCs.

That's Mac computers. But there are millions out there that know "Apple iPod", and the name carries some weight with them. It's all about the branding. Heck, they might not even make a console, they could collaborate on some mobile gaming expidenture, slap the name iPod on it, and make millions.

[MFD]

That's Mac computers. But there are millions out there that know "Apple iPod", and the name carries some weight with them. It's all about the branding. Heck, they might not even make a console, they could collaborate on some mobile gaming expidenture, slap the name iPod on it, and make millions.
The i-prefix is branded as trendy and artsy. Could they kill it mobile? I suppose. They don't need to acquire anyone to do so, however.

[Edmaster]

They could make a video game console with iPads or iPhones as controllers. Basically like what the Playstation does but trendier and therefore more successfully.

[Nyarlathotep]

Apple’s moves in recent years make it clear they want to move into the “living room” (or whatever the modern equivalent is) in an unified entertainment capacity. Sony has tried this, but failed. In that way they have a similar long term goal.

Culturally, the companies are far, far apart. Cannot think of a technology Sony has which Apple would covet for that price tag — manufacturing? distribution chains?

It is clear Apple wants & needs chip making capacity of its own. Guess Sony could offer that, but imagine there would be less pricey options.

Macs & computers are not what has been floating the company. They have gone as far as to remove “computer” from the company name some time ago. iPod, iPad, and iPhone sales have made insane amounts of money. Their desire for custom chips would be for those devices.

Enough that M$ is a desperate late entrant in that market hoping to buy a share (a la the huge losses they took for the Xbox). Take on M$? Why bother with that their prime market—computers; which even IBM exitted.

It’d be interesting to see what develops.