I suspect there are more people setting foot within the Apple Store Regent Street alone than in all the Sony Centres in London put together!
Sony had a showcase store in the Metreon Center in San Francisco. Lots of shiny gear, but it was over-priced and always empty. They shut it down a few years back.
Sony's TTM revenues is $89 billion and Apple's is now $65 billion. Sony has 172,000 employees while Apple has around 34,000. Sony's net income was a measly $270 million (0.3% net margin) for the TTM while Apple's was $14 billion (21.5%). That's nearly 52 times more earnings for Apple on far less revenues. Why in the heck would Apple want to take on this kind of grotesquely bloated dinosaur? Plus, Japan would never allow it to happen. Even minority stakes investment makes no sense. Sony's stock price is about the same as it was 5 years ago. What return will Apple get for investing in Sony?
See my above post. Here's a more simplified version of what they could gain:
1. Movie studios (Columbia Pictures, MGM, Sony Pictures Classics, Screen Gems)
2. Sony Records (multiple labels, including Jive and Columbia Records, which include artists like Beyonce and Justin Timberlake)
3. Televisions (for the rumored all-in-one Apple TV)
4. Surround sound audio systems (to sell with Apple TV's)
As noted above, purchasing just the television and entertainmemt divisions of Sony could fulfill Apple's goals.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexkhan2000
Sony's TTM revenues is $89 billion and Apple's is now $65 billion. Sony has 172,000 employees while Apple has around 34,000. Sony's net income was a measly $270 million (0.3% net margin) for the TTM while Apple's was $14 billion (21.5%). That's nearly 52 times more earnings for Apple on far less revenues. Why in the heck would Apple want to take on this kind of grotesquely bloated dinosaur? Plus, Japan would never allow it to happen. Even minority stakes investment makes no sense. Sony's stock price is about the same as it was 5 years ago. What return will Apple get for investing in Sony?
I heard that Sony's market cap is around $30 billion. With Apple's ~$50 billion cash on hand, that's enough for Apple to theoretically buy the company, apparently. You do have a point about Japanese approval. Only buying certain Sony divisions would fix that problem, and also reduce the price.
Now we are getting somewhere. Sony owns content that Apple licenses. Apple owning content eases negotiation processes with at least one major record company, and one movie studio -- they own the studio and the record labels! Additionally, Apple owning Sony Entertainment creates incredible incentive for music artists to sign with a Sony/Apple music label, as they will always have iTunes access.
Apple doesn't license this content from Sony, they retail it. Apple owning content creates a huge disincentive for other content owners to allow Apple to retail their products. They're having problems enough now. You suggestion makes it close to impossible. One step forward, five steps backwards.
See my above post. Here's a more simplified version of what they could gain:
1. Movie studios (Columbia Pictures, MGM, Sony Pictures Classics, Screen Gems)
2. Sony Records (multiple labels, including Jive and Columbia Records, which include artists like Beyonce and Justin Timberlake)
3. Televisions (for the rumored all-in-one Apple TV)
4. Surround sound audio systems (to sell with Apple TV's)
As noted above, purchasing just the television and entertainmemt divisions of Sony could fulfill Apple's goals.
I heard that Sony's market cap is around $30 billion. With Apple's ~$50 billion cash on hand, that's enough for Apple to theoretically buy the company, apparently. You do have a point about Japanese approval. Only buying certain Sony divisions would fix that problem, and also reduce the price.
Yes, Apple could buy a lot of companies with $51 billion but doing so has to make business sense - both short-term and long-term. Most major M&A's fail. That has proven to be the case time and time again. What looks good on paper normally doesn't pan out in reality. And it would be even more so for a company with as unique of a culture as Apple's.
Regarding Sony's content assets, Disney would make more sense but I really don't see why Apple needs to own content of a few studios and media companies when Apple is trying to court all of them to provide media for Apple's iTunes and iOS devices. Apple would be competing with other media companies that Apple wants on their side.
As for the rumored Apple HDTV set, Sony is already an established brand. What would be the point of removing the Sony logo and putting the Apple logo on one? They could have many other TV set makers just build one for Apple without owning Sony. Also, I don't think an Apple TV set really makes that much sense either to begin with when a continually improving set-top box will do. Just how important is it to have the Apple logo on the TV set?
If Apple decides they need an audio system (which I highly doubt), they could spend far less on a company like Bose. But then, why would Apple want to compete with other audio system makers that they're partnering with to put in AirPlay in all of their future systems as an industry standard?
If Apple wanted to just cherry-pick certain businesses and assets of Sony, they'd have to divest a whole bunch (a great majority) of the remaining businesses that are not profitable and that just do not fit into where Apple is going. That would mean selling those assets off to Sony's competitors and laying off many tens of thousands of employees. It would end up looking like a fire sale of what was once the prime symbol of Japan's rise as an economic superpower. No, Japan wouldn't have any of that.
Apple would have a huge problem on their hands with Apple Records, if I'm not mistaken. Isn't their agreement intact where Apple is not allowed to enter into the music business? Sony's music division would create quite a headache for them.
Nope - you must have missed this:
Quote:
On 5 February 2007, Apple Inc. and Apple Corps announced a settlement of their trademark dispute under which Apple Inc. will own all of the trademarks related to ?Apple? and will license certain of those trademarks back to Apple Corps for their continued use. The settlement ends the ongoing trademark lawsuit between the companies, with each party bearing its own legal costs, and Apple Inc. will continue using its name and logos on iTunes. The settlement includes terms that are confidential, although newspaper accounts at the time stated that Apple Computer was buying out Apple Corps' trademark rights for a total of $500 million U.S.[13]
How about thinking beyond the final product. Sony is a key R&D, supplier and manufacture of many components. Display panels, chips...etc also Apple would acquire all of Sony's IP
It may be a good move for Apple. Especially since they are not a "Computer" company anymore.
Exactly. I had the same reaction when I heard about this, but the more I think about it, the more I think it makes sense.
I could see Apple divesting themselves of the parts of Sony that don't make sense - much like Jobs dramatically simplified the Mac line to the infamous four square box upon his return to Apple.
And integration of Apple technologies with Sony products is brilliant - who wouldn't love an iOS mulit-touch car stereo that syncs with your house when you park your car in the garage? Would make the Microsoft Sync stuff that Ford is pushing (which is pretty cool, don't get me wrong) pale in comparison.
I see lots if interesting synergy - and not just from component parts. Isn't the new chip for the main camera in the iPhone 4 from Sony? And replacing GoogleTV with Apple TV would be delicious too
In some aspects, it makes sense. I can see Apple having a need to make better cameras for their hardware. Sony would fill that need. Movies and music rights and such? Sony would fill that need. Finally getting Blu-Ray into their computers? Sony would fill that too.
But Sony also has the PlayStation, TV and other productions and so much more and I doubt Apple wants all that.
I think this will just remain a rumor. I can't see any truth to this.
Apple doesn't license this content from Sony, they retail it. Apple owning content creates a huge disincentive for other content owners to allow Apple to retail their products. They're having problems enough now. You suggestion makes it close to impossible. One step forward, five steps backwards.
Not quite. First off, there's a similar argument with the Comcast/NBC merger -- why put ABC, FOX, and CBS content on Comcast? But it looks like the FCC will let the merger go through. Obviously they're not worried, there, and why should they? Comcast customers will continue to want their other local channels, and if they don't get them, they'll go to a competing cable or satellite company.
Second: Sure, Apple "retails" music and movies on iTunes. But what I'm saying is that in order to retail it, an agreement has to be made between Apple and the content providers on how much Apple can sell the content for, how much the labels get, etc. Any musician who signs with an Apple-owned Sony Records would know that Apple would never stop selling their music on iTunes, because of a contract dispute between Apple and an outside content provider. There's a lot of peace of mind there.
iTunes is the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Appx. half of all modern music sales is from iTunes, and more and more movie purchases go through iTunes; you have to sell through them, especially music. If other content providers don't make a deal with Apple, they lose a lot of profit. Read what happened to Rubbermaid when they couldn't get a deal with WalMart in the 90's. Same thing here. Apple would have the leverage, and there's nothing Warner Records or 20th Century Fox could do about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alexkhan2000
Yes, Apple could buy a lot of companies with $51 billion but doing so has to make business sense - both short-term and long-term. Most major M&A's fail. That has proven to be the case time and time again. What looks good on paper normally doesn't pan out in reality. And it would be even more so for a company with as unique of a culture as Apple's.
You bring up a good point. When I first heard this story, the first thing I thought was a shocked, "What?!" It made no sense to me, either. I'm still not convinced that a purchase of Sony would be a good one. But what do I know? I'm not Steve. Maybe he sees something I don't. But usually, these kind of purchases don't work. (How lucky does Microsoft feel for not purchasing Yahoo?)
That said, if Steve purchases Adobe, then I would believe he went off the deep end.
Quote:
Regarding Sony's content assets, Disney would make more sense
Disney is an even bigger and more complex corporate conglomerate. Which parts would be important for Apple? Besides, Sony offers television IP that Disney can't offer.
Quote:
As for the rumored Apple HDTV set, Sony is already an established brand. What would be the point of removing the Sony logo and putting the Apple logo on one? They could have many other TV set makers just build one for Apple without owning Sony. Also, I don't think an Apple TV set really makes that much sense either to begin with when a continually improving set-top box will do. Just how important is it to have the Apple logo on the TV set?
You do make a good point about simply making their own IPS-based LCD display and contracting Samsung or LG to make it. That would be the route I would take, and it's the route Steve has taken for iPhones. Why would he mess with success with an all-in-one TV? That said, it seems like the all-in-one TV/media player/5.1 audio system is what's on Apple's mind, and Sony's expertise could, in theory, get it done.
Quote:
If Apple decides they need an audio system (which I highly doubt), they could spend far less on a company like Bose. But then, why would Apple want to compete with other audio system makers that they're partnering with to put in AirPlay in all of their future systems as an industry standard?
Also, what if Bose is not for sale? And Bose doesn't have the combination of media content and A/V expertise of Sony. One deal to rule them all, etc. etc. etc.
Quote:
If Apple wanted to just cherry-pick certain businesses and assets of Sony, they'd have to divest a whole bunch (a great majority) of the remaining businesses that are not profitable and that just do not fit into where Apple is going. That would mean selling those assets off to Sony's competitors and laying off many tens of thousands of employees. It would end up looking like a fire sale of what was once the prime symbol of Japan's rise as an economic superpower. No, Japan wouldn't have any of that.
I found a loophole to this potential issue: Apple could choose to simply purchase the American subsidiary of Sony, also known as Sony Corporation of America. This subsidiary owns Sony's music and movie arms, as well as Sony Electronics Inc, which controls production of televisions and audio systems. In other words, everything that I believe Apple needs, and nothing more. Here is a list of products under Sony Electronics. During or after acquisition, Apple could simply sell back to Sony of Japan all the divisions they don't need, such as the "Business Solutions", Vaio, and Broadcast divisions.
Purchase of simply the American arm of Sony doesn't include the intellectual properties of the PlayStation, and leaves Sony Worldwide otherwise intact and autonomous of Apple. This should pass Japanese muster.
Curious this comes out on the same day as these rumors...
Interesting. The fact that they waited until even after Microsoft to release a (potentially decent) touch-based phone, despite being in this industry for years, says it all.
Apple plans to buy Monsanto and create genetically engineered iPlants that play music and have 4G phones in their leaves. But the seeds from these plants won't sprout, forcing farmers to buy new iPlants from Appsanto every year.
I'll state it again... AppleTV + decent GPU + controller = bye bye PS3.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy Davis
What are the pieces to making a successful technology that would allow you to create your own TV station? Maybe there is a piece or two there that might require amounts of money approaching $50B...where the technology is not quite there yet, but getting closer and closer....and when the time comes, the money will be needed....
I would say look there.
That's a fascinating idea but for TV and movies access to content and studios is the biggest hurdle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatchet
There are some downsides to Sony, but here are the real upsides:
- Access to Asian Markets. Anyone know what Sony's marketshare is in China?
– Owning the Sony music and movie libraries guarantees content for Apple's "hobbies"
- Blu-ray licenses, no longer a bag of hurt
- Chance to kick MS in the only real success it has had since Windows 95. Apple + Playstation means bad things for XBox.
- Absolutely gets Apple into the living room.
Apple can sell off the Sony units that don't make sense:
- Someone would buy the PC unit.
– Someone would buy the phone unit.
Going to be brutal here, bear with me.
-Apple just needs to make 30 Apple Retail Stores in China by 2013, and they have all the access they need. China sees Apple as the premier luxury brand, not Sony. By the way by the end of 2013 we will see at least 20 Apple Retail Stores in China, Apple has said so, more or less. Also, the problem across Asia is there is simply not enough iPhones and iPads to sell, not whether people want them or not. Macs could be bigger but there isn't enough knowledge, support and access to parts and technicians.
-Apple doesn't need Sony music libraries. iTunes is close to being the number 1 legal purchase music site, and soon will surpass CDs.
-Apple doesn't specifically need Sony movies, TV, whatever. They need a whole bunch of studios and content from many different sources. We know that people want the most choice possible when it comes to content. I don't care if a show is "published" by Sony Pictures or Viacom or CBS or Baskin Robbins. I just want my darn Futurama or Mad Men or Iron Man 2 at a low, low price. Preferably free. Studios barely get this, that's why they're bleeding billions to torrents and the quality of most movies has absolutely gone down the drain.
-Xbox. If tomorrow AppleTV had a controller and solid GPU, and could deliver 1080p graphics that surpass the Xbox360, it will be a true console gaming device. With all the App Store and iDevice clout, there is no way there wouldn't be tripleA titles released simultaneously on AppleTV. Apple basically just has to flip a switch somewhere in Cupertino and Boom! PS3 killer. Maybe even huge Xbox competitor. BTW IMO Move on the PS3 is a terrible, terrible hack to get Wii like functionality. You need a camera and a lighted ball for motion detection. If that doesn't say Sony is losing it I don't know what does.
-Blu-Ray? Yeah Steve would love to own it so he can bury it once and for all and move everyone to streaming/digital.
-Apple in the living room? They just need to take any TV panel, put the Apple logo on it and it would be a major TV brand overnight, no Sony required. They don't make the best or cheapest panels anyway.
It's not as crazy as it sounds. The 2 companies have similar design goals. Acquiring the PlayStation franchise would be a huge win for Apple.
I know I'm hammering this pretty hard, but the PlayStation franchise is not needed by Apple. The graphics are poorer than Xbox360 and a standard PC gaming rig. Move is a desperate hack, the iPhone4 does better as a motion controller. A decent GPU and with the App Store an Apple console will be an overnight success, just need to factor in devs to do their porting.
Sony had a showcase store in the Metreon Center in San Francisco. Lots of shiny gear, but it was over-priced and always empty. They shut it down a few years back.
C.
They shut it down? I loved that place. Well, this was 8 to 10 years ago. So much, so fast. From my posts it sounds like I am a Sony hater but it really was one of my favourite brands until I got my iPod, iPhone, etc. and Sony started losing direction in the past five years.
Jobs admired Sony for what it was when Apple was tiny. Now, Apple is eating their lunch. This sort of takeover never works. SGI swallowed Cray, and never recovered. Compaq swallowed DEC, and is history (what swallowing that lump of indigestible detritus did to HP is another story).
Comments
You do not live in Europe certainly!
Sony is bigger that Microsoft and Apple together in Europe.
Speak for your small corner of Europe; it's not true for London and the UK.
I suspect there are more people setting foot within the Apple Store Regent Street alone than in all the Sony Centres in London put together!
People aren''t just looking, they're buying, so many visitors everywhere within the store!
There's Apple everywhere, Apple ads on the TV, Apple kit discussed on TV, radio, the blogs, the press. Apple kit given away as prizes.
I'm sorry, but Sony doesn't even get a look in, I think the last time I saw a Sony ad was when they were promoting their TVs for the World Cup.
What on earth can Sony offer Apple?
I suspect there are more people setting foot within the Apple Store Regent Street alone than in all the Sony Centres in London put together!
Sony had a showcase store in the Metreon Center in San Francisco. Lots of shiny gear, but it was over-priced and always empty. They shut it down a few years back.
C.
What on earth can Sony offer Apple?
See my above post. Here's a more simplified version of what they could gain:
1. Movie studios (Columbia Pictures, MGM, Sony Pictures Classics, Screen Gems)
2. Sony Records (multiple labels, including Jive and Columbia Records, which include artists like Beyonce and Justin Timberlake)
3. Televisions (for the rumored all-in-one Apple TV)
4. Surround sound audio systems (to sell with Apple TV's)
As noted above, purchasing just the television and entertainmemt divisions of Sony could fulfill Apple's goals.
Sony's TTM revenues is $89 billion and Apple's is now $65 billion. Sony has 172,000 employees while Apple has around 34,000. Sony's net income was a measly $270 million (0.3% net margin) for the TTM while Apple's was $14 billion (21.5%). That's nearly 52 times more earnings for Apple on far less revenues. Why in the heck would Apple want to take on this kind of grotesquely bloated dinosaur? Plus, Japan would never allow it to happen. Even minority stakes investment makes no sense. Sony's stock price is about the same as it was 5 years ago. What return will Apple get for investing in Sony?
I heard that Sony's market cap is around $30 billion. With Apple's ~$50 billion cash on hand, that's enough for Apple to theoretically buy the company, apparently. You do have a point about Japanese approval. Only buying certain Sony divisions would fix that problem, and also reduce the price.
Now we are getting somewhere. Sony owns content that Apple licenses. Apple owning content eases negotiation processes with at least one major record company, and one movie studio -- they own the studio and the record labels! Additionally, Apple owning Sony Entertainment creates incredible incentive for music artists to sign with a Sony/Apple music label, as they will always have iTunes access.
Apple doesn't license this content from Sony, they retail it. Apple owning content creates a huge disincentive for other content owners to allow Apple to retail their products. They're having problems enough now. You suggestion makes it close to impossible. One step forward, five steps backwards.
See my above post. Here's a more simplified version of what they could gain:
1. Movie studios (Columbia Pictures, MGM, Sony Pictures Classics, Screen Gems)
2. Sony Records (multiple labels, including Jive and Columbia Records, which include artists like Beyonce and Justin Timberlake)
3. Televisions (for the rumored all-in-one Apple TV)
4. Surround sound audio systems (to sell with Apple TV's)
As noted above, purchasing just the television and entertainmemt divisions of Sony could fulfill Apple's goals.
I heard that Sony's market cap is around $30 billion. With Apple's ~$50 billion cash on hand, that's enough for Apple to theoretically buy the company, apparently. You do have a point about Japanese approval. Only buying certain Sony divisions would fix that problem, and also reduce the price.
Yes, Apple could buy a lot of companies with $51 billion but doing so has to make business sense - both short-term and long-term. Most major M&A's fail. That has proven to be the case time and time again. What looks good on paper normally doesn't pan out in reality. And it would be even more so for a company with as unique of a culture as Apple's.
Regarding Sony's content assets, Disney would make more sense but I really don't see why Apple needs to own content of a few studios and media companies when Apple is trying to court all of them to provide media for Apple's iTunes and iOS devices. Apple would be competing with other media companies that Apple wants on their side.
As for the rumored Apple HDTV set, Sony is already an established brand. What would be the point of removing the Sony logo and putting the Apple logo on one? They could have many other TV set makers just build one for Apple without owning Sony. Also, I don't think an Apple TV set really makes that much sense either to begin with when a continually improving set-top box will do. Just how important is it to have the Apple logo on the TV set?
If Apple decides they need an audio system (which I highly doubt), they could spend far less on a company like Bose. But then, why would Apple want to compete with other audio system makers that they're partnering with to put in AirPlay in all of their future systems as an industry standard?
If Apple wanted to just cherry-pick certain businesses and assets of Sony, they'd have to divest a whole bunch (a great majority) of the remaining businesses that are not profitable and that just do not fit into where Apple is going. That would mean selling those assets off to Sony's competitors and laying off many tens of thousands of employees. It would end up looking like a fire sale of what was once the prime symbol of Japan's rise as an economic superpower. No, Japan wouldn't have any of that.
what part of accepting is required in a hostile take over or were you referring to a hotel in Japan?
Touché
Apple would have a huge problem on their hands with Apple Records, if I'm not mistaken. Isn't their agreement intact where Apple is not allowed to enter into the music business? Sony's music division would create quite a headache for them.
Nope - you must have missed this:
On 5 February 2007, Apple Inc. and Apple Corps announced a settlement of their trademark dispute under which Apple Inc. will own all of the trademarks related to ?Apple? and will license certain of those trademarks back to Apple Corps for their continued use. The settlement ends the ongoing trademark lawsuit between the companies, with each party bearing its own legal costs, and Apple Inc. will continue using its name and logos on iTunes. The settlement includes terms that are confidential, although newspaper accounts at the time stated that Apple Computer was buying out Apple Corps' trademark rights for a total of $500 million U.S.[13]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_C...Apple_Computer
How about thinking beyond the final product. Sony is a key R&D, supplier and manufacture of many components. Display panels, chips...etc also Apple would acquire all of Sony's IP
It may be a good move for Apple. Especially since they are not a "Computer" company anymore.
Exactly. I had the same reaction when I heard about this, but the more I think about it, the more I think it makes sense.
I could see Apple divesting themselves of the parts of Sony that don't make sense - much like Jobs dramatically simplified the Mac line to the infamous four square box upon his return to Apple.
And integration of Apple technologies with Sony products is brilliant - who wouldn't love an iOS mulit-touch car stereo that syncs with your house when you park your car in the garage? Would make the Microsoft Sync stuff that Ford is pushing (which is pretty cool, don't get me wrong) pale in comparison.
I see lots if interesting synergy - and not just from component parts. Isn't the new chip for the main camera in the iPhone 4 from Sony? And replacing GoogleTV with Apple TV would be delicious too
But Sony also has the PlayStation, TV and other productions and so much more and I doubt Apple wants all that.
I think this will just remain a rumor. I can't see any truth to this.
Apple doesn't license this content from Sony, they retail it. Apple owning content creates a huge disincentive for other content owners to allow Apple to retail their products. They're having problems enough now. You suggestion makes it close to impossible. One step forward, five steps backwards.
Not quite. First off, there's a similar argument with the Comcast/NBC merger -- why put ABC, FOX, and CBS content on Comcast? But it looks like the FCC will let the merger go through. Obviously they're not worried, there, and why should they? Comcast customers will continue to want their other local channels, and if they don't get them, they'll go to a competing cable or satellite company.
Second: Sure, Apple "retails" music and movies on iTunes. But what I'm saying is that in order to retail it, an agreement has to be made between Apple and the content providers on how much Apple can sell the content for, how much the labels get, etc. Any musician who signs with an Apple-owned Sony Records would know that Apple would never stop selling their music on iTunes, because of a contract dispute between Apple and an outside content provider. There's a lot of peace of mind there.
iTunes is the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Appx. half of all modern music sales is from iTunes, and more and more movie purchases go through iTunes; you have to sell through them, especially music. If other content providers don't make a deal with Apple, they lose a lot of profit. Read what happened to Rubbermaid when they couldn't get a deal with WalMart in the 90's. Same thing here. Apple would have the leverage, and there's nothing Warner Records or 20th Century Fox could do about it.
Yes, Apple could buy a lot of companies with $51 billion but doing so has to make business sense - both short-term and long-term. Most major M&A's fail. That has proven to be the case time and time again. What looks good on paper normally doesn't pan out in reality. And it would be even more so for a company with as unique of a culture as Apple's.
You bring up a good point. When I first heard this story, the first thing I thought was a shocked, "What?!" It made no sense to me, either. I'm still not convinced that a purchase of Sony would be a good one. But what do I know? I'm not Steve. Maybe he sees something I don't. But usually, these kind of purchases don't work. (How lucky does Microsoft feel for not purchasing Yahoo?)
That said, if Steve purchases Adobe, then I would believe he went off the deep end.
Regarding Sony's content assets, Disney would make more sense
Disney is an even bigger and more complex corporate conglomerate. Which parts would be important for Apple? Besides, Sony offers television IP that Disney can't offer.
As for the rumored Apple HDTV set, Sony is already an established brand. What would be the point of removing the Sony logo and putting the Apple logo on one? They could have many other TV set makers just build one for Apple without owning Sony. Also, I don't think an Apple TV set really makes that much sense either to begin with when a continually improving set-top box will do. Just how important is it to have the Apple logo on the TV set?
You do make a good point about simply making their own IPS-based LCD display and contracting Samsung or LG to make it. That would be the route I would take, and it's the route Steve has taken for iPhones. Why would he mess with success with an all-in-one TV? That said, it seems like the all-in-one TV/media player/5.1 audio system is what's on Apple's mind, and Sony's expertise could, in theory, get it done.
If Apple decides they need an audio system (which I highly doubt), they could spend far less on a company like Bose. But then, why would Apple want to compete with other audio system makers that they're partnering with to put in AirPlay in all of their future systems as an industry standard?
Also, what if Bose is not for sale? And Bose doesn't have the combination of media content and A/V expertise of Sony. One deal to rule them all, etc. etc. etc.
If Apple wanted to just cherry-pick certain businesses and assets of Sony, they'd have to divest a whole bunch (a great majority) of the remaining businesses that are not profitable and that just do not fit into where Apple is going. That would mean selling those assets off to Sony's competitors and laying off many tens of thousands of employees. It would end up looking like a fire sale of what was once the prime symbol of Japan's rise as an economic superpower. No, Japan wouldn't have any of that.
I found a loophole to this potential issue: Apple could choose to simply purchase the American subsidiary of Sony, also known as Sony Corporation of America. This subsidiary owns Sony's music and movie arms, as well as Sony Electronics Inc, which controls production of televisions and audio systems. In other words, everything that I believe Apple needs, and nothing more. Here is a list of products under Sony Electronics. During or after acquisition, Apple could simply sell back to Sony of Japan all the divisions they don't need, such as the "Business Solutions", Vaio, and Broadcast divisions.
Purchase of simply the American arm of Sony doesn't include the intellectual properties of the PlayStation, and leaves Sony Worldwide otherwise intact and autonomous of Apple. This should pass Japanese muster.
Curious this comes out on the same day as these rumors...
http://www.electronista.com/articles...etails.emerge/
Curious this comes out on the same day as these rumors...
Interesting. The fact that they waited until even after Microsoft to release a (potentially decent) touch-based phone, despite being in this industry for years, says it all.
As I said before, a has-been company.
Apple plans to buy Monsanto and create genetically engineered iPlants that play music and have 4G phones in their leaves. But the seeds from these plants won't sprout, forcing farmers to buy new iPlants from Appsanto every year.
Brilliant!
Not going to happen, this is just a case of stock manipulation.
Apple are more likely to buy something that they don't already do, or something they have just started on.
Quit making sense.
Gaming comes to mind
I'll state it again... AppleTV + decent GPU + controller = bye bye PS3.
What are the pieces to making a successful technology that would allow you to create your own TV station? Maybe there is a piece or two there that might require amounts of money approaching $50B...where the technology is not quite there yet, but getting closer and closer....and when the time comes, the money will be needed....
I would say look there.
That's a fascinating idea but for TV and movies access to content and studios is the biggest hurdle.
There are some downsides to Sony, but here are the real upsides:
- Access to Asian Markets. Anyone know what Sony's marketshare is in China?
– Owning the Sony music and movie libraries guarantees content for Apple's "hobbies"
- Blu-ray licenses, no longer a bag of hurt
- Chance to kick MS in the only real success it has had since Windows 95. Apple + Playstation means bad things for XBox.
- Absolutely gets Apple into the living room.
Apple can sell off the Sony units that don't make sense:
- Someone would buy the PC unit.
– Someone would buy the phone unit.
Going to be brutal here, bear with me.
-Apple just needs to make 30 Apple Retail Stores in China by 2013, and they have all the access they need. China sees Apple as the premier luxury brand, not Sony. By the way by the end of 2013 we will see at least 20 Apple Retail Stores in China, Apple has said so, more or less. Also, the problem across Asia is there is simply not enough iPhones and iPads to sell, not whether people want them or not. Macs could be bigger but there isn't enough knowledge, support and access to parts and technicians.
-Apple doesn't need Sony music libraries. iTunes is close to being the number 1 legal purchase music site, and soon will surpass CDs.
-Apple doesn't specifically need Sony movies, TV, whatever. They need a whole bunch of studios and content from many different sources. We know that people want the most choice possible when it comes to content. I don't care if a show is "published" by Sony Pictures or Viacom or CBS or Baskin Robbins. I just want my darn Futurama or Mad Men or Iron Man 2 at a low, low price. Preferably free. Studios barely get this, that's why they're bleeding billions to torrents and the quality of most movies has absolutely gone down the drain.
-Xbox. If tomorrow AppleTV had a controller and solid GPU, and could deliver 1080p graphics that surpass the Xbox360, it will be a true console gaming device. With all the App Store and iDevice clout, there is no way there wouldn't be tripleA titles released simultaneously on AppleTV. Apple basically just has to flip a switch somewhere in Cupertino and Boom! PS3 killer. Maybe even huge Xbox competitor. BTW IMO Move on the PS3 is a terrible, terrible hack to get Wii like functionality. You need a camera and a lighted ball for motion detection. If that doesn't say Sony is losing it I don't know what does.
-Blu-Ray? Yeah Steve would love to own it so he can bury it once and for all and move everyone to streaming/digital.
-Apple in the living room? They just need to take any TV panel, put the Apple logo on it and it would be a major TV brand overnight, no Sony required. They don't make the best or cheapest panels anyway.
A tool like this perhaps:
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/adc-presents/preview-of-the-edge-prototype-tool-for-html5-/
C.
Sorry, can't read it. Says flash is required
Hilarious!
It's not as crazy as it sounds. The 2 companies have similar design goals. Acquiring the PlayStation franchise would be a huge win for Apple.
I know I'm hammering this pretty hard, but the PlayStation franchise is not needed by Apple. The graphics are poorer than Xbox360 and a standard PC gaming rig. Move is a desperate hack, the iPhone4 does better as a motion controller. A decent GPU and with the App Store an Apple console will be an overnight success, just need to factor in devs to do their porting.
Sony had a showcase store in the Metreon Center in San Francisco. Lots of shiny gear, but it was over-priced and always empty. They shut it down a few years back.
C.
They shut it down? I loved that place. Well, this was 8 to 10 years ago. So much, so fast. From my posts it sounds like I am a Sony hater but it really was one of my favourite brands until I got my iPod, iPhone, etc. and Sony started losing direction in the past five years.