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Apple won't: a) buy EA, b) buy Twitter, c) launch its own game console

Written by: Dennis Sellers

Article Overview: Tough economic times or not, Apple is rolling in dough. It has an US$29 billion cash balance, so this has led to some crazy speculation on what Apple will do with the moolah. There's been talk -- crazy talk in my opinion -- that Apple will buy Twitter and/or Electronic Arts.

Apple won't: a) buy EA, b) buy Twitter, c) launch its own game console



Tough economic times or not, Apple is rolling in dough. It has an US$29 billion cash balance, so this has led to some crazy speculation on what Apple will do with the moolah. There's been talk -- crazy talk in my opinion -- that Apple will buy Twitter and/or Electronic Arts.

An article in "The Street" this week said that Apple is eyeing Electronic Arts, the gaming company, as a takeover. I'm dubious, though with EA one of the biggest forces in gaming, this would put Apple in a prime position to dominate videogames. But to what end? To make its own games for the iPhone/iPod touch?

Surely it's more than that. I'd rather see Apple spend its money on the GameDock concept. Of course, since I took the concept that "Mac/Life" first developed and tweaked it, naturally I would like the idea.

There's also speculation that Apple might be planning its own gaming console. However, after the company's 1995 experience with the ill-fated Pippin -- named by "GamePro" magazine among the "Top 10 Worst Selling Consoles of All Time" -- I can't imagine this happening.

Still, "The Digital Lifestyle" says that, judging by Apple's latest moves, "there is no denying something big is in the works." Their evidence of a possible Apple gaming console? Hiring Richard Teversham from Microsoft's Xbox business. Hiring Bob Drebin, chief technologist at AMD's graphics group and creator of the Nintendo Gamecube's graphics processor. Hiring chip designer Mark Papermaster as head of Apple's iPod business from IBM. Purchasing 3.6 percent of U.K.-based ImagInation and licensing its PowerVR graphics technology. Buying processor designer PA Semi.

I think the companies/talents/technologies that are relatively new to Apple will bear fruit for future iPhones, iPods and Macs. But not on an Apple gaming console.

On the other hand, I'd bet on a gaming console before Apple buying Twitter. But this week "Valleywag" claimed that Apple is close to buying Twitter for as much as $700 million. The blog says "a source who's plugged into the Valley's deal scene and has been recruited by Apple for a senior position says Apple and Twitter are in serious negotiations, with the goal of unveiling a deal by June 8, when Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference launches."

Sorry, Twitter fans, but it's not going to happen. Personally, I'm not convinced that "tweeting" is more than a fad. Besides, what's in it for Apple? There are lots of Twitter clients for the iPhone, but Apple is going to make money from 'em whether it owns Twitter or not.

Apple says enough money to buy a few companies, but EA and Twitter won't be among them. What companies would you like to see Apple buy?

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Article Tags: apple, cash balance, consoles, crazy talk, digital lifestyle, ea, economic times, electronic arts, gaming company, iphone, ipod touch, mac life, moolah, own games, pippin, prime position, speculation, takeover, times new roman, videogames



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