Apple to take bite at Palm?

[Joel]

Personal Computer World reports: "Speculation that Apple plans to buy handheld maker Palm has been revived by a call from two leading Palm investors for the company to be put up for sale, according to the local paper of both companies." [details (http://www.1src.com/?m=show&id=1434)]

[Joel]

The 1src Editorials also has this article by Ed Hardy: Apple Should License the Palm OS (http://www.1src.com/scripts/show/1412-Apple_Should_License_the_Palm_OS.html).

[Maticek]

So is this positive or negative news?

[LexLuther]

To tell you the truth, if Apple bought Palm and MAC'ified it I might actually spring for an Apple computer. I have four wintel laptops now but I have always wondered about going over to the light side. This might just do it if it transpired and was well executed.

[dragonsgames]

Imagine how good the Palm's would look. :)
Even though I am very doubtful of this, it could happen :D

[pgenie]

We are into a technological world. Beauty - looks do not matter.
Here comes creativity. Let it be apple, Google, Sun Microsystems, Cisco, Intel, name it... If these people could be creative enough by thinking abt new down-to-earth solution architecture, then we users would be happy.

So, don't be too thrilled by this news though it's still rumors.

[PDAJah]

Apple will see its market share of music enabled devices being erodded by cellphone manufacturers. Buying a Smartphone company now may give time to extend its product offering into the cellphone arena and maintain the full vertical positioning (content, delivery and devices).

[frauen1]

I have done my own analysis of this possibility (http://tomfrauen.blogspot.com/2006/02/apple-to-buy-palm-why.html) and think this is not terribly likely. The only benefit for Apple is Palm's relationships with the carriers - that would speed along acceptance of any device they might have. On the other hand, the carriers are not inclined to accept any phone that makes it easy to add content from a third-party service such as iTunes because they want that money.

I really don't see this happening.

[SonyStyle]

although palm is for sale, i dont htink companies are going to buy palm just because paying the premium for just one measly device is not worth it(ie "treo") its very stupid to pay a lot of money just for a treo, palm doesnt have much assets unless ppl want to name their device a "palm". treo may die on its own as competitors bring out more niche devices which palm cannot competite and go extinct.

[mareuter]

I think it's more likely that we see someone come out of left field - a company not associated directly with the PDA market - if Palm does go onto the auction block. If you look at the speed at which Apple has been able to innovate in the last 5 years, there's no reason why they couldn't just build their own pda-OS or expand the OS in iPods to become a full-fledged PDA. I think that Jobs values intellectual 'power' (if you will), time-to-market, competitiveness and sheer innovation over anything else, and those just aren't attributes that we associate with Palm anymore.

Of course, as always, my $.02.

Mike

[intellidryad]

From the view point of Palm Inc. , I think it's best for it to stay independent. The restrections that 3Com imposed on Palm made them feel unable to do their best, which lead to Jeff, Donna & Co. quitting and founding Handspring. I really don't think those guys would like to work under Steve Jobs, who is the control freak.

From the veiw point of a consumer, it's of course best to see Apple license Palm OS and compete with Palm, imagine all the innovative and beautiful gadgets they might make :)

[rcartwr]

I think its far more likely that Palm and Apple will cross license the Treo and iTunes technology then Apple buy Palm. Apple would get a turnkey smartphone and Palm will get a big marketing edge with being able to download music from iTunes.

[Dick Tracy]

I do not believe that Palm is for sale. A shareholder sending a demand letter does not make the Board kowtow.

[JAmerican]

I think Apple wants to move iTunes to the Treo instead of the Motorola Rokr which sucked. Not that they want to really take over Palm.

JAmerican

[tungsten t5]

maybe a apple style zodiac type thing? this could let apple get into the portable gaming industry. maybe a whole new gui? :)

[PDAJah]

As an alternative view, Palm would be a great buy for Nokia as the Treo is strong brand in US and this would give Nokia a foothold in the US Smartphone market.

Apple could also be a good option. iTunes has a market position that the networks would not be able to replicate and therefore it makes sense fo rthem to buy access to it for their subscribers. So a fully vertical offering of iPOD and Smartphone to content is a good idea and workable. This would really allow Apple to expand market share - more Smartphones are projected to be sold than iPODs.

[Gon-So]

maybe a apple style zodiac type thing? this could let apple get into the portable gaming industry. maybe a whole new gui? :)

A gaming Apple device? Yea right. Skipping right over the Pippin, when has Apple ever designed something specifically for games. The only possible improvement in that arena would be Breakout (invented by, surprise, Steve Jobs).


Note: I'm not saying Macs are bad for gaming, I'm using one right now.

[Legodude522]

A gaming Apple device? Yea right. Skipping right over the Pippin, when has Apple ever designed something specifically for games. The only possible improvement in that arena would be Breakout (invented by, surprise, Steve Jobs).


Note: I'm not saying Macs are bad for gaming, I'm using one right now. Actually, Apple made a console concept long before Xbox.

Besides, it is hard to play Half Life on an iPod.[Yes, people have done it]

[Gon-So]

Actually, Apple made a console concept long before Xbox.

Besides, it is hard to play Half Life on an iPod.[Yes, people have done it]
That console was called the Pippin I believe. My point is that Apple is focused on Photos, Video, and Music not games. If Apple were to add anything, it would be communications. I stand by my opinion: no Apple style Zodiac.

[dragonsgames]

Apple would use the Treo (iTreo?) and use the Palm software to add greater PIM to the lineup :)

[Colormeweb]

A little off topic but here is a link to a nice Apple gaming console concept photo: http://pixelmojo.com/Site/Stills%202.html

[Legodude522]

A little off topic but here is a link to a nice Apple gaming console concept photo: http://pixelmojo.com/Site/Stills%202.html
Sorry for another OT post but here (http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/redlightrunner/appledesignpage6.jpg) is the Apple console concept.

[little-man]

It looks at this point like Apple's next iPod release will have a touchscreen in order to expand screen size. I don't know anything for sure, but Apple is a smart company, so I would assume that they would take advantage of the new hardware by giving this new device much higher PDA functionality than the current iPods have. I think this new iPod is going to be Apple's re-entry into the PDA market.

[Legodude522]

I'm reading the book Piloting Palm which is about the behind story of Palm.

Anyway, I came across a point where when Palm was trying to break away from 3Com, Steve Jobs called up Donna Dubinski and offered to buy Palm. Dubinski obviously said no.